Discover 120 Bible verses about friend from the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible (King James Version). These verses have been thoughtfully categorized into subheadings and sorted from most to least relevant for easy browsing.
True Friendship
Proverbs 17:17 KJV
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 27:9 KJV
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 KJV
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 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.
John 15:13 KJV
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Proverbs 27:17 KJV
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Choosing the Right Friends
Proverbs 12:26 KJV
The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Proverbs 22:24-25 KJV
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
James 4:4 KJV
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Proverbs 13:20 KJV
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Godly Friendship
1 John 1:7 KJV
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 KJV
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Colossians 3:16 KJV
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Philippians 2:1-2 KJV
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Friendship and Loyalty
Proverbs 17:9 KJV
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
John 13:34-35 KJV
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
1 Peter 1:22 KJV
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Proverbs 18:24 KJV
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Romans 12:10 KJV
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Christ’s Example of Friendship
John 15:15 KJV
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Ephesians 4:29 KJV
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Matthew 18:20 KJV
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Hebrews 3:13 KJV
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
John 13:1 KJV
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
Role of Friends in Christian Living
Galatians 6:2 KJV
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Hebrews 10:23-25 KJV
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 KJV
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Proverbs 27:6 KJV
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 KJV
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Influence of Friends
Proverbs 13:20 KJV
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Proverbs 22:24-25 KJV
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
Proverbs 27:17 KJV
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 27:6 KJV
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Blessings of Good Friends
Proverbs 27:9 KJV
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 KJV
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 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.
Proverbs 18:24 KJV
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Proverbs 27:10 KJV
Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
James 1:17 KJV
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Persistence in Friendship
Proverbs 17:17 KJV
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 18:24 KJV
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Romans 12:10 KJV
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Ecclesiastes 4:12 KJV
And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
1 Samuel 20:42 KJV
And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.
Wisdom in Friendship
Proverbs 27:9 KJV
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
Proverbs 12:15 KJV
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Proverbs 19:20 KJV
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.
Proverbs 27:17 KJV
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 15:22 KJV
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
Kindness and Gratitude to Friends
Romans 12:10 KJV
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Philippians 2:3 KJV
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Proverbs 17:17 KJV
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Colossians 3:12-13 KJV
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 KJV
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Praying for Friends
James 5:16 KJV
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Philippians 1:9-11 KJV
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 KJV
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
Ephesians 6:18 KJV
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Colossians 1:9-10 KJV
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Friendship and Love
1 John 4:7-8 KJV
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
John 15:12-13 KJV
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Proverbs 17:17 KJV
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 KJV
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Colossians 3:14 KJV
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Identifying and Addressing Toxic Friendships
Proverbs 22:24-25 KJV
Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.
Proverbs 13:20 KJV
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Proverbs 16:28 KJV
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Proverbs 25:17 KJV
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
Examples of Friendship in the Bible
- David and Jonathan – 1 Samuel 18:1-4, 20:16-17, 42
- Ruth and Naomi – Ruth 1:16-17
- Paul and Timothy – Philippians 2:19-22
- Job and his friends – Job 2:11
- Elijah and Elisha – 2 Kings 2:1-14
Jesus as the Perfect Friend
John 15:15 KJV
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Luke 7:34 KJV
The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
John 15:13 KJV
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Matthew 11:19 KJV
The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.
Luke 23:34 KJV
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Faith and Friends
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 KJV
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 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.
Proverbs 13:20 KJV
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
James 2:14-17 KJV
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 KJV
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Hospitality and Generosity with Friends
Romans 12:13 KJV
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Hebrews 13:2 KJV
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Luke 10:38-42 KJV
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
1 Peter 4:9 KJV
Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
Proverbs 11:25 KJV
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
Confession and Healing with Friends
James 5:16 KJV
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Galatians 6:2 KJV
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Proverbs 27:17 KJV
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 KJV
Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 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.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 KJV
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Overcoming Temptation with Friends
James 4:7 KJV
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Proverbs 27:17 KJV
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Hebrews 3:13 KJV
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
James 5:16 KJV
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Cultivating Godly Friendships in Your Life
Proverbs 18:24 KJV
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Proverbs 27:9 KJV
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
Philippians 2:3-4 KJV
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Romans 12:10 KJV
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Colossians 3:16 KJV
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Building Up Friends in Christ
Proverbs 27:17 KJV
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Ephesians 4:29 KJV
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Colossians 3:16 KJV
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 KJV
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
Loyalty in Friendship
Proverbs 17:17 KJV
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 27:10 KJV
Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Proverbs 18:24 KJV
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Ruth 1:16 KJV
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
Dealing with Betrayal from Friends
Psalm 41:9 KJV
Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Proverbs 19:5 KJV
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
Matthew 26:14-16 KJV
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Luke 22:47-48 KJV
And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
Psalm 55:12-14 KJV
For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
Unity in Christ through Friendship
Romans 12:18 KJV
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Psalm 133:1 KJV
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Ephesians 4:3 KJV
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Colossians 3:15 KJV
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Philippians 2:1-2 KJV
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
