In this verse, we are encouraged to be strong and brave, especially when facing challenges or fears. It reminds us not to let others intimidate us, as we are not alone in our struggles.
Explain Deuteronomy 31:6Bible Verses About Courage
What does the Bible say about courage?
Biblical courage comes from trusting God instead of relying on yourself. As you grow closer to Him through prayer, reading Scripture, and living out His Word, your trust grows too, and so does your courage.
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That reflects several biblical truths:
God’s presence is the foundation of courage.
Faith and trust grow over time.
Obedience and spiritual growth strengthen courage.
Even faithful people felt fear, including Moses, Joshua, David, Elijah, Peter, and Paul. In the Bible, courage does not mean never feeling afraid. It means choosing to obey God even when you are afraid.
Featured verse
Joshua 1:9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
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What the Bible teaches
Courage is commanded, and it rests on God's presence
Joshua 1:9 says, "Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Deuteronomy 31:6 gives Israel the same command with the same reason. God "will never fail you or abandon you." In both cases, courage is not pulled up from inside the person. It rests on who is going along with them.
Courage in the Bible comes attached to a specific job
Joshua was told to be brave because he was leading Israel into the land. In 1 Chronicles 28:20 David tells Solomon to be strong and courageous and "get this done" — the building of the temple. The command comes with work to do. That keeps courage in Scripture from being a mood and makes it something you use on a particular task.
The church prayed for courage rather than for safety
In Acts 4:29-31 the believers face threats and ask God to "give your servants the courage to speak your word with complete boldness." They did not ask for the threats to be removed. When they finished praying, the place shook, they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they kept speaking. The answer came as boldness, not as relief.
Fear is not the spirit God gave
2 Timothy 1:7 says, "God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." Paul writes it to a younger man who seems to have been genuinely intimidated. The verse does not deny that Timothy felt afraid. It tells him where that timidity did not come from, and what God supplied instead.
God supplies the strength he asks for
Isaiah 41:10 stacks promises behind its commands: "Don't be afraid, because I am with you... I will make you strong. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with my righteous right hand." Every command is matched by something God says he will do. The courage he asks for is the courage he intends to provide.
Waiting takes courage too
Psalm 27:14 says, "Wait on the LORD. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the LORD." The repetition is deliberate, because waiting is where most people's nerve gives out. Scripture treats holding steady with no visible progress as its own kind of bravery.
More verses about courage
In Isaiah 41:10, God reassures His people not to fear or feel discouraged. The verse emphasizes God's presence and support, reminding believers that they are not alone in their struggles.
Explain Isaiah 41:10This verse reminds us that fear is not a part of who we are meant to be. Instead, God has given us strength, the ability to love deeply, and a clear, focused mind.
Explain 2 Timothy 1:7In this verse, the followers of Jesus are facing threats and intimidation from those who oppose them. They turn to God, acknowledging the danger they are in.
Explain Acts 4:29-31In this moment, King David is encouraging his son Solomon as he prepares to build the temple. David emphasizes the importance of strength and courage, urging Solomon not to let fear or discouragement hold him back.
Explain 1 Chronicles 28:20This verse encourages believers to be patient and trust in God during difficult times. "Waiting on the LORD" means relying on His timing and guidance rather than rushing into decisions or actions.
Explain Psalm 27:14Keep studying courage
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Frequently asked questions
Is it a sin to be afraid?
No. Scripture repeatedly speaks to people who are already afraid — Joshua, Solomon, Timothy, the apostles in Acts 4 — without condemning the feeling. 2 Timothy 1:7 says God did not give a spirit of fear. That names the source of paralyzing timidity; it does not make being frightened a sin. Courage in the Bible means acting on God's presence while you are still afraid, not feeling no fear at all.
Does Joshua 1:9 apply to me?
The command was given to one man for one mission: leading Israel across the Jordan to take the land. That specific assignment is not yours. But the reason underneath it carries over: "the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Scripture repeats that promise to God's people, including Hebrews 13:5, which quotes the pledge that he will never leave or forsake us. The promise carries; the military campaign does not.
Where does courage come from when I do not feel brave?
Isaiah 41:10 answers with a list of things God says he will do: make you strong, help you, hold you up. Psalm 27:14 says he strengthens the heart of the person who waits. Acts 4:29-31 shows the pattern in action, since the believers asked for boldness and received it. In every case, courage is described as something supplied rather than something you manufacture.
How should I pray when I need courage?
Acts 4:29 is the model. The believers named the threat honestly — "see how they're threatening us" — and then asked for courage to keep doing what God had given them to do. They did not ask for the danger to go away. Praying that way changes what you are asking for, and judging by the passage, it changes what you get.
What is the difference between courage and self-confidence?
Self-confidence rests on your own ability. Biblical courage rests on God's presence and help. Every major courage passage attaches a reason outside the person: God is with you (Joshua 1:9), he will not abandon you (Deuteronomy 31:6), he will hold you up (Isaiah 41:10). That is why Scripture can command courage from people who are not naturally brave. It is also why that courage holds up when your own abilities run out.
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