A Friend Who Sticks Closer

My Fellow Workers in Christ Jesus

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When Paul set sail for Italy as a prisoner, Luke wrote, “Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us” (Acts 27:2). Aristarchus did not leave his friend when things got hard.

An old friend. Aristarchus had traveled with Paul before. Acts 20:4 lists the men who went with Paul, “also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians.” Now he was still there.

What a friend does. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). To have good friends, you need to be a good friend.

Being friendly. Being friendly means you go first. You say hello, you include people, and you look for anyone who is alone.

Two more friends. Paul wrote, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3). They were a married couple who loved Jesus.

Working side by side. Paul first met them in Corinth. He stayed with them and worked with them, “for by occupation they were tentmakers” (Acts 18:3).

Fellow workers. A fellow worker is someone who works beside you on the same job. Their biggest job together was serving Jesus.

Brave friends. Paul said they “risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles” (Romans 16:4). They put Paul’s safety ahead of their own.

Loyal friends. A loyal friend sticks with you when things are hard, not just when things are fun.

When others are unkind. Priscilla and Aquila stood by Paul when he was in danger. Be a friend who stands by others. If someone is being hurtful to you or to a friend, tell a parent or a trusted grown-up.

Friends in Christ. Christian friends share something even better: they both belong to Jesus. They can pray for each other and serve God together.

Friends share the load. Paul traveled with a whole team of friends. Each one helped in a different way, and together they served Jesus.

A friend at church. Look around at church or at school. Is there someone new? A friendly hello may be the start of a friendship that lasts for years.

Thankful for friends. Paul did not forget his friends. He named them in his letters and thanked them.

The gospel. We have all sinned. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Everyone who trusts Him belongs to God’s family.

What to do. This week, be friendly first. Look for someone who is alone and include them.

As the prison voyage began, a friend stood beside Paul: “Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us” (Acts 27:2). Real friendship shows in who stays.

A long companionship. Aristarchus appears in the list of Paul’s traveling party, “also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians” (Acts 20:4). Years later he was on board a prisoner ship, still beside Paul.

The proverb (18:24). “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” The first line is about the duty to be friendly; friendship is given before it is received.

Priscilla and Aquila. “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3). Paul had met them in Corinth and stayed with them, “for by occupation they were tentmakers” (Acts 18:3).

Fellow workers. A fellow worker is someone who works beside another on the same task. Their shared trade became a shared mission.

Risk (16:4). They “risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.” Their loyalty to Paul cost them something, and many churches were grateful.

A team, not a lone hero. Acts 20:4 names seven companions from different cities. Paul’s work was carried forward by a whole network of friends.

Friendly first. Being friendly is not the same as being popular. It means taking the first step toward someone, especially someone who is overlooked.

Loyalty. Real friendship is tested by hardship. Aristarchus on the ship and Priscilla and Aquila in danger show friendship that stays.

Unkindness. Loyalty means standing with someone who is left out or mocked. If anyone is being hurtful to you or a friend, tell a parent or a trusted grown-up; loyal friends get help.

Gratitude. Paul named his co-workers again and again in his letters. Faithful friends were never taken for granted.

Fellowship in Christ. Christian friendship is more than liking the same things. It is working side by side for Christ and caring for one another in His name.

The gospel. Sin separates us from God and from each other. On the cross Christ “died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” and He “rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Those who trust Him become brothers and sisters in God’s family.

Application. Be the kind of friend who stays: friendly first, loyal in hard times, and a fellow worker in serving Christ.

They Refreshed My Spirit

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At Sidon, Paul was allowed “to go to his friends and receive care” (Acts 27:3). Before a long, hard voyage, his friends looked after him.

Friends who refresh. Paul once wrote, “I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied” (1 Corinthians 16:17).

What they did. “For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men” (16:18). To refresh is to give new strength, like a cool drink on a hot day.

Acknowledge them. To acknowledge people means to notice them and honor them. Paul wanted the church to thank friends like these.

Refreshing friends. Some friends make you feel tired and grumpy. Others help you feel stronger and closer to God. Be a refreshing friend.

Small things. A kind note, a visit, a shared snack, or a prayer for someone can refresh their spirit.

Say thank you. Think of the people who take care of you, like parents, grandparents, teachers and church friends. Tell them thank you.

Paul needed friends too. Paul was a great apostle, but he still needed rest and care. Even strong Christians need friends.

A friend closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 ends, “But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Jesus is a Friend like that. He told His followers, “I have called you friends” (John 15:15), and He never leaves His people.

The greatest Friend. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).

He did it. Jesus did exactly that. He laid down His life for us on the cross.

Called friends. Jesus said, “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). His friends trust Him and follow Him.

A Friend who never leaves. Human friends may move away or let us down. Jesus never leaves His people. He is with them every day.

Share your Friend. When you know Jesus as your Friend, you can tell your other friends about Him too.

The gospel. We have all sinned and turned away from God. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Everyone who trusts Him becomes His friend forever.

What to do. This week, refresh someone’s spirit with a kind word or a small help. Thank Jesus that He is your Friend.

Before the long voyage west, the ship touched Sidon, and Paul was allowed “to go to his friends and receive care” (Acts 27:3). Most likely they were believers who knew him. A prisoner was strengthened by friends.

Three visitors (16:17). “I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied.” They brought what distance kept the Corinthian church from giving.

Anapauo (16:18). “For they refreshed my spirit and yours.” Refreshed is anapauo (say: an-ah-POW-oh), to give rest, to let someone catch their breath. These men were rest to a tired servant of Christ.

Honor them. “Therefore acknowledge such men.” Paul wanted refreshing people noticed and honored, not taken for granted.

Being a refreshment. Some people drain those around them; others give strength. A word of encouragement, a visit, a meal or a prayer can be anapauo to someone weary.

Gratitude. Make a habit of thanking the people who care for you: parents, grandparents, teachers, pastors and friends.

Even an apostle. Paul planted churches and wrote letters that became Scripture, yet he needed refreshment. Needing help is not weakness; it is how God made the body of Christ.

The proverb’s last line (18:24). “But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Jesus is a Friend like that to His people: “I have called you friends” (John 15:15).

A Friend who stays. Human friendships change with distance and time. The Friend who “sticks closer than a brother” does not.

Greater love. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). He spoke this the night before the cross.

Friends of Christ. “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:14). Friendship with Jesus is received by faith and shown in obedience.

The gospel. Sin made us enemies of God, yet Christ “died for our sins according to the Scriptures” and “rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). He laid down His life on the cross, and all who trust Him are His friends.

Passing it on. Those refreshed by Christ’s friendship can become a refreshment to others.

Application. Ask God to make you a refreshment to others this week, and thank Him for the Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

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