Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible

Discover the Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible. Genuine friendship is God’s gift for us. There is much joy that comes with keeping company with friends. Without friends, life becomes a lonely, boring, and bitter road to walk all alone. However, not all friends are worth our time and trust. While others are worth dying to keep, others are there to lead us into regret, sorrow, bitterness, and tears. Such people are more likely to bring our downfall and ruin our relationship with God. This creates need for everyone to learn the qualities of a genuine or true friend. Without these qualities at hand, we are more likely to roam around with the wrong people in the name of friends. It is at this point that God intervenes out of his love for us.

Truth be told, God is concerned about the people keeping us company. It is in this light that He revealed the Best Bible Verses On Friends that are full of wisdom and knowledge on who is worth taking as companion and offering your trust. Without these, the process of surrounding ourselves with true friends will be a nightmare. The whole aspect of genuine friendship might feel daunting or unnecessary for those who consider themselves friendly to all. Whatever the case, you must be honest to yourself and have a clear look into your friendship relationships. After looking, you must decide whether to maintain them or let them go. Deciding early on who is a true friend and who is not a true friend will save you from many sorrows. For deciding, you must first know for sure which friendship is worth keeping and which you should turn your back on.

Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, gave us the true definition of a genuine friend in John 15:13-15: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. 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.” We can say of Jesus Christ that He is the pure example of a true friend, for He laid down His own life for His “friends.” By so doing, anyone can become His friend by welcoming His message, keeping it, believing in Him, and receiving new and everlasting life in Him. In the Bible, we can find a good example of friendship between David and Soul’s son Johnathan.

The Bible tells us that David and Johnathan were good friends as they watched over each other, bringing comfort and joy to where need was in their lives. Despite the evil intentions that Johnathan’s father Saul had towards David, Johnathan was always there for David as a faithful friend. Remember that King Saul went after David on several occasions attempting to kill him. You can find this story in 1 Samuel chapter 18 through chapter 20. Proverbs is another good source of wisdom regarding friendship. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Likewise Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Biblical qualities of a good friend to consider in choosing your companions

1. True friends love at all times – Proverbs 17:17

Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Love is a powerful language of the heart that encourages, excites, and gives meaning and fun to friendship relationships. These priceless treasures are the desires of many but a reality to few. Loving friendships are rare these days as many are out for their personal interests and profits. Such ego creates room for friendship without love. And behold, friendship without love is not different from tunnels without light at the end and ships without sails. Genuine love is what holds and binds true friendship together, even during uncertain and hard times. It is so powerful that it overcomes the challenges of life and maintains its participants together. Unfortunately, not all friends are loving – some friends only stick around when things are going well. Immediately things turn the other way round, such friends disappear.

As pointed out by the best Bible verses about friendship, friends that are out for their personal interest will say the right words at the right time and they will exhibit the qualities of a loving friend as long as things keep moving well, and immediately you encounter hard times and can no longer meet their expectations and demands, their love becomes a thing of the past. Always keep in mind that a good friend will love you in all circumstances and at all times. Genuine friends are not out for opportunities to excuse themselves from expressing their love to you. They are rather more into looking for opportunities to further express their love to you. Genuine love will always pass the test of time and trials. Loyal and loving friends will succeed in your test and won’t remain angry for long but find ways to improve on the relationship.

2. Good friends respect you and your qualities – Philippians 2:3

Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” A good friend is one who respects your personality and values your qualities. Such a friend won’t disregard your feelings and treat them as if they did not matter. It is advisable not to lower your standards for the accommodation of friends that do not respect you. Such friends are more likely to lead you astray and kill the ethical values within you. If a friend is not willing to respect you, then it is as good as saying goodbye to the friendship. Respect is one of the best qualities of a good friend.

