15 Bible Verses About Courage
21 January 2025
Compiled by Mr. Whitney V. Myers
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Image source: Sweet Publishing / FreeBibleimages.org
This article presents 15 Bible verse passages about courage. This article is a companion to the lesson, "'Take Courage' Meaning" (Ref. 1).
The Bible verse quotations below are taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless noted otherwise (Ref. 2).
"Courage" in the Old Testament
The Hebrew word for courage, amets, means to be resolute and steadfast, especially in the face of adversaries or obstacles. Being courageous requires relying on God's powers and promises, and not relying on man's strength alone (Ref. 3).
Deuteronomy 31:6 - "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or in dread of them, for the Lord your God is the One who is going with you. He will not desert you or abandon you."
Deuteronomy 31:7 - "Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, 'Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you will give it to them as an inheritance.'" Deuteronomy 31:23 is similar.
Deuteronomy 31:7 - "Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, 'Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you will give it to them as an inheritance.'" Deuteronomy 31:23 is similar.
Joshua 1:6-7 - "Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go."
Note - In Joshua chapter 1, the Lord is speaking to Joshua who became the leader of the Israelites after Moses' death (Joshua 1:1).
Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Note - In Joshua chapter 1, the Lord is speaking to Joshua who became the leader of the Israelites after Moses' death (Joshua 1:1).
Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
1 Chronicles 22:11-13 - "Now, my son, the Lord be with you that you may be successful, and build the house of the Lord your God just as He has spoken concerning you. 12 Only the Lord give you discretion and understanding, and put you in charge of Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the Lord your God. 13 Then you will prosper, if you are careful to follow the statutes and the ordinances which the Lord commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed."
Note - In 1 Chronicles 22:11-13, David is speaking with his son, Solomon, and charging Solomon with the task of building a house for the Lord (1 Chronicles 22:6). 1 Chronicles 28:20 is similar.
Note - In 1 Chronicles 22:11-13, David is speaking with his son, Solomon, and charging Solomon with the task of building a house for the Lord (1 Chronicles 22:6). 1 Chronicles 28:20 is similar.
2 Samuel 10:12 - "Be strong, and let’s show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in His sight."
Note - In 2 Samuel 10:12, Joab is speaking spoke to David's army to prepare them to battle the Arameans and the sons of Ammon (2 Samuel 10:6-12, Ref. 4).
2 Chronicles 15:8 - "Now when Asa heard these words and the prophecy which Azariah the son of Oded the prophet spoke, he took courage and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and from the cities which he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the Lord which was in front of the porch of the Lord."
Note - The Bible identifies Asa as a good king. "And Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God" (2 Chronicles 14:2).
Note - In 2 Samuel 10:12, Joab is speaking spoke to David's army to prepare them to battle the Arameans and the sons of Ammon (2 Samuel 10:6-12, Ref. 4).
2 Chronicles 15:8 - "Now when Asa heard these words and the prophecy which Azariah the son of Oded the prophet spoke, he took courage and removed the abominable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and from the cities which he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He then restored the altar of the Lord which was in front of the porch of the Lord."
Note - The Bible identifies Asa as a good king. "And Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God" (2 Chronicles 14:2).
Psalm 27:14 KJV - "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."
Psalm 31:24 KJV - "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD."
Psalm 31:24 KJV - "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD."
"Courage" in the New Testament
When Jesus says, "Take courage," in the verses below, he means, "Be divinely assured by God when you face adversity or uncertainty" (Ref. 1).
Matthew 9:2 - "And they brought to Him a paralyzed man lying on a stretcher. And seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man who was paralyzed, 'Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.'"
Matthew 9:21-22 - "for she was saying to herself, 'If I only touch His cloak, I will get well.' 22 But Jesus, turning and seeing her, said, 'Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.' And at once the woman was made well.'"
Matthew 14:25-27 - "And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is a ghost!' And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.'" Mark 6:47-50 is similar.
Matthew 14:25-27 - "And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is a ghost!' And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.'" Mark 6:47-50 is similar.
John 16:33 - "These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
Acts 23:11 - "But on the following night, the Lord stood near him and said, 'Be courageous! For as you have testified to the truth about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome also.'"
Acts 23:11 - "But on the following night, the Lord stood near him and said, 'Be courageous! For as you have testified to the truth about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome also.'"
Acts 28:15 - "And from there the brothers and sisters, when they heard about us, came as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage."
Note that when Paul's brothers and sisters in Christ came alongside Paul, they gave him courage in his journey to Rome. Likewise, our coming alongside a brother or sister in Christ who is going through a difficult time will encourage them.
Note that when Paul's brothers and sisters in Christ came alongside Paul, they gave him courage in his journey to Rome. Likewise, our coming alongside a brother or sister in Christ who is going through a difficult time will encourage them.