What Does The Bible Say About Friendship Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. A Bible verse that may be familiar to many is from Ruth (chapter 1, verse 16) and includes: "Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God." To whom was Ruth speaking this plea?

Answer: Her mother-in-law

There were (apparently) none of the caustic M-I-L jokes or harsh feelings between mother-in-law, Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth. The quote in the question is from the King James Version of the Bible. Both women were widows and without direct financial support.

The younger woman, Ruth, must have known the importance of trust and friendship. Her future was uncertain; but she was certain the future would be better for both of them if they could stay together.

2. The author of the Book of Proverbs writes: "a brother was born to help in times of trouble". This is the second half of a sentence. What does the first half of that sentence say?

Answer: A friend loves you all the time

From the Easy-To-Read Version of the Bible comes the complete verse: "A friend loves you all the time, but a brother was born to help in times of trouble." - Proverbs 17:17. One way to interpret this concept is that it is expected of those who are related to us to be there when we need them.

In contrast, a friend loves you for the sake of friendship not as an obligation of relation. Truly a comforting thought.

3. The Bible indicates in Ecclesiastes that friendship is not only sensible, it can be profitable. What is the completion of this phrase (from Ecclesiastes 4:9)? "Two are _____."

Answer: better than one

The Revised Standard Version of the Bible does say that "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil." That is verse 9. Verse 10 gives more detail and expands on the value of friendship with the following example: "For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up."

4. The New Testament author Matthew must have understood the power of camaraderie. He attributed a certain assurance to Jesus when he wrote about gathering with like-minded people. What phrase completes the verse from Matthew 18:20 (New Living Translation) that begins: "For where two or three gather together as my followers ..."?

Answer: I am there among them.

This quote is from The New Living Translation of the Bible. To read this passage casually we can think that Matthew wanted to comfort Christians with the assurance that Jesus would "be with them" when they gathered as Christians. Some modern-day Bible scholars have interpreted the passage to include "spiritual" gathering as well.

Others teach this passage as a valuable message about the power of prayer - Jesus will consider the prayers of those who pray together, whether they are physically together or not.

5. Not mentioning friendship specifically yet giving everyone some guidance about how to treat everyone else, Luke wrote (in 6:31): "Treat others just as you want to be treated". Through the years this passage and its maxim have become known by a colorful nickname. What is it?

Answer: The Golden Rule

"Do unto others ..." is the Golden Rule most of us learned - whether we practiced it or not - at a very early age. Luke did not mention friendship but considering his suggestion was directed to "others" that would include friends. "Treat others just as you want to be treated" is taken from the Contemporary English Version of the Bible.

6. In the New Testament, John 15:12-14 includes a "commandment" from Jesus to his followers. The first two verses are: "My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you. The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them." What does Jesus say his followers will be if they "do what I command"?

Answer: My friends

The complete verse (14) is: "And you are my friends if you do what I command you." Citing himself as the ultimate example, Jesus told his followers he expected them to "love one another" as he had exemplified. Jesus may have shared this with his followers as his own harbinger of what was ahead for him, too.

The passage quoted here is taken from Good News Translation; as it does, many of the translations of the Bible specifically uses the term "friends".

7. The Apostle Paul prepared the citizens of Rome for his upcoming visit by sending a letter via carrier to them. Paul mentions the interdependent relationship of friendship in the introductory paragraph of this letter. According to the Amplified Bible (and other translations) what does Paul say will strengthen, encourage and comfort them?

Answer: Each other's faith

The Amplified Bible says it this way in Romans 1:11-12: "For I am yearning to see you, that I may impart and share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen and establish you. That is, that we may be mutually strengthened and encouraged and comforted by each other's faith, both yours and mine." This is an outline of friendship: "I am yearning to see you" (we always want to see our friends); "share with you" (we are willing to share with our friends); "mutually strengthened and encouraged and comforted by each other's faith" (friendship is always better when it is a two-way street).

8. The author or authors of the New Testament book of Hebrews must have known that being a friend would not always be easy. The two things mentioned (according to the New International Version of the Bible) are "do good and share with others"; these are called "sacrifices". But what does it tell us will be the result if one is willing to make those sacrifices?

Answer: God is pleased

The passage from Hebrews 13:16 says, "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." The author (or, authors) did not specifically use the word "friend" but it is not a stretch to substitute for the translated word "others" especially given the directions and results. Bible scholars debate on the origin and author of Hebrews but there is no debate among them as to its importance as a foundation of Christian living.

9. According to the Living Bible the book of Colossians has many emotional words to guide the early Christians. Chapter 3 cites phrases such as: "deep love", "concern for others", "suffer quietly", "be gentle and never hold grudges". The second part of verse 13 (from chapter 3) begins: "Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must ...", do what?

Answer: forgive others

Forgiveness is last in this list of creeds for these new converts to Christianity as they begin to embrace a new lifestyle. The author of the book of Colossians may have been the Apostle Paul. If not him, it was certainly one of his own followers - a student of his teaching perhaps. Verses 12-14 of chapter 3 pack a lot of guidance into a few lines. Fusing the aforementioned actions into one concept - that of loving one another - the author is very clear that those are necessary parts of a loving relationship and a peaceful existence.

10. The New Testament book of I Peter brings the concept of hospitality into the mixture necessary for love. In chapter 4 of I Peter the early Christians are told to love, forgive and use the talents God has given them to serve others. Also, it is suggested that they open their homes to others but how?

Answer: Without complaining

Now that is great concept of friendship - to open your homes to each other (there is that sharing concept, too!) without complaining. The New Century Version of the Bible was used as a reference. Verses 8-10 from chapter 4 are: "Most importantly, love each other deeply, because love will cause people to forgive each other for many sins. Open your homes to each other, without complaining. Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God's various gifts of grace."

Source: Author cowboybluedog

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor CellarDoor before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Here are verses and/or situations that tell us what some Biblical authors had to say about friendship - from both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The translation of The Bible used for each question is given in its interesting information.

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