Bible Verses About Strength
Scripture consistently locates the source of human strength outside the human person — in God himself. The recurring pattern of biblical narrative is that human weakness becomes the occasion for divine power to be displayed. This is not passive resignation but an active trust that draws real energy and perseverance from God. The Catholic tradition, through the Sacrament of Confirmation and the gift of the Holy Spirit, teaches that this divine strength is not merely moral inspiration but a genuine infusion of grace.
The Book of Isaiah, written to a people in exile and near despair, contains some of Scripture's most direct promises of renewed strength. Paul, writing from experience of weakness and imprisonment, makes the paradox explicit: when he is weak, then he is strong, because God's power is made perfect in weakness.
Note: 2 verses on this page are from the deuterocanonical books — books included in the Catholic Bible but absent from most Protestant translations (Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach, Baruch, 1–2 Maccabees).
10 verses — Douay-Rheims Bible (1899 Challoner revision) — Public domain
I can do all things in him who strengtheneth me.Philippians 4:13 — Douay-Rheims
Paul writes from imprisonment, applying this to contentment in both abundance and want — not to unlimited personal achievement.
But they that hope in the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall take wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.Isaiah 40:31 — Douay-Rheims
The conclusion of the great consolation passage in Deutero-Isaiah, addressed to Israel exhausted by exile.
And he said to me: My grace is sufficient for thee; for power is made perfect in infirmity. Gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful.2 Corinthians 12:9-10 — Douay-Rheims
Paul's account of God's answer to his prayer for relief from a 'thorn in the flesh' — the paradox of strength through weakness.
The Lord is my helper and my protector: in him hath my heart confided, and I have been helped. And my flesh hath flourished again, and with my will I will give praise to him.Psalm 28:7 — Douay-Rheims
A psalm of confident trust in God as the sole reliable source of strength in danger.
Go, eat fat meats, and drink sweet wine, and send portions to them that have not prepared for themselves: because it is the holy day of the Lord, and be not sad: for the joy of the Lord is your strength.Nehemiah 8:10 — Douay-Rheims
Ezra and Nehemiah encourage the returned exiles at the reading of the Law — joy in God's word is itself a form of strength.
Behold I command thee, take courage, and be strong. Fear not and be not dismayed: because the Lord thy God is with thee in all things whithersoever thou shalt go.Joshua 1:9 — Douay-Rheims
God's direct commission to Joshua at the outset of the conquest of Canaan, promising his constant presence.
Riches and strength lift up the heart: but above these is the fear of the Lord. There is no want in the fear of the Lord, and it needeth not to seek for help.Sirach 40:26Deuterocanonical — Douay-Rheims
Sirach, a deuterocanonical book, ranks reverence for God above both riches and physical strength as the true source of security.
Finally, brethren, be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of his power.Ephesians 6:10 — Douay-Rheims
Paul opens his teaching on the spiritual armor by locating the source of spiritual strength entirely in the Lord.
For I am the Lord thy God, who take thee by the hand, and say to thee: Fear not, I have helped thee.Isaiah 41:13 — Douay-Rheims
God speaks as one personally accompanying and steadying a frightened servant — among the most intimate images in Isaiah.
O my sons, take courage, and behave manfully in the law: for by it you shall be glorious.1 Maccabees 2:64Deuterocanonical — Douay-Rheims
Mattathias's dying exhortation to his sons — a deuterocanonical call to courageous fidelity, absent from Protestant Bibles.
Related Topics
Related Catholic Prayers
Source
All verse texts from the Douay-Rheims Bible (1899 Challoner revision), public domain. The Douay-Rheims is the traditional Catholic English Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate.