Does the Bible really say we are supposed to fear God?
Yes, it does. And that’s what this podcast episode/blog post is all about. We’ll talk about what it means to fear God and what it doesn’t mean.
Your questions are important
Several weeks ago I got an email from one my listeners, Farida, who asked a really important question and wondered if I would do a podcast episode about it.
Here’s what Farida asked:
“James could you please tackle the meaning of “Fear of the Lord”, “fear God”, and all the other types of “fear” related statements in the Bible, on “The Bible Speaks To You”. Someone once told me (probably mum), to exchange the word fear with Love. Sometimes it reads well and makes sense, but recently I’ve come across many statements where doing that really doesn’t make sense. There are so many, many different ways the word fear is used, relating to God, it’s a bit mind boggling!”
So today, we are going to tackle, to use Farida’s word, what it means to fear God Are we supposed to be afraid of God? What does it mean to fear God?
First, I want to say “Thanks Farida for writing and asking this question.”
And before we jump in to that discussion, I want to encourage you to let me know what topics you’d like to hear on The Bible Speaks to You Podcast. You can contact me here.
Why does the Bible say to fear God?
Now let’s look at what the Bible has to say about fearing God.
There are many passages in both the Old and New Testaments which tell us we should fear God. Sometimes God even says “Fear Me.” I’ll come back to that in a few minutes.
There are too many verses to talk about them all, but we’ll look at a few of them to get an idea of what’s being asked of us.
First though, let’s look at the word “fear” itself. In Hebrew there are several words translated “fear.”
One of the words for fear is yārē’. It means to be afraid, to fear, but also to stand in awe of, be awed, reverence, honor, respect. Here are some verses with that word for fear:
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— Psalm 103:11, 13, 17 NIVSome time later, the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.” Genesis 15:1 NLT
But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Genesis 21:17 NLT
Is God saying to Abram, and is the angel saying to Hagar, not to reverence and be in awe of God? Not at all.
Context is important
From the context it’s easy to see which meaning is implied.
This may not be the best example, but in English think about the word “right.” R-i-g-h-t. It can mean correct or it can mean the opposite from left, as in a direction. And the word left can also mean that something is left behind and it stays there.
We know the meaning in each of these cases because of the context. Now, I’m not a Hebrew scholar, but it seems to me that we can figure out the meaning here by the context, not only the context of each verse, but in the greater context of how these words are used throughout the whole Bible.
More words for fear
Another word for fear is paḥaḏ. It means terror, or dread. Here are a couple of examples with this word for fear.
Moses is telling the children of Israel what will happen if they disobey God’s commandments
Your life will constantly hang in the balance. You will live night and day in fear, unsure if you will survive. Deuteronomy 28:66 NLT
This same word is used in how the nations who were fighting against Israel would feel when they saw how God protected the Israelites.
When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the LORD himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them. 2 Chronicles 20:29 NLT
In both of these cases, the word means dread or terror. It doesn’t have the sense of reverence toward God.
Another word for fear in Hebrew is āraṣ. It means to tremble, dread, fear, oppress, prevail, break, be terrified, cause to tremble. Here’s an example of this word for fear when God says
They will hallow My name,
And hallow the Holy One of Jacob,
And fear the God of Israel. Isaiah 29:23 NKJV
(NIV: and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.)
That gives you a glimpse at some of the places the word translated “fear” is used in the Old Testament, and how there are different meanings.
“Fear” in the New Testament
Let’s look at some of the verses in the New Testament.
First we’ll get an idea of what the word “fear” means. Then we’ll look at how the word is used in relationship to God.
Luke tells of when the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias with the news he would have a son.
And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. Luke 1:12, 13 NKJV
In verse 12 the Greek for ‘fear” is phobos. It’s a noun. In verse 13, the word for “afraid” is phobeō. It’s a verb. You can see where the English word, “phobia” comes from.
These two words mean pretty much the same thing. One is the noun form and one is the verb. It means fear, dread, terror (noun) or to fear, be afraid (verb). It can also mean to have reverence.
The angel Gabriel is telling Zacharias not to be fearful. He is not telling him to not have reverence toward God.
Two more examples
Here’s another example of the same uses of this noun and verb. This when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb of Jesus.
But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. Matthew 28:5, 8 NKJV
The women left the tomb with all sorts of emotions. Maybe they were afraid, maybe they were in absolute awe because it says they also had great joy.
Here’s another example. This is what Luke says about the people who had just seen Jesus raise to life, the son of the widow in Nain. Here, the Greek word is phobos, a noun.
Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” Luke 7:16 NKJV
Think of all the different people in that crowd. Some may have been literally afraid. Others may have been completely overcome with awe and reverence for God. As a group of witnesses, as a whole, they glorified God, saying “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”
So if they were actually afraid, they went far beyond the fear aspect to the wonder and awe of what had just done.
Fear or awe?
If you had been in that crowd when Jesus stopped the funeral procession, touched the bier the dead man was lying on, and told him to get up, how would you have responded when the young man sat up and Jesus presented him to his mother? Would you be afraid or in awe of God?
We’ve read that story so many times, I think we lose the impact it must have had on everyone there, especially the mother.
