Friendship: General Scriptures Concerning
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Friendship is a significant theme in the Bible, reflecting the importance of relationships grounded in love, loyalty, and mutual support. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the nature of true friendship, offering guidance on how to cultivate and maintain these bonds in a manner that honors God.

Proverbs on Friendship

The Book of Proverbs offers profound wisdom on the nature of friendship. Proverbs 17:17 states, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." This verse highlights the constancy and reliability expected in true friendship, emphasizing that a genuine friend remains steadfast through life's challenges.

Proverbs 18:24 further elaborates, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother." This suggests that while numerous acquaintances may surround a person, a true friend is distinguished by their closeness and unwavering support.

Friendship and Loyalty

Loyalty is a cornerstone of biblical friendship. In 1 Samuel 18:1-3, the friendship between David and Jonathan exemplifies this virtue. Their bond is described as one where "Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself." Jonathan's loyalty to David, even at the cost of his own future as heir to the throne, underscores the selflessness inherent in true friendship.

Friendship and Counsel

The Bible also speaks to the role of friends in providing wise counsel. Proverbs 27:9 states, "Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul." This verse illustrates the refreshing and uplifting nature of a friend's advice, likening it to the pleasantness of fragrant oils and incense.

Additionally, Proverbs 27:17 declares, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." This metaphor emphasizes the mutual benefit and growth that result from friends challenging and encouraging each other in their walk with God.

Friendship and Love

Love is the foundation of biblical friendship. Jesus Christ, in John 15:13 , articulates the ultimate expression of love in friendship: "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." This sacrificial love is the model for Christian friendship, reflecting the love Christ has for humanity.

Warnings About Friendship

The Bible also provides warnings about the potential pitfalls in friendships. 1 Corinthians 15:33 cautions, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" This serves as a reminder to choose friends wisely, as their influence can significantly impact one's moral and spiritual life.

Friendship with God

Finally, the Scriptures speak of the possibility of friendship with God. James 2:23 refers to Abraham as "a friend of God," highlighting the intimate relationship that can exist between God and those who walk in faith and obedience. This divine friendship is the ultimate model for human relationships, characterized by trust, loyalty, and love.

In summary, the Bible presents friendship as a vital and enriching aspect of life, offering guidance on how to nurture these relationships in a way that reflects God's love and wisdom.
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Deuteronomy 13:6-9
If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend, which is as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which you have not known, you, nor your fathers;
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Job 6:14,15
To him that is afflicted pity should be showed from his friend; but he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
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Job 16:2,20
I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are you all.
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Job 19:13-22
He has put my brothers far from me, and my acquaintance are truly estranged from me.
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Psalm 35:13,14
But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into my own bosom.
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Psalm 41:9
Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
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Psalm 55:12-14
For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
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Psalm 88:8,18
You have put away my acquaintance far from me; you have made me an abomination to them: I am shut up, and I cannot come forth.
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Proverbs 11:13
A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.
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Proverbs 17:9,17
He that covers a transgression seeks love; but he that repeats a matter separates very friends.
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Proverbs 18:24
A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
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Proverbs 22:24-27
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man you shall not go:
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Proverbs 25:17,19
Withdraw your foot from your neighbor's house; lest he be weary of you, and so hate you.
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Proverbs 27:6,9,10,14,17,19
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
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Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor.
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Amos 3:3
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
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2 Timothy 4:16
At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
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Library

General Index to Sozomen's Ecclesiastical History.
... 2753]355; miraculous powers, [2754]356; friendship for Gregory ... Buthericus, a general,
[2776]394 ... 241; inquires of priests, who expound the Scriptures, takes cross ...
/.../general index to sozomens ecclesiastical.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly ... state of
the quarrel, or choose a better general(396) for ... "Make not friendship with an ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

What the Scriptures Principally Teach: the Ruin and Recovery of ...
... we find him in communion and friendship with God ... them are the abridgment of the
Scriptures,"faith and ... the promises of the gospel, albeit general, as "worthy ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture vi what the scriptures.htm

General Index.
... general proclamation of, 355-374. result of receiving, 379. ... Frederick, elector of
Saxony, friendship of, for Luther, 138, 145, 165. ... see also Bible; Scriptures. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /general index.htm

The General Conference of 1820
... and, with the most sincere friendship and affection ... the community with the sacred
Scriptures, the society recommended to the General Conference to ...
/.../chapter 5 the general conference.htm

