What Does the Bible Say About How To Be A Better Friend?

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 10 helpful votes

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 10 helpful votes

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 7 helpful votes

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

John 15:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Proverbs 27:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 12:26 ESV / 6 helpful votes

One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

James 4:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 2:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

Romans 12:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

John 15:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

John 15:12-15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Proverbs 20:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

1 Samuel 18:1-3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.

John 14:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Psalm 55:12-14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng.

Job 2:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.

2 Kings 2:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood ...

1 John 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

James 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Colossians 3:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Romans 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Acts 2:1-47 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ...

John 15:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

John 11:11-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

After saying these things, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.” The disciples said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep.

John 5:28-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Luke 6:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Matthew 10:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. ...

Ecclesiastes 9:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

Proverbs 22:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.

Proverbs 17:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife. A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts. An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. ...

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Job 6:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

2 Samuel 1:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.

Ruth 1:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

Exodus 33:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.

55 Bible Verses about How To Be A Better Friend

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:26 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:12-15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 20:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 18:1-3 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 55:12-14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 2:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Kings 2:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:1-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:1-47 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 11:11-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 5:28-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 10:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 1:1-31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 9:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 6:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Samuel 1:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ruth 1:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 33:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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