What Does the Bible Say About Friendship?
What Does the Bible Say About Friendship? The Bible celebrates loyal friendship, exemplified by David and Jonathan, and teaches that true friends love at all times and sharpen one another.
Key verse: Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)
The Bible celebrates loyal friendship, exemplified by David and Jonathan, and teaches that true friends love at all times and sharpen one another.
The Bible celebrates loyal friendship, exemplified by David and Jonathan, and teaches that true friends love at all times and sharpen one another.
"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." — Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Scripture values deep friendship as a gift from God. The friendship of David and Jonathan is one of the Bible's most beautiful relationships—their souls were 'knit together' (1 Samuel 18:1), and Jonathan sacrificed his own throne prospects out of loyalty. Proverbs teaches that 'a friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity' (Proverbs 17:17), and 'there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother' (Proverbs 18:24). Iron sharpens iron, 'so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend' (Proverbs 27:17). Jesus called His disciples 'friends' (John 15:15) and laid down His life for them—the greatest expression of friendship (John 15:13). Scripture also warns about choosing friends wisely: 'bad company corrupts good character' (1 Corinthians 15:33). Biblical friendship involves loyalty, honesty, mutual encouragement, and spiritual accountability.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Friendship?
What the Bible teaches about true friendship, loyalty, and choosing friends wisely.
Key Scripture References
"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Was King David?
David was the shepherd boy who became Israel's greatest king, known as 'a man after God's own heart' and an ancestor of Jesus Christ.
What Does the Bible Say About Loving Your Neighbor?
Jesus identified 'love your neighbor as yourself' as the second greatest commandment, and the parable of the Good Samaritan defines neighbor as anyone in need.
What Does the Bible Say About Loneliness?
The Bible acknowledges loneliness as a real human experience and offers God's constant presence, community, and purpose as the antidote.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
How Do You Forgive Others According to the Bible?
Biblical forgiveness means releasing bitterness and choosing not to hold someone's offense against them — just as God in Christ forgave us.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Proverbs. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Proverbs on day 159 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Friendship?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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