Losing friends brings grief and sadness, but the Bible offers comfort and healing. Here are verses that reassure us of God’s presence in times of loss, providing solace and the promise of eternal friendships in Christ.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Being Responsible
Bible Verses About Losing Friends
Proverbs 17:17 – The Importance of True Friendships
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” This verse emphasizes the value of true friendships that are not easily broken.
Proverbs 18:24 – The Power of Friends
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” This verse highlights the impact friends have on our lives and the importance of having loyal and trustworthy friends.
Proverbs 13:20 – Choosing the Right Friends
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” This verse encourages us to choose our friends wisely, as they greatly influence our character and decisions.
James 4:4 – Friendship with the World
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” This verse warns against aligning ourselves with the values and desires of the world, which can lead us away from God.
Proverbs 27:6 – Faithful Wounds from a Friend
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” This verse teaches us that true friends will sometimes confront us with the truth, even if it is painful, because they genuinely care for our well-being.
Proverbs 27:17 – Iron Sharpens Iron
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This verse emphasizes the positive influence and growth that can come from having friends who challenge and encourage us.
Proverbs 22:24-25 – Avoiding Bad Company
“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.” This verse warns against forming close relationships with individuals who have destructive or negative traits, as it can impact our own behavior.
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Choose Your Circle Wisely
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'” This verse reminds us that the company we keep can have a significant impact on our morals, values, and beliefs.
Proverbs 12:26 – The Righteous Choose Their Friends Carefully
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” This verse encourages us to be intentional in selecting friends who align with godly principles, as it influences our own spiritual journey.
1 Samuel 18:1 – David and Jonathan’s Friendship
“After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.” This verse showcases the deep bond and loyalty between David and Jonathan, serving as an example of a strong and supportive friendship.
Proverbs 27:9 – Sweet Fragrance of Friendship
“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.” This verse highlights how the counsel and support of a true friend can bring joy and comfort to our lives.
Proverbs 19:6 – Many Seek Favor, Few Are True Friends
“Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.” This verse reminds us that true friends are not merely attracted by what we can offer them, but are loyal and genuine in their relationship with us.
Proverbs 27:14 – Blessings of a Neighborly Friend
“If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.” This verse emphasizes the importance of having friends who respect our boundaries and understand the appropriate timing for interactions.
1 Corinthians 12:26 – We Are One Body
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” This verse reminds us of the interconnectedness within the body of Christ and how we should support and empathize with one another in times of difficulty.
John 15:13 – Greater Love
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This verse highlights the sacrificial love and selflessness that true friends are willing to demonstrate towards one another.
Proverbs 27:17 – Mutual Edification
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This verse teaches us that friendship can be a means of mutual growth, encouragement, and positive influence.
Proverbs 14:20 – The Poor Despised by Friends
“The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.” This verse reminds us that some friendships may be shallow, as they are based on superficial factors like wealth or social status.
Ruth 1:16 – Ruth’s Loyal Friendship
“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.’ This verse showcases the loyalty and dedication of Ruth towards her mother-in-law Naomi, setting an example of selfless and committed friendship.
Proverbs 27:6 – Honest Feedback
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” This verse speaks to the importance of friends who can provide honest and constructive feedback, even if it may be uncomfortable to hear.
Proverbs 27:9 – Well-Timed Advice
“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.” This verse highlights the value of a friend who offers timely and thoughtful advice, bringing comfort and joy to our lives.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Two Are Better Than One
“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.” This verse emphasizes the benefits of having a supportive friend who can help us in times of need, making our burdens easier to bear.
Proverbs 17:9 – Concealing Offenses
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” This verse teaches us the importance of forgiveness and the willingness to overlook minor offenses to preserve the intimacy of friendship.
Proverbs 22:11 – Seek Those with Pure Hearts
“One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.” This verse encourages us to cultivate genuine friendships by seeking those who possess integrity and speak with kindness.
Proverbs 27:10 – Be a Faithful Friend
“Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.” This verse reminds us of the importance of loyalty and support, even in challenging times, as it makes us reliable and trustworthy friends.
Proverbs 12:26 (ESV) – Choose Friends Wisely
“One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” This verse emphasizes the influence friends have on our lives and encourages us to choose them wisely, as they can either lead us closer to righteousness or away from it.
Proverbs 16:28 – Avoid Gossip
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” This verse warns against the destructive nature of gossip, urging us to refrain from spreading rumors that can harm relationships.
2 Corinthians 6:14 – Unequally Yoked
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” This verse reinforces the importance of choosing friends who share our faith and values, as a mismatch in beliefs can create conflicts and hinder spiritual growth.
Proverbs 19:4 – Choose Loyalty Over Riches
“Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.” This verse reminds us to prioritize loyal friendships and not be swayed solely by superficial factors like wealth or material possessions.
Proverbs 12:26 – Pursue Wise Friendships
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” This verse encourages us to be intentional in selecting friends who are wise and godly, as they can positively influence our behavior and decisions.
Proverbs 17:17 – True Friendship During Hardship
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” This verse reminds us that true friends stand by our side through both joys and hardships, providing support and love when we need it most.
Proverbs 13:20 – Surround Yourself with the Right Crowd
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” This verse emphasizes the importance of choosing friends who possess wisdom and discernment, as their influence can lead us towards a life of wisdom and righteousness.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Encourage and Build Up
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” This verse encourages us to be a source of encouragement and support to our friends, lifting them up and inspiring them to grow in their faith.
Ruth 1:16 – Unwavering Support
“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.’ This verse showcases the unwavering loyalty and dedication that Ruth demonstrates towards her friend Naomi, serving as an example of the commitment we should have towards our friends.
Proverbs 22:24-25 – Caution Against Bad Influence
“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.” This verse warns against forming close relationships with individuals who have negative traits, as their influence can lead us astray and ensnare us in destructive patterns.
John 15:13 – Christ-like Love
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This verse encapsulates the selfless and sacrificial love that Jesus demonstrated by giving His life for His friends. It serves as a reminder for us to love our friends with the same selflessness and compassion.
1 Samuel 18:1 – Examples of Genuine Friendship
“After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.” This verse depicts the genuine and deep friendship between David and Jonathan, serving as an example of camaraderie and loyalty.
Proverbs 27:17 – Mutual Growth
“Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.” This verse emphasizes the importance of having friends who positively challenge and refine us, leading to personal growth and development.
Proverbs 14:20 – The Value of Refined Friendships
“The poor are shunned even by their neighbors, but the rich have many friends.” This verse highlights that some friendships may be superficial and based on material wealth, while true friendships value the essence of a person over worldly possessions.
Proverbs 22:11 – Friendship Based on Integrity
“One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.” This verse encourages us to seek friends who have integrity and speak with kindness, as these qualities can lead to genuine and meaningful relationships.
Proverbs 22:24-25 – Loyalty Over Proximity
“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.” This verse warns against becoming close friends with individuals who have negative traits, as their influence can lead us astray and trap us in harmful patterns.
1 Corinthians 12:26 – Supporting One Another
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” This verse reminds us of the interconnectedness within the Body of Christ, encouraging us to stand by and support our friends in both times of joy and tribulation.