Friendship and love are two of the most treasured gifts God has given us. True friendship brings support, joy, accountability, and comfort—especially during difficult seasons. Love, on the other hand, is the foundation of every strong relationship, and the Bible teaches us that love is more than a feeling—it’s an action, a commitment, and a reflection of God Himself.
Whether you’re thinking about your closest friendships, family relationships, or even how to show love to others, the Bible offers clear wisdom. It reminds us what real love looks like and how godly friendships can reflect God’s grace and truth.
Below are 15 powerful Bible verses about friendship and love that will encourage your heart, challenge your relationships, and help you grow deeper in connection—with others and with God.
15 Bible Verses About Friendship And Love
1. Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Explanation:
True friendship shows up consistently—not just in good times, but especially during hardship. This verse reminds us that a real friend sticks close no matter what.
2. John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Explanation:
Jesus sets the ultimate example of love in friendship—sacrificial and selfless. This verse challenges us to love with a heart willing to give, even when it costs us something.
3. Ecclesiastes 4:9–10
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Explanation:
This passage shows the strength of partnership. Friends help one another, lift each other up, and make life’s journey more bearable and meaningful.
4. 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Explanation:
This well-known passage defines what love looks like in action. In both friendships and deeper relationships, these qualities build trust, respect, and endurance.
5. Proverbs 27:9
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.
Explanation:
Good friends don’t just bring fun—they offer meaningful encouragement and wisdom. This verse highlights the beauty of a friend who speaks truth with love.
6. Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Explanation:
This verse calls us to a selfless kind of love. In friendships, honoring each other means putting the other’s needs and well-being first, just as Christ did.
7. Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Explanation:
Strong friendships challenge us to grow. A good friend doesn’t just support—they also help us become better by speaking truth and encouraging us in faith.
8. Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Explanation:
Love is what holds everything else in place. It’s the glue that makes kindness, patience, and humility last in any meaningful relationship.
9. 1 John 4:7
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Explanation:
This verse reminds us that love originates from God. When we love others—especially in friendship—we reflect the heart of God to the world.
10. Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Explanation:
Helping a friend in need is not just kind—it’s a spiritual act. Sharing each other’s struggles is part of living out the love Jesus showed us.
11. Job 2:11
When Job’s three friends heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.
Explanation:
Though imperfect, Job’s friends initially showed up with compassion. This verse teaches the value of simply being present for a friend in suffering.
12. Philippians 2:3–4
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.
Explanation:
Real love and friendship aren’t self-centered. Paul encourages us to focus on the well-being of others with humility and care.
13. Ruth 1:16
But Ruth replied, “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.”
Explanation:
Though spoken by Ruth to Naomi, this declaration shows deep loyalty and love—qualities that make for lasting, meaningful friendships.
14. Proverbs 18:24
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Explanation:
Not all friendships are equal. This verse reminds us that some friends will prove more loyal than even family—and those are worth cherishing.
15. 1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Explanation:
Love isn’t just something we say—it’s something we live out. Genuine friendship and love show up in what we do for one another, not just what we say.
Final Thoughts on Friendship and Love in the Bible
The Bible is full of practical wisdom and heartfelt encouragement for how we love others and walk in friendship. God cares deeply about the relationships we build, and He invites us to love like He does—selflessly, consistently, and truthfully.
Friendship rooted in godly love not only strengthens our lives but reflects God’s character to those around us. Whether you’re working through a tough relationship, grateful for a lifelong friend, or praying for deeper connections, these verses offer a solid foundation.
Now it’s your turn.
Which verse meant the most to you? Do you have a story of friendship or love that showed God’s faithfulness? Share your favorite Scriptures, experiences, or thoughts in the comments below.
Let’s grow together in love and friendship that lasts.