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Understanding the Fear of God in Christian Theology

The "fear of God" in Christian thought is a multifaceted concept that encompasses both reverential awe and a recognition of divine authority, rather than mere terror [1, 8]. It is frequently presented in the Old Testament as a descriptor of true piety [1], and its understanding is considered foundational to knowledge and wisdom [7].

Understanding the Fear of the Lord

The phrase "fear of the Lord" is used in the Old Testament to denote genuine godliness [1]. Proverbs 1:7 states that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge," a sentiment echoed in Proverbs 9:10 [7]. This fear is not a "slavish dread" but a "filial reverence," akin to the respect a child has for a parent [1]. It is a fear "conjoined with love and hope" [1]. The book of Sirach describes it as "the religiousness of knowledge" [2].

This concept implies a total dependence on God for all aspects of life, including knowledge and wisdom [7]. It is not merely a mental attitude but involves active service, love, and obedience to God's laws, as seen in Deuteronomy 10:12-13 [7]. The absence of this fear is often linked to ignorance of God [5].

Biblical texts highlight several aspects of this godly fear:

Distinguishing Godly Fear from Unholy Fear

It is crucial to differentiate the "fear of God" from an "unholy fear" or dread. Unholy fear is characteristic of the wicked (Revelation 21:8) and is often associated with a guilty conscience (Genesis 3:8, 10) [4]. This type of fear can manifest as fear of idols (2 Kings 17:38), fear of man (1 Samuel 15:24), fear of judgments (Isaiah 2:19), or fear of future punishment (Hebrews 10:27) [4]. It is overwhelming, consuming, and can seize the wicked and surprise the hypocrite [4].

The "fear of the Lord" is not the terror that anticipates deserved punishment, which produces dread [10]. Rather, perfect love is said to expel this kind of fear [10]. The dread associated with guilt is a foretaste of punishment, from which Christ's death is understood to free believers (Hebrews 2:14-15) [10].

New Testament Perspectives

The New Testament also enjoins a holy fear, not as a source of terror, but as a preventative against carelessness in religious life and an incentive for penitence [1]. Passages such as Matthew 10:28, 2 Corinthians 5:11, Philippians 2:12, Ephesians 5:21, and Hebrews 12:28-29 are cited in this regard [1].

In 2 Corinthians 5:11, "knowing therefore the terror of the Lord," some interpretations understand "terror of the Lord" to refer to the awe-inspiring nature of the final judgment [9]. This recognition of future judgment can motivate believers to live righteously [12]. Other interpretations suggest it refers to the grace of the fear of the Lord implanted in the apostles' hearts, which guided their ministry [9].

Philippians 2:12, which speaks of "working out your own salvation with fear and trembling," is understood to refer to a reverential awe of God that includes the recognition of a future judgment [12]. Similarly, Colossians 3:22 and 2 Corinthians 7:1, 11, 15 are cited as passages that emphasize this reverential awe [12].

Ephesians 5:21, which calls believers to "submit to one another out of reverence for Christ," is interpreted by some as referring to the fear of Christ. This fear is seen as a reverential fear of displeasing Christ, who is understood to be the judge [11]. This perspective suggests that believers are "under the law to Christ" (1 Corinthians 9:21) and are motivated by love for Him [11].

The concept of the fear of God, therefore, is not a simple emotion but a profound spiritual orientation. It is a recognition of God's sovereignty, holiness, and power, leading to a life of reverence, obedience, and trust. It is a foundational element of a relationship with God, fostering wisdom and guiding believers in their conduct.

Sources

  1. 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).”
  2. Sirach “Sirach 1:17 (DRC) — The fear of the Lord is the religiousness of knowledge.”
  3. 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.”
  4. 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”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ignorance of God — Ignorance of Christ is -- Joh 8:19. Evidenced by Want of love. -- 1Jo 4:8. Not keeping his commands. -- 1Jo 2:4. Living in sin. -- Tit 1:16; 1Jo 3:6. Leads to Error. -- Mt 22:29. Idolatry. -- Isa 44:19; Ac 17:29,30. Alienation from God. -- Eph 4:18. Sinful lusts. -- 1Th 4:5; 1Pe 1:14. Persecuting saints. -- Joh 15:21; 16:3. Is no excuse for sin -- Le 4:2; Lu 12:48. The wicked, in a state of -- Jer 9:3; Joh 15:21; 17:25; Ac 17:30. The wicked choose -- Job 21:14; Ro 1:28. Punishment of -- Ps 79:6; 2Th 1:8. Ministers should Compassionate those in. -- ”
  6. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 2:5: Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord,.... The grace of fear, and the exercise of it: which is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge, and is a treasure itself, Pro 1:7. By means of the Gospel the Lord works it in the hearts of his people by his Spirit; and by the same leads them into the riches of his special grace and "goodness", which they are influenced by to "fear", and the Lord for the sake of it: and particularly they are led hereby to the pardoning grace and mercy of God, which is with him, that he may "be feared"; and it is the Gospel which induces ”
  7. Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 1:7: 1:7 Fear of the Lord recognizes total dependence on God for everything, including knowledge and wisdom (9:10). It is not just a mental attitude but involves service, love, and obeying God’s laws (see Deut 10:12-13). Fear of the Lord is the basis of all knowledge. How can we understand life without knowing the most fundamental truth about it—that it is God’s creation?”
  8. Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 10:12: 10:12-13 fear the Lord your God: The fear of God is not terror from dread of his wrath. Rather, God wanted his people to recognize their finiteness and unworthiness in his divine presence (see study notes on 7:21 and Prov 1:7).”
  9. 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 5:10: Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord,.... Or the fear of the Lord; by which is meant either the grace of the fear of the Lord, implanted in the hearts of the apostles, and in which they acted in their ministry, faithfully dispensing to men the mysteries of grace; from which they could by no means be moved, because the fear of God was before their eyes, and upon their hearts; or rather the terror of the Lord in the last judgment, which will be very great, considering the awfulness of the summons, arise ye dead, and come to judgment; the appearance of the Jud”
  10. 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 4:18: 4:18 perfect love expels all fear: As we live with Christ and grow more mature and complete in God’s love, we have confidence in facing the day of judgment, which will be terrifying for those who don’t know God (Acts 24:25; Rom 2:16). • Based on consciousness of guilt, fear anticipates a deserved punishment, producing dread that is itself a foretaste of that punishment. Christ died to set us free from this dread (Heb 2:14-15).”
  11. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:21: (Phi 2:3; Pe1 5:5.) Here he passes from our relations to God, to those which concern our fellow men. in the fear of God--All the oldest manuscripts and authorities read, "in the fear of CHRIST." The believer passes from under the bondage of the law as a letter, to be "the servant of Christ" (Co1 7:22), which, through the instinct of love to Him, is really to be "the Lord's freeman"; for he is "under the law to Christ" (Co1 9:21; compare Joh 8:36). Christ, not the Father (Joh 5:22), is to be our judge. Thus reverential fear of displeasing Him is th”
  12. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 11:20: 11:20 fear what could happen: In Scripture, fear often means a reverential awe of God that includes the recognition that we must one day stand before him in judgment (see 2 Cor 5:11; 7:1, 11, 15; Phil 2:12; Col 3:22).”
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