Bible verses about faith
Hebrews 11:1, 2 Corinthians 5:7 and Romans 10:17 are the verses people reach for first on faith. They describe it as confidence in what you can't see, a way of walking, and something that starts with hearing. All eleven are below.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
In the World English Bible
Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.
The chapter after this is a long list of people who acted on things they couldn't yet see. This line is the working definition.
2.Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
In the World English Bible
Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.
Short and blunt about what coming to God involves. It names believing he is there and that he responds to people who look for him.
3.2 Corinthians 5:7
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
In the World English Bible
for we walk by faith, not by sight.
Paul sets two ways of moving through life side by side. One goes by what you can see. The other doesn't.
4.Romans 10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
In the World English Bible
So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
A line about where faith begins. Paul points to hearing, and to a message being spoken out loud.
5.Mark 9:23-24
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
In the World English Bible
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”
A father asks Jesus to help his sick son. His honest reply, belief mixed with doubt, is one of the most relatable lines in the Gospels.
6.Matthew 17:20
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
In the World English Bible
He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
Jesus picks a tiny seed to make a point about size. Even a little faith is treated as something that matters.
7.James 2:17
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
In the World English Bible
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself.
James says belief with nothing behind it is lifeless. Faith shows up in what a person actually does.
8.Luke 17:5-6
And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.
In the World English Bible
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” The Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
The apostles ask Jesus to give them more faith. Asking for more is handled as a normal request.
9.Romans 4:20-21
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
In the World English Bible
Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform.
Abraham is Paul's example. He stayed convinced of what God had said even though the situation looked impossible.
10.Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
In the World English Bible
I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.
Paul describes living by faith as daily life with Christ at the center, rather than himself.
11.John 20:29
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
In the World English Bible
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Thomas needed to see before he'd believe. Jesus speaks to everyone who would come later and never see him in person.
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Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about faith?
Hebrews 11:1 is a good place to start. The chapter after this is a long list of people who acted on things they couldn't yet see. This line is the working definition.
What is faith according to the Bible?
Hebrews 11:1 is the closest thing to a definition: confidence in what is hoped for, and conviction about things not seen. The rest of Hebrews 11 shows it in action through people like Abraham. James 2:17 adds that faith and action belong together.
Can you have faith and doubt at the same time?
Mark 9:23-24 shows a father doing exactly that, and saying so plainly to Jesus. Thomas doubted too, in John 20. Scripture records both honestly, and neither is hidden.
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Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours, written with AI tools and checked against the passage. The verses are printed exactly as published.