"So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'"
— Hebrews 13:6 (NIV)
Hebrews 13:6 is the "the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid" verse, from the closing instructions of the letter to the Hebrews. This page gives the verse, where it comes from, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about courage, Bible verses about fear, and Bible verses about contentment.
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The verse
The King James reads: "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
"With confidence" (KJV "boldly") is tharreo (G2292), to be of good courage. "Helper" is boethos (G998), one who runs to help at a cry. "Be afraid" is phobeo (G5399).
The words are a quotation of Psalm 118:6, which in the NIV reads, "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
Where it sits in Hebrews 13
Verse 5 sets it up: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5). That promise goes back to Moses and Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Verse 6 is the reply. God has spoken a promise, so "we say" one back. Verse 7 then turns to the readers' leaders: "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you."
What the verse is saying
The letter was written to believers who had already faced public insult, persecution, and the loss of their property, and had stood by those in prison (Hebrews 10:32-34). The writer does not promise them that people will stop opposing them. He gives them words to say: the Lord is my helper.
The order is the point. God speaks first ("I will never leave you"), and his people answer with confidence. Fear of people shrinks when the helper is the Lord. For the same courage in other words, see Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 41:10, and Joshua 1:9.
Questions people ask
What does Hebrews 13:6 say?
In the NIV it says, "So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?'" The KJV says, "So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
What Old Testament verse does Hebrews 13:6 quote?
Psalm 118:6: "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
What does "the Lord is my helper" mean?
It means God is the one who comes to his people's aid. The Greek word for helper describes someone who runs to help when called. Because God has promised never to leave, believers can face people without fear.
How does Hebrews 13:6 connect to Hebrews 13:5?
Verse 5 gives God's promise, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Verse 6 is the believer's confident answer to that promise.
What other verses are like Hebrews 13:6?
Psalm 27:1 (the Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear), Psalm 118:6 (the Lord is with me), and Isaiah 41:10 (do not fear, for I am with you) are close companions.
