Fear is a strong emotion with a fairly negative connotation. It’s generally not a good thing. Psychology Today gives advice about how to overcome fear. Therefore, “fear God” could leave the secular thinker with a negative definition of a basic Scriptural tenant. And how can one fear God and also love God at the same time?
Looking at the Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) word for fear doesn’t really help. Look those up and you will find definitions like “alarm”, “dread”, “terror”. We can also find “revere” or “awe” – something relatable to God to be sure – but is fearing God more than just an emotional reaction?
how Scripture answers "What does it mean to fear God?"
To fear God means to revere Him1,2,9, but ultimately to fear God is much more than a raw emotion. It’s not a reaction11, but a learned behavior3,6,8,13 – a choice10,12 – that can be quantified and taught to others3,7,8. Specifically, it means to obey2,3,4,5 God’s words3,6,7,13.
Jacob is confronting Laban after keeping him effectively hostage for twenty years (vs 38) in order to win his daughter Rachel for his wife.
Jacob uses “Fear” as a metonymy for God, seemingly to show his fathers’ reverence and obedience to God over the course of their lives.
Does it apply? Yes
And the Lord said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? Then Satan answered the Lord and said, Does Job fear God for no reason?
The opening discourse of the book of Job between God and Satan, a fallen angel. Satan’s question back to God is rhetorical as he believes Job obeys God since God has materially blessed him (vs 10).
Job’s fear of God is manifested by the fact that he is “a blameless and upright man” that “turns away from evil”. He is, in other words, obedient to God’s commands.
Does it apply? Yes
The re-telling of the law of Moses to a new generation of people before entering into the Promised Land.
Hearing God’s words is how they would learn to obey God.
Does it apply? Yes
The re-telling of the law of Moses to a new generation of people before entering into the Promised Land.
Fearing God means to walk in all His ways.
Does it apply? Yes
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
A collection of wise sayings primarily collected from Solomon, the wisest to live.
Fearing God means to turn away from evil.
Does it apply? Yes
And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.
When the king sits on his throne, he will write a personal copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. He shall keep it with him and read it all the days of his life. By doing this, he will learn to obey God by adhering to the words and doing them. It will also keep him humble, not thinking better of himself over others, keeping on the narrow path and living long in his kingdom.
Moses is re-telling the law to the people before they enter in to the Promised Land.
The king was to “learn to fear” God by reading and doing His word all of his life.
Does it apply? Yes
when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. Assemble the people, men, women, and little ones, and the sojourner within your towns, that they may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God, and be careful to do all the words of this law,
Moses is giving this instruction of public reading to occur every seven years when they are together for the Feast of Booths.
The “fear of the Lord” is His word that we hear, learn and do.
Does it apply? Yes
Paul is speaking of the temporary state the Christian finds themself in – yearning to be “further clothed” but still in this “tent” in which we “groan” to be with Him (vss 1-4).
The “fear of the Lord” is something that is known and taught to others.
Does it apply? Yes
Fearing God is standing in awe of Him.
Does it apply? Yes
The opening of Proverbs and the importance of obtaining the wisdom from above. This verse is in the midst of the personification of wisdom (vs 20) and its contrast to the foolish and those that don’t head the counsel of God.
Fearing God is choice coupled with the rejection of obtaining Godly knowledge.
Does it apply? Yes
There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear since fear is associated with punishment. If one fears punishment he has not been perfected in love.
John is arguing that Christians are to love each other since “God is love” (vs 15) and He “loved us first” (vs 19). He goes on to say that we know we love our brethren “whenever we love God and obey his commandments” (5:2).
John is speaking to the emotion of fear, contrasting it to the love we are to have for our brethren “whenever we love God and obey his commandments.” (aka “fear God”).
Does it apply? Yes
The one that conceals his sin will not succeed; instead he should confess and turn from them to receive mercy. Fortunate is he that consistently fears the Lord, but whoever resists will find evil.
A collection of wise sayings primarily collected from Solomon, the wisest to live.
Fearing the Lord is the opposite of hardening your heart.
Does it apply? Yes
A collection of wise sayings primarily collected from Solomon, the wisest to live.
Fear of the Lord is an understanding one comes to through a desire and decision to diligently search for it.
Does it apply? Yes
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