Matthew 10:37 NIV
Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Proverbs 18:24 ESV
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art. It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” You can “get by” without friends. But you can’t really live without them.
– C. S. Lewis
True friendships multiply the good in life.
Moves in the same direction
Amos 3:3 NLT
Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?
Proverbs 13:20 NIV
“He that walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Requires giving and receiving
1 Peter 4:9-10 ESV
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
Job 6:14 ESV
“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty
Takes time and effort
1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Proverbs 27:17 ESV
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
John 15:13 ESV
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.