24/08/2026
Friend; Friendship In the Old Testament two words, variously translated "friend" or "companion" indicating a mere associate, passing friend, neighbor, or companion affection natural or unnatural.
In the New Testament also two words: "a comrade," or "fellow," and suggesting a more affectionate relation.
Literature abounds in concrete examples of friendship of either kind noted above, and of profoundly philosophic as well as sentimental and poetic expositions of the idea of friendship.
Abraham, because of the intimacy of his relations, was called "the friend of God" (2 Chronicles 20:7; Isaiah 41:8; James 2:23 ). "Yahweh spake unto Moses face to face, as a man ... unto his friend" (Exodus 33:11 ).
The devotion who is repeatedly referred to as David's friend (2 Samuel 15:37; 2 Samuel 16:16 ), is a notable illustration of the affection of a subordinate for his superior. The mutual friendship of David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1 ), from which the author is made to say, "The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul," is another example.
Again in his pathetic lament for Jonathan (2 Samuel 1:26 ), David says in highly emotional tones that his love "was wonderful, passing the love of women." Elijah and Elisha form a unique illustration of semiprofessional affection (2 Ki 2).
In the New Testament, Jesus and His disciples illustrate the growth of friendship from that of teacher and disciple, lord and servant, to that of friend and friend (John 15:13-15 ). Paul and Timothy are likewise conspicuous (2 Timothy 1:2 ).
The best illustration of the double use of the word (see above) is that in Proverbs 18:24 , "He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; but there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Again, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27:17 ).
The honesty and frankness of genuine friends are set forth in the maxim, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Proverbs 27:6 ).
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