These are some of the best Bible verses about friendship and love that can get you started on how to be a better friend?
Maintaining strong, healthy relationships takes work, but the good news is that the Bible has thousands of years of wisdom to draw from.
The Bible contains practical examples and verses about friendship, community, and loving your neighbor. Here are 10 inspiring Bible verses about friendship to strengthen your closest bonds.
What is a good Bible verse for friendship?
I will begin my first Bible verse about friendship and love from the book of Proverbs
Proverbs 17:17 NIV says
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
A good buddy doesn’t simply stand with you in the day of difficulty but they also respect your views. They do not impose what they want on you as much as they want to help.
They think that it is still your decision to choose life. Real friends persist with you through good times and bad. They love and support you unconditionally.
Our connection with others is tested in the day of adversity. God also respects us by giving us the power of freewill.
What we do with it is what’s important since it indicates much we appreciate God and our maturity level to manage it. Remember how God boasted about Abraham,
For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
Genesis 18:19 KJV
Can God say this about us especially with the freedom He has given to us.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NKJV
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.”
If I’m being completely honest, one of the issues I’ve discovered is that some individuals are frequently reluctant to ask for assistance because they don’t want to appear foolish or troublesome. I used to feel this way before having to confront that concept.
Even when we have not requested for assistance, we occasionally try to predict how people will treat us. Our friendship may suffer as a result of the assumptions that we use to create our relationship.
One of the essentials for a lasting friendship is communication. Speaking up about how you feel and your fears is a good start.
Proverbs 27:9 ESV says
“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”
These days you would out that some people don’t want to be told the truth. They want to be told people what they want to hear. On the contrary, a good friend should be able to tell you the truth regardless of how it would sting.
True friends offer honest and thoughtful advice. Even if it’s hard to hear, you know they have your best interests at heart.
Proverbs 27:17 ESV says
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Spending time with good friends makes you a better person. You learn from each other and push each other to grow in positive ways.
Any friendship that lives you the same is not worth spending your time. My friends should be better because I came into their lives and vice versa.
The ultimate example of friendship is Jesus himself. John 15:13 says “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Jesus sacrificed his life out of love for his friends and all of humanity. We should follow his example and be willing to make sacrifices for the good of our friends.
Friendship is one of the greatest gifts. Treasure your true friends and be the kind of friend you’d like to have. Express your gratitude for them, offer encouragement, and support them through all of life’s ups and downs.
There is no better way to strengthen your closest bonds than by putting these inspiring Bible verses about friendship into practice each and every day.
What does the Bible say about love and friendship?
The Bible has a lot to say about love and friendship. As Christians, we know that loving God and loving others are the two greatest commandments. But what exactly does that mean when it comes to our friendships?
Love Your Friends as Yourself
The Golden Rule applies to friendships as well: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Luke 6:31) Treat your friends the way you want to be treated.
Be kind, caring, thoughtful, forgiving, and make their needs a priority. Support them through hard times and celebrate life’s joys together.
Be Humble, Compassionate and Forgiving
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
Focus on listening to your friends and understanding them rather than talking about yourself. Show compassion for their suffering and be quick to forgive their faults and transgressions.
Especially when it comes to forgiveness, how we choose to forgive others is a reflection of how we also forgive ourselves when we make mistakes.
When we keep struggling to forgive, then it will be difficult to offer forgiveness to others. We were not entitled to forgiveness but God gave it anyway. So why should we refuse to forgive others.
Encourage One Another
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Offer encouragement and help strengthen your friends in their walk with God.
Cheer them on as they pursue their goals and dreams. Speak words that affirm their character and help uplift their spirit when they’re feeling down.
I don’t want to be that friend who discourages my friend to pursue their dream because things are not working for me the way it should be. When we lift others it shows that our hands are ready to be pulled up as well.
Bear One Another’s Burdens
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) Good friends support each other through difficulties and share life’s burdens.
Let your friends know you’re there for them if they need help. Offer a listening ear, shoulder to cry on, or whatever they need to ease their troubles. We should not only be there for people in the good times but they need us in the bad times as well.
Love Never Fails
Ultimately, “love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8) While friendships require work to maintain, love is the glue that holds them together.
If you pursue love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in your relationships, your friendships will thrive and stand the test of time. Love never fails.
What does Jesus say about true friendship?
