Bravery, often synonymous with courage, is a virtue highly esteemed in the Bible. It is the quality of facing danger, fear, or difficulty with resolve and strength. Throughout Scripture, bravery is depicted as a characteristic of those who trust in God and act in faith, often in the face of overwhelming odds.

Old Testament Examples

One of the most iconic examples of bravery in the Old Testament is David's confrontation with Goliath. Despite being a young shepherd, David displayed remarkable courage by facing the Philistine giant with nothing but a sling and five smooth stones. His bravery was rooted in his faith in God, as he declared, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:37).

Another notable example is found in the account of Joshua. After the death of Moses, Joshua was tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. God commanded him to be strong and courageous, saying, "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" (Joshua 1:9). Joshua's bravery was demonstrated through his obedience to God's commands and his leadership in the conquest of Canaan.

The bravery of Esther is also celebrated in the Old Testament. As queen, she risked her life by approaching King Xerxes without being summoned, in order to save her people from annihilation. Her famous words, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16), reflect her willingness to face danger for the sake of her people and her faith in God's providence.

New Testament Examples

In the New Testament, the apostles exhibited bravery in their proclamation of the Gospel. After the resurrection of Jesus, Peter and John boldly preached in Jerusalem, despite threats from the religious authorities. When commanded to stop teaching in the name of Jesus, they replied, "We must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29). Their courage was fueled by their conviction and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul is another exemplar of bravery. Throughout his missionary journeys, he faced numerous hardships, including imprisonment, beatings, and shipwrecks. Yet, he remained steadfast in his mission, declaring, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13). Paul's bravery was anchored in his unwavering faith and his commitment to spreading the Gospel.

Theological Insights

Bravery in the biblical context is often linked to faith and trust in God. It is not merely the absence of fear but the ability to act rightly in the presence of fear, relying on God's strength and promises. The Bible encourages believers to be brave, as seen in 2 Timothy 1:7, which states, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control" .

Bravery is also associated with righteousness and justice. Proverbs 28:1 notes, "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion" . This suggests that true bravery is rooted in a life aligned with God's will and purposes.

Practical Application

Believers are called to exhibit bravery in their daily lives, whether in standing up for their faith, confronting injustice, or enduring personal trials. The biblical examples of bravery serve as inspiration and encouragement to trust in God's presence and power. As Christians face challenges, they are reminded of the promise in Isaiah 41:10: "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" .Isaiah 35:4
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you.
Topicalbible.org

2 Samuel 2:7
Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be you valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.
Topicalbible.org

Job 36:5
Behold, God is mighty, and despises not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.
Topicalbible.org

(Isaiah 3:18), an old English word meaning comeliness or beauty. 1. (n.) The quality of being brave; fearless; intrepidity.

2. (n.) The act of braving; defiance; bravado.

3. (n.) Splendor; magnificence; showy appearance; ostentation; fine dress.

4. (n.) A showy person; a fine gentleman; a beau.

BRAVERY

brav'-er-i: tiph'arah or `tiph'ereth = "beauty," "glory," "honor" and "majesty," hence, "splendor of bravery." "The bravery of their tinkling ornaments" (Isaiah 3:18 the King James Version), "the beauty of their anklets" (American Standard Revised Version). Compare bravado, bravura.

8597. tipharah -- beauty, glory
... Or tiphereth {tif-eh'-reth}; from pa'ar; ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally
or figuratively) -- beauty(- iful), bravery, comely, fair, glory(-ious ...
/hebrew/8597.htm - 6k

Epistle Lvi. To Cornelius in Exile, Concerning his Confession.
... It cannot be sufficiently declared how great was the exultation and how great the
joy here, when we had heard of your success and bravery, that you had stood ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lvi to cornelius in.htm

How they who were Men Obtained the Name of Gods.
... in another passage: "And in most states it may be understood, that for the sake
of exciting valour, or that the men most distinguished for bravery might more ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xv how they who were.htm

By the Example of Judith is Shown that Courage is not Wanting in ...
... 37. But bravery also is usually not wanting to a good widow. For this
is true bravery, which surpasses the usual nature and the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vii by the example.htm

To Zeno, General and Consul.
... In a soldier's character the main ornament is bravery, but in a commander prudence
takes precedence of bravery; after these come self-control and fairness ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/lxxi to zeno general and.htm

That the Miseries Still Grew Worse; and How the Romans Made an ...
... any commendation of those who die in war, [2] and omit to speak of the immortality
of those men who are slain in the midst of their martial bravery; yet cannot ...
/.../chapter 1 that the miseries.htm

Our Captain
... Him in the relation of private soldiers, whose first duty is unhesitating obedience,
and who in doing their Master's will must put forth a bravery far higher ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/our captain.htm

A Letter of Mara, Son of Serapion.
... Let a man, therefore, rejoice in his empire, like Darius; or in his good fortune,
like Polycrates; or in his bravery, like Achilles; or in his wife, like ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents a letter.htm

The Story of a Cup of Water
... ever lived. By chivalry I mean a union of honor, purity, religion, nobleness,
bravery, and devotion to a cause or person. David ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the story of a cup.htm

The Heroic Women of Early Indiana Methodism.
... We do not call the devout Christian woman a saintess, nor the eloquent woman an
oratrix, but the woman who excels in endurance and bravery and in the virtues ...
/.../the heroic women of early indiana methodism/the heroic women of early.htm

Rome had Passed the Summits and Stood Looking into the Dark Valley ...
... were good people in Rome, even noble families, with whom sacrifice had still a sacred
power, and who practised the four virtues of honor, bravery, wisdom, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 1 rome had passed.htm

Bravery (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BRAVERY. brav'-er ... Version). Compare bravado, bravura.
Multi-Version Concordance Bravery (1 Occurrence). Isaiah ...
/b/bravery.htm - 7k

Valiant (66 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Intrepid in danger; courageous; brave. 3. (a.) Performed with valor or bravery;
heroic. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. VALIANT, VALIANTLY. ...
/v/valiant.htm - 28k

Valor (45 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Strength of mind in regard to danger; that quality which enables a man to
encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery; courage; prowess ...
/v/valor.htm - 21k

Virtue (21 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Moral excellence; value; merit; meritoriousness;
worth. 2. (n.) Manly strength or courage; bravery; daring; spirit; valor. ...
/v/virtue.htm - 16k

Othniel (7 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:13). He gained her hand as a reward for his bravery in leading
a successful expedition against Debir (qv). Some thirty ...
/o/othniel.htm - 10k

Lions (50 Occurrences)
... (5.) Laish, so called from its strength and bravery (Job 4:11; Proverbs 30:30; Isaiah
30:6). The capital of Northern Dan received its name from this word. ...
/l/lions.htm - 26k

Tinkling (4 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 3:18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments
about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon ...
/t/tinkling.htm - 8k

Tires (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 3:18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments
about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon ...
/t/tires.htm - 8k

Military (44 Occurrences)
... arms, or to war; belonging to, engaged in, or appropriate to, the affairs Of war;
as, a military parade; military discipline; military bravery; military conduct ...
/m/military.htm - 21k

Manhood (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The state of being man as a human being, or man as distinguished from a
child or a woman. 2. (n.) Manly quality; courage; bravery; resolution. ...
/m/manhood.htm - 8k

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