At the core of friendship and family is a strong foundation of love. It is a love that has no bounds, that binds friends and families together, protects them from harm, and protects their lives and safety.
That’s what makes it so special. Sometimes it can feel like this love extends beyond just two people or family members as well.
And that’s why we need to read verses in the Bible about how to be friends with others. If you haven’t read any yet here are 23 such verses for your consideration:
Bible verses about friendship and family
I’ve just updated this list with a ton of new Bible verses about friendship and family. Be sure to check it out, especially the one on selfless love.
Proverbs 18:24 – True friends care for and love us.
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)
We are reminded once more to choose our friends wisely. A true friend, such as Jesus, will be more loyal than a brother. True friends build up rather than tear down.
Regardless of what is going on in our lives, true friends care for and love us. Keep this in mind as you choose your friends.
When we are down and out, a true friend recognizes the need to offer us encouragement and hope. Because when our courage is at its lowest, our last hope is quickly lost. Genuine friends recognize our needs and respond immediately.
Proverbs 17:17 – Christians should strive to love God more than their friends.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
John 15:12-13 – A new heart of trust in Jesus.
“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 15:12-13 (NIV)
In John 13:35, Jesus says, “By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” Everyone will be able to see that you were born of God, that you know God, that you are a child of God, and that you are no longer in the dark.
People will recognize whether you are a true disciple of Jesus if you have a new heart of trust in Jesus and love for his followers.
When we love each other in accordance with the new commandment, we are loving with Jesus’ love. Our love is perfecting his love. Our lives are centered on Jesus, the Light, and our love is a reflection of his love.
Job 16:20-21 – Friendship is a gift from life itself to humanity.
“My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend.”
Job 16:20-21 (NIV)
Friendship is similar to watering and feeding a flower by exposing it to sunlight. When you do, it blooms into its fullness. Friendship is a gift from life itself to humanity.
On the other hand, Godly friendship is priceless because it brings us closer to the ultimate treasure… GOD!.
Getting closer to God guarantees healthy friendships and relationships. These friendships built on love for God sharpens our desire to do God’s will, hence, winning His heart.
Job 42:10 – We may lose a lot for the Lord.
“When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes, giving him twice as much as before.”
Job 42:10 (NIV)
Mercy returned when Job was praying for his friends, not when he was arguing with them. God is served and pleased by our warm devotions, not by our warm disagreements. God multiplied Job’s possessions.
We may lose a lot for the Lord, but we will never lose anything because of him. Whether the Lord gives us health and temporal blessings or not, if we suffer patiently according to his will, we will be happy in the end.
Proverbs 27:9 – What kind of friend are you?
“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”
Proverbs 27:9 (NIV)
A friend who gives dishonest advice and does not show genuine concern can worsen an already bad situation. When the advice is “heartfelt,” that is, when there appears to be genuine concern behind the words, it can make all the difference for us.
When those we associate with take the time to empathize and offer sound advice, we feel a sense of solidarity that we are not alone.
What kind of friend are you? What would it take to make your advice more heartfelt? Jesus instructs us to love one another as much as we love ourselves. This is the essence of Christian fellowship.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Discouragement and hopelessness are strongly intertwined.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
Encouraging your friends entails lifting them up, supporting them, cheering them on, and reassuring them that you care. But, more importantly, it means giving them hope because their discouragement robs them of it.
Discouragement and hopelessness are strongly intertwined. When attempting to give discouraged friends and loved one’s hope, keep in mind that true and lasting hope can only be found in Jesus Christ.
He is “THE” source of hope, not just ‘A’ source of hope. This means that the best way to encourage those in need is to point them to our Lord.
Romans 12:10 – Loving is significant.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Romans 12:10 (NIV)
Honoring someone entails treating them as worthy of your service through your actions and words. They might not be deserving of it. But you can still do it.
It also entails treating people with more respect than they deserve. Loving with affection and choosing to honor are significant because they demonstrate our new nature in Christ.
That is how God’s children treat one another. It’s written in our spiritual DNA. Affectionately loving and preferring to honor are two ways to confirm and strengthen the faith of others.
Colossians 3:13 – We should be kind and gracious to one another.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
We should be kind and gracious to one another. This includes both forgiveness and tolerance. Instead of expecting perfection from others, we must be willing to accept their quirks and oddities. And, when they fail, we must be ready to forgive and assist them in healing.
Those who accept Christ as their Savior have had their sins forgiven; therefore, we should be inclined to forgive one another without holding a grudge or bringing the matter up again in order to hurt the other person.
Proverbs about friendship
Proverbs about friendship are a source of inspiration and contentment. They can make a great gift for your loved ones or simply boost their self-confidence.
Proverbs 3:27
“Do not withhold good from those who need it, when you have the ability to help”
Proverbs 3:27 (NET)
We underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or even the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to change someone’s life. It’s overwhelming to think about all the different ways we can express our love.”
Every day, we have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life, express our love, and potentially change the course of one person’s life. Do good and then forget about it; the key is to do it without regard for rewards, simply because it is the right thing to do.
Proverbs 14:21
“The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever is kind to the needy is blessed”
Proverbs 14:21(NET)
It is a sin to dislike and avoid people because they are poor or of low social standing. Withholding our love from them for selfish reasons is a crime. As Christians, we should be the best of friends—the type of people that everyone wishes they had next door.
Of course, we are still flawed individuals who do not always live up to the standards to which we are called. We need to be reminded of what the Bible says about being a good friend and encouraged to put it into practice.
