Bible Verses About Faith

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. These verses about faith encourage trust in God when the way is unclear.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

Opening a chapter written to discouraged believers tempted to give up under pressure, this definition treats faith as a kind of evidence, not merely a feeling of optimism. It grounds confidence in something substantial even without visible proof.

“(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)

Set within a passage about hope beyond present appearances, this line describes an ordinary way of living, not one extraordinary leap taken once. It treats faith as a daily orientation, renewed each morning rather than settled permanently at the outset.

“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” — Matthew 17:20 (KJV)

Given privately to disciples who had failed to help a suffering boy, this saying placed the problem in the smallness of their faith, not its absence. Faith is measured by kind, not size, since even a small amount proves enough.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

The requirement named is not certainty but belief that God exists and rewards those who seek him. It sets the entry price for faith unusually low and unusually specific.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” — Romans 10:17 (KJV)

Faith is described as arriving by hearing rather than by deciding, which locates it outside the will. Paul is arguing that preachers are therefore necessary.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

Grace, faith and the gift are stacked so that no part of salvation is left to boast about. Written to a congregation of mixed Jewish and Gentile converts where boasting was a live problem.

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” — James 2:17 (KJV)

James is not contradicting Paul but addressing people claiming belief while ignoring the poor among them. Dead faith is defined by what it fails to do, not by what it fails to feel.

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” — Hebrews 11:8 (KJV)

Abraham is commended for going out not knowing whither he went — obedience preceding information. It is the definition of faith the chapter actually uses.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” — Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

Paul writes in the first person about being crucified with Christ while continuing to live. The sentence is autobiographical, which is why it has been prayed by so many since.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” — 1 John 5:4 (KJV)

Faith is called the victory that overcomes the world, in a letter written to people whose community had just split. The claim is made in the middle of visible defeat.

“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” — Habakkuk 2:4 (KJV)

Spoken to a prophet who had complained that God was doing nothing about injustice. The just shall live by his faith is God's answer, quoted three times in the New Testament.

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.” — Romans 4:20-21 (KJV)

Abraham is described as not staggering at the promise, though he and Sarah were long past childbearing. Being fully persuaded is presented as something he grew into, giving glory to God as he went.

“Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.” — Matthew 9:29 (KJV)

Said to two blind men who had followed him indoors asking for mercy. According to your faith be it unto you ties the outcome to what they already brought.

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.” — Luke 17:5 (KJV)

The apostles ask for increased faith immediately after being told to forgive a brother seven times a day. The request is a reaction to a command that felt impossible.

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” — Hebrews 11:13 (KJV)

The chapter's roll of the faithful concedes that these people died without receiving the promises. Faith is defined here as seeing them afar off and being persuaded.

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” — 1 Peter 1:7 (KJV)

The trial of faith is compared to gold tested by fire, addressed to believers under real persecution. Testing is described as proving the faith rather than punishing the believer.

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” — Romans 1:17 (KJV)

The gospel reveals righteousness from faith to faith, the verse that undid Luther's certainty about earning God's favour. Its force is in the direction of travel.

“And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.” — Mark 11:22 (KJV)

Have faith in God is said after a lesson about a withered fig tree, in a week ending at the cross. The object of faith is named, which is the whole instruction.

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 faith?

The 18 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on faith: Hebrews 11:1, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Matthew 17:20, Hebrews 11:6, Romans 10:17, Ephesians 2:8-9, James 2:17, Hebrews 11:8, Galatians 2:20, 1 John 5:4, Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 4:20-21, Matthew 9:29, Luke 17:5…

What is a good Bible verse about faith?

Hebrews 11:1 is the passage most often quoted on faith, with 2 Corinthians 5:7 and Matthew 17:20 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these faith verses?

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