We are living in a time when believers, generally speaking, have no fear of God therefore this subject should be studied. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom", Prov.9:10. As with every subject to be studied in the Word of God we must look at all relevant scriptures and determine what God has to say on the subject. We will, however, confine our study to the New Testament because the relationship of the believer in the church age is quite different from that of the believer under the law. In this age of grace we, the members of the body of Christ, have been brought into a marvellous position whereby we call God, Father. Let us commence our study by looking at every Greek word used for fear in the New Testament. We will note the meaning of each word and then carefully study the context in which each word is placed.

First let us look at the nouns translated into fear in the English

1. Phobos; first meant flight caused by being scared, it also means

(a) Fear dread, terror

(b) Reverential fear of God as a controlling motive for the life not a mere fear of His power and righteous retribution, but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him; we will expand on this later.

2. Deilia; fearfulness, denotes cowardice and timidity; never used in a good sense.

3. Eulabeia; caution, then reverence and godly fear.

The verbs, adverbs, and adjectives have the same root meaning. Make a note, however, that the word phobos has two distinct and different meanings. In 1 (b) above it is similar to eulabeia. It is absolutely vital then that the context be studied to determine the exact meaning.

First let us note the references of this word with respect to the unsaved in the gospels where it always means "terror"

1. Mat.10:28 "Fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able . to destroy both body and soul in hell".

2. Luke 12:5 "fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, fear Him."

This use of the word phobos is quite plain. There is terror for the unsaved who fall into the hands of the living God. As their end is the lake of fire.

Some references to phobos 1 (a) above as it applies to christians:

1. Acts 2:43

2. Acts 5:5

3. Acts 5:11

4. 1 Cor.2:3

5. 1 Tim.5:20

"and fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles". The context of this verse is very interesting as we have noted the events preceding were dramatic. They had just witnessed the birth of the church at Pentecost, and had seen the power and majesty of God demonstrated. That was in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the conversion of souls, and the gathering together of 3,000 saved ones. heir God was a great God of wonder, and His acts awesome. This is not reverential fear, but a plain overwhelming awe or dread. They realised their Father was indeed almighty!

In this passage commencing at verse1 we have the record of the first sin being dealt with in the church. Ananias and Sapphira had lied to the Holy Spirit. The result was summary judgement, death!

In the progression of the babe in Christ, a believer finds that He is a God of great majesty and awe, but at the same time He is a Father who requires obedience. He is a Father who should not be displeased or provoked, and that His chastisement is indeed grievous. Heb.12:11. Those present at the dispensing of summary judgement on the two mentioned above were in fear, not reverential awe, but sheer terror. They came to see that the Father was not to be taken lightly, and that disobedience to His will could result in death. Death has fear for most. Emphasised is the fact that fear not only came on all that heard of it, but also upon "all the church", it was the healthy fear of not offending God their Father.

This passage in one of the most interesting with respect to the apostle Paul who came to Corinth in weakness, fear, and even trembling. "He did not fit the ideal that men in their imagination frame of the great apostle! But such a deep sense of weakness was by grace his strength, as the Corinthians' straining after power was their weakness." Notes on First Corinthians by William Kelly. Here we have a genuine fear of not accomplishing a task set by God. He was afraid that he would try and demonstrate his power, and not that of God's. He desired, above all, to allow the Spirit of God to operate in visible power.

This verse has a very interesting context. It has to do with the gift and responsibility of the elder. We have noted in another paper the great responsibility of the elder in as much that he has to give an account to the Lord for his particular charge. The scriptural principle is "the greater the responsibility the greater the judgement". "be not many master (diadaskelos) teachers, my brethren, as we shall receive the greater judgement." James 3:1, JND NT.

This principle is throughout the scriptures, particularly in the case of King Saul, who tried to avoid his responsibility by blaming the people. This being so we take up the passage.

