20 Bible Verses About Friendship: How to Love Well
“You find good friends by being a good friend,” I recently reminded our son as he shared his hopes about finding a best friend at school. He asked how to be a good friend, and we turned to God’s Word, where I shared several Bible verses about friendship.
Later, I reflected on these verses and was encouraged to be a better friend to the people God has placed within my sphere of influence.
Scripture has a great deal to say about being a good friend and finding friends. Today, we’ll look at 20 Bible verses about friendship as we seek friends and aim to be good friends to others.
Also, be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you connect with God in deeper ways.
20 Bible Verses About Friendship
Let’s begin with God’s Word.
Bible Verses About Friendship
1. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, ESV
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.
God designed us to need one another. This is not a codependent or unhealthy need; rather, we are to support and uplift one another.
We all face times when life knocks us down. During these times, our close friends can help us back on our feet.
We all face times when we feel alone and forsaken. Our friends can help us, encourage us, and support us.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 refers to a threefold cord. When Jesus in the center of these friendships, the bond is even stronger. Christ holds us together and interweaves our lives beautifully. A braided cord is much stronger than a single or double strand.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 refers to a threefold cord. When Jesus in the center of these friendships, the bond is even stronger. Christ holds us together and interweaves our lives beautifully. Ecclesiastes 4:12 refers to a threefold cord. When Jesus in the center of these friendships, the bond is even stronger. Christ holds us together and interweaves our lives beautifully. #friendship Share on X
2. Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
We grow together, not in isolation.
We all need friends who will challenge and sharpen us. This is the gift of authentic friendships.
3. Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
When difficult times come, our friends stand with us.
True friends don’t run in times of adversity or abandon us in conflict and strife. We weather life’s storms together, and we emerge stronger together.
4. Romans 12:10
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Relationships thrive when we aim to outdo one another in showing honor.
Competition has little place in relationships. We cannot love one another when we are competing with one another. Rather, we should aim to outdo one another in only one way: showing honor and kindness.
5. Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
When we put the needs of our friends above our needs, keeping healthy boundaries in place, our friendships thrive.
6. Philippians 2:4
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
I’ve discovered that when I’m more concerned about my friends’ interests than my interests, these relationships are blessed.
This doesn’t mean we never set boundaries or let others take advantage of us. More accurately, we look for ways to love and serve instead of focusing only on our needs in the relationship.
7. 1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Our friends will either lead us closer to God or away from him.
Which direction are your friends leading you?
8. Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
At times, our friends will speak difficult words to challenge us. We can trust that these “wounds” are faithful, for our good.
9. Proverbs 13:20
Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
If we want to grow in wisdom, we will spend time with wise people. In the same sense, when we spend time with fools, we suffer.
More Bible Verses About Friendship
10. 1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Loving others includes forgiving them and not holding their sins against them.
11. Hebrews 10:24-26
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
It’s easy to let our schedules dictate our lives and neglect time with friends. The writer of Hebrews reminds us to continue meeting together. We need each other. Making time for relationships is important.
12. Proverbs 17:0
Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
Gossiping divides people. Rather than pointing out the offenses and mistakes of others, we should be selective when it comes to repeating information.
13. Luke 6:31
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
The Golden Rule is a firm foundation for any friendship. We should treat others the way we want to be treated.
14. Philippians 2:5-8
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Jesus served others when he lived on earth.
We should follow his example.
15. Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
When we cultivate peace and humility, our friendships thrive.
16. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.
We love our friends by being patient, kind, humble, giving, and caring.
17. Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
One of the greatest gifts of friendship is that friends bear one another’s greatest burdens in life.
We all need people who will carry our burdens with us.
18. Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
We are to follow Jesus’ example and serve others.
19. John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Jesus literally laid down his life when he died for us on the cross.
We can lay down our lives by putting the needs of others above our needs and serving them with sincere hearts.
20. Colossians 3:13
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.
We cannot be good friends to others when we hold onto unforgiveness.
God calls us to forgive others as we have been forgiven.
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If these Bible verses about friendship blessed you, I invite you to explore our family devotionals and library of free devotional eBooks below. Be blessed as you draw near to the King!
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
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A Free Devotional to Help You Connect With God
If these Bible verses about friendship blessed you, I have a gift for you. God is a good Father, and he wants us to experience his healing, deliverance, and replenishment. Most of us have learned that we cannot heal, deliver, or refresh ourselves; we need God to do this work within us. I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here! 
