23 Bible Verses About Friends

Friendship is one of life’s greatest gifts, isn’t it? Whether it’s sharing laughter over a cup of coffee, offering a shoulder to cry on during tough times, or simply enjoying each other’s company in comfortable silence, friends enrich our lives in countless ways. But friendship is more than just a social connection; it’s a reflection of the love and support that God intends for us to experience.

The Bible is filled with wisdom about the beauty and importance of friendship. It offers guidance on how to nurture these relationships, how to be a true friend, and how to find friends who will walk with us in faith. As you explore these 23 Bible verses about friends, may you be inspired to cherish the friendships you have and seek out new ones that bring joy and strength to your journey.

23 Bible Verses About Friends

Verses About Choosing Friends Wisely
Verses About Loyalty and Support
Verses About Honesty and Accountability
Verses About Encouragement and Edification
Verses About Forgiveness and Reconciliation

The people we surround ourselves with can have a profound impact on our lives. Choosing friends wisely is about seeking those who uplift and inspire us, much like Jonathan and David’s friendship in the Bible. Their bond was marked by mutual respect and support, showing us the importance of aligning ourselves with individuals who share our values and encourage our growth.

Proverbs 13:20: “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

1 Corinthians 15:33: “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'”

Proverbs 12:26: “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

Proverbs 22:24–25: “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”

Psalm 1:1: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.”

True friendship is marked by loyalty and support, standing by each other through thick and thin. The story of Ruth and Naomi beautifully illustrates this, as Ruth’s unwavering commitment to Naomi showcases the depth of loyalty that can exist between friends. This kind of steadfast support is a cornerstone of meaningful relationships.

Proverbs 17:17: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

Proverbs 18:24: “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Job 2:11: “When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.”

Honesty and accountability are vital in any friendship, fostering trust and growth. Friends who are willing to speak the truth in love, even when it’s difficult, help us stay on the right path. This kind of relationship encourages us to be our best selves, holding us accountable in a way that is both loving and constructive.

Proverbs 27:5–6: “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”

Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

Galatians 6:1–2: “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

James 5:16: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Encouragement and edification are the lifeblood of a thriving friendship. Friends who lift each other up and celebrate each other’s successes create an environment where everyone can flourish. This mutual encouragement strengthens bonds and helps each person reach their full potential, much like the early church communities that supported one another in faith and action.

1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Hebrews 10:24–25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Proverbs 27:9: “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”

Colossians 3:16: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Romans 15:2: “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”

Forgiveness and reconciliation are essential when conflicts arise. No friendship is without its challenges, but the ability to forgive and move forward is what keeps relationships strong. The story of Joseph and his brothers is a powerful example of forgiveness, showing how reconciliation can restore and even deepen the bonds of friendship.

Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Matthew 18:21–22: “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”

Proverbs 17:9: “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”

Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Matthew 5:23–24: “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”