Bible Verses About Courage (KJV)

A guided study of KJV Bible verses about courage — God's repeated command to be strong and of a good courage, the courage that replaces fear, taking heart while you wait on the Lord, and the bold faith that acts anyway.

Courage is one of the most direct commands in Scripture: over and over God tells his people to 'be strong and of a good courage.' But the Bible never asks for bravery in a vacuum. Every call to courage is tied to a reason — 'for the LORD thy God is with thee.' Biblical courage is not the absence of fear or self-generated nerve; it is fear answered by God's presence and promise. The verses below move from God's command to be courageous, to the courage that displaces fear, to the strength found in waiting on the Lord, and finally to the bold faith that steps forward anyway.

King James Version

Be Strong and of a Good Courage

The phrase searched as 'be strong and courageous' comes from the KJV's 'be strong and of a good courage.' God speaks it to Joshua as he takes up Moses' mantle, and it echoes through Deuteronomy and into David's charge to Solomon — always joined to the promise that God goes with his people and will not fail them.

9Have 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

7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

Joshua 1:7

6Be 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.

Deuteronomy 31:6

8And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8

20And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 28:20

Courage Instead of Fear

Scripture treats courage as the answer to fear, not a denial of it. God tells his people 'fear not' because he is with them, has redeemed them, and has given them a spirit of power rather than fear.

10Fear 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.

Isaiah 41:10

1But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Isaiah 43:1

7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

1The 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?

Psalms 27:1

3What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psalms 56:3

Take Courage While You Wait

Some of the Bible's boldest calls to courage are aimed at those who are waiting — worn down, unsure of the outcome, tempted to give up. To them Scripture promises renewed strength and a strengthened heart for all who hope in the Lord.

14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Psalms 27:14

24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Psalms 31:24

31But 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.

Isaiah 40:31

1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Psalms 46:1-2

Bold Faith in Action

Courage in the Bible is meant to be lived. These verses call believers to stand fast, to be as bold as a lion, and to draw their strength from the Lord — confident that if God is for them, no opposition can finally stand against them.

13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13

1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Proverbs 28:1

10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Ephesians 6:10

13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31

Study Bibles & devotionals

Go deeper than a single verse. These study Bibles and daily devotionals pair well with the topics here — adding context, commentary, and a rhythm for daily reading.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Bible verse about courage in the KJV?

Joshua 1:9 is the most cited: '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.' It captures the Bible's pattern — a command to be courageous grounded in the promise of God's presence.

What does 'be strong and courageous' mean in the KJV?

The popular phrase 'be strong and courageous' is how modern translations render the Hebrew; the King James Version phrases it 'be strong and of a good courage' (Joshua 1:9; Deuteronomy 31:6) or 'be strong and very courageous' (Joshua 1:7). It is God's charge to face a hard task without fear, because he goes with his people and will not fail or forsake them.

Where does courage come from according to the Bible?

Scripture roots courage in God rather than self-confidence. It comes from knowing God is present (Deuteronomy 31:6), trusting his strength (Isaiah 41:10), knowing him as light and salvation (Psalm 27:1), and receiving the 'spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind' he gives in place of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).

Who are examples of bravery in the Bible?

David faced Goliath trusting God to deliver him (1 Samuel 17). Joshua led Israel into Canaan after God's charge to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1). Esther risked her life before the king to save her people (Esther 4:16). Daniel kept praying in the face of the lions' den (Daniel 6). The apostles preached boldly despite threats (Acts 4:29-31). In each case the courage flowed from confidence in God, not in themselves.