Introduction
Friendship holds a big place in the Bible, from the proverbs of Solomon to the words of Jesus to his disciples. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, can be read aloud, shared or written on a card for a friend. They fall into five facets: faithfulness in friendship, what companionship brings, choosing your friends wisely, the love Jesus teaches, and the practical acts of support and forgiveness that make a relationship last.
A Faithful Friendship in Every Season
1. Proverbs 17:17
"A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity."
This proverb of Solomon describes the true friend: he “loves at all times,” not only when everything is going well. Misfortune reveals real friendship, because the friend stays close and proves to be “a brother.” Think of the person who stayed faithful during your last trial and tell them thank you. Read all of Proverbs 17.
2. Proverbs 18:24
"A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Solomon contrasts quantity with quality: “A man of many companions may be ruined,” yet there is “a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” A few solid friends are better than many shallow relationships. Patiently cultivate the ones you can count on. Read all of Proverbs 18.
3. Ruth 1:16-17
"Ruth said, “Don’t urge me to leave you, and to return from following you, for where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May Yahweh do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me."
Ruth speaks to her mother-in-law Naomi, a widow ready to go back to Bethlehem. She refuses to leave her: “Your people will be my people, and your God my God.” Her devotion goes beyond simple duty, because she chooses to stay beside someone who is vulnerable. Read all of Ruth 1.
4. 1 Samuel 18:1-3
"When he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Saul took him that day, and wouldn’t let him go home to his father’s house any more. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul."
Jonathan, the son of King Saul, bonds with young David, who has just defeated Goliath. He “loved him as his own soul” and made a covenant with him. This selfless friendship overcomes rivalry, since David will become king in place of Jonathan’s own family. Read all of 1 Samuel 18.
What Friendship Brings to Life
5. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up."
The Teacher of Ecclesiastes observes that “Two are better than one,” because when one falls, “the one will lift up his fellow.” He pities the person who falls alone. This verse invites us not to go through hard times in isolation, and to be available to lift up a friend in our turn. Read all of Ecclesiastes 4.
6. Ecclesiastes 4:12
"If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
The text adds that “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” It speaks first of two people standing together against an attacker. Many also see in it the picture of a friendship in which God is present as the third strand, making it even stronger. Read all of Ecclesiastes 4.
7. Proverbs 27:9
"Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend."
Solomon compares the friend to perfume and incense, those pleasures that “bring joy to the heart.” What is sweet, he says, is “earnest counsel from a man’s friend.” A good friend does not simply stay pleasant, but also helps you see more clearly and decide more wisely. Read all of Proverbs 27.
8. Proverbs 27:10
"Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend. Don’t go to your brother’s house in the day of your disaster. A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother."
This proverb asks us to stay loyal to old friends: “Don’t forsake your friend and your father’s friend.” It adds that “A neighbor who is near is better than a distant brother.” Friendship is nourished by real presence, so send news and stop by to see those who matter to you. Read all of Proverbs 27.
Choosing Your Friends Wisely
9. Proverbs 13:20
"One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm."
“One who walks with wise men grows wise,” says Solomon, adding that a companion of fools suffers harm. The company we keep shapes us, often without our realizing it. Ask yourself where your friendships are pulling you, upward or downward. Read all of Proverbs 13.
10. Proverbs 27:6
"The wounds of a friend are faithful, although the kisses of an enemy are profuse."
Here is a valuable test: “The wounds of a friend are faithful.” A true friend dares to say a hard truth, while flattery is deceptive. This verse helps us welcome an honest remark instead of experiencing it as an attack. Read all of Proverbs 27.
11. 1 Corinthians 15:33
"Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals."
Paul quotes a well-known saying to warn the Corinthians: “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.” He is not asking us to run away from people, but to be careful about those who influence our convictions and habits. Choose your closest confidants with care. Read all of 1 Corinthians 15.
12. Proverbs 22:24-25
"Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man, and don’t associate with one who harbors anger: lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul."
The wise man warns: “Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man.” The reason is practical, because you end up getting used to his ways, and they become a snare for your soul. This is not an invitation to reject anyone, but to avoid taking his reactions as a model. Read all of Proverbs 22.
Loving the Way Jesus Loves His Friends
13. John 15:13
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
Jesus speaks to his disciples on the eve of his death. According to him, there is no greater love than to “lay down his life for his friends.” He is pointing ahead to the cross. This verse shows the model for friendship: a love that is willing to pay a price. Read all of John 15.
14. John 15:15
"No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you."
Jesus changes the status of his disciples: “I have called you friends.” A servant does not know what his lord does, but Jesus has made known to them everything he heard from his Father. Friendship with God comes through trust and through sharing the secrets of the heart. Read all of John 15.
15. John 13:34-35
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Jesus gives a new commandment: to love one another, “Just as I have loved you.” The standard is not our natural affection, but the way he has loved us. He adds that it is by this love that everyone will know they are his disciples. Read all of John 13.
16. James 2:23
"So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God."
James recalls that Abraham’s faith was counted to him as righteousness and that “he was called the friend of God.” This title shows that God desires a close relationship with those who trust him. Human friendship can draw strength from that first relationship. Read all of James 2.
Supporting and Encouraging One Another Every Day
17. Galatians 6:2
"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Paul writes to the Galatians: “Bear one another’s burdens.” He explains that this is how we fulfill the law of Christ. A friend is recognized by the ability to share the load, by listening, by helping or simply by staying present. Read all of Galatians 6.
18. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do."
Paul writes to the Thessalonians: “build each other up.” He acknowledges that they are already doing so. A word of encouragement, a note of thanks or a prayer for a friend is a very concrete way to build up what God is building in that person’s life. Read all of 1 Thessalonians 5.
19. Hebrews 10:24-25
"Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
The author invites believers to spur one another on: “Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works.” He ties this to the life of the gathered church. Christian friendships grow by meeting together regularly, to encourage one another in love and good deeds. Read all of Hebrews 10.
20. Colossians 3:13
"bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do."
No friendship lasts without forgiveness. Paul asks us to bear with one another and to forgive each other, because Christ forgave first. When a friend has hurt you, this verse shows the way to a relationship that is repaired rather than broken. Read all of Colossians 3.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Bible verse about friendship?
Proverbs 17:17 is one of the most quoted: the friend loves at all times and proves to be a brother in adversity. John 15:13 and Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 are also popular choices for a card or a message to a friend. The best verse depends on your relationship.
What does the Bible say about bad company?
Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 22:24-25 and 1 Corinthians 15:33 warn that the company we keep shapes our character. This does not mean running away from people who are struggling, but choosing carefully the confidants and influences that guide our decisions. Friendship is chosen with discernment, without losing compassion.
Who are the great friends in the Bible?
David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-3), Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17) and Abraham, called “the friend of God” (James 2:23), are the best-known examples. Jesus also calls his disciples his friends in John 15:15, which shows that friendship is part of life with God.
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