The Biblical Importance of Fearing God
The concept of fearing God is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, appearing in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, "fear of the Lord" is used to describe true piety, characterized by a reverence that is conjoined with love and hope, rather than a slavish dread [1]. This fear is considered the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; Job 28:28; Psalm 19:9) and is described as a filial reverence, as seen in the designation of God as "the Fear of Isaac" (Genesis 31:42, 53).
The biblical importance of fearing God is underscored by its association with various virtues and benefits. It is linked to wisdom (Sirach 1:17), described as a treasure to saints (Proverbs 15:16; Isaiah 33:6), and considered a fountain of life (Proverbs 14:27) [3]. The fear of God is also seen as a preventive against carelessness in religion and as an incentive to penitence in the New Testament (Matthew 10:28; 2 Corinthians 5:11; 7:1) [1].
The nature of this fear is further clarified by its contrast with unholy fear. While the fear of God is characterized as filial and reverential, unholy fear is associated with the wicked and is described as overwhelming and consuming (Psalm 73:19; Job 15:21, 24) [5]. The biblical text emphasizes that the fear of God is not incompatible with love; rather, it is the beginning of love (Sirach 25:16) [4].
In the view of early Christian interpreters, the fear of God is a necessary aspect of the Christian life. Clement of Alexandria, for example, argues that fear is a good thing, as it produces absence of fear through discipline [6]. Similarly, the author of Hebrews exhorts believers to fear God, understanding this fear as an appropriate reverence and awe for God's will (Hebrews 4:1; 10:31) [7, 2].
The Jewish tradition also emphasizes the importance of fearing God. Rabbi Elazar is quoted as saying that the Holy One has in His world only fear of Heaven alone, citing Deuteronomy 10:12 [8]. In Christian interpretation, fearing God is seen as giving Him first place in life and acknowledging His supremacy (Isaiah 8:13) [10].
The biblical concept of fearing God is thus multifaceted, encompassing reverence, awe, and a recognition of God's authority and judgment. It is a theme that is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, and is understood as essential to a life of true piety and wisdom. The fear of God is not merely a negative emotion but a positive disposition that underlies a life of faith and obedience [3, 9].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Fear of the Lord the — Is in the Old Testament used as a designation of true piety (Prov. 1:7; Job 28:28; Ps. 19:9). It is a fear conjoined with love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread, but rather filial reverence. (Comp. Deut. 32:6; Hos. 11:1; Isa. 1:2; 63:16; 64:8.) God is called "the Fear of Isaac" (Gen. 31:42, 53), i.e., the God whom Isaac feared. A holy fear is enjoined also in the New Testament as a preventive of carelessness in religion, and as an incentive to penitence (Matt. 10:28; 2 Cor. 5:11; 7:1; Phil. 2:12; Eph. 5:21; Heb. 12:28, 29).”
- Hebrews “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. -- Hebrews 10:31”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
- Sirach “Sirach 25:16 (DRC) — The fear of God is the beginning of his love: and the beginning of faith is to be fast joined unto it.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Unholy — A characteristic of the wicked -- Re 21:8. Is described as A fear of idols. -- 2Ki 17:38. A fear of man. -- 1Sa 15:24; Joh 9:22. A fear of judgments. -- Isa 2:19; Lu 21:26; Re 6:16,17. A fear of future punishment. -- Heb 10:27. Overwhelming. -- Ex 15:16; Job 15:21,24. Consuming. -- Ps 73:19. A guilty conscience leads to -- Ge 3:8,10; Ps 53:5; Pr 28:1. Seizes the wicked -- Job 15:24; 18:11. Surprises the hypocrite -- Isa 33:14,18. The wicked judicially filled with -- Le 26:16,17; De 28:65-67; Jer 49:5. Shall be realised -- Pr 1:27; 10:24. God mocks -- P”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — CHAP. VIII.--THE VAGARIES OF BASILIDES AND VALENTINUS AS TO FEAR BEING THE CAUSE OF THINGS, (part 3): just is of what is unjust. If, then, that absence of fear, which the fear of the Lord produces, is called the beginning of what is good,[2] fear is a good thing. And the fear which proceeds from the law is not only just, but good, as it takes away evil. But introducing absence of fear by means of fear, it does not produce apathy by means of mental perturbation, but moderation of feeling by discipline. When, then, we he”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 4:1: 4:1-2 The author transitions to the promise that the faithful will enter God’s rest and exhorts his listeners to take this promise seriously. Hearing is not enough: It must be combined with faith. 4:1 To fear God means to experience an appropriate reverence, even awe, for God and his will. It would be the worst of tragedies to fail to experience what God has promised.”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Shabbat 31b.3: The Gemara remarks: Conclude that Rabbi Elazar is the one who said that he is praiseworthy because he is a man who fears sin, as elsewhere he also spoke in praise of fear. As Rabbi Yoḥanan said in the name of Rabbi Elazar: The Holy One, Blessed be He, has in His world only fear of Heaven alone, as it is stated: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you, but to fear the Lord your God” ( Deuteronomy 10:12). And it is written: “And unto man He said: Behold [ hen ], the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding” (Job”
- Ecclesiastes (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ecclesiastes 5:7: 5:7 Fear God: Reverence for God is the foundation for worthwhile words and useful activities (see 12:1; Prov 1:7).”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 8:13: 8:13 To make the Lord . . . holy meant giving him first place in life and acknowledging that nothing is greater than he is. • Fear of God means reverencing him as God (Prov 1:7). The people of Judah were not to fear Israel and Syria or the Assyrians (Isa 7:9; 10:24).”