Friendship is one of the most cherished gifts from God.
A good friend brings encouragement, strength, and love, reflecting the nature of Christ’s relationship with His followers.
The Bible highlights the value of true friendships, emphasizing their role in building faith and fostering joy.
The Scripture illustrates the divine blessing of companionship through the examples of Jonathan and David, Ruth and Naomi, and Christ with His disciples.
And in today’s verses, we will see and understand the profound beauty and importance of godly friendships.
Let them inspire you to nurture meaningful relationships that honor God and bring mutual blessings.
Bible Verses About a Good Friend
1. Proverbs 17:17 – A Friend Loves at All Times
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
2. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Strength in Partnership
“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.”
3. Proverbs 27:17 – Iron Sharpens Iron
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
4. John 15:13 – The Greatest Love
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
5. Proverbs 27:9 – The Sweetness of a Friend
“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”
6. 1 Samuel 18:3 – Covenant Friendship
“And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.”
7. Colossians 3:13 – Forgiving Friends
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
8. Ruth 1:16-17 – Loyalty in Friendship
“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.'”
9. Job 6:14 – Kindness in Friendship
“Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.”
10. Proverbs 18:24 – A Friend Who Sticks Closer
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
11. Galatians 6:2 – Bearing Burdens
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
12. Proverbs 22:11 – Graceful Speech in Friendship
“One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.”
13. James 5:16 – Confession and Prayer
“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.”
14. Ecclesiastes 4:12 – Strength in Unity
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
15. Proverbs 12:26 – Choosing Friends Wisely
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
16. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Encouraging One Another
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
17. Proverbs 27:6 – Honest Love
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
18. Romans 12:10 – Devoted in Love
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
19. Job 2:11 – Friends in Suffering
“When Job’s three friends 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.”
20. Philippians 2:4 – Interests of Others
“Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
21. Luke 6:31 – The Golden Rule
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
22. Proverbs 16:28 – Avoiding Gossip
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
23. John 15:15 – Jesus, Our Friend
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”
24. Proverbs 13:20 – Walking with the Wise
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
25. 2 Timothy 1:16 – Refreshing Others
“May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.”
26. Matthew 18:20 – God’s Presence in Friendship
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
27. Hebrews 10:24-25 – Encouraging Good Deeds
“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.”
28. Proverbs 17:9 – Covering Offenses
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
29. 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad Company Corrupts Good Character
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
30. Proverbs 19:20 – Listening to Advice
“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”
31. Colossians 4:6 – Gracious Conversation
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
32. Matthew 22:39 – Loving Your Neighbor
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
33. Romans 13:10 – Love Fulfills the Law
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Our Thoughts on What the Bible Says About Friendships
The Bible portrays friendships as divine blessings that enrich lives and deepen faith.
From Proverbs’ wisdom to Christ’s sacrificial example, Scripture reveals the value of godly companions who uplift, support, and inspire.
These verses highlight the joy and strength found in friendships rooted in love, forgiveness, and mutual encouragement.
True friends reflect God’s character, showing kindness, honesty, and selflessness.
They challenge us to grow in faith and embody His teachings.
Building and maintaining such relationships requires intentionality, grace, and a focus on Christ as the ultimate example of a perfect friend.
As believers, nurturing friendships that glorify God ensures a life filled with joy and purpose.
Let these verses inspire you to be a faithful friend and to treasure those God has placed in your life as reminders of His love.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of godly friendships. I ask that You bless my friends abundantly, granting them wisdom, strength, and joy in all they do.
Help me to reflect Your love and grace in my relationships, offering encouragement and support.
May our friendships glorify You, inspire growth, and testify to Your goodness. Guide us to nurture bonds that bring peace, mutual respect, and unity.
Lord, let these friendships reflect Christ’s selflessness and love, drawing others closer to You. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.