3. Good friends exercise wisdom – Proverbs 13:20

Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” From the Bible verses on Friendship, we are advised to walk with the wise so that we can in-turn become wise or grow in wisdom. Embracing the companion of fools will soon lead you into sorrow and long lasting regrets. It is with this in mind that we say that good friendship exercises wisdom. Although this Biblical verse is not a call for you to indiscriminately disassociate yourself from friends you perceive to lack knowledge, it is a call for you to take precautions not to follow them into their unwise plans. However, you can help by cultivating some sound value into their lives. If they are willing to learn and move ahead, then we’ll say the relationship is excising wisdom. It is worth continuing if they are willing to learn from their mistakes.

4. Creditable friends inspire strong values in you – 1 Corinthians 15:33

1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” It is without doubt that commendable friends inspire and promote the growth of strong values within you. There is major and wise proverb that says “You and known by the friends that you keep“. This verse from Apostle Paul comes in to reinforce the same wisdom. Good friendship inspires and brings out the best from you while bad friendship corrupts the good morals within you. Go for virtues friends who will instill sound values in you. Going the other way round will definitely lead to your downfall in one way or the other.

5. True Friends are supportive and reliable – Proverbs 18:24

Proverbs 18:24 – “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” Brethren, let no one deceive you that true friendship does not come with reliability and support. It is one of the most important qualities of a good friend. Bible verses about friendship point to the fact that good friendships create bonds that go deeper than brotherly blood relationships. Loyal friends will always be by your side to support and encourage you in hard times. In their supportive nature, they’ll gracefully correct you when you are wrong. They’ll also popup to congratulate you for your achievements.

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6. Good friends make sacrifices for you – John 15:13

John 15:13 – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” A true or genuine friend is one who knows the importance of sacrifices in strengthening a relationship to last. The Bible verses on friendship point Jesus Christ as the greatest example of a friend. Sacrifice is a fundamental quality for a genuine friendship relationship that will last long. Friendships without sacrifices are those that come without commitment. It is without doubt that such relationships won’t last long. In 1 Samuel 18:4, we read about the genuine friendship that existed between David and Jonathan, the King’s son. The king hated David and had made plans to kill him, but his son, Jonathan, out of the love and respect he had for his friendship with David did not hesitate to endanger his life by informing David. Christ did even more for us.

7. Honorable friends preserve secrets and stay away from gossips – Proverbs 16:28

Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” An honorable friend is one who knows how to keep secrets. Such a person won’t engage into gossips to disclose what he/she knows about you. A friend who gossips is like a thorn in the flesh of those keeping him/her as their companion. In such cases, the friendship relationship becomes a horrible nightmare. Among the qualities of a good friend, the ability to keep secrets is one that can’t be omitted. This is highly supported by the Bible verses on friendship. Note that praiseworthy friends do not gossip. Such friend are out to speak facts and only facts. If they are not sure about something, they maintain their silence. In addition, they also remain silent about the things which you do not want the public to know.

8. Faithful friends put up with our shortcomings and support us – Galatians 6:2

Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Most friendship relationships have their own share of troubles. That is, they also face their own ups and downs. That’s why you should not take trouble in a relationship as an excuse to say goodbye. You have to learn and practice tolerance as well as forgiveness. The notions of tolerance and forgiveness can’t be omitted from our list of qualities of a good friend. At times troubles come not to destroy the relationship but to strengthen it in one way or the other. In most cases, it has been noticed that after a period of ups and downs in a relationship, the individuals become more committed and reassured of their sincerity.

Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible

In order to have a friend, one must be a friend as we can read from Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” In the same light, Proverbs 18:24 says of a good friend: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Amos 3:3 clearly reveals the principle of genuine friendship: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Behold, friends are of like mind. A friend is one whom you can be yourself with and never fear that he/she will judge or condemn you. A friend is someone that you can confide in with complete trust. A genuine friend is a person that you respect and that he/she equally respects you, not based upon worthiness but based upon a likeness of mind.

Friendship comes with its own challenges and it is the ability to overcome them that reveals our level of maturity.

Group 1 – Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible

Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loveth at all times.”
1 Peter 5:14 – “Greet one another with a kiss of love.”

John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this will all know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Romans 12:10 – “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”

Proverbs 17:17 – “friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”

Proverbs 19:24 – “There are friends who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”

Proverb 22:24-25 – “Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.”

