Proverbs 18:24 A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. What made so great a difference? Of two friends of Alexander the Great, the historian Plutarch calls one Philo-Basileus, that is, the friend of the King, and the other, Philo-Alexandros, that is, the friend of Alexander. Similarly, some one has said St. Peter was Philo-Christos, the friend of the Christ, but St. John was Philo-Jesous, the friend of Jesus. This touches the quick: Peter was attached to the person who filled the office of Messiah, John to the Person Himself. And this is a distinction which marks different types of Christian piety in all ages. The Christ of some is more official — the Head of the Church, the Founder of Christianity, and the like — that of others is more personal; but it is the personal bond which holds the heart. The most profoundly Christian spirits have loved the Saviour, not for His benefits, but for Himself alone. (J. Starker.). Parallel Verses KJV: A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.WEB: A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. |
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