Bible Verses About

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

This verse, like many of the verses in the book of Proverbs, has both a positive and a negative declaration.  It shows both sides of the coin.  It’s such an interesting description of how our relationships ought to look like.  A man of many companions may come to ruin.  Why in the world is that?  It seems as though the opposite would be true, that a man of many friends is blessed.  But what if all of those relationships are only surface deep?  What if none of those companions are close friends, like brothers?

I think that this is a really powerful Bible verse on friendship.  I have always been a man of many companions, and I had never really understood why it was a bad thing.  But that I started to realize that if all of my relationships are only surface deep, if I don’t have any friends that are as close to me as brothers, then I might not be able to stand up to the trials and challenges that life throws my way when life gets tough.  If I don’t have the courage to have real relationships with those around me, letting myself be vulnerable enough to let them in, then I’ll be forced to stand alone when it really matters.