What does the Bible say about friendship?

Last updated Jul 14, 2026

Published by Bible Direct Answers · Licensed under Citation License 1.0

The King James Bible addresses friendship in several passages:

Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)

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

Proverbs 18:24 (KJV)

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

Proverbs 27:17 (KJV)

17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

John 15:13 (KJV)

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (KJV)

9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

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