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    Bible Verses About Courage — The Complete KJV Guide

    The complete KJV guide to courage, boldness, and facing fear with God

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    Find strength in KJV Bible verses about courage. Scripture on being bold, brave, and fearless through faith in God's power and presence.

    "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)

    Courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to trust God in spite of it. Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly tells His people to 'be strong and of good courage.' He promises His presence and power to those who step out in faith. These verses inspire boldness and bravery rooted in divine strength.

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    The complete KJV guide to courage, boldness, and facing fear with God

    What the Bible says about courage

    Almost every call to courage in Scripture comes with a reason attached. 'Be strong and of a good courage' in Joshua 1:9 is grounded in a promise: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Biblical courage is never self-confidence; it is confidence in a present God.

    Courage assumes fear

    God tells Joshua to be courageous three times in one chapter, which suggests Joshua was afraid. Gideon, Jeremiah, and Esther are all frightened people who act anyway. Scripture does not treat fear as disqualifying — it treats obedience in the presence of fear as courage.

    Courage in ordinary life

    Most biblical courage is not battlefield heroics but plain faithfulness: telling the truth, standing alone, keeping a promise that has become costly. Acts 4:13 describes the boldness of Peter and John and traces it to one thing — that they had been with Jesus.

    How to use this page

    Read the verses below and underline the reason God gives in each. Then follow the links to fear, strength, faith, and trust, and open Joshua 1 in the KJV reader to read the full charge.

    Today's Verse for Courage
    "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."

    — Psalm 51:10 (KJV)

    Praying for a clean heart takes courage because it requires honest self-examination. Renewal begins with the brave prayer of confession.

    Read in context All 30 daily verses on courage Subscribe via RSS / JSON

    Most-searched courage verses

    Philippians 4:13

    I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Hebrews 11:1

    Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

    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 40:31

    But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

    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.

    Lamentations 3:22-23

    It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

    Lamentations 3:22-23

    It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

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    10 Scriptures About Courage

    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."
    Read in context

    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."
    Read in context

    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."
    Read in context

    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?"
    Read in context

    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."
    Read in context

    1 Corinthians 16:13

    "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."
    Read in context

    Psalm 31:24

    "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord."
    Read in context

    Proverbs 28:1

    "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion."
    Read in context

    Acts 4:31

    "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."
    Read in context

    Hebrews 13:6

    "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
    Read in context

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    What Does the Bible Say About Courage?

    The Bible presents courage not as the absence of fear but as the decision to trust God in spite of it. The most frequently repeated command in Scripture is some form of 'fear not' or 'be strong and courageous.' God spoke these words to Joshua as he prepared to lead Israel into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:9), to Gideon before facing the Midianites, and to countless others facing impossible situations. Biblical courage is rooted in God's presence and promises, not in human bravery. It is the faith-filled confidence that comes from knowing the Almighty God is with you, regardless of the odds against you.

    Examples of Courage in the Bible

    Scripture is filled with extraordinary examples of courage: David, a shepherd boy, faced Goliath with nothing but a sling and faith in God. Esther risked her life to save her people, declaring, 'If I perish, I perish' (Esther 4:16). Daniel chose the lions' den over compromising his prayer life. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the fiery furnace rather than bow to an idol. Peter and John boldly preached despite threats of imprisonment (Acts 4:31). Paul endured beatings, shipwrecks, and chains while continuing to proclaim the Gospel. Each example shows that courage is not superhuman — it is ordinary people empowered by an extraordinary God.

    How to Develop Courage as a Christian

    Developing courage begins with deepening your relationship with God. The more you know His character — His power, faithfulness, and love — the bolder you become. Memorize courage-building Scriptures like Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 41:10, and 2 Timothy 1:7. Pray for boldness, as the early church did (Acts 4:29). Take small steps of courage regularly — speak up, serve, share your faith — and watch your confidence grow. Surround yourself with courageous believers who inspire and challenge you. Remember that courage is not the absence of fear but obedience in the face of it. God does not ask you to be fearless — He asks you to be faithful.

    A Prayer for Courage

    Almighty God, I ask for courage today. You have commanded me to be strong and of good courage, and You have promised to be with me wherever I go. Help me to face my fears with faith, knowing that You are greater than any challenge before me. Give me boldness to speak Your truth, to stand for righteousness, and to step out in obedience. Replace my timidity with the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. I will not be afraid, for You are with me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Courage in the Bible

    What is the best Bible verse about courage?

    Joshua 1:9 is the most quoted: '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, Isaiah 41:10, and 2 Timothy 1:7 are also foundational courage verses.

    Where does courage come from according to the Bible?

    Biblical courage comes from God's presence (Joshua 1:9), His promises (Isaiah 41:10), the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:7), and faith in God's sovereign control. It is not self-generated willpower but divinely supplied confidence that enables believers to face any challenge.

    How can I be brave when I'm scared?

    Acknowledge your fear honestly before God — Psalm 56:3 says, 'What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.' Then choose to trust God anyway. Pray for strength. Remember past situations where God proved faithful. Take one courageous step at a time. And know that being brave does not mean being unafraid — it means trusting God more than you trust your fear.

    Is courage a spiritual gift?

    While courage is not specifically listed as a spiritual gift, it is a quality the Holy Spirit produces in believers. Acts 4:31 shows the early church being 'filled with the Holy Ghost' and speaking 'the word of God with boldness.' Every Christian can access supernatural courage through the indwelling Holy Spirit, regardless of their natural temperament.

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    Cite this page

    By Bible Sundays Editorial Team · Reviewed August 27, 2026 · How we source

    All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version. You are welcome to quote or link to this page — please credit Bible Sundays.

    Plain citation

    Bible Sundays. "Bible Verses About Courage — The Complete KJV Guide." Bible Sundays, last reviewed August 27, 2026. https://www.biblesundays.com/topics/courage

    APA

    Bible Sundays. (2026). Bible Verses About Courage — The Complete KJV Guide. Retrieved from https://www.biblesundays.com/topics/courage

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    <a href="https://www.biblesundays.com/topics/courage">Bible Verses About Courage — The Complete KJV Guide</a> — Bible Sundays

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