Fear of God: What Does It Mean?

Fear and Love: The Biblical Paradox That Confuses Many

What does it mean to "fear God" when the Bible also so clearly emphasizes his love and calls us to love Him back?

This ancient concept confuses many people today, especially when some dismiss it as outdated religious manipulation while others claim it's essential for wisdom and moral living.

The "fear of God" isn't about cowering in terror from an angry deity.

Biblical fear of God combines profound reverence, awe, and loving respect—like a devoted child who deeply respects a wise parent. This special sort of “fear” draws people closer to God rather than drives them away. And the Bible calls it the very foundation for wisdom and growth.

We’ll explore 1) what "fear of God" actually means in biblical terms 2) how this concept has developed across time and traditions, 3) why this matters today and common misunderstandings to avoid.

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What "Fear of God" Actually Means

The Hebrew word yir'ah and Greek phobos in Scripture carry meanings far richer than simple terror. These terms encompass deep reverence, awe, and respectful obedience, not the cringing fear of an abusive relationship [1].

Consider the difference between being afraid of someone versus having a healthy fear about disappointing them. A child who loves a good parent isn't scared of getting beaten, but they do fear breaking their parent's heart or violating the trust between them. This captures the essence of biblical fear of God.

Fear as the Beginning of Wisdom

Proverbs repeatedly declares that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9v10, 1v7). This isn't about intimidating people into belief or obedience—it's about recognizing God's greatness as the starting point for understanding life properly.

When Moses told the Israelites at Mount Sinai, "Do not be afraid... God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you" (Exodus 20v20), he clearly distinguishes panic from a reverent awe that keeps them from sin [2].

Drawing Near, Not Running Away

True fear of God has what theologians call a "drawing effect." It motivates people to turn toward God in worship and repentance, not to hide like Adam after the Fall. They’re more afraid of being away from God.

Michael Reeves shows that Godly fear is “nothing other than love for God as God.” [3].

Jesus himself taught this distinction: "Do not fear those who kill the body... rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10v28). He immediately followed this with reassurance about God's care—showing that proper fear of God comes with confidence in His love.

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How Different Traditions Understand the Fear of God

Catholic History: A Gift of the Holy Spirit

Catholic teaching identifies fear of the Lord, Timor Domini in Latin, as one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit from Isaiah 11v2 (“…the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD”). This gift produces a "a vivid sense of God's greatness" and "a lively sorrow for even minor faults" [10].

From famous saints, a sort of trembling before God's greatness yet basking in His love can be observed.

In medieval times, Thomas Aquinas developed a sophisticated theological framework distinguishing between servile fear (like a servant fearing punishment) and filial fear (like a child's loving fear of offending a beloved parent) [4].

Finally, Pope Francis recently called this fear "awareness of how small we are... enfolded and sustained by his warmth and protection" [5].

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Protestant Foundations: Reverence Within Grace

Protestant understanding of the fear of God was forged through Martin Luther's intense personal struggle. Luther famously wrestled with overwhelming fear of God's judgment. After understanding justification by faith alone, Luther also became famous for the “servile” (servant) vs ”filial” (family) distinction, taking it from Aquinas but adding color on “servile” being legalist attempts to self-justify before a wrathful God.

Other notable examples include John Bunyan calling the fear of God "delightful and helpful.” And the Puritans viewing this reverence as particularly foundational to daily Christian living.

In the 20th century, theologians like A.W. Tozer (author of hit book: "The Knowledge of the Holy") and R.C. Sproul responded to what they perceived as overly casual, "chummy" attitudes toward God in modern times. They famously argued for recovering proper reverence and awe.

Despite sharp theological differences since Luther, Protestants and Catholics generally agree on this topic (the third major stream—Eastern Orthodox—too).

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Abrahamic Traditions (Beyond Christianity)

Though outside the lines of the Christian worldview, Judaism and Islam are worth briefly considering, given their historical connections:

Jewish Understanding: Yirat Hashem

Judaism sees yirat Hashem (fear/awe of God) alongside ahavat Hashem (love of God) as twin pillars of piety. Maimonides described lower fear motivated by punishment and higher yirat haromemut—awe of God's exaltedness that refrains from sin out of reverence for God's honor rather than self-interest [6].

Islamic Taqwa: Servant-Master Consciousness

While Christianity emphasizes the believer as an adopted child of God, Islam maintains a clear distinction between Creator and creation. In Islamic theology, the relationship with Allah is primarily one of servant (abd) to Master (Rabb), emphasizing submission and obedience rather than familial intimacy.

Yet Islamic scholars still explain taqwa as not being scared of God but rather "fear of displeasing Him and losing His blessings." It's often defined as guarding oneself from God's displeasure through righteousness [7].

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Why Fear of God Matters Today

Moral Foundation and Accountability

Fear of God provides an internal moral compass that functions even when no human authority is watching. Consider Joseph's response to Potiphar's wife: "How could I do this great evil and sin against God?" (Genesis 39v9).

Research shows that people with strong religious conviction often demonstrate higher levels of integrity in private situations [8]. In modern times, it has become popular for famous figures to call society back to increased moral accountability through a sort of fear of God, though typically invoking a vague "higher power" that's conveniently flexible—useful for moral claims (or attacks) while avoiding specific religious commitments.

Freedom from Lesser Fears

Paradoxically, fearing God can liberate people from other anxieties. When someone's ultimate awe is directed toward God's sovereignty, they become less enslaved to fear of human opinion, large-scale uncertainties, or social pressure.

Oswald Chambers said: "The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else" [9].

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Common Misunderstandings to Avoid

Not Cringing Terror

It’s been quite clear thus far that fear of God as dreading divine lightning bolts or walking on eggshells around an unpredictable deity is a grotesque misrepresentation lacking the relational context of covenant love that frames biblical fear.

Not Mere Politeness

On the opposite extreme, reducing fear of God to simple respect or courtroom conduct strips away its emotional depth and transformative power. True fear of God involves trembling awe, not just good manners.

Not Old Testament vs. New Testament

The whole Bible attests to these deep truths in similar ways, though it can take more time and studying to see it in the Old Testament. There are plenty of examples of shocking holy judgment in the New Testament as well.

The new covenant reframes fear of punishment to fear of grieving God, but it doesn't abolish reverence.

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Finding Common Ground

Even those who don't believe in God often experience something similar through awe at nature’s grandeur, belief in higher principles of truth, dignity or justice, and sense of smallness when faced by forces much greater than them.

By recognizing this shared experience, we can better invite others to know God personally.

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Practical Application

Fear of God translates into daily life through:

• Integrity in private moments
• Consideration of long-term consequences in decisions
• Courage when facing social pressure or personal cost
• Reverent worship that approaches God with both intimacy and awe
• Compassionate treatment of others knowing we answer to God

The goal isn't anxiety but what Proverbs calls a "fountain of life" (14v27)—a stable awareness of God's presence that brings both wisdom and peace.

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Conclusion

Fear of God, properly understood, represents humanity's appropriate response to encountering ultimate reality.

Far from being outdated religious manipulation, fear of God offers a foundation that is not the end of human flourishing, but its very beginning.