If that happened today with a crowd of people standing by, some people would probably be terrified. Others would glorify God.
Why such a big difference in how folks would respond? It has to do with where our hearts are, what we believe in, and what we think is possible or not possible.
For someone who doesn’t understand that “God is love,” (see 1 John 4:16) they might be more fearful if they witnessed something people might call a miracle of God.
Oftentimes we’re afraid of the unknown, we’re afraid of something we don’t understand or something that goes against what we believe, especially when we see it happen.
I sat next to a woman who was afraid to fly in an airplane because it was the first time she had ever been on a plane. It was a complete unknown for her. She was visibly trembling. I reassured her and my words helped a little, but the most reassuring thing was for her to experience an airplane trip for herself. It took the mystery out of it a little bit. By the end of the flight she was actually enjoying herself.
Did Jesus fear God?
Jesus never told us to fear or be afraid of God. He told us how precious and valuable we are in God’s sight, implying we should love God in return.
One of the things I talk a lot about on The Bible Speaks to You Podcast is imbibing the mindset of Jesus. Think about Jesus’s relationship with the Father. Was he afraid of God? No! He had a deep, reverent, humble, loving relationship with God.
He was so conscious of his relationship with God. There was nothing there for him to be afraid of. But there was so much for him to honor and delight in.
As always, the best example to follow in the Bible is Jesus. How did Jesus relate to God? Was it a fearful relationship? Or a trusting, loving relationship?
Well, we all know the answer.
I think that says it better than anything else, that we’re not supposed to fear God in the sense of being afraid. It’s our privilege to honor, adore, revere, and love God. And never be afraid of Him.
Jesus expected us to follow his example. So, that means that we can embrace his mindset in his relationship with God.
An angel and Peter say to fear God
Believe it or not, there are a few more verses I want to talk about in this study of fearing God.
In the book of Revelation we have this command from an angel:
“Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” Revelation 14:7 NKJV
And Peter tells us
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17 NKJV
Do the angel and Peter really want us to fear God, to be afraid of God?
I think it’s important to put what this angel and Peter say, in context of what so many other angels, and other people say throughout the Bible about fearing God.
Usually we hear angels say to someone, Don’t be afraid.
Here, as in many places in Scripture, this phrase translated “Fear God” means to show deep, unparalleled reverence for God. To compare Him to no other. To acknowledge with deep awe who God is and what God does.
John’s definition of love and fear
Perhaps this verse from 1 John puts things in perspective. It’s one of those classic Bible verses that is such a powerful promise when we’re in challenging or frightening situations.
There is no fear (phobos) in love; but perfect love casts out fear (phobos), because fear (phobos) involves torment. But he who fears (phobeō) has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 NKJV
If you are afraid of God, afraid God will punish you unmercifully, afraid you are not worthy of God’s love and forgiveness, or for whatever reason, the solution is to acknowledge and accept God’s love.
I know, those are easy words to say, and it’s not always easy to experience and actually feel God’s love for you. But God’s love is there, even if you don’t believe it, understand it, or accept it.
God’s love in the Old Testament
Sometimes people think of the Old Testament as only depicting God’s wrath and severe judgement of people. But even in the Old Testament, there are so many references to God’s love for His children. Here are just a couple of examples:
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. Psalm 36:7 KJV
The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV
Interestingly enough though, in the very next chapter of Jeremiah, God says
I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. Jeremiah 32: 39 NIV
I mentioned earlier that even God tells us at times “Fear Me.” And here is one example of that.
The NLT actually translates this passage as God saying, “Worship Me.”
God wants us to know Him
God does not want us to be afraid of Him. He wants us to know Him.
And God reveals this will be so:
“No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD.” Jeremiah 31:34 NKJV
When we know God, not just know about God, we experience the love He has for us. This is the love that casts out fear.
So when the Bible says to fear God, I encourage you to use the connotation of that word which means to reverence God, to be in awe of all God is and does.
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James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. He conducts Bible workshops online and in person. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Contact him here.
Bible references
Psalm 103:11, 13, 17 NIV
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
17 But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—
Genesis 15:1 NLT
1 Some time later, the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”
Genesis 21:17 NLT
17 But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.
Deuteronomy 28:66 NLT
66 Your life will constantly hang in the balance. You will live night and day in fear, unsure if you will survive.
2 Chronicles 20:29 NLT
29 When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the LORD himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them.
Isaiah 29:23 NKJV
23 They will hallow My name,
And hallow the Holy One of Jacob,
And fear the God of Israel.
(NIV: and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.)
Luke 1:12, 13 NKJV
12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
Matthew 28:5, 8 NKJV
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.
Luke 7:16 NKJV
16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.”
1 John 4:16 NLT
16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.
Revelation 14:7 NKJV
7 “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”
1 Peter 2:17 NKJV
17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
1 John 4:18 NKJV
18 There is no fear (phobos) in love; but perfect love casts out fear (phobos), because fear (phobos) involves torment. But he who fears (phobeō) has not been made perfect in love.
Psalm 36:7 KJV
7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV
3 The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.
Jeremiah 32: 39 NIV
39 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me [“worship me” – NLT] and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them.
Jeremiah 31:34 NKJV
34 “No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD.”
