Bible Verses About Courage
Courage is not the absence of fear; it is trusting God in the middle of it. Again and again Scripture pairs the command be not afraid with the promise I am with thee. These verses steady the heart before a hard step.
The Bible treats courage not as the absence of fear but as trust in God in the middle of it. The most cited passage is Joshua 1:9, where God commands, Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, promising that the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Other frequently turned-to verses include Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 41:10, and 2 Timothy 1:7. The verses below are King James Version, gathered for study, prayer, and encouragement.
Read these slowly and let the words settle. When one speaks to you, carry it into a daily verse habit, turn it into a shareable graphic, or fold it into a reading plan. You can also browse every topic or look up an unfamiliar word in the glossary.
Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Isaiah 41:10
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Psalm 56:3
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Deuteronomy 31:8
And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Psalm 118:6
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1 Chronicles 28:20
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
Mark 5:36
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Common Questions
What does the Bible say about courage?
The Bible repeatedly pairs the command be not afraid with the promise I am with thee, presenting courage as trust in God rather than self-reliance. Passages like Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:6, and Isaiah 41:10 call believers to be strong and of a good courage because the LORD goes with them and will not fail them.
What is the best Bible verse for courage?
Joshua 1:9 is the most frequently cited, where God says, Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Many also hold to 2 Timothy 1:7, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
What Psalms speak to courage and fear?
Psalm 27:1 asks, The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? and Psalm 118:6 declares, The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? Psalm 31:24 adds, Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
Does the Bible say courage means having no fear?
Scripture never describes courage as feeling no fear. Psalm 56:3 says plainly, What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Courage in these verses is choosing to trust God in the presence of fear, not the absence of it, which is why 2 Timothy 1:7 speaks of a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind rather than fear.
How can I use these verses before a hard decision?
Choose one verse and pray it before you act. You might name the hard step to God and rest in Joshua 1:9, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee, or carry Deuteronomy 31:8, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee, into the moment. Keeping a single verse in mind through the day can steady the heart before a daunting decision.