No Greater Love: Understanding Friendships Through the Bible
Yareni Beltran
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January 21, 2025
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Photo by Helena Lopes
Strengthening your relationship with Christ requires you to reimagine your perspective on yourself and others. Remember, Christ embodied perfectly the attributes of altruism and selflessness. Both of these require one to acknowledge that there is no greater love–aside from God’s–than friendship.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
The current trend of the world bends towards a very individualistic and very self-centered lifestyle, where others are simply seen as means to an end rather than being ends in and of themselves.
Yet, despite these ubiquitous exultations for people to careen themselves of the pathway of others and keep to themselves and themselves only, friendships blossom.
The enduring power of friendship is a bright beacon of hope in this age of cold and grey egoism. The powers that be may want to divide us, but nothing can severe deeply realized bonds–and this is where the path to collective salvation begins.
And there is no better source nor authority on the subject of friendship than the Bible. As a collection of timeless wisdom, the Bible is replete with profound insights into the nature of man and, in particular, his relationship with others. Thus, you will find passages throughout the Bible on what it means to be a good man, especially being a good man to others.

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Understanding Friendships through the Bible
The colloquial perception of friendship is more akin to that of a casual acquaintance. In the Bible, friendships are much deeper than just simply having someone who shares your interests. To be in a friendship is to have a deep and enduring bond with someone, where there is genuine concern for their wellbeing and careful consideration for their needs.
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
A friendship that hews close to its Biblical depiction is a relationship that is based on a steadfast commitment to one another. It is an unbreakable bond that goes both ways, funneling unwavering support to one side and sending it back through the most dire and the most calm moments.
A friend is a loyal confidante with whom you can share dreams, aspirations, fears, and anxieties. They should be one of your first options for safe harbor when the storms are raging. In true friendships, joy and sorrow are dispensed evenly, and there is no such thing as a line drawn. Everything is laid out in the open, and everything is accepted with an open heart.
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Challenges and Trials
The beauty of friendship is celebrated throughout the Bible, yet it also does not obscure the ugliness that sometimes comes with it. Like with everything, friendships are often waylaid by challenges.
Remember that friendships are still the same as other human relationships in that they are not immune to hurt and disappointment. And it is often the hurt and the disappointment that is unique to friendships that sometimes hurt the most.
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

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Everyone is different. Friends share interests with one another, but they are not privy to each other’s thoughts and secrets. Opinion, personality, and lifestyle, even if only marginally different, can be sources of conflict and disagreement. Yet, these should not be enough to break up friendships.
The navigation of these challenges requires a great deal of patience and humility. And also the willingness to forgive. Maintaining a friendship demands intentional effort and deliberate communication.
There Is No Greater Love
The Bible is a wonderful source for cultivating and nurturing meaningful friendships. There is a profound truth to its proclamation that friendship is a great love and that there are few that are greater than it.
Proactively seeking out opportunities to connect with others, whether through church, community groups, or shared interests, is a cornerstone of being Christian. Thus, we all should invest time and effort in building and maintaining relationships, and when conflicts arise, be quick to forgive and seek reconciliation.
Cultivating a spirit of humility and a willingness to admit your own faults brings one closer to God.
To be Christian is all about reaching out of your own comfort zone and making a covenant with others, as God did with the Jewish people and as Jesus did with the whole of humanity.
Building Bridges Made in His Image by Yareni Beltran is available for purchase through this link. Grab a copy now!

Yareni Beltran
Yareni Beltran is an inspiring author and healthcare professional originally from Hidalgo, Mexico. In her book, Building Bridges: Made in His Image, she shares her personal journey of faith and identity, illustrating how she rediscovered her purpose through Christ. Yareni’s story resonates with many, as she embodies the spirit of resilience and hope, serving as a role model for immigrants and individuals seeking their own paths. Her work not only uplifts readers but also encourages them to embrace their unique identities and the transformative power of faith in their lives.