Let the elders           (presbuteros) older in age and experience particularly in the exercise of the gift of shepherd given by the Head

that rule well              (proistemi) to stand before, that is to take the lead by example

be counted worthy     (axioo) to count worthy

of double                   (diplous) twofold

honour                       (time) a value, hence honour, esteem

labour in the              (kopiaio) toil resulting in weariness

word                        (logos) the thought concept, hence word; it is applicable to the scriptures which reveals the thoughts or mind of God.

doctrine                     (didaskalia) the contents of what is being taught

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This simply means that if elders set the scriptural standard in general life and deportment they are to be highly esteemed. The elders who toil over the study of the scriptures, which would be evident in both private and public teaching, are specially to be esteemed. It might be appropriate at this time to look at the gift given in Ephesians 4 where we find some are given pastors (shepherds) and teachers. The very construction of both the English and the Greek indicate that there is an association between shepherding and teaching. Other scriptures such as 1Tim.3, and Titus 1, clearly state that a shepherd must be apt to teach. On the other hand there is no evidence that teachers must be shepherds even though teaching is one of the functions of shepherding.

This verse is a quotation from Deut.25:4, where the working ox was not to be denied reward for its work. The reward in this context is "worthy of double honour". This is very fitting as we are to, "obey them that have the rule over you. The word obey is (peitheo) which means to be persuaded to listen to, to obey which is produced by a trust in the ones who are guides and set the pattern of christian life, and doctrine. This verse would not set the precedence that the elders have to receive a wage. Nowhere in the New Testament is there any indication whatsoever those men have to be paid a salary, in fact the only thing is that the Holy Spirit may prompt the heart to give. This giving is not restricted to elders, but to whomsoever the Spirit indicates.

Against an elder      (presbuteros) elder in experience and maturity

receive                    (paradechomai) to receive or admit with approval

not an accusation    (kategoria) to speak against, to bring a charge against

three witnesses        the least number to establish a charge

Integrity and righteousness is demanded under the Law, and no less so today.

The elder is someone who has earned his place of esteem by being an example to all the believers in the local church. Under these circumstances, if any charge is to be heard against this man, it must be attested to by two or three other witnesses. In any case to make an unsubstantiated charge against anyone is really slander, more so when the person being attacked has such a good reputation. The believers in a local church were not to descend to this level. Any charge was to be supported by at least two or three witnesses.

sin                                       (harmartano) to do wrong, do that which is against the scriptural obligations and           demands

rebuke                               9; 9; (elencho) to convict, rebuke, reprove, usually with the purpose of putting the convicted person to shame.

before all                            all the church

that others may also fear     (phobos) that they may have fear.

Should any elder sin, and it is proven to be so, then he is to be rebuked. If the Spirit of God is working in his heart he will feel shame. Sin must not be covered up in the church. That is positively wrong and the Lord can not dwell with sin. The primary purpose of this exercise is to recover the elder, but there is another purpose. It is that others in the assembly may see and hear the rebuke, and have a dread of falling into the same fault. This is not reverential fear, if one does not think so ask any child who is about to receive the rod of correction. He will tell you he is scared of the chastisement he is about to receive. Prov.23:13-14.

We have just looked at five examples of the word "phobos" where it means, fear, dread, or terror as was explained on page 1. Along with all noted commentators we must agree that there is no doubt that this interpretation is correct.

1. There was a genuine fear when the first church believers in Jerusalem saw the might and majesty of God in operation.

2. Twice in Acts 5 we are introduced to the summary judgement of God which resulted in the death of Ananias and Sapphira. Again it is a genuine fear of the discipline of God.

3. This was an example of a servant fearing that he would displease the master through his misbehaviour. He had a determination to demonstrate the power of God rather than the power of his flesh.

4. In 1 Timothy the rebuke of an erring elder should be sufficient to make the onlookers fear lest they should also find themselves in the same position

In view of this, to suggest that a christian should have no fear of God whatsoever is to demonstrate a total lack of knowledge of God. He still disciplines in a summary fashion. He is a Father who is not to be taken lightly. Even though He is a God of grace He still can not tolerate sin and disobedience. Let us fear lest we offend Him.

The Greek word phobos has a second meaning which is determined by the context in which it is used. This is "reverential fear", which has been defined by W E Vine in his Dictionary of New Testament Words. "a controlling motive of the life, in matters spiritual and moral, not a mere fear of His power and righteous retribution, but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him, a fear which banishes the terror that shrinks from His presence, Rom.8:15, and which influences the disposition and attitude of one whose circumstances are guided by trust in God, through the indwelling Spirit of God".

