Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ImportanceFriendship is a significant and recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting the relational nature of humanity as created in the image of God. It is characterized by mutual affection, support, loyalty, and shared values. The Bible presents friendship as a gift from God, offering companionship and encouragement in life's journey.
Biblical Examples of FriendshipOne of the most notable examples of friendship in the Bible is the relationship between David and Jonathan. Despite the potential for rivalry, Jonathan, the son of King Saul, formed a deep bond with David, the future king of Israel. Their friendship is marked by loyalty and selflessness, as seen in
1 Samuel 18:1-4: "Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself." Jonathan's willingness to protect David, even at the cost of his own future, exemplifies the sacrificial nature of true friendship.
Another profound example is the friendship between Ruth and Naomi. After the death of her husband, Ruth chooses to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, demonstrating steadfast loyalty and love.
Ruth 1:16-17 records Ruth's commitment: "Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God." This friendship highlights the power of loyalty and shared faith.
Qualities of True FriendshipThe Bible outlines several qualities that define true friendship.
Proverbs 17:17 states, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." This verse emphasizes the constancy and support that friends provide, especially during difficult times. Additionally,
Proverbs 27:17 illustrates the sharpening effect of friendship: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." True friends challenge and encourage each other to grow in wisdom and character.
Honesty is another crucial aspect of friendship.
Proverbs 27:6 notes, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." A true friend speaks the truth in love, even when it is difficult, prioritizing the well-being of the other over temporary comfort.
Jesus as the Ultimate FriendJesus Christ is presented as the ultimate example of friendship. In
John 15:13-15, Jesus declares, "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 you." Jesus' sacrificial love, culminating in His death on the cross, sets the standard for friendship. He invites believers into a personal relationship with Him, offering guidance, comfort, and eternal companionship.
Warnings and CautionsWhile the Bible celebrates the blessings of friendship, it also warns against the wrong associations.
Proverbs 13:20 advises, "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." The influence of friends can lead one toward wisdom or folly, underscoring the importance of choosing friends who share godly values.
1 Corinthians 15:33 further cautions, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" Believers are encouraged to cultivate friendships that edify and strengthen their faith, avoiding relationships that may lead them away from God's path.
ConclusionFriendship, as depicted in the Bible, is a profound and enriching relationship that reflects God's love and design for human interaction. Through examples, teachings, and the ultimate friendship offered by Jesus, Scripture provides a comprehensive understanding of the value and responsibilities inherent in true friendship.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The state of being friends; friendly relation, or attachment, to a person, or between persons; affection arising from mutual esteem and good will; friendliness; amity; good will.
2. (n.) Kindly aid; help; assistance,
3. (n.) Aptness to unite; conformity; affinity; harmony; correspondence.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FRIEND; FRIENDSHIPfrend, frend'-ship: In the Old Testament two words, variously translated "friend" or "companion": re`eh, indicating a mere associate, passing friend, neighbor, or companion; 'ahabh, indicating affection natural or unnatural. In the New Testament also two words: hetairos, "a comrade," or "fellow," and philos, suggesting a more affectionate relation.
Literature abounds in concrete examples of friendship of either kind noted above, and of profoundly philosophic as well as sentimental and poetic expositions of the idea of friendship. Notable among these are the Old Testament examples. Abraham, because of the intimacy of his relations, was called "the friend of God" (2 Chronicles 20:7Isaiah 41:8James 2:23). "Yahweh spake unto Moses face to face, as a man. unto his friend" (Exodus 33:11). The romantic aspect of the friendship of Ruth and Naomi is interesting (Ruth 1:16-18). The devotion of Hushai, who is repeatedly referred to as David's friend (2 Samuel 15:37;2 Samuel 16:16), is a notable illustration of the affection of a subordinate for his superior. The mutual friendship of David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1), from which the author is made to say, "The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul," is another example. Again in his pathetic lament for Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:26), David says in highly emotional tones that his love "was wonderful, passing the love of women." Elijah and Elisha form a unique illustration of semiprofessional affection (2 Kings 2).
In the New Testament, Jesus and His disciples illustrate the growth of friendship from that of teacher and disciple, lord and servant, to that of friend and friend (John 15:13-15). Paul and Timothy are likewise conspicuous (2 Timothy 1:2).
In general literature we have the classic incident, recorded by Plutarch, of Damon and Pythias during the rule of Dionysius. Pythias, condemned to death, was about to be executed but desired to see his family. Damon offered himself as a ransom in case he should not return in time for the hour of execution. Returning in time, both were released by the great Dionysius, who asked to be taken into the secret of such friendship. The writings on friendship are many. Plato and Cicero have immortalized themselves by their comments. Cicero held dearly the friendship of Scipio, declaring that of all that Nature or Fortune ever gave him there was nothing which could compare with the friendship of Scipio. Bacon, Emerson, Black, Gladden, King, Hillis, and many others in later days have written extensively concerning friendship. The best illustration of the double use of the word (see above) is that inProverbs 18:24, "He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Again, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend" (27:17). The honesty and frankness of genuine friends are set forth in the maxim, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend" (27:6).
Walter G. Clippinger
Greek
5373. philia --friendship...friendship. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: philia Phonetic Spelling:
(fil-ee'-ah) Short Definition:
friendship Definition:
friendship, affection
...5368. phileo -- to love
... love. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phileo Phonetic Spelling: (fil-eh'-o)
Short Definition: I love, kiss Definition: I love (offriendship), regard with...