2 Samuel 10:2 – “Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.”

1 Samuel 23:16-18 – “And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.”

Group 2 – Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible

2 Samuel 1:17-27 – “And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son.”

1 Samuel 18:20 – “And Michal Saul’s daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.”

2 Samuel 9:1-13 – “And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

1 Samuel 18:1 – “And it came to pass when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”

Philippians 2:20 – “For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.“

2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

John 15:13 – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

James 4:4 – “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.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – “Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.”

Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.“

Group 3 – Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible

Colossians 3:1 – “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

Amos 2:4 – “Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked:”

John 19:26 – “When Jesus, therefore, saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!”

Acts 2:42 – “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Proverbs 11:13 – “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.”

Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

Deuteronomy 10:17 – “For the LORD your God [is] God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:”

2 Kings 9:16 – “So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel; for Joram lay there. And Ahaziah king of Judah was come down to see Joram.”

1 John 1:1 – “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

Daniel 2:49 – “Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel [sat] in the gate of the king.“

Group 4 – Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible

1 Peter 4:8 – And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 3:8 – “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.”

1 Peter 5:14 – “Greet one another with a kiss of love.”

Proverbs 27:10 – “Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend.”

John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9 – “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. ”

1 John 2:10 – “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.”

Mark 16:16 – “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

John 7:37 – “In the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Proverbs 27:14 – “He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.”

2 Samuel 17:1-22 – “Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night.”

Group 5 – Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible

2 Samuel 15:32-37 – “And it came to pass, that [when] David was come to the top [of the mount], where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head.”

Job 2:11-13 – “Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.”

Psalms 88:18 – “Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, [and] mine acquaintance into darkness.”

1 John 2:6 – “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

Romans 16:4 – “Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.”

Philippians 2:19 – “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.”

Acts 23:16 – “And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.”

1 John 3:7 – “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9 – “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.”

1 John 2:10 – “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.”

Group 6 – Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible

1 John 3:14 – “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren.”

1 John 3:10-12 – “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”

John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this will all know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Romans 13:8 – “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

Romans 12:10 – “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”

Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times.”

1 John 4:12 – “If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.”

Proverbs 18:24 – “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

1 Thessalonians 3:12 – “And may the Lord make you increase and about in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you.”

Hebrews 13:1 – “Let brotherly love continue.”

1 John 4:11 – “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

1 John 4:7-8 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

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Group 7 – Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible

Luke 6:37 – “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:”

Mark 11:25 – “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

1 Peter 3:9 – “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”

Proverbs 15:1 – “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

Proverbs 15:18 – “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife.”

Luke 6:27 – “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,”

Proverbs 19:24 – “There are friends who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”

Proverbs 28:9 – “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.”

John 15:14-15 – “You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends since I have told you everything the Father told me.”

Proverbs 22:11 – “Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech will have the king as a friend.”

Galatians 6:2 – “Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”

Proverbs 27:6 – “Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.“

Group 8 – Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible

Proverbs 13:24 – “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”

James 4:4 – “Whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

Proverbs 27:6 – “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.”

John 15:13 – “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

1 John 1:7 – “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”

Psalm 119:63 – “I am a friend to anyone who fears you – anyone who obeys your commandments.”

Proverb 22:24-25 – “Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.”

Ephesians 4:32 – “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Ephesians 4:31 – “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”

Exodus 34:7 – “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].”

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: (Read More…)”

Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Colossians 3:21 – “Fathers, provoke not your children [to anger], lest they be discouraged.“

Group 9 – Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible

Proverbs 13:20 – “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”

Proverbs 28:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.“

Proverbs 18:24 – “There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”

Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.”

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.“

Group 10 – Characteristics Of A Good Friend According To The Bible

Proverbs 22:24-25 – “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.”

Proverbs 12:26 – “The righteous is a guide to his neighbour, But the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

John 15:15 – “No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.“

Proverbs 12:26 – “A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

Proverbs 18:24 – “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Proverbs 27:5-6 – “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”

John 15:12-15 – “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. 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.”