Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Being A Friend?
17 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Being A Friend in the Bible
What does the Bible say about being a friend? Browse 20 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.
Top 10 Verses About Being A Friend
- 1Job 6:14
“To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. is afflicted: Heb. melteth”
KJV - 2Proverbs 12:26
“The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. excellent: or, abundant”
KJV - 3Proverbs 13:20
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. destroyed: Heb. broken”
KJV - 4Proverbs 16:28
“A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. soweth: Heb. sendeth forth”
KJV - 5Proverbs 17:9
“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. seeketh: or, procureth”
KJV - 6
- 7Proverbs 18:24
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
KJV - 8
- 9
- 10Proverbs 27:9
“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. by: Heb. from the counsel of the soul”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Being A Friend? (12 Verses)
“To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. is afflicted: Heb. melteth”
“The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. excellent: or, abundant”
“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. destroyed: Heb. broken”
“A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. soweth: Heb. sendeth forth”
“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. seeketh: or, procureth”
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”
“Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:”
“Open rebuke is better than secret love.”
“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. by: Heb. from the counsel of the soul”
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
“Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Being A Friend? (5 Verses)
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
“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.”
“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.”
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Being A Friend
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about being a friend. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about being a friend and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about being a friend is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on being a friend needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about being a friend with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about being a friend, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Being A Friend?
You have studied 17 verses about being a friend. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.