What Does the Bible Say About Friendship — Meaning Explained

The Bible has much to say about the nature of true friendship. Proverbs 17:17 declares, 'A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.' The friendship between David and Jonathan is one of Scripture's most beautiful relationships — their souls were knit together, and Jonathan sacrificed his own claim to the throne out of love for David (1 Samuel 18:1-4). Proverbs emphasizes the value of honest, growth-producing friendships: 'Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend' (Proverbs 27:17) and 'Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful' (Proverbs 27:6). Jesus modeled the ultimate friendship, telling His disciples, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends' (John 15:13). He called His disciples friends rather than servants. The Bible also warns about harmful friendships: 'Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners' (1 Corinthians 15:33).