Introduction
In this article, I will be sharing with you the great and powerful biblical benefits of friendship.
In the Bible, friendship is defined as a close, affectionate, and loyal relationship between two people, it is characterized by mutual love, respect, trust, and support.
Therefore, I will be sharing with you 5 great Biblical benefits of friendship that will transform your life, and this will help you to choose wisely.
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
This passage highlights the idea that a true friend is always there for you, through good times and bad.
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And another passage that helps to define biblical friendship is John 15:13 (King James Version):
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
This passage shows that true friendship involves selflessness and a willingness to make sacrifices for the benefit of one’s friends.
Therefore, biblical friendship is a close, loving relationship that is characterized by mutual love, respect, trust, and support.
It involves being there for one another through good times and bad. It is marked by selflessness and a willingness to make sacrifices for the benefit of one’s friends.
Examples of Friendships in the Bible
David and Jonathan:
“And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul” (1 Samuel 20:17).
The above verse is part of a conversation between Jonathan, the son of King Saul, and David, who would later become King of Israel.
Therefore, Jonathan and David were close friends, and Jonathan’s love for David was strong and genuine. He even offered to help David become king, knowing that it could mean trouble for himself.
Ruth and Naomi:
“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” (Ruth 1:16).
Jesus and his disciples:
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Paul and Timothy:
“For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17).
There are also examples of friendships that were not healthy, such as the friendship between Absalom and Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:12) and the friendship between Judas and Jesus (Matthew 26:47-50).
Benefits of Biblical Friendship in the Bible
Here are the great benefits of friendship that are mentioned in the Bible (King James Version) that can make us better people.
Friendships provide support and encouragement:
“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” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
This verse speaks to the value of friendship and the support that friends can provide to one another.
It suggests that having a friend can be especially helpful in times of difficulty, as a friend can help lift us up and provide the support we need to get through difficult times.
Friendships bring joy and happiness:
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
This verse highlights the importance of being a good friend and maintaining positive relationships with others.
It also suggests that some friendships can be even closer and more enduring than family relationships.
Friendships can bring healing and restoration:
“Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel” (Proverbs 27:9).
This verse explains that the counsel and advice of a good friend can bring joy and happiness to one’s heart, just as ointment and perfume can bring a sense of joy and delight.
It emphasizes the value of having friends who can offer wise and supportive counsel.
Friendships can help us grow and mature:
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).
This verse expounds that friendships can be mutually beneficial and help us grow and mature.
It compares the relationship between friends to the way that iron sharpens iron – just as iron can be sharpened by coming into contact with other iron, friends can help each other grow exceedingly and become better versions of themselves.
This verse emphasizes the value of having friends who can challenge and encourage us to be our best selves.
Conclusion
Therefore, we all need a friend or friends in our lives, but you must be very careful in choosing a friend because friendships can help us fulfill our purpose and calling
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