"For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7) means living by trust in what God has said rather than only by what we can see right now. Abraham "went out, not knowing whither he went" (Hebrews 11:8), and Moses "endured, as seeing him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27).
Walk by faith, not by sight is one of the most-quoted lines in the Bible, found on wall art, tattoos and graduation cards. It is also one of the most practical: a new year, a new job, a diagnosis or a move asks us to take a step before we can see the whole road. These twelve King James verses explain what Paul meant, tell the stories of people who walked by faith before they could see, and offer help for walking on when the path is dark. For faith in general, see faith; for hope in what is unseen, see hope.
We walk by faith, not by sight
1. 2 Corinthians 5:7
"(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"
The KJV prints this verse in brackets, as a side note in a passage about our earthly body and our heavenly home (2 Corinthians 5:1-8). We cannot yet see the Lord face to face, so for now we live by trusting Him. The verse also appears on our faith page because it is that central.
2. Hebrews 11:27
"By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible."
Moses left Egypt and kept going because he saw the invisible God by faith. Faith is a kind of seeing: not with the eyes, but with trust in the God who is really there.
3. Hebrews 11:3
"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
Faith starts with creation itself: what is seen was made by God's word, not from things that appear. If God made the visible world from the invisible, He can work in what we cannot yet see.
4. Hebrews 10:38
"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."
The just shall live by faith is quoted from Habakkuk 2:4 and also appears in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11. Living by faith is not one big decision but a daily way of life, and the writer urges readers not to draw back.
They walked by faith before they could see
5. Hebrews 11:8
"By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went."
Abraham obeyed and went out without knowing where he was going. God promised only a land that He would show him (Genesis 12:1). Many of God's callings come one step at a time.
6. Genesis 12:4
"So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran."
Abram left Haran at seventy-five, as the LORD had spoken. Walking by faith is never limited by age. He left with a promise, not a map.
7. Hebrews 11:7
"By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith."
Noah was warned of things not seen as yet and built the ark anyway. He spent years preparing for a flood that no one around him could see coming, simply because God had spoken.
8. Romans 4:18
"Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be."
Against hope believed in hope means Abraham kept believing when every visible sign said the promise was impossible. He did not dwell on his own aging body but was strong in faith (Romans 4:19-20). See doubt.
Walking by faith when the road is dark
9. Isaiah 50:10
"Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God."
Isaiah speaks to a believer who fears the LORD and still walks in darkness with no light. The answer is not a sudden light but trust: lean on the name of the LORD. Faithful people can have dark seasons.
10. Micah 7:8
"Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me."
Micah wrote in a dark time for Israel, yet he says that when he falls he will arise. Darkness is not the end of the story when the LORD is your light. See light.
11. Jeremiah 10:23
"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."
Jeremiah confesses that no one can direct his own steps. Walking by faith begins with humility: admitting we cannot see far enough to guide ourselves.
12. 2 Corinthians 1:24
"Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand."
Paul tells the Corinthians that by faith they stand. Faith is not only how we walk forward; it is how we keep standing when life shakes. Paul saw himself as a helper of their joy, not a master over their faith.
A short prayer
Lord, I cannot see the whole road ahead, but I can trust You. Help me walk by faith and not by sight, like Abraham who went out not knowing and Moses who endured as seeing You. When the path is dark, let me trust in Your name and lean on You. Direct my steps this year, and help me stand by faith. Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What does walk by faith, not by sight mean?
It means we live by trusting God's word and promises rather than only by what we can see, feel or prove right now. Paul says "we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen" (2 Corinthians 4:18). It does not mean ignoring facts or wisdom; it means the facts we see are not the whole story when God is involved.
Where is walk by faith, not by sight in the Bible?
It is 2 Corinthians 5:7, written by the apostle Paul to the church at Corinth. The King James Version prints it in brackets because it is a side comment within Paul's thought about longing for our heavenly home (2 Corinthians 5:6-8). Hebrews 11 is the Bible's great chapter of examples.
What is a good walk by faith verse for a tattoo, card or graduation?
2 Corinthians 5:7 is short and clear. Others that fit well are "by faith ye stand" (2 Corinthians 1:24), "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" (John 20:29), and Proverbs 3:5-6. For a tattoo, choose the exact KJV wording and double-check the reference.
How do I walk by faith when I am afraid?
Take the next small step God shows you, and bring your fear to Him honestly. Isaiah 50:10 is written for people who fear God and still walk in darkness, and it tells them to trust in the name of the LORD. Jesus told Jairus, "Be not afraid, only believe" (Mark 5:36). Talk with a trusted friend or pastor, and see fear.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about faith · Bible verses about hope · Bible verses about trusting God · Bible verses about doubt · Bible verses about the future · Bible verses about new creation · Bible verses about the power of prayer
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