The Bible speaks about chosen friends, relatives, neighbors, and fellow believers in their particular relationships. Their responsibilities overlap, but they are not identical. Wisdom sayings describe the character of a good friend; biblical accounts show loyalty at work; and Christ’s commands give Christian friendship its direction. Together they teach you both to give faithful care and to receive it gratefully.
Give friendship a dependable place in your life
Value your friends themselves and continue caring for them through changing circumstances. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” The saying holds steady love together with the help needed in trouble. It gives friendship a durable character: affection should remain when another person’s circumstances become difficult. Learn what matters to your friend, take an interest in the person’s life, and give your care the consistency that makes trust possible.
Proverbs 27:10 makes this loyalty an express charge: “Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not”. It values relationships already established, including friendship extending across generations. The verse then tells the reader not to run to a brother’s house in calamity and gives its reason: a nearby neighbor is better than a distant brother. Its practical point is that faithful people close at hand can give help a remote relative cannot. Cultivate and receive that nearby care. Family duties still have their own force: in the widow-care instructions of 1 Timothy 5:3–8, relatives are charged to provide for their household. Friendship adds real help alongside those responsibilities.
Steadfast love also gives you a different measure of friendship from wealth or advantage. Proverbs 19:4 observes that wealth attracts friends while poverty leaves a person isolated; verses 6–7 describe people seeking a giver’s favor and withdrawing from someone poor. These are observations about painful human conduct, not instructions to imitate it. Read beside the friend who loves at all times, they expose why loyalty matters. Continue valuing a friend when there is little to gain, and receive another person’s faithfulness with gratitude.
Proverbs 18:24 celebrates a friend who stays closer than a brother. The comparison honors the strength of committed friendship. Treasure that faithfulness, offer it yourself, and receive it gratefully, without treating a person’s number of friends as a verdict on his or her character.
Further study: Biblical Studies Press · Biblical Studies Press · Biblical Studies Press
Keep your word and seek your friend’s good
Let affection become faithfulness in what you promise and do. First Samuel 18:1–4 describes Jonathan loving David as his own soul, making a covenant with him, and giving him his robe, garments, and weapons. This is the beginning of a particular relationship within Saul’s royal household. The account makes the affection and commitment visible through Jonathan’s actions. Its value for friendship lies in that serious concern for another person, rather than in requiring every friend to exchange possessions or make a formal covenant.
Jonathan’s loyalty includes speaking truth when David is treated unjustly. In 1 Samuel 19:1–7, Saul orders David’s death, Jonathan warns David, and then he appeals to his father. Jonathan gives reasons: David has done Saul good, risked his life against the Philistine, and been used by the LORD to deliver Israel. Killing him would shed innocent blood. This is more than defending someone because he is a friend. Jonathan identifies what is true and urges Saul to act justly. Seek your friend’s good with the same regard for truth, taking an accusation seriously enough to examine it fairly.
A promise becomes costly when keeping it conflicts with personal advantage. In 1 Samuel 20:12–17, Jonathan promises to tell David what he learns and asks David to continue showing kindness to his household. Saul later tells Jonathan that David’s survival threatens his own future kingship; when Jonathan asks what David has done to deserve death, Saul throws a spear at him (1 Samuel 20:30–34). Jonathan nevertheless brings the promised warning. At their parting they weep together and remember their pledge before the LORD (1 Samuel 20:35–42). Their loyalty is affectionate, truthful, and accountable to God.
David later gives that commitment lasting expression. In 2 Samuel 9:1–13, he seeks someone from Saul’s household to whom he can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake. He restores Saul’s land to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth, arranges for it to be cultivated, and gives him a continuing place at the royal table. The narrative names its own reason: remembered love for Jonathan. These royal arrangements belong to David’s situation, but the faithfulness they display is intelligible in any friendship. Remember the commitments you have made, and follow caring words with the good you have undertaken to do.
Give honest counsel and be willing to receive it
Speak with the purpose of helping your friend live wisely. Proverbs 27:5–6 says that open rebuke is better than secret love and that a friend’s wounds are faithful, while an enemy’s kisses are deceitful. The contrast asks whether words serve the person’s good. A needed correction may hurt when it exposes wrong, yet it can express care that flattery fails to give. The image of wounds commends trustworthy correction; it does not make harshness a virtue. Say what is true, explain the wrong clearly, and seek your friend’s restoration.
Truthful counsel can also bring deep gladness. Proverbs 27:9 compares the delight of ointment and perfume with the sweetness of a friend’s hearty counsel—counsel offered sincerely from the heart. The friend helps another person see and respond more wisely. Proverbs 12:18 gives a related contrast: some speech pierces like a sword, while a wise tongue brings healing. Care about what your words do for the listener. Give reasons that can be understood and guidance that helps the person move toward what is good.
