Bible Verses About Courage

Courage in Scripture flows from God's presence. These verses about courage strengthen us to face fear and step forward.

“Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.” — Joshua 1:6 (KJV)

Be strong and of a good courage is given to Joshua three times in one chapter. Repetition suggests the command was needed rather than decorative.

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” — 1 Corinthians 16:13 (KJV)

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong — four short imperatives in a row. It closes a long, contentious letter.

“Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:” — 2 Chronicles 32:7 (KJV)

Be strong and courageous, be not afraid — spoken by Hezekiah as Assyria besieged Jerusalem. He adds that there is a greater one with us than with him.

“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.” — 1 Chronicles 28:20 (KJV)

Be strong and of good courage, and do it — the courage is attached to a specific task, building the temple. David tells Solomon God will not fail him until the work is finished.

“And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,” — Acts 4:29 (KJV)

The church prays not for safety but for boldness to speak, immediately after being threatened. The request tells you what they thought was at risk.

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” — Daniel 3:17-18 (KJV)

But if not — three men state that God can deliver them and that they will refuse the idol either way. Their courage does not depend on the outcome they hope for.

“Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” — Esther 4:16 (KJV)

If I perish, I perish, decided by a queen who had not been summoned in thirty days. The sentence follows three days of fasting rather than an impulse.

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” — Proverbs 28:1 (KJV)

The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion. Courage is presented as a by-product of a clear conscience.

“Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” — Psalm 27:3 (KJV)

Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear — the scale is military. David states the condition rather than denying it.

“And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.” — Joshua 10:25 (KJV)

Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage — said by Joshua to his own captains mid-campaign. He passes on the words he had been given.

“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” — 1 Samuel 17:45 (KJV)

Thou comest to me with a sword, but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts. David names the mismatch out loud before the fight.

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” — Ephesians 6:13 (KJV)

Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day. Standing, not advancing, is the stated goal.

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” — Philippians 1:20 (KJV)

Paul hopes that with all boldness Christ shall be magnified in his body, whether by life or by death. He is writing while awaiting a verdict.

“And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” — Numbers 13:30 (KJV)

Caleb stilled the people and said, Let us go up at once, against ten other scouts. He was outvoted, and the chapter records it.

“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” — Acts 5:29 (KJV)

We ought to obey God rather than men, said by apostles who had already been jailed once. It is the shortest statement of civil courage in Scripture.

“Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.” — 2 Samuel 10:12 (KJV)

Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people — Joab speaking with the battle already going badly on two fronts. He adds that the LORD will do what seems good.

Carry these verses with you

Save and revisit these verses anytime with Quiethaven — read the whole Bible offline, get a verse of the day on your lock screen, and turn reading into prayer.

Keep Scripture close — free on iPhone.

Download on the App Store

More verses by topic

From the blog

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about courage?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on courage: Joshua 1:6, 1 Corinthians 16:13, 2 Chronicles 32:7, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Acts 4:29, Daniel 3:17-18, Esther 4:16, Proverbs 28:1, Psalm 27:3, Joshua 10:25, 1 Samuel 17:45, Ephesians 6:13, Philippians 1:20…

What is a good Bible verse about courage?

Joshua 1:6 is the passage most often quoted on courage, with 1 Corinthians 16:13 and 2 Chronicles 32:7 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these courage verses?

You can read all of these verses about courage — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.