By Wayne Clapp – Emeritus Pastor
This article is adapted from the November 2023 Encourager, and it is one of the last writings Rev. Clapp completed before he passed away. A recording of his celebration of life, sharing how much he loved Jesus and his people, is available on CFFM’s Live Streams.
Hi Friends!
“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 KJV
Although the translation of the first part of Proverbs 18:24 is disputed, there is much agreement on the second part which is what I want to focus on.
A Friendship Principle
Before we go there, let’s address the first part: “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly.” We know this principle is true even though it is an inexact translation.
Many proverbs and other examples in the Bible teach us the importance of friendship and being loyal friends
“The Golden Rule” also makes the point that “all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). These things, and common sense, verify the importance of being friendly if you want to have friends.
More recent translations render the first part of verse 18 differently:
“He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction” (ASV)
“A man with many friends may be harmed” (CSB)
“There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other” (NLT)
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin” (NIV)
Nearly every translation emphasizes the plurality of friends, making the point that even someone with an abundance friends may still have problems.
A large number of friends does not guarantee help in the time of need.
That being said, let’s move on to the second part of the verse on which there is much more agreement.
Our Best Friend
The friend referred to in the second part of the verse is an allusion to our Lord Jesus Christ. He indeed is the friend who “loves at all times.”
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 NKJV
Jesus provides “hearty counsel” and never forsakes us.
“Ointment and perfuse delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel. Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend…better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.” Proverbs 27:9-10 NKJV
This indirect prophetic reference points to Jesus, the one who described himself as a friend.
“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his mater is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from my Father I have made know to you.” John 15:15 NKJV
Jesus was also described by others as “a friend of publicans and sinners” (Luke 7:34). We show ourselves to be a friend to Jesus when we do as he commands.
“[Jesus speaking to his disciples] You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.” John 15:14 NKJV
Our ready obedience allows us to own and develop our friendship. Deuteronomy 13:6 describes a friend as one “which is as thine own soul.”
Such was the friendship of Jonathan and David who were of one heart and soul.
“Now when he [David] has finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.” 1 Samuel 18:1-2 NKJV
We also see it in the book of Acts where the believers moved as one with one accord (Acts 2:41-47).
So, our friendship with Christ should be expressive of the close union we have with him for truly he adheres to our cause and interests, being constant and continuing as a friend at all times.
To see how Pastor Wayne was a friend to others, read his tribute Remembering Our Beloved Brother, Rev. Wayne Clapp