Receive this same help yourself. Proverbs 12:15 contrasts the fool who is satisfied with his own way with the wise person who listens to counsel. Proverbs 27:17 pictures iron sharpening iron and a person sharpening a friend’s countenance. Countenance means the face; in this comparison the friend’s interaction is understood as sharpening the person’s thought and character. Bring a teachable mind to conversation, consider an honest challenge, and act on the truth you recognize. Friendship can help both people become wiser.
The direction in which companions shape one another matters. Proverbs 13:20 commends walking with wise people, while Proverbs 22:24–25 warns against close companionship with an angry person because you may learn those ways and become ensnared. The reason is imitation: the habits you repeatedly share can become your own. Seek friends whose counsel and conduct help you practice wisdom, and offer that kind of companionship yourself. Loyalty serves another person’s good when it encourages faithfulness to God.
When the matter is a fellow believer’s sin, Galatians 6:1 gives the manner and goal of help. Those walking by the Spirit are to restore the person gently while watching themselves, because they too can be tempted. Correction therefore belongs with humility. Help your friend turn from the wrong, remain aware of your own need for grace, and be willing to receive the same patient help when you need it.
Further study: Biblical Studies Press · Biblical Studies Press · Biblical Studies Press
Keep confidences and work honestly for peace
Treat what a friend entrusts to you with care. Proverbs 11:12–13 puts contemptuous speech beside the exposure of secrets and contrasts them with understanding and a faithful spirit. Proverbs 16:28 names the damage: a whisperer separates close friends. Gossip uses another person’s life as material to circulate; faithfulness guards the person whose trust you have received. Speak about your friend with the same concern for truth and dignity that should govern speaking to your friend.
Seek love when an offense can be borne and forgiven. Proverbs 17:9 contrasts covering a transgression with repeating a matter that separates friends. Its concern is the effect of continually carrying an offense forward. Colossians 3:12–14 gives believers the character needed here: compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forbearance, and forgiveness after Christ’s example. Bear with your friend’s weaknesses, acknowledge your own need for forgiveness, and allow a forgiven matter to cease governing the relationship.
Keeping trust also leaves room for necessary correction. In Leviticus 19:15–18, God’s instruction to Israel joins fair judgment and restraint of talebearing with rebuking a neighbor, relinquishing vengeance, and loving the neighbor as oneself. Love and truthful dealing belong together. Proverbs 25:8–10 similarly calls for addressing a dispute with the neighbor himself instead of hastily spreading the case and revealing a secret to someone else. Bring a grievance to the person with whom it belongs, seeking understanding and a truthful resolution.
When a brother sins against you, Jesus gives the first, private appeal a clear aim: “thou hast gained thy brother” (Matthew 18:15). In Matthew 18:15–20, the private appeal is followed, if refused, by one or two others and then the church; persistent refusal has consequences for fellowship. Privacy begins a restorative process rather than requiring wrongdoing to remain concealed. A Christian friendship should make room for repentance, forgiveness, and appropriate help from the church. Treat your friend as someone to recover in truth, and respond honestly when a friend brings a fault to you.
Listen, stay near, and offer fitting comfort
Let your friend’s actual sorrow or joy help determine your response. Romans 12:15 calls believers to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. This follows the call for sincere love, honor, practical generosity, and prayer in Romans 12:9–13. Friendship gives these shared Christian duties a personal setting. Be glad for another person’s good, take sorrow seriously, and listen long enough to understand what kind of presence is needed.
Job’s friends initially recognize how great his suffering is. Job 2:11–13 says they arrange to come and mourn with him, weep when they see him, and sit on the ground without speaking for seven days and nights. The narrator explains their silence by the depth of his grief. The account offers a picture of attentive presence, not a prescribed length of silence for every visit. Proverbs 25:20 makes the need for fitting speech vivid: singing songs to a heavy heart is compared with taking away a garment in cold weather. A cheerful performance can leave a grieving person less comforted. Give your friend room to speak and mourn.
Remain attentive after the first visit. In Job 6:14–30, Job compares his disappointing companions to streams that vanish when travelers most need water. He is willing to hear where he has erred, but asks what their arguments actually prove. In Job 16:1–5, he says that if their places were exchanged, he could either heap up words against them or strengthen them and ease their grief. The ending confirms that the friends’ confident speech about God was seriously mistaken (Job 42:7–9), even as Job acknowledges his own limited understanding (Job 42:1–6). Offer truthful comfort with humility about what you do not know. A friend’s suffering calls for care, rather than an unsupported explanation of why it happened.
Dependable presence can require deliberate effort. In 2 Timothy 1:15–18, Paul contrasts people who have turned away with Onesiphorus, who repeatedly refreshed him, was unashamed of his imprisonment, and searched diligently until he found him in Rome. Paul remembers concrete care and asks the Lord for mercy for his household. Make your concern dependable enough to involve attention and effort. Acts 28:14–16 shows the receiving side: when believers come to meet Paul on his approach to Rome, he thanks God and takes courage. Your presence can strengthen a friend even when you cannot remove the difficulty.
