Friends, good

Those whose commitment from the heart is shown in practical, often sacrificial, care, love and service. They are a source of encouragement, sympathy, comfort and support in time of need. Such relationships are to be cultivated, especially among believers.

Examples of good friends

David and Jonathan

1 Samuel 18:1–3 See also 1 Samuel 20:17, 1 Samuel 20:42; 2 Samuel 1:26

After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

Job's friends

Job 2:11

Now when Job’s three friends— Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite— heard about all this adversity that had come upon him, each of them came from his home, and they met together to go and sympathize with Job and comfort him.

Ruth and Naomi

Ruth 1:16–17

But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

Paul's friends in ministry

Romans 16:3–5 See also 2 Corinthians 2:12–13 Titus; Philippians 2:25 Epaphroditus; Colossians 4:7 Tychicus; Colossians 4:14 Luke; 2 Timothy 1:2–4 Timothy; Philemon 1:1 Philemon

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my beloved Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

Other examples

1 Samuel 22:23 David and Abiathar; 2 Samuel 10:2 David and Nahash; 2 Samuel 15:19–21 David and Ittai; 2 Samuel 15:32–37 David and Hushai; 1 Kings 5:1 David and Hiram; 2 Kings 2:2 Elijah and Elisha; 2 Kings 10:15 Jehonadab and Jehu; Mark 2:3–4 the friends who brought the paralysed man to Jesus Christ

The benefits brought by good friends

Comfort and sympathy

Job 2:11–13 See also Proverbs 17:17

Now when Job’s three friends— Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite— heard about all this adversity that had come upon him, each of them came from his home, and they met together to go and sympathize with Job and comfort him. When they lifted up their eyes from afar, they could barely recognize Job. They began to weep aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust in the air over his head. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw how intense his suffering was.

Support and encouragement

1 Samuel 23:16–17; Proverbs 18:24; Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 See also Proverbs 27:10; Ecclesiastes 4:11–12; Amos 3:3; Matthew 27:55–56, Matthew 28:1; Romans 1:11–12

And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.”

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

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!

Sacrificial service

John 15:13 See also Romans 5:7

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

Good friendship among believers

Unity in the love and fear of the LORD

Psalm 119:63 See also Malachi 3:16; Philippians 4:1

I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts.

Worshipping together

Psalm 55:13–14, Psalm 133:1; Acts 2:42–43, Acts 2:46–47

Sharing possessions

Acts 2:44–45, Acts 4:32–35, Acts 11:29

Serving together

Galatians 2:8–9; Philippians 1:3–5

Praying for one another

Job 42:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12; James 5:16

Living peaceably

Romans 12:18; Philippians 4:2–3

Covering sins

Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 16:28, Proverbs 17:9 A friend does not stir up trouble by spreading details of wrongs suffered, but rather seeks reconciliation; 1 Corinthians 13:6; 1 Peter 4:8

Restoring from sin

Galatians 6:1–2; James 5:19–20

Jesus Christ is the friend of sinners

Matthew 11:19 parallel Luke 7:34

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at this glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her actions.”