Jesus had a lot to say about friendship and how we should treat one another. His teachings provide guidance on what true friendship looks like according to God.
Here are helpful bible verses on friendship and how Jesus wants us to handle it.
Love One Another
Jesus commanded his disciples to love one another as he loved them (John 13:34-35). Loving our friends means sacrificing for them, forgiving them, and showing them compassion.
True friends love each other despite flaws and imperfections. They look past differences and focus on the good in each other.
I imagine how Jesus was able to deal with 12 male disciples who had egos and two of them were referred to as the sons of thunder. They must have had bad tempers and probably stubborn.
Be Humble and Serve Others
Jesus exemplified humility and service to others. He washed his disciples’ feet, showing that no one is above humbling themselves to serve their friends (John 13:1-17).
We should have the same attitude of humility and service in our friendships. Put your friends’ needs before your own. Be willing to help them and make their lives easier without expecting anything in return.
Forgive Your Friends
An important part of friendship is forgiving one another. Jesus told his disciples that if their brother sins against them seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to them saying ‘I repent,’ they must forgive them (Luke 17:4).
Forgiving our friends when they hurt or offend us allows us to move past issues that could damage the friendship.
Make the effort to forgive and be reconciled. Unforgiveness can hinder our prayers and God has the right not to answer our prayer when we choose not to forgive.
Be Loyal and Dependable
Jesus showed deep loyalty in his friendships. Even when others deserted him, his close friend John remained by his side (John 19:26-27).
True friends are faithful and stick together through good times and bad. They are dependable and provide support when it’s needed most. Be loyal to your close friends. Make time for them and follow through on your commitments and promises.
Pray for Your Friends
Jesus prayed for his disciples and all believers (John 17:20-23). We should do the same by praying for our close friends.
Pray that God will guide and protect them. Ask for blessings, comfort, and strength on their behalf. Let your friends know you are praying for them. Your prayers can be a source of encouragement and help strengthen your bond.
Following Jesus’ teachings on friendship helps cultivate relationships that reflect God’s love. Treat your friends with humility, service, forgiveness, loyalty, and prayer.
Build each other up through compassion and selflessness. These friendships will stand the test of time and bring you closer to Christ.
What does Ephesians say about friendship?
The book of Ephesians has a lot to say about friendship and how we should treat one another. Here are some of the most inspiring verses on friendship from Ephesians:
Ephesians 4:2-3 says,
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
This verse highlights some of the most important qualities in a good friend: humility, gentleness, patience, and a willingness to bear with one another. Good friends accept each other, flaws and all.
The devil might keep us in the dark when it comes to our flaws. We go through life numb thinking our flaws are better than others. But that’s not true that’s were patience comes in friendship.
Ephesians 4:25 says,
“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.”
Honesty and truthfulness are essential in a friendship. Lies and deceit severely damage trust and intimacy. Speak the truth in love to build each other up.
Be known to always tell the truth and you would be a more attractive person.
Ephesians 4:29 says,
“Do 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.”
Our words have power, and we should be careful to only speak in a way that uplifts and strengthens our friends. Avoid hurtful sarcasm, gossip, and criticism.
There is nothing more painful than to have someone make fun of what you’re going through or tell everyone on Twitter.
Ephesians 4:32 says,
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Choose kindness and forgiveness. No friendship is without its challenges, but with compassion and a willingness to forgive, friendships can overcome any obstacle.
Ephesians 5:21 says,
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Mutual submission means valuing your friend’s needs and desires as much as your own. Be willing to yield when needed to maintain peace and harmony in the relationship. Compromise and sacrifice are required.
The book of Ephesians gives us a blueprint for Godly friendships. With humility, honesty, kindness, forgiveness, and mutual submission, we can build lasting bonds of trust and intimacy. Nourish your close friendships with these biblical principles.
So there you have it, 10 of the most inspiring Bible verses about friendship and love. These timeless words of wisdom remind us of the importance of the relationships in our lives. Our friends are a gift, and true friendship is a blessing.
Nurture your close friendships, express your appreciation for the people who support and uplift you, forgive past hurts, and make the effort to strengthen your bonds.
You’ll find that loving your friends and allowing them to love you in return will lead to a more joyful, meaningful life. Friendship is one of the greatest gifts we can experience this side of heaven.