You may also need to ask for companionship plainly. In 2 Timothy 4:9–13, Paul asks Timothy to come, bring Mark, and bring his cloak and books; Luke is already with him. Later he remembers being deserted at his first defense, asks that this not be charged against those who left, and says that the Lord stood with him (2 Timothy 4:16–18). Faithfulness does not guarantee that people will always remain. Paul’s appeal holds together his need for friends, his willingness to receive help, and his confidence in the Lord. You can keep seeking and receiving friendship while entrusting disappointment to God.
Further study: Kathryn M. Schifferdecker
Help one another continue in faith
Encourage your friend toward confidence in God. In 1 Samuel 23:14–18, Jonathan goes to David while Saul is seeking his life and strengthens his hand in God. His words address David’s fear and acknowledge David’s future kingship. This reassurance belongs to David’s particular place in Israel’s history; it is not a promise that every friend will escape danger or receive high office. What the account shows clearly is the direction of Jonathan’s help: he strengthens David in relation to God. Help your friend remember what God has actually said and continue in the responsibility before him.
Expect to receive encouragement as well as give it. In Romans 1:8–12, Paul thanks God for the Roman believers, remembers them in prayer, and longs to visit so that they may be strengthened. He then explains that he too expects to be encouraged through their mutual faith. Even the apostle anticipates receiving good through other believers. Pray for your friends, speak about the faith you share, and listen for what their trust in God can teach and strengthen in you.
Give encouragement the substance of Christian hope. First Thessalonians 5:9–11 says that God has appointed believers to salvation through Jesus Christ, who died for them so that they may live with him. Paul therefore tells them to comfort and build up one another. The reason for the encouragement is Christ’s saving work and their life with him. Verse 14 then distinguishes the help needed: admonish the unruly, comfort the fainthearted, support the weak, and be patient toward everyone. The KJV’s “feebleminded” here means fainthearted or discouraged. Attend to the person before you, offering truth, reassurance, or practical support with patience.
Continue encouraging faith before a crisis arrives. Hebrews 3:7–19 recalls Israel’s wilderness unbelief and tells believers to exhort one another daily so that sin’s deception does not harden them. Hebrews 10:19–25 grounds their confidence in Jesus’ blood and priesthood, then calls them to draw near, hold fast, and consider how to stir one another to love and good works. They are to continue assembling and encouraging each other as the day approaches. These are responsibilities of the whole Christian community. Let your close friendships strengthen that shared life of worship, obedience, and care, and remain receptive to encouragement beyond your own circle.
Further study: SIL International
Let Christ’s love shape the love you give
Christian friendship grows from receiving the love Jesus gives and living under his word. In John 15:1–11, Jesus compares himself to a vine and his disciples to branches: they bear fruit by remaining in him, and apart from him they can do nothing. He then speaks of the Father’s love for him and his love for them, calling them to continue in that love through obedience. His purpose includes their joy. Depend on Christ as you learn to love; return to his words and let them direct the friendship you offer.
Jesus gives that love its measure in John 15:12–13: love one another as he has loved them, with the greatest love expressed in laying down one’s life for one’s friends. These words stand before his death and explain the costly love he will display. First John 3:16–18 carries the same pattern into the life of believers, from willingness to lay down their lives to sharing goods with a brother in need. Follow Christ in a love willing to give time, attention, resources, and personal comfort for another person’s good.
Jesus also explains why he calls these disciples friends. In John 15:14–16, they are to do what he commands, and he has made known to them what he heard from the Father. He chose and appointed them to bear lasting fruit. Friendship brings them into the knowledge of his purposes while leaving his authority intact. After washing their feet, he still identifies himself as their Lord and Master (John 13:12–17); after calling them friends, he again says that a servant is not greater than his lord (John 15:20). Receive this closeness with grateful obedience. Human friends help each other follow the Lord; none takes his place as the one whose commands govern the other.
The love Christ commands reaches beyond the people you choose as closest friends. John 15:12 and 17 address the disciples’ love for one another; Galatians 6:10 calls for good toward all, with special care for the household of faith. Romans 12:14–21 extends blessing and practical good even to persecutors and enemies. Close friendship has a real place within this wider obedience. Cultivate its affection, trust, and shared history, and let the care you learn there prepare you to love other people faithfully too.
Further study: Gail R. O’Day · Daniel K. Eng
Read the passages
Scripture in context
42 contextual selections for this subject, including the passages cited above and further related reading. Every selected range is reproduced in full from the KJV. Context notes identify the setting and kind of evidence.
Covenant law addressed to Israel 1 selections
Leviticus 19:15–18 KJV · In this guide
Context: Within Israel’s call to holiness, fair judgment, restraint of talebearing, truthful rebuke, rejection of vengeance and neighbor-love are held together.
