The Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Without determining for certain which of the various renderings of the first clause of this verse should be adopted, there can be little doubt that it points to the difficulty of maintaining a wide circle of friends in true affection, contrasted with the blessedness of enjoying one deep and real friendship. The second cause which describes that friendship claims our attention on its own account.
I. THE NATURE OF BROTHERLY AFFECTION. If the true friend is even more than a brother, he will have the marks of brotherhood in an exceptional degree. Now, we have to ask?봚hat are those peculiarities of the relation of brotherhood that determine the brother's affection?
1. Blood relationship. We must all feel the peculiar oneness that belongs to membership in the same family.
2. Close companionship. Brothers are usually brought up together. They share the same hardships, and they enjoy the same family favours. They are knit together by similarity of experience.
3. Community of interests. Brothers share certain family interests in common. Thus families learn to hold together for the general well being of the members.
4. Similarity of constitution. Brothers resemble one another, more or less. To some extent they have common traits of mind, feelings, sympathies, desires. Hence they are drawn together. How great and wonderful must be the friendship that exceeds even this close brotherly affection! Without the natural cause, it yet surpasses the love of brotherhood!
II. THE SIGN OF BROTHERLY AFFECTION. It is seen in cleaving to one's friend. With the highest type of friendship this will be observed under the most trying circumstances.
1. In spite of the lapse of time. Some friendships are but temporary. But brotherhood is lifelong. So also is the truest friendship.
2. In sore need. Then shallow friendship proves to be false. But at such a time brother should stand by brother.
3. When faithfulness is costly. Possibly one is under a cloud and cruelly misjudged; the brotherly soul will claim this as the most suitable time for showing true affection. Or it may be that some great sacrifice must be made to render needed assistance; this requirement will discover the nature of a friendship, and show whether it be truly that of a brother.
4. When love is tried by indifference or enmity. Though a man be unworthy of his brother, still true brotherly love will not cast him off. This is also the case with the highest friendship.
No doubt the object of Solomon was simply to give us a type and picture of true friendship. But as in a previous case (Proverbs 17:17), it is impossible for Christians not to recognize the application of the picture to Jesus Christ. His friendship is in all senses truly brotherly. He became a brother Man in order that he might enter into closest relations of love and sympathy with us, and he proves his friendship by doing more than any man ever did for his brother.
HOMILIES BY E. JOHNSON