Biblical Examples of Godly Friendships and Counsel
The Bible presents numerous examples of godly friendships and the importance of wise counsel, often intertwining the two concepts. Friendship with God himself is portrayed as the highest possible relationship, exemplified by figures like Abraham and Moses, who were called "friends of God" (Exod 33:11; 2 Chr 20:7; Isa 41:8; Jas 2:23) [8]. The names Theophilus and Reuel also mean "friend of God" [1, 2, 5]. Jesus himself chooses his friends, and their friendship is demonstrated through obedience to him (John 15:14-16) [8].
Beyond the divine relationship, the Scriptures highlight the value of human friendships and the counsel they provide. The book of Proverbs frequently emphasizes the benefit of good advice, noting that "good advice blesses the giver and receiver" (Prov 15:23) [9]. It also distinguishes between a "wicked messenger" who "falls into trouble" and a "trustworthy envoy" who "gains healing" (Prov 13:17) [7]. The concept of a "good counselor" is even reflected in names like Aristobulus [4].
The Psalms describe God's providential care, providing guidance and protection, often using the metaphor of a shepherd (Ps 23:1-6) [10]. This divine guidance serves as a model for human counsel. David, for instance, invokes divine guidance based on God's "gracious ways of dealing and faithfulness" (Ps 25:4) [12].
The New Testament further develops the theme of counsel, identifying Jesus Christ as "a Counselor with the Father" (1 John 2:1) [6]. Believers are encouraged to "hear counsel, and receive instruction" from various sources, including parents, teachers, and especially from "Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, the wonderful Counsellor" and his Gospel (Prov 19:20) [11]. This instruction aims for wisdom in one's "latter end," preparing for a future state [11]. The importance of empathy and compassion in relationships is also stressed, with exhortations to "rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (Rom 12:15) [3]. This includes showing compassion to the afflicted, the chastened, and even enemies [3].
Sources
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Theophilus — friend of God”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Reuel — the shepherd or friend of God”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Aristobulus — a good counselor”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Raguel — shepherd, or friend of God”
- 1 John “My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. -- 1 John 2:1”
- Proverbs “A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy gains healing. -- Proverbs 13:17”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 15:14: 15:14-16 Both Abraham and Moses were called friends of God (Exod 33:11; 2 Chr 20:7; Isa 41:8; Jas 2:23). This is the highest relationship possible between God and a person. Jesus chooses his friends (John 15:16), who demonstrate their friendship by obeying him.”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 15:23: Good advice blesses the giver and receiver.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 23 (introduction): Under a metaphor borrowed from scenes of pastoral life, with which David was familiar, he describes God's providential care in providing refreshment, guidance, protection, and abundance, and so affording grounds of confidence in His perpetual favor. (Psa 23:1-6) Christ's relation to His people is often represented by the figure of a shepherd (Joh 10:14; Heb 13:20; Pe1 2:25; Pe1 5:4), and therefore the opinion that He is the Lord here so described, and in Gen 48:15; Psa 80:1; Isa 40:11, is not without some good reason.”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 19:20: Hear counsel, and receive instruction,.... Of parents, masters, and ministers; especially the counsel and instruction of Wisdom, of Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, the wonderful Counsellor; and of his Gospel and of the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation; that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end; in the latter end of life, at death; that then it may appear a man has been so wise as to be concerned for a future state, for the good of his soul in another world; by listening to the counsel and instruction of Christ, in his word; by lookin”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 25:4: On the ground of former favor, he invokes divine guidance, according to God's gracious ways of dealing and faithfulness.”