19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.
19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Royal narrative 2 selections
1 Samuel 18:1–5 KJV · In this guide
Context: After David’s victory and audience with Saul, Jonathan loves him, makes a covenant and gives garments and weapons; David enters successful royal service.
18:1 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.
18:2 And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father’s house.
18:3 Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.
18:4 And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.
18:5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
2 Samuel 9:1–13 KJV · In this guide
Context: The whole episode names Jonathan as David’s reason for seeking Mephibosheth and restoring land, provision and a place at his table.
9:1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?
9:2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.
9:3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.
9:4 And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar.
9:5 Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar.
9:6 Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!
9:7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.
9:8 And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?
9:9 Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house.
9:10 Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
9:11 Then said Ziba unto the king, According to all that my lord the king hath commanded his servant, so shall thy servant do. As for Mephibosheth, said the king, he shall eat at my table, as one of the king’s sons.
9:12 And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.
9:13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.
Narrative with explicit moral reasoning 1 selections
1 Samuel 19:1–7 KJV · In this guide
Context: Saul orders David killed; Jonathan warns David, reasons with Saul from David’s innocence and service, and brings them together after Saul’s oath.
19:1 And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.
19:2 But Jonathan Saul’s son delighted much in David: and Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeketh to kill thee: now therefore, I pray thee, take heed to thyself until the morning, and abide in a secret place, and hide thyself:
19:3 And I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where thou art, and I will commune with my father of thee; and what I see, that I will tell thee.
19:4 And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good:
19:5 For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?
19:6 And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain.
19:7 And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.
Covenant and royal narrative 1 selections
1 Samuel 20:1–42 KJV · In this guide
Context: The complete crisis includes David’s fear, the friends’ pledge, their plan, Saul’s dynastic objection and spear attack, Jonathan’s warning, and their tearful parting.
20:1 And David fled from Naioth in Ramah, and came and said before Jonathan, What have I done? what is mine iniquity? and what is my sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?
20:2 And he said unto him, God forbid; thou shalt not die: behold, my father will do nothing either great or small, but that he will shew it me: and why should my father hide this thing from me? it is not so.
20:3 And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death.
20:4 Then said Jonathan unto David, Whatsoever thy soul desireth, I will even do it for thee.
20:5 And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, to morrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king at meat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the third day at even.
20:6 If thy father at all miss me, then say, David earnestly asked leave of me that he might run to Beth-lehem his city: for there is a yearly sacrifice there for all the family.
20:7 If he say thus, It is well; thy servant shall have peace: but if he be very wroth, then be sure that evil is determined by him.
20:8 Therefore thou shalt deal kindly with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the LORD with thee: notwithstanding, if there be in me iniquity, slay me thyself; for why shouldest thou bring me to thy father?
20:9 And Jonathan said, Far be it from thee: for if I knew certainly that evil were determined by my father to come upon thee, then would not I tell it thee?
20:10 Then said David to Jonathan, Who shall tell me? or what if thy father answer thee roughly?
20:11 And Jonathan said unto David, Come, and let us go out into the field. And they went out both of them into the field.
20:12 And Jonathan said unto David, O LORD God of Israel, when I have sounded my father about to morrow any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there be good toward David, and I then send not unto thee, and shew it thee;
20:13 The LORD do so and much more to Jonathan: but if it please my father to do thee evil, then I will shew it thee, and send thee away, that thou mayest go in peace: and the LORD be with thee, as he hath been with my father.
20:14 And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not:
20:15 But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth.
20:16 So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.
20:17 And Jonathan caused David to swear again, because he loved him: for he loved him as he loved his own soul.
20:18 Then Jonathan said to David, To morrow is the new moon: and thou shalt be missed, because thy seat will be empty.
20:19 And when thou hast stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself when the business was in hand, and shalt remain by the stone Ezel.
20:20 And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark.
20:21 And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth.
20:22 But if I say thus unto the young man, Behold, the arrows are beyond thee; go thy way: for the LORD hath sent thee away.
20:23 And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.
20:24 So David hid himself in the field: and when the new moon was come, the king sat him down to eat meat.
20:25 And the king sat upon his seat, as at other times, even upon a seat by the wall: and Jonathan arose, and Abner sat by Saul’s side, and David’s place was empty.
20:26 Nevertheless Saul spake not any thing that day: for he thought, Something hath befallen him, he is not clean; surely he is not clean.
20:27 And it came to pass on the morrow, which was the second day of the month, that David’s place was empty: and Saul said unto Jonathan his son, Wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to meat, neither yesterday, nor to day?
20:28 And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:
20:29 And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me to be there: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king’s table.
20:30 Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother’s nakedness?
20:31 For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.
20:32 And Jonathan answered Saul his father, and said unto him, Wherefore shall he be slain? what hath he done?
