How can a friend stick closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24)?

Answer

Proverbs 18:24 teaches, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Considering that we typically believe family bonds are stronger than others, this proverb is quite striking: there are ways in which a friend can be more loyal than a sibling.

The ESV translates the first line of the proverb this way: “A man of many companions may come to ruin.” Regardless of the translation, the focus is on having numerous friends. Having many friends may not necessarily be beneficial. A large circle of friends does not guarantee support in times of trouble. Many well-known personalities have encountered this predicament—despite having thousands of fans, fame is fleeting, and supporters quickly vanish during challenging moments. The current era of social media encourages numerous superficial connections labeled as “friends,” yet genuine friends are scarce. Even the most socially active individuals can experience loneliness.

Conversely, the second line of this contrasting proverb states, “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Friendship is a recurring theme in Proverbs, with the term “friend” appearing nine other times in the book. Wisdom is described as a friend (7:4), a true friend loves consistently (17:17), a destitute individual is abandoned by their friend (19:4), everyone is friendly to someone who gives gifts (19:6), a person with gracious speech gains the king’s friendship (22:11), the wounds inflicted by a friend are trustworthy (27:6), the valuable advice of a friend is sweet (27:9), and one should not neglect their friend or their father’s friend (27:10).

These verses illustrate two types of “friends.” There are those who are friends because of what you can provide (such as material gifts or association with popularity), and there are those who are friends out of genuine affection and companionship. Proverbs 18:4 presents a comparison between these two categories of friends. You may accumulate numerous friends of the former kind, but it is the latter type that truly stands by you.

Want but still come to ruin; however, even one friend of the second type is a great advantage.

The genuine or authentic friend is someone who sticks closer than a brother. In other words, he or she can be counted on. This friend is steadfast; he or she will be there for you even more so than a family member. Brotherhood is one of the strongest relationships we know. A friend who sticks closer than a brother is a trustworthy friend, indeed.

A wonderful biblical example of this type of closer-than-a-brother friendship is what existed between David and Jonathan. They became fast friends following the battle in which David killed Goliath. Despite the many hardships both men faced, they remained faithful to one another as friends and protected one another from harm. Jonathan even risked his life interceding for David before King Saul, who sought to kill David. After Jonathan’s death, David wrote a lament for his friend: “Jonathan lies slain on your heights. I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me” (2 Samuel 1:25-26). Their friendship was stronger than David’s relationship with any of his own brothers.

Jesus was known as a “friend of sinners” «The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! », (Luke 7:34), and He has promised, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” «Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. », (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus is truly the Friend who sticks closer than a brother, and blessed are those who have Him as their Friend see John 15:14.