Before we take up some of the verses defining this secondary meaning we are bound to note two other scriptures:

1. Rom.8:15

2. Heb.12:9

This verse is in stark contrast to the ones proceeding which picture the unsaved person in bondage to Satan. It is not uncommon for those who come from places where christianity is virtually unknown, to perfectly understand the power of demons. These people live in constant fear of death. They are familiar with demons, demon power, and the ability to kill by demon power. They never know when someone, with more demon power than themselves, will take their life. When they come into the good of verse 15 what joy it is to hear them quote, "we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father". They sing halleluiahs.

There is no more fear of death, nor is there fear of judgement. These have gone forever for which all believers praise the Lord. It is not long, however, before the babe in Christ comes to realise their heavenly Father is the Almighty God who is awesome in power and might, and that He is also a God of discipline. It is foolish indeed for anyone to ignore this, and act in levity and disregard for the Father's will.

It may not be long after that when the convert begins to feel the discipline of God His Father, " And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Heb.12:5 & 6. Again we read, ""furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence, shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits and live". Verse 9;

In this passage in Hebrews we have another contrast. It is between our natural father, and God as our Father. We gave our natural fathers reverence, and we certainly feared their correction. How much more should we reverence our heavenly Father who corrects us for our benefit. Furthermore chastening is grievous, not something to looked forward to, but rather something to avoid. It, therefore, behoves us to walk well pleasing to our Father.

In these two passages we see believers have been brought into a completely new relationship. We have been brought out of a bondage of fear into an entirely new one, liberty in Christ. We have an Almighty Father who inspires awe, but there is no more fear of death, and eternal separation from God. We have been brought into life and immortality through the Lord Jesus Christ who died for us, and the Holy Spirit will place in us a wholesome fear of displeasing Him.

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Examples of Phobos - Reverential Fear

1. Acts 9:31

2. 2Cor.7:1

3. Eph.5:21

4. Phil.2:12

5. 1 Pet.1:17

Above we have seen that we have been brought into the position of a son of the great and almighty God, and we have good reason to be controlled by reverential fear. Let us note some relevant passages.

"Then had the churches rest through all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and

1. were edified; and

2. walking in the fear of the Lord and

3. the comfort of the Holy Ghost

4. were multiplied".

What a most remarkable verse! In this particular case rest brought spiritual growth, not that this is always the case during peace, and it also brought them two other benefits. First they conducted their lives in the fear of God, and secondly their conduct produced the comfort of the Holy ghost. Again, most remarkable that reverential fear produced Holy Spirit comfort. That was not all, the church increased in numbers.

This is a clear exhortation:

perfecting    (epiteleo) to accomplish perfectly

holiness       (hagiosune), denotes the manifestation of the quality of holiness in personal conduct in the fear of God.

Here we have the exhortation to accomplish the manifestation of holiness having the Holy Spirit inspired reverential fear of God as the motivation. The filthiness here referred to is primarily the unequal yoke from which we are to flee. The promise to such as obey is, "and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Now let us take particular note of just how this was accomplished. In the reverential fear of God! This is an absolute, that is, without the reverential fear of the Lord Almighty it can not be achieved.

This is another exhortation, but mark well it is only the result of the action of the Holy Spirit in the life. The esteeming others better than self is an evidence of the operation of the Spirit and is Christlike in attitude. The contrary is offensive to God our Father, and will most surely bring chastisement. Here the filling of the Spirit produced this submission in the reverential fear of God.

Here is another exhortation

work out                    (katergazomai) to work out the effect by toil

your own salvation    (soteria) deliverance, preservation

with fear                    (phobos) reverential fear; derived from the context

and trembling           (tromos) trembling, shaking

The passage in which these verses appear is one of the most wonderful doxologies in the scriptures. Remarkably we find that the purpose of the passage is to exhort dissenting christians to unity, and to be more like Christ Jesus. The lowly mind avoids and prevents contention. " Only by pride cometh contention ", Prov.13:10. The Holy Spirit convinces the believer that any spirit manifested other than that of the Lord is offensive to God. The apostle gives further light in verse 15,

"that you may be blameless  (amometos) without fault, one in which no fault can be found sometimes translated     harmless

and harmless                        (akeraios) guileless, simple, sincere

the sons of God                    adopted into the family

without rebuke                    (amometos) irreproachable

The purpose for having the mind of Christ in us, and for working out our salvation in fear and trembling, was that we should shine as lights in a wicked world. We are to manifest the character of our Father. That indeed is a responsibility, but one which the Holy Spirit and the Word of God fits us to discharge.