20:33 And Saul cast a javelin at him to smite him: whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.
20:34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.
20:35 And it came to pass in the morning, that Jonathan went out into the field at the time appointed with David, and a little lad with him.
20:36 And he said unto his lad, Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. And as the lad ran, he shot an arrow beyond him.
20:37 And when the lad was come to the place of the arrow which Jonathan had shot, Jonathan cried after the lad, and said, Is not the arrow beyond thee?
20:38 And Jonathan cried after the lad, Make speed, haste, stay not. And Jonathan’s lad gathered up the arrows, and came to his master.
20:39 But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter.
20:40 And Jonathan gave his artillery unto his lad, and said unto him, Go, carry them to the city.
20:41 And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded.
20:42 And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.
Narrative and particular reassurance 1 selections
1 Samuel 23:14–18 KJV · In this guide
Context: God preserves David amid Saul’s pursuit. Jonathan visits, strengthens him in God and speaks of David’s kingship before they renew their covenant and separate.
23:14 And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand.
23:15 And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood.
23:16 And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
23:17 And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.
23:18 And they two made a covenant before the LORD: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.
Narrative frame to wisdom dialogue 1 selections
Job 2:11–13 KJV · In this guide
Context: The friends’ arrival after Job’s losses includes their stated intention to mourn and comfort, their tears and silence because of his great grief.
2:11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.
2:12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.
2:13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.
A sufferer’s speech in wisdom dialogue 2 selections
Job 6:14–30 KJV · In this guide
Context: Within Job’s answer to Eliphaz, his appeal for loyal kindness leads through the failed-stream comparison to an appeal for truthful rather than groundless correction.
6:14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
6:15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
6:16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
6:17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
6:18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
6:19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
6:20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
6:21 For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
6:22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
6:23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
6:24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
6:25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
6:26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
6:27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
6:28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
6:29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
6:30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
Job 16:1–5 KJV · In this guide
Context: The opening of Job’s reply to Eliphaz contrasts the friends’ words with the comfort he says he could offer if their places were exchanged.
16:1 Then Job answered and said,
16:2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
16:3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?
16:4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.
16:5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.
Concluding narrative and confession 1 selections
Job 42:1–9 KJV · In this guide
Context: Job acknowledges speaking beyond his understanding; God then rebukes the three friends and directs them to seek Job’s prayer with their offering.
42:1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
42:3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
42:4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
42:7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
42:8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
42:9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.
Wisdom sayings 3 selections
Proverbs 11:12–13 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paired complete sayings contrast contempt and disclosure with understanding and a faithful spirit.
Proverbs 12:15–18 KJV · In this guide
Context: Four complete sayings concern receptiveness to counsel, restraint, truthful testimony and the healing or piercing effects of speech.
12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
12:16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
12:17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
Proverbs 17:17–18 KJV · In this guide
Context: Two complete adjoining sayings distinguish steadfast friendship from the folly of making an imprudent surety pledge. Each retains its own point.
Wisdom saying 4 selections
Proverbs 13:20 KJV · In this guide
Context: A complete antithetical proverb compares the outcome of walking with the wise and accompanying fools.
13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Proverbs 16:28 KJV · In this guide
Context: The complete proverb identifies strife and the division of close friends as the result of perverse and whispering speech.
16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Proverbs 17:9 KJV · In this guide
Context: The complete contrast opposes seeking love by covering an offense to dividing friends by repeating a matter.
17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
Proverbs 27:14 KJV · In this guide
Context: A complete ironic saying pictures loud, early blessing being received as a curse.
27:14 He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.
Wisdom saying with translation question 1 selections
Proverbs 18:24 KJV · In this guide
Context: A complete two-line proverb within a collection of separate wisdom sayings. The first line has a material translation difficulty; the second praises a steadfast friend.
18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Wisdom observations 1 selections
Proverbs 19:4–7 KJV · In this guide
Context: Four complete anthology sayings include wealth, false witness, favors and the abandonment of the poor. Verse 5 remains its own saying rather than a step in a single argument.
19:4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.
19:6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
19:7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.
Wisdom instruction 1 selections
Proverbs 22:24–25 KJV · In this guide
Wisdom instruction and comparisons 1 selections
Proverbs 25:8–12 KJV · In this guide
Context: The dispute counsel includes its consequence and is followed by complete sayings about fitting words and a wise reprover received by a listening ear.
25:8 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
25:9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
25:10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.
25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
Wisdom comparisons 1 selections
Proverbs 25:16–20 KJV · In this guide
Context: Complete comparisons move through excess honey, overlong visits, false testimony, unreliable help and songs unsuited to a heavy heart.
25:16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
25:17 Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.
25:18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
25:19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
25:20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.
Wisdom sayings and counsel 1 selections
Proverbs 27:5–10 KJV · In this guide
Context: A group of complete sayings concerns rebuke, affection, appetite, home, counsel and continuing friendship. The individual comparisons are not forced into one argument.
