Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see.
Bible Verses About Faith
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith with two phrases: 'the substance of things hoped for' and 'the evidence of things not seen.' Faith is not the absence of doubt — it is the decision to act on what you believe to be true despite uncertainty. The Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 lists ordinary people who acted on God's word before they could see the outcome: Abraham, Moses, Rahab, Gideon. None of them had full information. All of them moved anyway.
Romans 10:17 says 'faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.' Faith in the biblical sense is not a generic confidence or positive thinking — it is specifically trust in a specific Person based on specific revelation. And James 2:17 reminds us that 'faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.' Faith is always expressed in behavior.
“Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright— but the righteous will live by faith—
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Strengthening Your Faith
Faith is not static — it grows through use and is tested through difficulty. James 1:3 says 'the testing of your faith produces perseverance.' Read Hebrews 11 not as an impossible standard but as evidence that ordinary people trusted God in ordinary circumstances. The same is available to you. Pray for more faith (Mark 9:24 — 'I believe; help my unbelief!') and then act on what you already believe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Faith
What is the definition of faith in the Bible?
Hebrews 11:1 gives the clearest definition: 'Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.' It is not blind belief but well-founded trust — grounded in evidence of God's past faithfulness and based on his promises. It results in action: every person in Hebrews 11 did something in response to their faith.
What does it mean to 'walk by faith and not by sight'?
2 Corinthians 5:7 — 'We walk by faith, not by sight' — means making decisions based on God's revealed character and promises rather than solely on visible circumstances. It does not mean ignoring reality but that circumstances are not the final word. Paul wrote this while dealing with physical suffering and persecution — faith in those conditions meant continuing in obedience despite what he could see.
How do I build stronger faith?
Romans 10:17 says faith comes from hearing God's word — so regular reading of Scripture is foundational. James says faith is strengthened through trials (James 1:3). Praying honestly, acting on what you believe, and surrounding yourself with others who are trusting God all contribute. And asking God directly for more faith — as the disciples did in Luke 17:5 — is itself an act of faith.