"A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
(Proverbs 18:24, NKJV)
(Proverbs 18:24, NKJV)
"A man who has friends..." This Hebrew word for "friends" is transliterated "rā'-ah" and means a companion, a friend, implying less intimate than the reference to "friend" in the second part of the verse which is "ä-hav'."
"...must himself also be friendly..." It got really interesting at this word. "Friendly" here is transliterated "rä-ah'" and means "to perish..." It's in the Hithpoel form which indicates that whoever the "himself" is is performing the "perishing" upon himself! What else can we make of this but that in Jesus Christ we are to consider ourselves dead to sin, and alive to God - to crucify our flesh, deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow after Him (Roman 6:11, 12; Matthew 16:24; Colossians 3:1-3)? Have you ever noticed how selfishness affects relationship? Philippians 2:3-4 says:
"Let nothing be done out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."
If we are commanded against selfishness, then selfishness is sin, which is consistent with death, destruction, and everything that is inconsistent with God's character and prescribed will. We will reap fruit in our relationships whether according to the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), or the curses by the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21).
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life" (Galatians 6:7-8).
So real mutual friendship inherently involves two distinct souls denying themselves in the biblical context of love (Romans 13:10). This is why Jesus is called friend of sinners and not friend with sinners. "Sinners", those who practice sin, and walk in the darkness, cannot deny themselves, thus proving that they are incapable of being a friend in accordance with the truth (John 17:17).
"...But there is a friend..." "ä-hav'," one who is loving and beloved; intimate, different from a companion.
"...who sticks closer..." "dä-vāk'," cleaves, adheres.
"...than a brother." I could't find a reference to Pro. 18:24 specifically in the lexicon entry. But it seems safe to say that the word for "brother," "äkh," is referring to a relative with whom is a naturally occurring element of companionship, partnership, strength, and unity with purpose and direction, whether paternal, or legal (in-law) since the emphasized distinctions being made in this verse are that of relationship by an act of the will more than by classification - love more than how one positionally relates in a social system, having considered the emotional ties that come inherently therewith.
Conclusion, the following being my interpretation...:
A man who has friends must deny himself,
But there is one who loves another as his own soul,
Who cleaves closer than a relative.