And if ye call                          (epikaleo) invoke, appeal to

without respect                        (aprosopolemptos) without respect of persons, impartially

judgeth according                   &#(krino) judge, to execute judgement upon

to every man's work                (ergon) deed, act, work

pass the time of your              (anastrepho) to conduct oneself: middle voice

sojourning here                      (paroikia) dwell

in fear                                    (phobos) reverential fear: from the context.

"And if ye invoke as Father Him who, without regard of persons, judges according to the work of each, pass the time of your sojourn in fear". JND New Translation.

In the context of this verse we are called on to "Be ye holy; for I am holy", and also we are called upon as obedient children not to be conformed to our unsaved life but as He is holy, "so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (life and conduct). Why are we to be holy? Because our heavenly Father is holy! Now let us return to our verse: To understand this verse we have to be aware, as we have already mentioned, that this is a part of an exhortation for christians to be holy as their Father is holy. Then there are those who ask, how can God be a christian's judge?

Make no mistake God judges His children, but first of all let us be quite clear as to what is not in question.

1. It is not the judgement seat of Christ

2. It is not the great white throne

3. Our eternal salvation is never in question nor in doubt

4. it is not eternal separation from God in any sense.

One would be slandering God to believe that His children could do whatever they liked without any reaction from their Heavenly Father. He is a perfect Father, and as a mark of His love he chastises us according to our deeds day by day. He is vitally concerned about every word we say and every action we do. We may know something of His restraining grace as well as His chastisement. All christians, however, must understand that the moral judgement of God over His people is exactly the same today as it ever was.

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting". Gal.6:7-8. Irrespective of what we may think, we can not sin, disobey, or traverse the commandments of God without suffering for it. Whether they were under law, or whether we be under grace the mill of God's moral government grinds on, and it grinds exceeding small. Further references to the judgement of God for believers are clearly outlined in 1 Cor.11:28-32, which should leave no one in doubt that to eat and drink unworthily is to bring down the summary judgement of God. For some it meant that God had taken their life, but notwithstanding the chastisement of the errant one, God is still a God of grace. Let each prove himself and let him examine himself, and so let him eat.

Self judgement brings immediate forgiveness, and may avert the judgement of God. "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us ours sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness", 1 John 1:9. Never does the believer jeopardise his eternal security. He may, however, very much displease his Father who then chastises for the believers eternal good.

We have looked at the word "phobos" in its two senses:

1. Dread or fear

2. Reverential fear

These are not all the references, but a study of all the references further confirm the meaning given above. Also cited is W E Vine in "An Expository dictionary of New Testament Words".

We noted four separate references to christians fearing God:

1. The demonstration of the power of God at Pentecost

2. The summary judgement and deaths of Ananias and Sapphira

3. The apostle's fear of exhibiting the flesh in service

4. The rebuke of the erring elder.

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There is no question that the believers feared God on these occasions, and rightly so.

Reverential fear was cited in five cases:

1. By walking in the fear of the Lord and comfort of the Holy Ghost were multiplied

2. An exhortation to cleanse ourselves from the filthiness of flesh and spirit

3. an exhortation to submit ourselves to one another

4. An exhortation to work out our salvation in fear and trembling

5. An exhortation to live our life in the reverential fear of God our Father.

We noted five mentions of reverential fear, but most important of all is that there are at least four exhortations given to have a reverential fear of God! Obedience is better than sacrifice!

The only relevant use of this word for the christian is , "for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Tim.1:7 Here the word fear (deilia) means "fearfulness", and that spirit is not given to us by God. From this we can gather that the word phobos above has a different meaning which can be seen from the context in which it is used.

Even though this word is similar to phobos and its derivatives "reverential fear" it is nevertheless, different. It first of all signifies, caution, then reverence.

