Good Friends: Biblical Characteristics
You can use these traits to build your existing relationships or guide you into new ones. Here are fifteen biblical qualities of a good friend to help you in your relationships.
Thessalonians : 11 On A Friendship That Encourages One Another
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing
The phrase just as you are doing explains how the early Christian behaved amongst themselves. They were practically showing love and support to those that were in the faith. Their friendship was real, and they encouraged themselves even in persecution.
We should learn from Pauls words. He wants us to be an encouragement to the hopeless and those struggling in the faith. He also wants us to be comforting in times of need.
That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each others faith, both yours and mine Romans 1: 12
Withholding Kindness From A Friend
Anyone who withholds kindness from a friendforsakes the fear of the Almighty.
Most of the Book of Job is dialogue. Jobs friends try to help him understand the tragedies that have befallen him. At one point, Jobs friend Eliphaz suggests that Job is suffering because of his own foolishness.
Here Job tells Eliphaz that hes the one acting foolish. Because if youre withholding things like kindness, comfort, and compassion from your friends, you dont fear God.
Don’t Miss: What Does The Bible Say About Self Love
A Friend Loves At All Times
A friend loves at all times,and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
If youve ever had a fair-weather friend, you know how painful it can be. Its one thing to have friends who are fun and frivolous. But its genuinely heartbreaking when youre going through a trial and those people are nowhere to be found.
A true friend is always there. They make time for you. Not only are they there to laugh with, but theyre also there when you need someone to cry with. When you find friends like that, hold on to them. Theyre worth their weight in gold. And as you strive to share Christ with others, make an effort to be that friend, too.
Who Is A Good Friend According To The Bible
A good friend according to scriptures is someone who will love you at all times and make great sacrifices for you regardless of the cost attached. John 15:13-15 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Also Check: Why Go To Bible College
Jesus Is Our Truest Friend
Many Christians hesitate to call Jesus a friend. But Jesus doesnt share our hesitations. And it matters to him that we embrace this. He invites us to understand our relationship on terms of friendship . We may need to exchange an either-or false dichotomyJesus is our King, not our friend!for the biblical both-and: Jesus is our glorious king and our greatest friend.
Proverbs 1: 20 This Bible Verse Says To Choose Good Friends Who Are A Blessing From God Because They Are Wise
| Proverbs 13:20 KJV | Proverbs 13:20 ESV | Proverbs 13:20 CEV |
| 20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. | 20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. | 20 Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools. |
Read Also: What Does The Bible Say About Obedience
Beautiful Bible Verses About Friendship
by Ryan Hart | Updated on February 7, 2019 | Post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
In this post youll discover the bible verses about friendship Ive used to build strong relationships with my best friends.
In fact:
These scriptures helped me rebuild broken friendships when times got tough in my life.
I hope they help you as well.
Lets get started.
One of my favorite bible verses about friendship comes from Proverbs 13:20:
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
This verse is a simple reminder that I am a product of the people I surround myself with. If I want to grow personally and spiritually I need to nurture friendships with people that have similar goals.
However, that also means I must carefully end friendships that hold me back.
This means distancing myself from unreliable friends and walking away from broken friendships. Even when Im going through hard times or feel lonely, I must always remember that I have Jesus as my savior.
Can A Person Be Gods Friend
Yes, it is possible for humans to be friends with God. The Bible says: His close friendship is with the upright. In other words, God befriends those who try to be decent, honest, and respectable, and who endeavor to live up to his standards of right and wrong. For example, the faithful man Abraham is specifically called Gods friend in the Scriptures.2 Chronicles 20:7 Isaiah 41:8 James 2:23.
^ The context of this psalm shows that the you in this verse is referring to God.
Recommended Reading: Who Was Lilith In The Bible
Do To Others As You Would Have Them Do To You Luke : 31 Niv
This scripture passage is a helpful guide that teaches equity. Your friend should be an equal in your eyes. In this sense the things you deserve, appreciate, and want for yourself should not be too good for your friend.
Treat your friend the way a citizen or constituent would treat his or her favorite political party. Be a loyal comrade who overlooks faults and constantly highlights accomplishments.
How To Be A Good Friend
- Proverbs 17:17A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
- Proverbs 18:24Some friends don’t help, but a true friend is closer than your own family.
- Luke 6:31Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.
- John 15:12-15This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down ones life for ones friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesnt confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
- Romans 12:10Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself.
- Ephesians 4:29-32Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
- Colossians 3:12Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Recommended Reading: How Much Does Moody Bible Institute Cost
Amazing Bible Verses And Scriptures About Friendship
Friendship is one of the essential things in life. Gifts are a way to make a difference in your life. Friends are trusted friends who know us well. Love us no matter what, for who we are. Friendship can also include it can be complicated to maintain relationships. Friends are happy and healthy. But our friends are the ones who make us feel good. We are there for you in tough times the people who often come to you with your needs compassion. They have the right words, whether its Bible verses about peace or scriptures about hope.
