What Does the Bible Say About Few Friends?

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 36 helpful votes

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

John 15:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 15 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 15 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV / 11 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!

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV / 10 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.

John 15:14 ESV / 9 helpful votes

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

John 15:15 ESV / 8 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 / 7 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.

Proverbs 12:26 ESV / 7 helpful votes

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

James 4:4 ESV / 6 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.

Romans 12:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

Romans 12:2 ESV / 5 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 8:31 ESV / 5 helpful votes

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Proverbs 27:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

1 Samuel 18:1-4 ESV / 5 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. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.

1 Samuel 18:1-3 ESV / 5 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.

James 4:8 ESV / 4 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.

Romans 5:10 ESV / 4 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.

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

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.

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Ruth 1:16-17 ESV / 4 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.”

1 John 4:7 ESV / 3 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 2:23 ESV / 3 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.

Ephesians 4:29-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 3 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.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 3 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 27:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Do not forsake your friend and your father's friend, and do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.

Proverbs 24:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,

Proverbs 3:32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.

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.

1 Samuel 18:1 ESV / 3 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.

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Acts 15:36-41 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. ...

John 15:13-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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.

John 15:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ...

John 3:16 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.

Luke 5:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”

Proverbs 28:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

Proverbs 27:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool's provocation is heavier than both. Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. ...

Proverbs 25:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it. Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

Proverbs 19:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Psalm 119:63 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.

Job 2:11 ESV / 2 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 / 2 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.

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.

52 Bible Verses about Few Friends

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 36 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:14 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:15 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:12-15 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:26 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:4 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:31 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 18:1-4 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 18:1-3 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Romans 5:10 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:5-6 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

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ruth 1:16-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:29-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 24:5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 3:32 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

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

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

Acts 15:36-41 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:13-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Luke 5:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 28:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 25:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 19:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:63 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

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

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

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)