Proverbs 16:24
“Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body”
Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)
Our words have the power to not only strengthen our loved ones but also to lead them back to our Savior’s loving arms. Do you have a friend or loved one who could use some motivation?
Do you know someone who is self-critical? Why not share some hope and encouragement with them today, no matter what they are going through? By simply reminding them of the true source of love and worth, you can speak grace, love, and hope into their hearts.
The healing process will be initiated by the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 17:17
“A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need”
Proverbs 17:17(NLT)
A relationship bonded by the same Holy Spirit and God’s love will withstand any test or adversity. Christ must stand between us and everyone else. Genuine love and true Christian fellowship can be experienced in this way.
Loyalty in friendship is a grace that becomes even more valuable when, despite increasing difficulties, a friend is there to comfort and help.
The Scriptures remind us never to abandon a friend in times of trouble because the qualities of the brother who travels through adversity with us are loyalty, sensitivity, and genuine interest. May we embody these characteristics in our interactions with our friends.
Proverbs 18:24
“A person who has friends may be harmed by them, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”
Proverbs 18:24 (NLT)
Even if you have a lot of friends, you can still have problems. A large number of friends does not equate to assistance in times of need. Many people have faced this dilemma: they can have thousands of fans, but fame is elusive, and fans vanish during difficult times.
Our social media age encourages many superficial connections known as “friends,” but there are few true friends. Even the most connected people can feel lonely. A true or authentic friend is someone who sticks closer than a brother and can be relied on.
This friend is dependable; he or she will be there for you even more than a family member would.
Proverbs 20:6
“Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?”
Proverbs 20:6 (NLT)
Today, loyalty is the most valuable commodity. Many people agree verbally, but few truly have it in them. True friendship flourishes when each person is more aware of his debts than his rights before God.
If God has given you trustworthy friends, which he undoubtedly has, cherish them. Each one is a rare treasure.
Proverbs 27:6
“Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy”
Proverbs 27:6 (NLT)
When someone is a true friend, the wounds they inflict are often healthy and beneficial. Even if this is not the case, if there is a lapse and the friend is the perpetrator of some insult through carelessness with the tongue, the friend can be reproached honestly, and the relationship can be repaired because both parties are committed to the friendship.
An enemy, on the other hand, may never be open about his or her hatred and may even use flattery and “kisses” to mask his or her feelings.
Be wary of the overly nice person; they may be raging on the inside and will one day unleash a pent-up hatred. Be wary of the flatterer who “multiplies kisses”; they may be planning a manipulation.
Bible Verses on Friendship and Love
The Bible is full of verses about friendship and love. Friendship is a relationship between two or more people.
It can be a strong bond between family members, coworkers, or just a close friend. Love is another word for affection or friendship.
There are unconditional friendships that are very important to have in our lives too. Both of these words require a certain amount of trust from the other person though sometimes it might be difficult at first.
John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13 (KJV)
People who are flawed Befriending imperfect people is complicated and difficult, but Jesus assures us that it is possible to love each other as He loved us.
\Jesus came to earth as love incarnate on a mission to define love, walk out love, and die out of love… for us. We embrace this greater love through Jesus and allow it to flow through our lives by His power.
God prunes our hearts, sanctifying us on a daily basis as we draw closer to Him. When we choose to live our lives within the love of Christ, we are able to accept and receive the gift of God’s love.
1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1 John 4:7 (KJV)
We are called to be at peace with one another, to share the same thoughts, to be patient with one another, to forgive one another, and to bear one another burdens.
To fellow believers, friends, family members, coworkers, and even enemies, we are to demonstrate Christ’s unconditional, sacrificial, and forgiving love. The love of God compels believers to love one another.
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:2 (KJV)
Human love is frequently horribly unjust. It can be prejudiced against certain races, castes, or social classes. It can be suffocating, robbing the loved one of their individuality.
It can be completely unfair, and thus unjust love. True love, God’s love, on the other hand, is righteous; it is thoughtful and courteous. It gives you an unbeatable sense of confidence that keeps you poised and assured in any situation.
That is what is happening now, as God begins to shape us to be like him through our circumstances. That is why, according to John, anyone who has this kind of love, this certainty, and understands this process purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.
1 John 3:16
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John 3:16 (KJV)
We are told to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters, which is a pretty bold command. At first glance, it appears to be a bit extreme.
Why has God called us to this? Because that is exactly what Christ Jesus did. We purify ourselves to be more like Jesus as we learn to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
We are called to meet the needs of others and to love them not only with words but also with actions and truth.
Romans 12:19
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:19 (KJV)
Because we live in an unjust world, offenses will come from enemies, friends and family, and even Christians. This is a warning that we should never seek revenge, as it is a major sin in the eyes of God.
God bears the responsibility for carrying out justice. We should allow Him to enter and exact His wrath or vengeance on the enemy.
Leave wrath to God; commit everything to him; leave yourself and your enemy in his hands, confident that he will vindicate you and punish him.
2 Samuel 16:17
And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
2 Samuel 16:17 (KJV)
Everyone needs a friend, but we should all be cautious about who we choose as friends. You will discover that some people pretend to be friends in order to take advantage of you.
They only want you to be around as long as you have something to offer them. They will be gone when whatever you are giving them is gone.
A true friend is your friend at all times, and the only way to have such a friend is to be such a friend. You need one friend above all others.
He is Jesus Christ, the Lord. And if He truly is your friend, you will discover that friendship is so real and fulfilling that you can freely be a friend even to those who refuse to be a friend in return.
