113 Bible Verses About Faith
Faith is the foundation of the Christian life, the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. These verses define, inspire, and strengthen faith.
Bible Verses
113
carefully curated passages
How to use this page
Read each verse with its context explanation. Bookmark the ones that speak to you and return often as your situation changes.
What the Bible Says About Faith
Faith is the foundation of the Christian life, the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. These verses define, inspire, and strengthen faith.
Hebrews 11:1 KJV
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Context & Meaning
The Bible's definition of faith: it gives present reality ("substance") to future hopes and serves as evidence for what cannot yet be physically seen.
Romans 10:17 KJV
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Context & Meaning
Paul identifies the primary mechanism by which faith grows, sustained engagement with God's word, which creates and nourishes belief.
Galatians 2:20 KJV
“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.”
Context & Meaning
Paul describes the Christian life as faith-sustained union with Christ, the old self dies and a new life is lived through ongoing trust in the Son of God.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
“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.”
Context & Meaning
Faith is not one virtue among many but a prerequisite for pleasing God, it involves both believing in His existence and trusting His character as a rewarder.
Matthew 17:20 KJV
“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.”
Context & Meaning
Jesus uses mustard-seed faith to show that the issue is never the quantity of faith but its quality and object, genuine faith in God moves mountains.
Romans 1:17 KJV
“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
Context & Meaning
The phrase "from faith to faith" suggests that the Christian life is a continuous journey of deepening trust, righteousness before God comes entirely by faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Context & Meaning
Salvation is entirely grace received through faith, even the faith itself is a gift, meaning the entire process of salvation originates with God, not human effort.
James 2:17 KJV
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
Context & Meaning
James balances Paul's emphasis on faith alone by insisting that genuine living faith will inevitably produce visible works, dead faith is no faith at all.
2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Context & Meaning
The Christian's navigation of life is not based on what is presently visible but on trusting God's unseen reality, a daily posture of faith over perception.
Mark 9:23 KJV
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
Context & Meaning
Jesus deflects the father's conditional request back to him, the impossibility is not on God's end but in human unbelief, and faith unlocks God's power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about faith?
The Bible defines faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). It teaches that faith is essential to pleasing God (Hebrews 11:6), that we are saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8), and that the just shall live by faith as a daily, ongoing posture (Romans 1:17).
How does faith come according to the Bible?
Romans 10:17 states that "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Faith is generated and strengthened by sustained exposure to Scripture. Prayer (Luke 17:5) and trials (1 Peter 1:7) also play a role in developing faith.
What is the difference between faith and works?
Paul teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8-9). James teaches that genuine faith will naturally produce works (James 2:17). These are not contradictions, both agree that saving faith is real and living, not a mere intellectual belief, and that living faith expresses itself in action.
What does it mean to have faith like a mustard seed?
In Matthew 17:20, Jesus uses a mustard seed, one of the smallest seeds, to show that the size of faith is less important than its authenticity and its object. Even a tiny amount of genuine faith in God is sufficient to accomplish what seems impossible to human thinking.
Can faith be increased?
Yes. The apostles explicitly prayed "Lord, increase our faith" (Luke 17:5). Romans 10:17 indicates that hearing God's word builds faith. Trials, when responded to rightly, test and strengthen faith (1 Peter 1:7). Faith is a living thing that can grow.