When these are the relationships that we need to thrive, for a reminder of how to live, lets look at the Scriptures. Our friends are significant to us. We should all take a moment to appreciate our friends. Send a note to a friend with a Bible verses about patience or Scriptures on friendship that perfectly captures just how much we need them every day.
When it comes to choosing friends, the Bible offers invaluable guidance. God is aware of our desire to love and be loved. He created us for this: Friendship.
Learn Bible verses on friendship and what to do if you are so inclined. Our friends can be our most excellent source of healing, love, and joy. Encouragement this collection contains many Scriptures. Find out how to forgive others and how to deal with hurt feelings. Friendship can be complicated.
These 127 Bible verses and Scriptures about friendship, are sorted by relevance.
You Lord Are Forgiving And Good Abounding In Love To All Who Call To You Psalm : 5 Niv
This scripture shows David’s knowledge of and faith in the Father’s warm and forgiving nature.
An important ingredient needed for lasting friendships is forgiveness. Through His abounding love and forgiveness you can count on God even when you have wronged Him.
All you need to do to keep your friendship with God going is to show remorse when you have offended Him. First John 1:9 puts it this way, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”.
Also Check: How To Explain Bible Verses
James : 4 On Friendship With The World
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God
Having bad friends can easily pull you away from the faith in Christ. If you are not in Christ, you are already lusting after the things of the world.
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money Matthew 6:24
Therefore, if you walk in the flesh, you are a friend of the world and an enemy to God. You can not inherit Gods kingdom when you dont keep his ways.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery idolatry and witchcraft hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God Galatians 5:19-21
Friendship Is Marked By Sacrifice
A strong friendship is never easy. It takes work. If you are happy to sacrifice for another, then youll know you are a real friend.
There is no greater love than to lay down ones life for ones friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
You May Like: What Does The Bible Say About Gossip
Psalm : 9 On Trusting No One Completely
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me.
While having good friends is worth it, you must not wholly trust man but only in God.
Unlike bad friends, God is always a true friend that you can run to anytime. He can do anything you ask and is willing to protect you from your enemies.
With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
As Iron Sharpens Iron So One Person Sharpens Another Proverbs 2: 17 Niv
This scripture passage is a helpful guide that may be used when selecting friends. You should be very mindful of the character traits, likenesses, behavior, and associations of those who you choose to be your friends.
There is a strong tendency that you will emulate the behavior of your associates. That Is why Proverbs 22:24 warns, “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered”. A similar warning is also found in 1 Corinthians 15:33. It states, “Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character”.
Don’t Miss: Who Was Baptized Twice In The Bible
Better Is Open Rebuke Than Hidden Love Wounds From A Friend Can Be Trusted But An Enemy Multiplies Kisses Proverbs 2: 56 Niv
A healthy friendship reflects openness, honesty, and understanding. In a healthy relationship, friends ought to be able to openly express how they feel and think in a loving and honest way.
It is better to have friends who will provide wise counsel and tell you when you are right or wrong than someone who seeks to deceive you and pretend to be a beloved companion.
You may be hurt or find it difficult to admit your faults but at least you have honest friends. It’s better to be hurt hearing the truth from a friend than to think you are right because he or she is not honest or objective enough to tell you.
My Command Is This: Love Each Other As I Have Loved You Greater Love Has No One Than This: To Lay Down One’s Life For One’s Friends John 1: 1213 Niv
There is no doubt that Jesus is the best friend anyone could ever have or hope for. He was willing to die and bear the burdens of the world for the sake of righteousness.
A genuine friend is someone who is willing to put you and your needs first. This is what Jesus did. He valued your life more than He valued His. He not only sacrificed Himself for you, He died one of the most humiliating deaths. Philippians 2:8 states that, “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death– even death on a cross”.
You May Like: Where Can I Watch The Bible Series Online Free
Jesus With Mary Martha And Lazarus
Jesus had a close friendship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus to a point where they spoke plainly to him, and he resurrected Lazarus from the dead. True friends are able to speak their minds honestly to one another, whether right or wrong. Meanwhile, friends do what they can to tell each other the truth and help one another.
Luke 10:38 – “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.”
John 11:21-23 – “‘Lord,’ Martha said to Jesus, ‘if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’
What Does Jesus Say About Friendship
Jesus had a lot to say about friendships and friends, but above all, Jesus emphasis and emphasis the need for love and sacrifices in friendships as we see here Luke 11:5-8 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves
For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed I cannot rise and give thee.
I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
Recommended Reading: What The Bible Says About Homosexuality
Do Not Repay Anyone Evil For Evil Be Careful To Do What Is Right In The Eyes Of Everyone Romans 1: 17 Niv
This text is a helpful reminder that, ‘two wrongs don’t make a right’. If your friend has done something wrong it is unwise to go ahead and do something bad to hurt him or her. Acting in anger will not solve the problem but only make matters worse.
“Do what is right in the eyes of everyone” and show forgiveness. Be lenient while observing the advice found in Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”.