What in the Word: Fear

What are you afraid of? Some fears are minor irritants; others reduce lives to chaos. The modern word for such fear, “phobia”, is a direct descendant of the ancient Greek verb phobeomai and the related noun phobos.

The ancient world was dominated by fear. Disease, accidents, crime, wars, and disasters made life uncertain—and usually short. The “fear of death” subjected people “to lifelong slavery” (see Hebrews 2:15).

Augustus’ Pax Romana (“Roman peace”) brought respite from some dangers, but it was neither absolute nor permanent. The ancient world was really dominated by fear of the supernatural—gods, spirits, fate—all of which could be capricious and cruel. People tried to appease the gods with sacrifice, hoping for the best. 

The New Testament here exhibits striking realism: it uses phobeomai 94 times and phobos an additional 45 times. Many of the uses are straightforward—noting what people feared: kings on their thrones (see Matthew 1:20); the mob in the street (see 14:5; Mark 11:18, 32; Acts 5:26); harsh slave masters (see Matthew 25:25; Luke 19:21); persecutors (see Luke 20:19; John 9:22); storms and shipwreck (see Matthew 14:30; Acts 27:17). 

The supernatural was the main cause of fear in the New Testament. Healings (see Matthew 9:8; Luke 5:26) and exorcisms (see Mark 5:15; Luke 8:35, 37) evoked fear (even those healed were sometimes afraid [see Mark 5:33]). Likewise, Jesus’ walking on the water (see John 6:19), stilling of the storm (see Luke 8:25), transfiguration (see Matthew 17:6), as well as the appearance of angels (see Luke 1:12; 2:9) aroused fear. Christ’s resurrection especially evoked fear—in the guards (see Matthew 28:4) and the women who came to tend to His body (see verse 8; Mark 16:8).

It is not surprising that one of Jesus’ most common refrains was “Do not be afraid”, sometimes as part of a general exhortation (see Matthew 10:26, 31; Mark 5:10; 12:7; Luke 12:4). At other times, it was a response to specific fears aroused by His miraculous acts (see Matthew 17:7; 28:10; John 6:20). Those in need of His help were encouraged not to be afraid (see Mark 5:36). However, the opposite of fear was not “bravery” but faith (see Luke 8:40).

There is an irony in the text: the same Jesus, who calms His disciples’ fears by reassuring them, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32, ESV), also urges them to “fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Salvation is sure—beyond all fear—as long as we let Jesus lead; but to reject Him means judgement is certain and fear is warranted!

Although there is no fear in love (see 1 John 4:18), Christian wives are to “fear” their husbands (see Ephesians 5:33), and this fear may win their pagan husbands to Christ (see 1 Peter 3:2). Here, “fear” conveys “respect” (see Romans 13:7). 

Christians know the “fear of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:11), bring their holiness to completion in this fear (2 Corinthians 7:1), submit to one another “in the fear of Christ” (Ephesians 5:21, NASB), and are to show mercy “with fear” (Jude 23). They are exhorted to “fear God” (Revelation 14:7). To fear God is a good thing (see Acts 10:35; Colossians 3:22), and to not fear God is a bad thing (see Luke 18:2, 4; Romans 3:18). The meaning here is not “to be afraid” because such fear is directly linked with “the comfort of the Holy Spirit” (see Acts 9:31). This “fear” comes from realising the greatness of God, the incomprehensible distance between Him and His creation, bridged only because He has drawn near to us. God is not to be casually used and then neglected. Rather, He desires a relationship with us. To “fear God” means to continue to remember who He is: The Almighty—even though He loves us with unimaginably costly love.

With that said, what are you afraid of? Whatever it might be, God is beyond and above it! Know Him—“fear Him”—and all other fears are seen in their true perspective.

—Dr David Thiele is a conjoint senior lecturer at the Avondale University theological seminary.

This article was originally published on the website of Adventist Record