27:5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.
27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
27:7 The full soul loatheth an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
27:8 As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.
27:9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
27:10 Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not; neither go into thy brother’s house in the day of thy calamity: for better is a neighbour that is near than a brother far off.
Wisdom comparison 1 selections
Proverbs 27:17 KJV · In this guide
Context: The complete comparison joins iron sharpening iron to a person sharpening a friend’s face or countenance.
27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Wisdom reflection 1 selections
Ecclesiastes 4:7–12 KJV · In this guide
Context: The observation of isolated, unsatisfied toil leads to the advantages of companions in work, falling, cold and danger and ends with the threefold cord.
4:7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.
4:8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
4:9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
4:10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
4:11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?
4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Jesus’ instruction to his disciples about communal correction 1 selections
Matthew 18:15–20 KJV · In this guide
Context: The instruction begins with a brother’s sin against the hearer, moves from private appeal to witnesses and the church, then speaks of binding, agreement in prayer and Jesus’ presence.
18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Narrative and Jesus’ interpretation of his example 1 selections
John 13:1–17 KJV · In this guide
Context: Jesus’ knowledge of his departure, the foot washing, Peter’s response and Jesus’ interpretation preserve both gracious service and his declared lordship.
13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
13:6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
13:7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
13:11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
13:12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
Jesus’ farewell teaching 2 selections
John 15:1–17 KJV · In this guide
Context: The vine-and-branches teaching moves through abiding, obedience, love and joy to Jesus’ naming the disciples friends, explaining disclosure, and appointing them to fruit.
15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 15:18–27 KJV · In this guide
Context: After the friendship discourse, Jesus explains the world’s hatred, recalls the servant/master distinction, and promises the Spirit’s testimony with the disciples’ witness.
15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.
15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
15:23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
15:24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.
15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.
15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
15:27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
Travel narrative 1 selections
Acts 28:11–16 KJV · In this guide
Context: The journey from Malta reaches Italy and Rome; believers’ welcome encourages Paul, who arrives in continuing custody.
28:11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
28:12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
28:13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
28:14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
28:16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
Apostolic prayer and intended visit 1 selections
Romans 1:8–15 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul’s thanksgiving, prayer and desire to visit lead into his express expectation of mutual encouragement and his wider gospel obligation.
1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
1:10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Shared Christian instruction 4 selections
Colossians 3:12–17 KJV · In this guide
Context: The renewed community is addressed as chosen, holy and loved; compassion, patience, forgiveness and love lead into peace, grateful teaching and worship.
3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
3:17 And what soever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
1 Thessalonians 5:1–15 KJV · In this guide
Context: Readiness for the Lord’s day is grounded in salvation through Christ and followed by encouragement, regard for leaders, fitting help and patient goodness.
5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
1 John 3:11–18 KJV · In this guide
Context: The command to love contrasts Cain’s hatred with Christ’s self-giving and brings the contrast to the refusal or provision of material help.
3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
3:17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Apostolic instruction to the churches 1 selections
Apostolic acknowledgment of church support 1 selections
Philippians 4:10–20 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul rejoices in renewed support, explains learned contentment, commends participation in his affliction and acknowledges the gift as pleasing to God.
4:10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
4:14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.
4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
4:20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Instruction concerning households and church care 1 selections
1 Timothy 5:3–8 KJV · In this guide
Context: The opening widow-care instructions distinguish family support and the plight of an otherwise unsupported widow.
5:3 Honour widows that are widows indeed.
5:4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
5:5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
5:7 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Personal ministry testimony and prayer 1 selections
2 Timothy 1:15–18 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul contrasts desertion with Onesiphorus’s repeated refreshment, lack of shame and diligent search, and prays for mercy for him and his household.
1:15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.
1:16 The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:
1:17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.
1:18 The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
Personal requests and testimony 1 selections
2 Timothy 4:9–18 KJV · In this guide
Context: Paul’s requests for company and possessions occur among reports of departures, opposition and abandonment, followed by testimony to the Lord’s strengthening.
4:9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
4:12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
4:13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.
4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:
4:15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
4:16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Scriptural argument and communal exhortation 1 selections
Hebrews 3:7–19 KJV · In this guide
Context: Psalm 95’s wilderness warning is applied to the hearers through daily exhortation, perseverance and the danger of unbelief.
3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
3:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
3:10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
3:11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
3:16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
3:17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
3:18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Communal exhortation grounded in Christ’s work 1 selections
Hebrews 10:19–25 KJV · In this guide
Context: Confidence through Jesus’ blood and priesthood supports drawing near, holding fast, considering one another and continuing to assemble.
10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Go deeper
Sources & interpretation
The teaching starts with the cited Scripture. These consulted works inform wording, context, and interpretive questions. No qualified human review has been recorded for this guide.