The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... Christ died not only for men in general, but also ... doctrine of purgatory is opposed
to the Scriptures, and to ... sent, as a last token of friendship, her gloves to ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm

On the Clause, and Shall Come in Glory to Judge the Quick and the ...
... present boast that he entertains friendship unfeigned towards ... out of the divine
Scriptures, concerning the kingdom ... time as the apostasy in general, but looks ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xv on the clause.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... is all one, make void this general prohibition of ... an oath to interpret the holy
scriptures according to ... that the Scythians confirm their friendship by swearing ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

The General Conference of 1836
... all occasions, cultivate a spirit of friendship and brotherly ... clearly laid down in
the sacred Scriptures, and so accurately defined in our general rules, as ...
/.../chapter 13 the general conference.htm

General Index to Socrates' Ecclesiastical History.
... Areobindus, a Roman general, [197]162 ... bishop of Constantinople, ordained, [316]151;
friendship of, with ... to Eusebius Pamphilus on copying the Scriptures, [546]16 ...
/.../general index to socrates ecclesiastical.htm

Resources
Friendship ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

What was the relationship between David and Jonathan? | GotQuestions.org

How can a friend stick closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)? | GotQuestions.org

Friendship: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Friendship

Friendship With the World

Friendship: Abraham and Lot

Friendship: Daniel and his Three Companions

Friendship: David and Abiathar

Friendship: David and Hiram

Friendship: David and Hushai

Friendship: David and Ittai

Friendship: David and Jonathan

Friendship: David and Nahash

Friendship: General Scriptures Concerning

Friendship: Job and his Three "Friends"

Friendship: Joram and Ahaziah

Friendship: Luke and Theophilus

Friendship: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, With Jesus

Friendship: Paul and his Nephew

Friendship: Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila

Friendship: Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus

Friendship: Ruth and Naomi

Friendship: Samuel and Saul

Friendship: The Marys, and Joseph of Arimathaea, for Jesus

Related Terms

Enmity (23 Occurrences)

Friend (139 Occurrences)

Blood (435 Occurrences)

Salt (45 Occurrences)

Visit (97 Occurrences)

Intimate (12 Occurrences)

Friendly (17 Occurrences)

Token (24 Occurrences)

Ruth (19 Occurrences)

Reconcilation

Proffer (1 Occurrence)

Break (257 Occurrences)

Antiochus

Kiss (39 Occurrences)

Martha (12 Occurrences)

Love (703 Occurrences)

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)

Monthly (11 Occurrences)

Job (60 Occurrences)

Elamites (2 Occurrences)

Elam (24 Occurrences)

Quarter (33 Occurrences)

Visitor (2 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kindness (295 Occurrences)

Nabathaeans

Numenius

Nabataeans

Under (4325 Occurrences)

Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)

Onias

Jethro (10 Occurrences)

Judas (42 Occurrences)

Lovely (19 Occurrences)

Grace (277 Occurrences)

Galeed (2 Occurrences)

Greet (46 Occurrences)

Gesture

Wishes (37 Occurrences)

Wrathful (11 Occurrences)

With (66342 Occurrences)

Win (27 Occurrences)

Furious (28 Occurrences)

Friend's (3 Occurrences)

Fright (3 Occurrences)

God (45911 Occurrences)

Tie (18 Occurrences)

Trust (201 Occurrences)

Treat (53 Occurrences)

Tender (66 Occurrences)

Reconcile (10 Occurrences)

Restoration (4 Occurrences)

Ripeness (2 Occurrences)

Rekem (6 Occurrences)

Reconciliation (11 Occurrences)

Eliphaz (14 Occurrences)

Esteem (25 Occurrences)

Dissension (18 Occurrences)

Divide (71 Occurrences)

Meshelemiah (4 Occurrences)

Modin

Passionate (6 Occurrences)

Pretend (9 Occurrences)

Prime (3 Occurrences)

Profession (9 Occurrences)

Profess (9 Occurrences)

Prayer (406 Occurrences)

Broken (559 Occurrences)

Brotherly (8 Occurrences)

Constituted (6 Occurrences)

Chooses (36 Occurrences)

Claudius (3 Occurrences)

Cush (31 Occurrences)

Conciliate (1 Occurrence)

Creatures (83 Occurrences)

Cautious (2 Occurrences)

Cement (1 Occurrence)

Commerce (3 Occurrences)

Friendship: David and Nahash
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