What this page covers
Where does the Bible say strength comes from when we feel we have none?
Passages about strength and courage in hardship, including the many “do not be afraid” commands. Hope (looking forward) and Peace (inner calm) have their own pages.
Many Bible passages about strength are addressed to people who felt they had none: exiles, a new leader stepping into Moses’ place, an apostle in prison. The common thread is that strength is given — it comes from God’s presence and promise, not from willpower.
“Don’t be afraid”
The command “Don’t be afraid” appears throughout Scripture, but almost always with a reason attached: I am with you (Isaiah 41:10), the LORD your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9). Courage is not presented as the absence of fear but as trust that someone stronger is present.
Strength in weakness
Paul’s account in 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 turns the idea around. Having asked three times to be freed from an affliction, he hears instead, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Christians in every tradition have found this one of the most honest passages on the subject: the request was not granted, and strength came another way.
A verse to read in context
Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all things through Christ” — is often used to mean success. Paul is actually describing being content whether hungry or well fed (Philippians 4:11-12). Strength, in this passage, is the ability to endure any circumstance, not to win every contest.
For the hard days
If you are looking for words for a specific situation — grief, illness, uncertainty — the pages on difficult times and grief gather passages for those moments.
Passages, in context
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Deus noster refugium et virtus; adjutor in tribulationibus quæ invenerunt nos nimis.Vulgate Psalm 45:2 · Clementine Vulgate
God is called a refuge and strength — a place to run to and a power to rely on — “a very present help.”
A song of confidence when the earth seems to give way
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you.
Yes, I will help you.
Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.
Ne timeas, quia ego tecum sum; ne declines, quia ego Deus tuus: confortavi te, et auxiliatus sum tibi, et suscepit te dextera Justi mei.Isaias 41:10 · Clementine Vulgate
Do not fear, for I am with you: courage grounded in presence rather than in the absence of danger.
Comfort to a scattered, exiled people
Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Ecce præcipio tibi: confortare, et esto robustus. Noli metuere, et noli timere: quoniam tecum est Dominus Deus tuus in omnibus ad quæcumque perrexeris.Josue 1:9 · Clementine Vulgate
“Be strong and courageous” is spoken to Joshua as he takes up Moses’ task of leading Israel — with the reason: God goes with him.
Before Israel crossed into the land
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?
Psalmus David, priusquam liniretur. Dominus illuminatio mea et salus mea: quem timebo? Dominus protector vitæ meæ: a quo trepidabo?Vulgate Psalm 26:1 · Clementine Vulgate
If the LORD is light and salvation, the psalmist asks, whom shall I fear?
A psalm of trust attributed to David
He gives power to the weak.
He increases the strength of him who has no might.
Even the youths faint and get weary,
and the young men utterly fall;
but those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength.
They will mount up with wings like eagles.
They will run, and not be weary.
They will walk, and not faint.
Qui dat lasso virtutem, et his qui non sunt, fortitudinem et robur multiplicat. Deficient pueri, et laborabunt, et juvenes in infirmitate cadent; qui autem sperant in Domino mutabunt fortitudinem, assument pennas sicut aquilæ: current et non laborabunt, ambulabunt et non deficient.Isaias 40:29–31 · Clementine Vulgate
Strength is given to the weary — even the young stumble, but those who wait on the LORD renew their strength.
Comfort to Israel in exile
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
et dixit mihi: Sufficit tibi gratia mea: nam virtus in infirmitate perficitur. Libenter igitur gloriabor in infirmitatibus meis, ut inhabitet in me virtus Christi. Propter quod placeo mihi in infirmitatibus meis, in contumeliis, in necessitatibus, in persecutionibus, in angustiis pro Christo: cum enim infirmor, tunc potens sum.2 ad Corinthios 12:9–10 · Clementine Vulgate
Paul learns that God’s power is made perfect in weakness. Strength is not the absence of weakness but grace within it.
Paul on his “thorn in the flesh”
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Et dixit eis: Ite, comedite pinguia, et bibite mulsum, et mittite partes his qui non præparaverunt sibi, quia sanctus dies Domini est: et nolite contristari: gaudium etenim Domini est fortitudo nostra.2 Esdræ 8:10 · Clementine Vulgate
“The joy of the LORD is your strength” — said to a people weeping as they heard the law read after returning from exile.
Ezra reads the law to the returned exiles
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
De cetero, fratres, confortamini in Domino, et in potentia virtutis ejus.ad Ephesios 6:10 · Clementine Vulgate
Be strong “in the Lord”: strength drawn from outside oneself, introducing the armor-of-God passage.
Paul to the Ephesians
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Omnia possum in eo qui me confortat.ad Philippenses 4:13 · Clementine Vulgate
Often quoted for achievement, this verse is about contentment in need and in plenty (read 4:11-13).
Paul thanking the Philippians for their gift
How this differs from related topics
Strength here is endurance and courage in the present. It is not physical strength or success; for sport and training see the Athletes collection, which treats verses such as Philippians 4:13 with their context.