family and friends
What does the Bible say about family and friends? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
12 passages · most helpful first
24A man amiable to society shall be more friendly than a brother.
17Whoever is a friend loves at all times. And a brother is proved by distress.
12This is my precept: that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13No one has a greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.
1A Canticle in steps: of David. Behold, how good and how pleasing it is for brothers to dwell in unity.
8But if anyone has no concern for his own, and especially for those of his own household, he has denied the faith, and he is worse than an unbeliever.
12This is my precept: that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13No one has a greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends, if you do what I instruct you. 15I will no longer call you servants, for the servant does not know what his Lord is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything whatsoever that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you. 16You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you. And I have appointed you, so that you may go forth and bear fruit, and so that your fruit may last. Then whatever you have asked of the Father in my name, he shall give to you. 17This I command you: that you love one another.
10loving one another with fraternal charity, surpassing one another in honor:
10Therefore, while we have time, we should do good works toward everyone, and most of all toward those who are of the household of the faith.
48But responding to the one speaking to him, he said, “Which one is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49And extending his hand to his disciples, he said: “Behold: my mother and my brothers. 50For anyone who does the will of my Father, who is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
3Behold, the inheritance of the Lord is sons, the reward is the fruit of the womb. 4Like arrows in the hand of the powerful, so are the sons of those who have been cast out. 5Blessed is the man who has filled his desire from these things. He will not be confounded when he speaks to his enemies at the gate.
10Do not dismiss your friend or your father’s friend. And do not enter your brother’s house in the day of your affliction. A close neighbor is better than a distant brother.
17Iron sharpens iron, and a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.