24 Bible Verses About Friendships

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 beyond the fun and support, true friendship is a reflection of something deeper—a divine connection that mirrors the love and companionship God desires for us.

The Bible is rich with wisdom on the subject of friendship, offering guidance on how to nurture these precious relationships and highlighting the qualities that make them thrive. From the steadfast loyalty of Jonathan and David to the wise counsel of Proverbs, Scripture provides a blueprint for building and maintaining meaningful connections.

In this article, we’ll explore 24 Bible verses about friendships, each offering timeless insights into the beauty and significance of these bonds. Whether you’re seeking to deepen existing friendships or cultivate new ones, these verses will inspire and guide you on your journey.

24 Bible Verses About Friendships

Verses About Loyalty in Friendship
Verses About Honesty in Friendship
Verses About Encouragement in Friendship
Verses About Choosing Friends Wisely
Verses About Forgiveness in Friendship

Loyalty in friendship is a treasure that stands the test of time. Think of David and Jonathan, whose bond was so strong that they made a covenant to protect and support each other, even in the face of great personal risk. Their story is a testament to the power of steadfast loyalty, showing us that true friends stick by each other through thick and thin, offering unwavering support and commitment.

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

Ruth 1:16–17: “But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.'”

1 Samuel 18:3: “And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.”

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

John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Honesty is the bedrock of any genuine friendship. It’s about being truthful and transparent, even when it’s uncomfortable. A true friend is someone who can speak the truth in love, helping us grow and stay accountable. This kind of honesty fosters trust and deepens the connection between friends, allowing for a relationship that is both authentic and enduring.

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

Proverbs 24:26: “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.”

Ephesians 4:25: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”

Proverbs 28:23: “Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor rather than one who has a flattering tongue.”

Encouragement in friendship is like a breath of fresh air, revitalizing and uplifting. Friends who encourage one another are like Barnabas, known as the “son of encouragement,” who supported and uplifted those around him. Such friends inspire us to reach our full potential, offering words of hope and motivation that propel us forward in our journey.

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.”

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

Job 16:5: “But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.”

Choosing friends wisely is crucial, as the company we keep can greatly influence our lives. Proverbs often speaks to the importance of surrounding ourselves with those who are wise and righteous. The right friends can lead us toward wisdom and understanding, while the wrong ones can lead us astray. It’s about discerning who will walk alongside us in a way that aligns with our values and aspirations.

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 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.”

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

Forgiveness in friendship is essential for maintaining harmony and peace. It’s about letting go of grudges and extending grace, just as we have been forgiven. This act of forgiveness can mend broken relationships and restore the bond between friends, allowing for healing and a renewed sense of unity.

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.”

Luke 17:3–4: “So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”