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NASB | Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. |
Bible Question: what is the true meaning of proverbs 18:24 |
Bible Answer: Hi Crazyace, The best way to describe the Gist of the verse is brought to us, I feel, by the late Matthew Henry: "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Pro 18:24) Solomon here recommends friendship to us, and shows, 1. What we must do that we may contract and cultivate friendship; we must show ourselves friendly. Would we have friends and keep them, we must not only not affront them, or quarrel with them, but we must love them, and make it appear that we do so by all expressions that are endearing, by being free with them, pleasing to them, visiting them and bidding them welcome, and especially by doing all the good offices we can and serving them in every thing that lies in our power; that is showing ourselves friendly. 2. That it is worth our while to do so, for we may promise ourselves a great deal of comfort in a true friend. A brother indeed is born for adversity, as he had said, ch. 17:17. In our troubles we expect comfort and relief from our relations, but sometimes there is a friend, that is nothing akin to us, the bonds of whose esteem and love prove stronger than those of nature, and, when it comes to the trial, will do more for us than a brother will. Christ is a friend to all believers that sticks closer than a brother; to him therefore let them show themselves friendly. I hope this helps, your friend in Christ, Tim |