What does Proverbs 18:24 say about having friends?
The KJV’s first line concerns showing oneself friendly; the NET renders harmful companionship. Both retain the closer-than-a-brother friend in the second line.
- Read the first clause as the KJV’s call to act as a friend.
- Read it as a warning that numerous companions may bring harm, as the NET argues.
- Understand a contrast between superficial companionship and a truly attached friend without claiming the disputed verb is settled.
PROBABLE: The harm/contrast reading deserves weight, but the guide does not adjudicate every textual proposal. STRONG: The second line commends steadfast attachment. Neither rendering warrants blaming lonely people or promising that friendliness guarantees friends.
Further study: Biblical Studies Press
Further examination: What is praised in the second line? How do Proverbs 17:17 and 19:4–7 help distinguish loyal love from the mere presence or number of companions?
How do friends and relatives belong together in these sayings?
Proverbs 17:17 connects a friend’s continual love with a brother in adversity. Proverbs 27:10 tells the reader to retain friends, discourages recourse to a brother’s house in calamity, and favors a near neighbor over a distant brother.
- The sayings express complementary wisdom: family loyalty has value, and nearby friendship can supply help distant kin cannot.
- The contrast may concern relational availability as well as geography.
- The three lines of 27:10 may be only loosely joined; the NET reports Toy’s stronger proposal of a lost connection.
PROBABLE: Read 27:10 through its stated near/far reason and retain its direct charge against forsaking friends. Do not convert it into a ban on receiving help from relatives; 17:17 and 1 Timothy 5:3–8 prevent that generalization.
Further study: Biblical Studies Press · Biblical Studies Press
Further examination: Which words explain why the nearby neighbor is better in the described situation? What would be lost by turning this into a universal ranking of friends above family?
What kind of sharpening and correction serves a friend?
Proverbs 27 joins faithful correction and valued counsel with the iron comparison; 12:18 distinguishes piercing speech from healing. Galatians 6:1 gives restoration a gentle manner.
- Sharpening describes the improvement of thought and character through honest interaction.
- The face image may place particular emphasis on enlivening another person rather than intellectual argument alone.
- Proverbs 27:9’s difficult second line has alternative ancient renderings; the NET cautiously retains sincere counsel.
PROBABLE for the precise sharpening and hearty-counsel images; STRONG for receiving wise counsel and correcting for another’s good. The guide does not infer that painful or argumentative speech is inherently beneficial.
Further study: Biblical Studies Press · Biblical Studies Press · Biblical Studies Press
Further examination: How do the purpose and manner supplied by the other passages help you judge whether a difficult conversation is faithful counsel?
How can we bear one another’s burdens and our own?
Galatians 6:2 calls for mutual burden-bearing; 6:3 rejects self-deception, 6:4 commands examination of one’s own work, and 6:5 speaks of bearing one’s own burden.
- Mutual help remains compatible with each person’s accountability for his or her conduct, with possible reference to final judgment.
- Peeler proposes that verses 3–5 describe the isolation of a person attempting to proceed without others.
- A rigid distinction between burdens no one can carry and small loads everyone must carry is sometimes proposed, but the guide does not base that rule on uninspected lexical claims.
STRONG for combining mutual care with self-examination; PROBABLE for relating verse 5 particularly to personal accountability. The imperative in verse 4 and the sowing/reaping argument favor responsibility within community. The main teaching does not settle the precise eschatological emphasis or use verse 5 to refuse help.
Further study: Amy L. B. Peeler
Further examination: Why does Paul speak of pride and examining one’s own work between the two burden sayings? How does that sequence shape both giving and receiving help?
What changes when Jesus calls the disciples friends?
John 15:15 gives disclosure as the reason for calling them friends. Verses 14 and 16 retain command and choosing; 13:13 and 15:20 retain lordship.
- O’Day emphasizes self-giving and open disclosure that transform the disciples’ relationships.
- Eng emphasizes unequal patronage and proposes commissioned royal clients.
- The immediate text establishes entrusted knowledge and loving obedience without requiring one exhaustive social model.
STRONG: The third framing retains the secure contributions of both studies. Jesus’ friendship is a gift requiring obedience; it does not make disciples his equals. The exact reach of ancient patronage is unresolved and unnecessary to the practical conclusion.
Further study: Gail R. O’Day · Daniel K. Eng
Further examination: What reason does Jesus actually give in 15:15, and how do the commands surrounding it and the Lord’s example in 13:12–17 keep love, knowledge, service and authority together?
- NET Bible: Proverbs 17:17, notes 1–3
Biblical Studies Press · NET Bible
Reads parallel loyalty in friend and relative while reporting an alternative contrast.
What was reviewed
Complete verse page and numbered notes 1–3. Accessed 2026-09-25 · Read in part.
Plaut’s cited book was not inspected. This short note does not establish that all siblings invariably help.
