Agape Friends

(Proverbs 18:24 KJV)  A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

At school I have students ask if a certain teacher is my friend.  I tell them that we get along well and are friendly but I have never had them over to my house for dinner.  When I am listening to the radio and hear the Voice talk about how someone is their friend I wonder how they have time to keep up on so many people.  In our hurry and lack of discernment we often forget that words are supposed to mean something.  We ignore that there are “friends” (7453) and there are “friend(s)” (157). 

Some people we call “friends” (7453) are really just acquaintances, or as the word is usually translated, “neighbors”.  The point here is that we can have too many buddies that we hang out with.  They can sap our energy and monopolize our time.  As the KJV puts it, we must “shew ourselves friendly”.  In reality, life is too short.

A “friend” (157) is really someone that we love.  That is the root of this second word.  This is the person that renews us instead of draining us.  This is the person who rebukes and reproves as well as praises and comforts.  This is a rare jewel not costume jewelry.  

There is a reason why one is plural and one is singular.

So?  Be friendly.  Be courteous.  Show agape.  But keep in mind that Jesus is your best friend and those who walk with Him should be all you have major time for.