2644. katallasso -- to reconcile
... [2644 () was originally used for the exchange of coins; "properly, (especially
of money); hence, of persons, from enmity tofriendship, " ()....
2853. kollao -- to glue, unite
... 2853 (from , "glue") -- to bond (cleave), adhere to (literally, " together"); to ,
join to; (figuratively) intimately connected in a soul-knitfriendship....
1259. diallasso -- change, exchange
... dee-al-las'-so) Short Definition: I become reconciled to, reconcile myself with
Definition: I change, exchange; I reconcile, change enmity forfriendship....
4355. proslambano -- to take in addition
... receive, take unto. From pros and lambano; to take to oneself, ie Use (food), lead
(aside), admit (tofriendship or hospitality) -- receive, take (unto)....
Strong's Hebrew
7327. Ruth -- "friendship," a Moabite ancestress of David... 7326, 7327. Ruth. 7328 . "
friendship," a Moabite ancestress of David.
Transliteration: Ruth Phonetic Spelling: (rooth) Short Definition: Ruth.
...8002. shelem -- a sacrifice for alliance orfriendship, peace...
... shelem. 8003 . a sacrifice for alliance orfriendship, peace offering.
Transliteration: shelem Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-lem) Short Definition: offerings....
7462. ra'ah -- to pasture, tend, graze
... to associate with (as a friend) -- X break, companion, keep company with, devour,
eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, makefriendship with, herdman...
5475. sod -- council, counsel
... an unused word Definition council, counsel NASB Word Usage circle (1), company
(1), consultation (1), council (5), fellowship (1),friendship (1), gathering (1...
Library
Whether Charity isFriendship?
... OF CHARITY, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether charity isfriendship?
Objection 1: It would seem that charity is notfriendship....
Whether Charity isFriendship
... Article One Whether Charity isFriendship. Whether Charity isFriendship We proceed
to the first article thus: 1. It seems that charity is notfriendship....
Jonathan, the Pattern ofFriendship
... THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL JONATHAN, THE PATTERN OFFRIENDSHIP. 'And David fled from
Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done?...
The Beginning of an EndlessFriendship.
... (John i:35-51.) The Beginning of an EndlessFriendship.... And thefriendship begun
that day continued to the end of their lives. Both became his dear friends....
For Constant ChristianFriendship.
... Prayer and the Christian Life. FOR CONSTANT CHRISTIANFRIENDSHIP.... Hollow and unfaithful
ever Is thefriendship of the earth; Seemeth she a man to favour?...
Christ'sFriendship: Its Evidence
... CHRIST'SFRIENDSHIP: ITS EVIDENCE. Ye Are... 14. Our Lord has said what He gave
as proof of Hisfriendship: He gave His life for us. He...
Of theFriendship of the Holy Angels, which Men Cannot be Sure of...
... Chapter 9."Of theFriendship of the Holy Angels, Which Men Cannot Be Sure of in
This Life, Owing to the Deceit of the Demons Who Hold in Bondage the...
HowFriendship is Indissoluble.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter III. Howfriendship is indissoluble.
Among all these then there is one kind of love which...
ChristianFriendship.
... 397. " ChristianFriendship. 397. LM Barbauld. ChristianFriendship. 1 How blest
the sacred tie that binds In union sweet according minds!...
OnFriendship with the World
... Second Series Sermon 80 OnFriendship with the World. "Ye adulterers and adulteresses,
know ye not that thefriendship of this world is enmity with God?...
Thesaurus
Friendship (13 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FRIEND;
FRIENDSHIP.
... The romantic aspect of the
friendship of Ruth and Naomi is interesting (Ruth 1:16-18).
...Enmity (23 Occurrences)
... her seed" (Genesis 3:15). Thefriendship of the world is "enmity with God"
(James 4:4; 1 John 2:15, 16). The "carnal mind" is "enmity...
Friend (139 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FRIEND;FRIENDSHIP.... The romantic aspect of the
friendship of Ruth and Naomi is interesting (Ruth 1:16-18)....
Blood (435 Occurrences)
... Blood brotherhood or bloodfriendship is established by African tribes by the mutual
shedding of blood and either drinking it or rubbing it on one another's...
Salt (45 Occurrences)
... the Arabic expression, "There is salt between us"; "He has eaten of my salt," which
means partaking of hospitality which cementedfriendship; compare "eat the...
Visit (97 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To go or come to see, as for the purpose offriendship, business, curiosity,
etc.; to attend; to call upon; as, the physician visits his patient....
Intimate (12 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Near; close; direct; thorough; complete. 3. (a.) Close infriendship or
acquaintance; familiar; confidential; as, an intimate friend....
Friendly (17 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Appropriate to, or implying,friendship; befitting friends; amicable.
3. (a.) Not hostile; as, a friendly power or state....
Token (24 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A memorial offriendship; something by which thefriendship of another
person is to be kept in mind; a memento; a souvenir....
Ruth (19 Occurrences)
... OHL, 946, explains the word as an abstract noun = "friendship." The Book of Ruth
details the history of the one decisive episode owing to which Ruth became an...
Resources
What is friendship evangelism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is true friendship according to the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about friends? | GotQuestions.orgFriendship: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
