Closer Than a Brother

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

Just a quick word about this verse. Matthew Henry says this:

Solomon here recommends friendship to us, and shows, 1. What we must do that we may contract and cultivate friendship; we must show ourselves friendly…Si vis amari, ama—If you wish to gain affection, bestow it.—Sen.Ut ameris, amabilis esto—The way to be beloved is to be lovely.—Ovid. [Solomon also shows] 2. That it is worth while to [cultivate friendship], for we may promise ourselves a great deal of comfort in a true friend...In our troubles we expect comfort and relief from our relations, but sometimes there is a friend, that is nothing akin to us, the bonds of whose esteem and love prove stronger than those of nature, and, when it comes to the trial, will do more for us than a brother will. Christ is a friend to all believers that sticks closer than a brother; to him therefore let them show themselves friendly.