In this blog post, we will explore 25 uplifting Bible verses that celebrate and give thanks for the blessing of good friends. We'll look at biblical examples of deep friendships, reasons why the Bible instructs us to appreciate our friends, and inspirational quotes about friendship.
You'll find encouraging scriptures to cherish lifelong friends as well as advice on nurturing new bonds. Whether you need an extra dose of gratitude for your closest companions or wisdom on being a good friend yourself, these life-changing friendship verses will inspire you.
What Does the Bible Say About Appreciating Friends?
The Bible is filled with stories and insights that highlight the importance of friendship and valuing our companions in life. From the deep bond between David and Jonathan to the steadfast relationship of Ruth and Naomi, the Bible gives us powerful examples of true biblical friendships.
One of Jesus' most famous teachings was about the greatest love being to lay down one's life for their friends (John 15:13). The loyalty of Jesus' disciples is a testament to the sacrificial nature of real friendship. The value of friendship is woven throughout the Bible's wisdom literature as well. "A friend loves at all times" (Proverbs 17:17) and "two are better than one" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) are just a couple examples that emphasize the worth of faithful friends.
Biblical Examples of True Friendship
1 Samuel 18:1-4 (David and Jonathan)
"Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself...And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself."
Ruth 1:16-17 (Ruth and Naomi)
"Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."
John 15:13 (Jesus and His disciples)
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
Why the Bible Instructs Us to Appreciate Friends
The Bible makes it clear that good friends are to be cherished, appreciated, and valued highly. Friendship is a gift from God that enriches our lives. Here are just a few reasons the Bible instructs us to appreciate our friends:
Proverbs 17:17 - "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Real friends stick closer than family, loving unconditionally.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - "Two are better than one...If one falls down, his friend can help him up." Friends provide support, encouragement, and help.
Proverbs 27:17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Good friends sharpen and challenge each other to grow.
Bible Verses About Appreciating Close Friends
Having a close friend who sticks by your side through thick and thin is an invaluable gift. The Bible offers many encouraging verses that remind us to cherish and give thanks for our dearest companions in life. Here are some uplifting friendship scriptures on appreciating lifelong friends:
Proverbs 18:24 - "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
A true friend is more loyal than a biological family member. We should appreciate those precious few who remain faithful over many years.
Proverbs 27:9 - "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice."
Long conversations and intimate moments with a close friend soothe the soul. Their wise guidance is sweet like fragrances.
John 15:15 - "I no longer call you servants...Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
Jesus considered his disciples more than just followers - they were His treasured friends with whom He shared everything. Appreciate friends who know you deeply.
Proverbs 27:6 - "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."
Though sometimes painful, a true friend's honesty is motivated by love and has your best interest at heart. Value friends who lovingly build you up with truth.
Job 16:20-21 - "My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God...to argue the case for a man with God as one argues for a friend."
A friend who stands up for you, supports you, and goes to bat for you in difficult times is to be appreciated greatly. Faithful friends persistently fight for you.
1 Samuel 18:3 - "And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself."
Jonathan's selfless love for David was so great that he made a solemn pact of friendship. Appreciate friends who love you as their own soul.
Proverbs 17:17 - "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
True friends love unconditionally and are there for you during the hardest times, even more than family. Their love is constant.
Proverbs 27:10 - "Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family...Better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away."
Value friends who are always there, even more than distant relatives. Appreciate their nearness and availability.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - "Two are better than one...if the one falls, the other will help the fallen one. But woe to the solitary person! If fallen, there is no other to help."
When you stumble, a close friend is there to pick you back up. Appreciate friends who prevent you from being alone during life's falls.
1 Corinthians 15:33 - "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'"
We must appreciate friends who are a positive influence and bring out the best in us, not tempt us toward bad behavior.
Philippians 2:25 - "I have thought it necessary to send to you...my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier..."
Paul appreciated Epaphroditus deeply as a loyal friend who labored alongside him. Cherish those ministry friends who are partners.
3 John 1:14 - "Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends there by name."
Take time to personally greet and appreciate each friend individually, speaking their name.
Close friendships are some of life's greatest joys and most precious gifts. The Bible makes it clear we should go out of our way to cherish, love, and continually appreciate our dearest companions who have become closer than any family members. These verses inspire us to value lifelong friends deeply.
Encouraging Bible Verses for Appreciating New Friends
While lifelong friendships are to be cherished, the Bible also instructs us to be welcoming of new friends that come into our lives. Building new bonds of friendship blesses us with fresh perspective and support. Here are some encouraging verses about valuing new friends:
Romans 15:7 - "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
As Christ accepted you, accept others as new friends without judgment.
