bible verses about strength

Bible Verses About Strength: 15 Scriptures

Bible verses about strength: 15 Scriptures on God's power in weakness, courage for hard days, and strength that comes from the Lord, with plain notes and links.

Illustrated portrait of Christopher McAllister

By Christopher McAllister

Founder of theBibleand.Love

Published September 28, 2026Updated October 21, 20266 min readPhilippians 4:13 (NIV)

A lone walker follows a long switchback path toward morning light on a ridge.

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

— Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

People who search bible verses about strength want Scripture for hard days — courage when you feel weak, endurance when the load is long, and confidence that strength comes from God, not from pretending you are fine. This page is a numbered list of fifteen passages with the NIV text and a short note on each. Endurance as a theme also sits under Love and endurance. Hard seasons more broadly are under Bible verses for hard times. Encouragement for weary hearts is under Bible verses for encouragement and Bible verses about hope. For staying power under a long trial, see Bible verses about endurance. For Scripture on the whole armor, see Bible verses about the armor of God.

Word study (lead verse). In Philippians 4:13 Paul says he can do "all this" through the One who strengthens him — Greek endynamoō (Strong's G1743): to empower, to put strength into. The verb is about Christ actively enabling him, not self-hype. See also Bible Hub G1743.

Matthew Henry explains that we need strength from Christ even for ordinary virtues: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me… not in my own strength," and he stresses the ongoing sense — "Through Christ, who is strengthening me, and does continually strengthen me" (Blue Letter Bible, Matthew Henry on Philippians 4). Related commentary on the verse gathers the same point under contentment in plenty and in need (Bible Hub commentaries on Philippians 4:13).

15 Bible verses about strength

  1. Philippians 4:13. "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Strength here is Christ's enabling in every circumstance — not a blank check for every wish.

  2. Isaiah 40:31. "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Waiting on the Lord renews strength; hurry spends it. See Bible verses about hope. The reference page is Isaiah 40:31.

  3. Isaiah 41:10. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." God's presence is the source of strength — "I will strengthen you."

  4. Psalm 46:1. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Strength includes refuge — a place to run, not only power to push.

  5. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'… For when I am weak, then I am strong." Weakness is not the opposite of Christian strength; it is often the doorway.

  6. Ephesians 6:10. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power." Strength is "in the Lord," not in self-talk alone. See Bible verses about faith.

  7. Joshua 1:9. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Courage is commanded because God's presence is promised. See Bible verses about courage.

  8. Psalm 28:7. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me." Strength and shield pair protection with power.

  9. Nehemiah 8:10. "…Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Joy in God is not thin cheerfulness; it is strength for the day. See Bible verses about joy.

  10. Psalm 73:26. "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." When body and heart fail, God remains the strength of the heart.

  11. Habakkuk 3:19. "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." Strength can mean sure footing on hard ground.

  12. 1 Chronicles 16:11. "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." Strength is sought by seeking his face — not by staring at the obstacle alone.

  13. Psalm 18:1-2. "I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge…" Love and strength meet: "I love you, Lord, my strength." The misgab high-tower strand is Bible verses about high tower. See Bible verses about God's love.

  14. Exodus 15:2. "The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation." Strength language in the song of the sea is salvation language.

  15. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14. "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love." Strength and love are not rivals — do everything in love. See 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and Love and endurance.

How to use these verses

Pick one verse for a hard morning, a hospital wait, or a text to someone exhausted — not fifteen. Read it out loud. If you need Christ-enabled strength in changing circumstances, start with Philippians 4:13. If you need renewed strength for the long walk, start with Isaiah 40:31. If you need refuge language, start with Psalm 46:1. For God as keeper and shield, see Bible verses about protection. For endurance as love's long work, see Love and endurance. For hard seasons, see Bible verses for hard times. For conquering victory in Christ rather than power for the moment, see Bible verses about overcoming. For Psalm 27:1's strength of my life, see Bible verses about the strength of my life. For Samson the Nazirite and his final prayer, open Bible verses about Samson. For a daily verse, open Bible verse of the day. The Arm of the Lord list is on Bible verses about Arm of the Lord.

Questions people ask

What is a good Bible verse about strength?

Philippians 4:13 and Isaiah 40:31 are clear starting places: strength through Christ, and renewed strength for those who hope in the Lord. Psalm 46:1 names God as refuge and strength in trouble.

What does the Bible say about God's strength in weakness?

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 teaches that Christ's power is made perfect in weakness. Philippians 4:13 locates ability in the One who strengthens, not in self-sufficiency.

What Bible verse helps when I feel weak?

Psalm 73:26 ("God is the strength of my heart") and Isaiah 41:10 ("I will strengthen you") speak directly to failing strength. See also Bible verses for encouragement.

Is Philippians 4:13 about achieving anything I want?

In context Paul is talking about contentment in plenty and in need — "all this" means living faithfully in either state through Christ's strength, not unlimited personal ambition.

Read Love and endurance, Bible verses for hard times, and Bible verses about hope. For endurance that finishes (not raw power), see Bible verses about perseverance. For peace in pressure, see Bible verses about peace. For the dynamis of God himself — creation, resurrection, and the gospel — see Bible verses about God's power.

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