The Bible provides a treasure trove of wisdom and guidance on life's many facets, including the cherished bonds of friendship. Within its passages, we uncover profound insights about companionship, loyalty, love, and support—elements that shape and nurture relationships. Here, we've compiled ten thematic categories of biblical quotes centered on friendship. Each category illuminates a different aspect of these divine connections. Whether you're seeking inspiration for personal reflection or simply sharing uplifting words with a friend, these quotes are timeless reminders of the power and beauty embedded in true friendship. Explore these themes to appreciate how biblical teachings continue to resonate and enrich our social bonds today.
Quotes on the Essence of Friendship
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." - Proverbs 17:17
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." - John 15:13
"The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense." - Proverbs 27:9
"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." - Proverbs 18:24
"Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family." - Proverbs 27:10
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17
"A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." - Proverbs 16:28
"A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray." - Proverbs 12:26
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy." - Proverbs 27:6
"And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." - Luke 6:31
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor." - Ecclesiastes 4:9
"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." - Proverbs 13:20
Quotes on Loyalty and Trust
"Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?" - Proverbs 20:6
"He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." - Proverbs 13:20
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." - Romans 12:10
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs." - Proverbs 10:12
"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor." - Ecclesiastes 4:9
"The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray." - Proverbs 12:26
"My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." - John 15:12
"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." - Romans 12:9
"If one falls down, his friend can help him up." - Ecclesiastes 4:10
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." - John 15:12
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." - John 13:34
Quotes on Love and Sacrifice
"Do to others as you would have them do to you." - Luke 6:31
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:8
"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." - Romans 12:10
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers." - 1 John 3:16
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." - 1 John 3:18
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:4
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." - John 15:12
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2
"Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." - Romans 13:10
"We love because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:19
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." - 1 John 4:7
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." - Hebrews 10:24
Quotes on Support and Comfort
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." - Romans 12:15
"Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." - Proverbs 17:17
"Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2
"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." - 1 Corinthians 13:4
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." - Psalm 46:1
"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." - Ephesians 4:2
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort." - 2 Corinthians 1:3
"The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4
Quotes on Forgiveness in Friendship
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32
"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." - Colossians 3:13
"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." - Matthew 6:14
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." - Luke 6:37
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." - Colossians 1:13-14
"But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you." - Psalm 130:4
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace." - Ephesians 1:7
"Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends." - Proverbs 17:9
"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves." - Colossians 1:13
"Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered." - Psalm 32:1
"When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." - Mark 11:25
"You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you." - Psalm 86:5
Quotes on Wisdom and Guidance in Friendship
"Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end, you will be counted among the wise." - Proverbs 19:20
"Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors, there is safety." - Proverbs 11:14
"The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice." - Proverbs 12:15
"A wise man listens to advice." - Proverbs 12:15
"For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers." - Proverbs 11:14
"Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise." - Proverbs 15:31
"Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind." - Proverbs 19:20
"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed." - Proverbs 15:22
"Without counsel, plans fail, but with many advisers, they succeed." - Proverbs 15:22
"A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke." - Proverbs 13:1
"The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise." - Proverbs 15:31
"For by wise guidance, you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors, there is victory." - Proverbs 24:6
Quotes on Companionship and Unity
"How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!" - Psalm 133:1
"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!" - Psalm 133:1
"Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
"Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?'" - John 11:40
"Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." - Philippians 1:27
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." - 1 Peter 3:8
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." - Ephesians 4:3
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." - Colossians 3:15
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Romans 15:5-6
"I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." - 1 Corinthians 1:10
"And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." - Colossians 3:14
Quotes on Friendship and Faith
"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." - Matthew 18:20
"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." - 1 Peter 4:8
"So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." - Romans 12:5
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23
"Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today,' so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin." - Hebrews 3:13
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:35
"May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7
"Therefore let us pursue things which make for peace and the building up of one another." - Romans 14:19
"Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." - Romans 15:2
"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you." - 2 Corinthians 13:11
"Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Quotes on Resilience and Friendship
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:12
"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ." - Colossians 1:28
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9
"Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." - James 1:4
"Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." - Nehemiah 8:10
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." - Proverbs 16:3
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds." - James 1:2
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." - James 1:12
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28
"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands." - Psalm 90:17
"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." - Psalm 9:9
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." - 1 Corinthians 16:13
Quotes on Joy and Celebration in Friendship
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." - Proverbs 17:22
"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." - Psalm 126:3
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" - Philippians 4:4
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13
"Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." - Psalm 95:2
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." - Romans 12:15
"A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance." - Ecclesiastes 3:4
"You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound." - Psalm 4:7
"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." - 1 Peter 1:8
"The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing." - Proverbs 10:28
Final words
The Bible's teachings on friendship transcend time, offering timeless wisdom that has been cherished across generations. From loyalty, love, and support to forgiveness, joy, and resilience, biblical quotes remind us of the precious gift of true friendship. These friendships are often places where we can express vulnerability, find strength, and experience deep joy. They provide us the opportunity to witness God’s love through the compassion we give and receive. Whether facing adversity or celebrating life's triumphs, friends are indeed indispensable companions on our journey. Cultivating such relationships demands intentional love and patience, virtues that Scripture consistently encourages. Let us embrace these Bible-inspired insights to nurture our bonds, ensuring that our friendships remain thriving testaments to the love and grace of God, forever illuminating our lives with shared joy, resilience, and faithfulness. Let this collection inspire you to deepen your connections and cherish the divine friendships you are blessed to have, walking together in wisdom and love as God intended.
