What Does the Bible Say About Courage — In Biblical Context
The Bible repeatedly commands 'Be strong and of good courage'—true courage comes not from self-confidence but from trusting in God's presence and promises.
The Bible repeatedly commands 'Be strong and of good courage'—true courage comes not from self-confidence but from trusting in God's presence and promises.
"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." — Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Courage is a frequent theme in Scripture, especially tied to God's promise of His presence. When Joshua assumed leadership of Israel, God told him three times to 'be strong and of a good courage' (Joshua 1:6-9), assuring him, 'The LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.' David demonstrated courage when he faced Goliath, declaring his trust in 'the LORD of hosts' (1 Samuel 17:45). Isaiah 41:10 encourages, 'Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God.' Biblical courage is not the absence of fear but faithful action in spite of fear, grounded in the knowledge that God goes before His people.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Joshua 1:9, sits inside Joshua 1. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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."
Supporting Passages
"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."
Explore this question from another angle
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
What Does the Bible Say About Courage?
Daily Living
What Is Encouragement in the Bible?
Daily Living
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 — Meaning & Devotional
Courageous Living
What Does the Bible Say About Living Together Before Marriage?
Marriage & Family
1 Corinthians 10:31 Commentary
In-depth study • Living for God's Glory
Homeschooling Your Children
Scriptures for parents who homeschool, offering encouragement and biblical found
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.