Verse 24
The NASB translation of Proverbs 18:24 a is more true to the Hebrew than the AV that reads, "A man (who hath) friends must show himself friendly." The RV is perhaps the easiest of all to understand: "He that maketh many friends (doeth it) to his own destruction."
Why is it unwise to have many friends? Probably because when one has many friends the possibility that some of them will be false friends is greater (cf. Jeremiah 38:22). It is better to have one or two good friends than many false friends.
"The significance of friends is found in their quality, not quantity." [Note: Waltke, The Book . . . 31, p. 97.]
Christians have often applied the second part of this verse to Jesus Christ (cf. John 15:12-15; Hebrews 2:11; Hebrews 2:14-18). While that is appropriate, Solomon’s point was that in contrast to false friends (Proverbs 18:24 a), some friends can be more faithful than our closest blood relatives. Such a friend is a true treasure.
Be the first to react on this!