- NET Bible: Proverbs 18:24, notes 1–2
Biblical Studies Press · NET Bible
Argues for retaining the received consonantal text and reading the first clause as harmful companionship rather than the KJV’s friendliness clause.
What was reviewed
Complete verse and two notes on the commentaries tab. Accessed 2026-09-25 · Read in part.
Toy and the ancient witnesses are reported through the notes, not newly collated. The main point about steadfast attachment is firmer than resolution of the first clause.
- NET Bible: Proverbs 27:10, note 1
Biblical Studies Press · NET Bible
Proposes available friendship as the practical contrast to unavailable family help, while acknowledging difficulty.
What was reviewed
Complete verse and study note, including the alternative of poorly connected lines. Accessed 2026-09-25 · Read in part.
Toy is known only through this note; the main paragraph’s connected reading is PROBABLE.
- NET Bible: Proverbs 27:6, notes 1–3
Biblical Studies Press · NET Bible
Connects trustworthy wounds with correction and discusses the abundant or deceptive kisses contrast.
What was reviewed
Verse comparison and all three notes. Accessed 2026-09-25 · Read in part.
The Hebrew lexical sources behind the notes were not independently inspected.
- NET Bible: Proverbs 27:9, notes 1–2
Biblical Studies Press · NET Bible
Defends a sincere-counsel sense of the difficult second line and explains the perfume comparison.
What was reviewed
Complete verse and both notes, including reported alternative readings. Accessed 2026-09-25 · Read in part.
Thomas, Driver and the ancient translations were not independently studied; the source’s modest confidence is retained.
- NET Bible: Proverbs 27:17, notes 1–4
Biblical Studies Press · NET Bible
Explains the sharpening image as constructive interaction affecting thought and character.
What was reviewed
Verse comparison and all four numbered notes. Accessed 2026-09-25 · Read in part.
BDB, McKane and the Talmudic example were not independently read. The exact force of face-sharpening is an interpretation.
- Commentary on Galatians 6:[1–6] 7–16
Amy L. B. Peeler · Working Preacher / Luther Seminary · 2019-07-07
Connects mutual care with Spirit-shaped life and proposes that 6:3–5 pictures the consequences of self-reliance.
What was reviewed
Complete commentary body; especially “The communal fruit of the spirit continued,” paragraphs on 6:1–10. Accessed 2026-09-25.
Her counterexample reading is treated as a real alternative, not adopted as settled. The guide instead reads 6:4 as a positive charge to examine one’s conduct.
- Commentary on Job 42:1–6, 10–17
Kathryn M. Schifferdecker · Working Preacher / Luther Seminary · 2012-10-28
Calls attention to the omitted rebuke and Job’s prayer for the companions; keeps the ending attached to the dialogue.
What was reviewed
Complete commentary body; close attention to “Job’s Response” and “The ‘Friends’ Reprimanded,” on 42:1–9. Accessed 2026-09-25.
Her “to me” translation, historical generalizations about daughters’ inheritance, and imagined wording of Job’s prayer are not adopted. Janzen and Davis were not separately read.
- SIL Translator’s Notes on 1 Thessalonians 5:14
SIL International · SIL International; hosted by Translation Insights & Perspectives / American Bible Society · 2002
Explains the fainthearted wording in 5:14b and cautions that the cause of the discouragement is not specified.
What was reviewed
Complete published entry: paragraph 5:14–18 and notes 5:14a–d. Accessed 2026-09-25.
Its preferences for narrowing unruly to idle and all to all believers are not adopted. No specific cause of discouragement or exact class of weakness is asserted.
- I Have Called You Friends
Gail R. O’Day · Christian Reflection 27: Friendship; Baylor University, pp. 20–27 · 2008
Examines Jesus’ self-giving and disclosure in John 15 as central to friendship and its enactment.
What was reviewed
The whole article, printed pp. 20–27 (PDF pages 20–27 in one-based numbering), including its notes. Other essays in the issue are not claimed as consulted sources. Accessed 2026-09-25.
Her suggestion that 15:15 removes 15:14’s condition and her master/servant replacement formulation are qualified by John 13:13 and 15:20. Her claim about the beloved disciple’s old age is not established by John 21:22–23 and is not used. Cited ancient works were not read independently.
- “I Call You Friends”: Jesus as Patron in John 15
Daniel K. Eng · Themelios 46.1, pp. 55–69 · 2021
Argues that patronage better explains friendship language alongside Jesus’ authority and the disciples’ obligation.
What was reviewed
Publisher HTML: abstract, introduction, §§1, 2.1, 2.2 and 3 read in full; portions of §§2.3–2.4 also inspected. §4 and the entire footnote apparatus were not fully inspected. Accessed 2026-09-25 · Read in part.
The royal-client reconstruction is a proposal, not established context required by this guide. Coins, inscriptions and cited ancient works were not independently verified.