Matthew 25:35 - "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me."
Showing hospitality by welcoming a new friend reflects Christ. Be a friend to the lonely.
John 15:12-13 - "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
Loving sacrificially, as Christ did, helps new friends feel truly accepted. Don't discount new friends - the companionship they provide in hard times is invaluable.
Colossians 4:14 - "Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings."
Like Paul, we should appreciate new friends who come into our lives as support.
1 Peter 4:9 - "Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."
Warmly welcome new friends without complaint - hospitality brings joy.
Acts 2:44-47 - "All the believers were together...they broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts...enjoying the favor of all the people."
The early church modeled celebrating new friends added to their numbers.
3 John 1:5 - "Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you."
Appreciate and treat well new friends from the family of believers.
2 Samuel 15:37 - "So David's friend Hushai arrived at Jerusalem..."
Like Hushai was to David, value new friends who prove loyal in difficult circumstances.
Proverbs 27:10 - "Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family...Better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away."
Be grateful for the blessing of new local friends who become like family.
The Bible paints a beautiful picture of brothers and sisters in Christ warmly bringing new friends into their spiritual family. While investing in lifelong friendships is crucial, we must also rejoice in the gift of new companionships and practice biblical hospitality as we develop those bonds.
Inspirational Friendship Quotes From the Bible
The Bible is filled with profound wisdom about the beauty and importance of true friendship. These thought-provoking quotes pack a powerful punch when it comes to instructing us to appreciate our friends:
"A friend loves at all times." (Proverbs 17:17)
Real love between friends endures forever, unwavering through any circumstance.
"There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24)
The loyalty of a true friend surpasses even the tightest bonds of family.
"Two are better than one...if the one falls, the other will lift up his companion." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
Friends prevent us from being alone, always ready to pick each other up after stumbles.
"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." (Proverbs 27:6)
Though painful, a true friend's honesty comes from a place of love, unlike an enemy's flattery.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17)
We need friends who lovingly refine us, smoothing our rough edges through challenge.
"I no longer call you servants...Instead, I have called you friends." (John 15:15)
Jesus cherished a deep, intimate friendship with His closest companions.
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13)
The greatest expression of love is the willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for a friend.
"And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him." (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
With a friend by your side, you have support to overcome any enemy or adversity.
"The sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel." (Proverbs 27:9)
A friend's wise perspective is more precious than anything money could buy.
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:10)
Our closest friends should be our spiritual brothers and sisters with whom we share beliefs.
These powerful quotes encapsulate the biblical truth that friendship is one of God's sweetest gifts. Friends are to be cherished, invested in, and appreciated to the fullest as blessed companions for life's journey. We cannot take true friends for granted.
How to Show Appreciation for Friends According to the Bible
The Bible is clear that good friends are a blessing from God that we should be grateful for and continually appreciate. But how exactly can we demonstrate our gratitude for our friends in a biblical way? Here are some friendship instructions from Scripture:
Proverbs 17:9 - "Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends."
To appreciate your friends, you must choose to forgive mistakes and hurts rather than dwelling on offenses. Extending grace strengthens bonds.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
Make an effort to frequently speak uplifting words to your friends. Use your speech to appreciate them and their positive qualities.
Romans 12:13 - "Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."
Open your home joyfully, providing a welcoming space to host your friends. Fellowship over meals is a tangible way to show you cherish your friends.
Prayer for Appreciating Friends
Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for the incredible gift of friendship. You knew the human heart needed companionship beyond family ties, so you blessed us with kindred spirits who become like brothers and sisters in Christ.
Thank you for the friends who have supported us, sharpened us, and selflessly loved us through both life's peaks and valleys. We appreciate their loyalty more than words can express. May we cherish these treasured companions deeply, extending the same unconditional love and grace to them as you have so mercifully given us.
Lord, also give us wisdom and discernment to be the friends that others need - helping carry burdens, encouraging weary hearts, and always pointing one another to your truth. Use our friendships as a testament of your endless, faithful love and acceptance for your children.
We praise you for the gift of friendship and ask for strength to continually appreciate and invest in these priceless bonds. In the precious name of Jesus who laid down His life for His friends, Amen.
"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust
True friendship is like a beautifully tended garden that brings unspeakable joy through life's changing seasons.
May we never take for granted the special souls who lovingly nurture, prune, and help our hearts continually grow to glorious fruition through steadfast companionship. With humble thanksgiving, let us deeply appreciate the gift of every precious friend.