What Does the Bible Say About Faith? 8 Verses and What Each One Means
The main Bible verses about faith are Hebrews 11:1, Mark 11:24, 2 Corinthians 5:7 and Romans 10:17. Hebrews 11:1 supplies the definition: faith is "assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen". Mark 11:24 ties faith to prayer. 2 Corinthians 5:7 sums up the way of living: "we walk by faith, not by sight". Romans 10:17 explains where faith comes from — "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God". This page collects 8 Bible verses about faith with the full text, the reference and a one-line explanation for each.
Faith, in the Bible, is neither absolute certainty nor optimism. Hebrews defines it as "assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen" — a trust that rests on the One who promised, not on the visibility of the result. It shows up in ordinary people: a father who says "I believe, help my unbelief", a woman who touches the hem of a cloak, a centurion who trusts a word spoken from a distance. Jesus says faith the size of a mustard seed already moves mountains, which suggests the point is not the size of the faith but who it leans on. The verses below are for those starting out, for those whose faith feels small and for anyone who wants to understand where it comes from: "faith comes by hearing".
Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.
Mark 11:24for we walk by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17He 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.
Matthew 17:20Without 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.
Hebrews 11:6But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.
James 1:6for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:8
Frequently asked questions
What is the Bible's definition of faith?
Hebrews 11:1: "faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen". The whole chapter gives examples of people who lived that way.
How can I grow in faith?
Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing the Word. In practice: read the Bible regularly, pray honestly, spend time with other people of faith and remember what God has already done.
Does having doubts mean I have no faith?
No. In Mark 9:24 a father says "I believe, help my unbelief", and Jesus answers him. Doubt brought to God is part of the path of faith.
See also
Scripture text: World English Bible (WEB), public domain. Prayers, introductions and reflections: original text by this site, not affiliated with any denomination. Devotional content; it does not replace medical, psychological or legal advice.