Friend; Friendship:
friend, friend’-ship: In the Old Testament two words, variously translated “friend” or “companion”:indicating a mere associate, passing friend, neighbor, or companion; indicating affection natural or unnatural.
In the New Testament also two words:”a comrade,” or “fellow,” and philos, suggesting a more affectionate relation.
Philosophic as well as sentimental and poetic expositions of the idea of friendship. Notable among these are the Old Testament examples. Abraham, because of the intimacy of his relations, was called “the friend of GOD”
(2Ch 20:7; Isa 41:8; Jas 2:23). “YAHWEH spake unto Moses face to face, as a man …. unto his friend” (Ex 33:11). The romantic aspect of the friendship of Ruth and Naomi is interesting (Ru 1:16-18). The devotion of Hushai, who is repeatedly referred to as David’s friend (2Sa 15:37; 16:16), is a notable illustration of the affection of a subordinate for his superior. The mutual friendship of David and Jonathan (1Sa 18:1), from which the author is made to say, “The soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul,” is another example. Again in his lament for Jonathan (2Sa 1:26), David says in highly emotional tones that his love “was wonderful, passing the love of women.” Elijah and Elisha form a unique illustration of semiprofessional affection (2Ki 2).
In the New Testament, Jesus and His disciples illustrate the growth of friendship from that of teacher and disciple, Lord and servant, to that of friend and friend (John 15:13-15). Paul and Timothy are likewise conspicuous (2Ti 1:2).
Pr 18:24, “and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Pr 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend”. The honesty and frankness of genuine friends are set forth in the maxim, Pr 27:6 “Faithful are the wounds of a friend”.