Friends, good

Examples of good friends

David and Jonathan

1 Samuel 18:1–3 NLT

1 After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself.

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Job’s friends

Job 2:11 NLT

11 When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.

Ruth and Naomi

Ruth 1:16–17 NLT

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”

Paul’s friends in ministry

Romans 16:3–5 NLT

3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. 4 In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. 5 Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home. Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ.

See also Titus; Epaphroditus; Tychicus; Luke; Timothy; Philemon

Other examples

David and Abiathar; David and Nahash; David and Ittai; David and Hushai; David and Hiram; Elijah and Elisha; Jehonadab and Jehu; the friends who brought the paralysed man to Jesus Christ

The benefits brought by good friends

Comfort and sympathy

Job 2:11–13 NLT

11 When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. 12 When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.

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Support and encouragement

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Sacrificial service

John 15:13 NLT

13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

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Shared joy and sorrow

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Loving rebuke

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Encouragement in good works

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Challenge

Proverbs 27:17 NLT

17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Good friendship among believers

Unity in the love and fear of the Lord

Psalm 119:63 NLT

63 I am a friend to anyone who fears you— anyone who obeys your commandments.

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Worshipping together

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Sharing possessions

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Serving together

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Praying for one another

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Living peaceably

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Covering sins

; ; A friend does not stir up trouble by spreading details of wrongs suffered, but rather seeks reconciliation; ;

Restoring from sin

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Jesus Christ is the friend of sinners

Matthew 11:19 NLT

19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”