Thankful for Friendship Bible Verses: Greater Love and Proverbs
The Bible, a collection of religious scriptures and texts considered sacred in a variety of religions, contains numerous passages that can provide wisdom on many subjects. One theme that often arises in the Bible is friendship, with a number of verses providing perspective on what friendship is, what it means to be a good friend, and how to show thanks for the friendships in one’s life. While biblical wisdom is often helpful in nurturing friendships, a licensed mental health professional can provide additional insight and guidance for those who have encountered challenges.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), friendship can be defined as a voluntary and potentially long-lasting relationship between two individuals. In many cases, friendships involve meeting one another's needs and sharing interests. While each friendship is unique, these relationships often develop due to shared experiences resulting in mutual gratification.
While the word “God” may refer to different entities depending on what religion is being referenced, religions that use the Bible as a sacred text may find a variety of passages and verses that pertain to friendship. It can be important to note that Bible passages and verses can vary depending on which version of the Bible is being read. Several examples of verses that could refer to friendship include John 15:13, Proverbs 17:17, and Colossians 3:13.
According to the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible, John 15:13 states that “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” In the Bible, this verse takes place on the night before Jesus Christ’s death, when he is talking to his disciples. Jesus prefaces this statement by telling his disciples to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
While the Bible may be open to interpretation, this verse could show individuals that loving one another in friendship and being selfless in relationships can be rewarding. While Jesus may have given his life in the Bible, this verse could also be interpreted figuratively. By making sacrifices for others, you could strengthen your friendships and improve the quality of your bonds with others.
Other Bible verses about friendships
While these three verses may provide biblical insight about friendship, the Bible contains a variety of sections that could also pertain to these relationships:
- “Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.” - Proverbs 27:9
- “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor.” - Ecclesiastes 4:9
- “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” - Thessalonians 5:11
- “After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.” - Job 42:10
- “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” - Job 6:14
- “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” - Proverbs 18:24
- “Some friends play at friendship but a true friend sticks closer than one’s nearest kin.” - Proverbs 18:24
- “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.” - 1 Corinthians 15:33
- “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” - Proverbs 12:26
- “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” - Proverbs 13:20
- “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” - Psalms 133:1
- “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” - Proverbs 27:6
- “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” - 2 Corinthians 6:1
- “For it is not an enemy who taunts me—then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng.” - Psalm 55:12-14
- “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called your friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” - John 15:15
- “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” - Proverbs 16:28
- “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?” - Proverbs 22:24-27
While one may gain wisdom from the Bible, there can be other ways to improve friendships and other relationships in our lives. For example, communication can be a key component of healthy relationships. The following tips may prove helpful for communication between friends:
- Think about what you intend to say before starting a conversation.
- Ensure that you clearly communicate what you intend to say.
- Make sure the area is free from distractions before starting a conversation.
- Use “I” statements when discussing your wants and needs.
- Be aware of body language and tone when talking.
- Actively listen when your friend is talking.
- Don’t only share negative thoughts and feelings. Let your friend know how much you appreciate them as well.
A variety of therapeutic approaches may help individuals repair a relationship or address personal challenges that impact their friendships. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may enable them to determine whether personal struggles are interfering with their friendships, while friendship therapy could help with specific challenges that friends are experiencing.
Friendship therapy
Friendship therapy may borrow several techniques from marriage and couples counseling in order to address the specific struggles that can occur between friends. While these techniques can vary, examples include improving communication, helping individuals get more comfortable expressing their emotions, and sharing ways to improve boundaries. These techniques may empower individuals to overcome obstacles and sustain longer-lasting friendships.
What verse is thankful for friendship?
Here are a few thankful for friendship Bible verses that can express gratitude for friendship:
- “I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Corinthians 1:4)
- “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
- “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
You can thank God and the Lord Jesus Christ for friendship through prayer. You might start by showing honor to the great friends in your life and expressing gratitude that God sent the right friends to walk alongside you in perfect unity. You could also thank God for allowing you to develop a deep bond with your true friendships and experience brotherly affection.
The following Bible verses can be applied to friendship and love:
- “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10)
- “One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.” (Proverbs 17:9)
- “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9, ESV translation)
- “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9, NIV translation)
- “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
- “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” (Proverbs 27:6)
- “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” (Proverbs 15:18)
- “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” (Proverbs 22:24-25)
- “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
- “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesian 4:32)
- “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
- “Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days.” (Proverbs 19:20)
- “Job prayed for his friends, and the Lord made Job successful again. The Lord gave him twice as much as he had before.” (Job 42:10)
- “My friends scorn me; My eyes pour out tears to God.” (Job 16:20)
- “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:14)
- “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:16)
How do you say you are grateful for friendship with Bible verses?
You can use Bible verses to express how thankful you are for good friends by choosing some of the verses in this article that resonate with you and sharing them with the people you care about.
What does Proverbs 17:17 say about friendship?
[H3] Is there a psalm about friendship or other Bible verses about friendship?
Psalm 27:9 says, “A sweet friendship refreshes the soul.” If your own soul has been refreshed by the good character and friendship of others, consider expressing your gratitude to them.
What Bible story talks about friendship?
Three important friendships in the Bible among God’s chosen people include those of Elijah and Elisha, Ruth and Naomi, and David and Jonathan.
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