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Melchisedec "who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared". It is interesting

to note other scholars translation of the word "eulabeia". "(having been heard because of his piety)" JND NT

"That fear and love which, combined, constitute the piety of man toward God: the O.T. places its emphasis on the fear, the N.T. on the love, though there was love in the fear of God's saints then, as there must be fear in their love now" Trench Syn # xlviii). This word also occurs in Heb.12:28, "... whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear." This is another exhortation to reverential fear of God.

We saw that christians had an awesome fear of God, and we also have seen numerous exhortations to reverentially fear God. In addition Godly men over the ages have recognised that reverential fear in particular is a necessary part of the christian life. What can we conclude then? That we have as Father, a God of awesome power and might. We have a Father who does not overlook sin, and disciplines His children in a perfect way for their eternal good. We can never be separated from His eternal love for us. Rom.8:35.

Thanks be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The fear of God is taught and we are exhorted to reverence Him in fear because we should know just who He is. However there are those who teach that to fear God is wrong as perfect love casts out all fear. This is a positive evil! Now let us examine the scripture which is usually wrested and taken out of context.

"but perfect love casts out fear", is the text used to show we should have no fear of any kind, of God. Of course perfect love casts out fear, but what fear is cast out? If the only scripture used is this portion of one verse it would appear to be, ALL fear. This is positively not so!!  Let us approach this verse from the negative point of view. If it casts out all fear:

1. Why did the church fear the awesome display of the power of God at Pentecost

2. Why bother recording the fear which fell upon the church and all those that heard of the summary dispensing of

judgement upon Ananias and Sapphira

3. What is the point of mentioning that an erring elder should be rebuked so that others should fear

4. What are the pointless exhortations to perfect holiness, to submit yourselves, and work out our salvation all in

the reverential fear of God.

It does not take much spiritual intelligence to realise that 1 John 4:18 can not possibly mean that all the 4 points above are a terrible evil. What God commands or exhorts us to do is not only possible, but also mandatory. We are to be in awe of God. We are to conduct our christian lives in the reverential fear of our God and Father. If this is so then we must look at 1 John 4:18 and determine its meaning. As usual we must look closely at the context in which this verse appears, and then light will be given. The context is very interesting.

1John.4.7 "Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God".

This is followed by verse 13 which states, "Hereby know we that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath given us of His Spirit". Now verse 17 becomes very important in understanding the context:

Herein is our love           (agape) a determination to do good to the object even when the object may have no value

Perfect that                    (teleiosis) denotes a fulfilment, completion, perfection; (giving them to be  possessed with   the very character of God)

we may have boldness  (parrhesia) confidence, cheerful courage, boldness

in the day                      (hemera) day; here figuratively

of judgement                 (krisis) the passing of judgement after having distinguished between the facts

This verse puts beyond doubt what is meant by perfect love casting out fear. Here we are expressly told that our love is made perfect in order that we may have boldness in the day of judgement. It is specifically related to the day of judgement, and is not widened at all.

Our love for God is increased when we learn that we will not be judged with the world. We have been taken out of this sphere of judgement by the express will and acts of God. We discover that Christ bore our sins in His own body on the tree, the whole weight of the judgement of sins fell upon Him. "Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him", Rom.5:9. "...Whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come". 1 Thes.1:10.

The christian's portion is to be a member of His body, bone of His bone, blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places, and accepted in the Beloved. The possibility of judgement for sin will never occur. Therefore knowing that; "because as He is, so are we in this world". Surely, "We love Him because He first loved us", 1 John 4:19.

Now let us be under no illusion we will never be judged for sin we will most assuredly be judged for service, but most certainly for our behaviour as a son. Both of these work in us the holiness of God, as chastisement should fashion and polish us to shine in that building as a witness for God.

Our God and Father in His Word says: "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him, John 4:23.

Furthermore "for whom He did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born among many brethren", Rom.8:29. Again "knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward: for ye serve the living God", Col.3:24. We have been bought with a price, we are not our own, and it behoves us to be faithful servants to our new loving Master. We have every reason to faithfully serve our redeeming God and Father. It is no wonder then that we read, "so then every one of us shall give account of himself to God", Rom 14:12.

All evil doctrine slanders God, and to promote the doctrine that believers are not to fear God and most particularly not to reverentially fear God is to bring Him down to our level. Worse still it attempts to lift us up to God's level both notions being slanders of the worst kind. That we should attempt to bring God down to our level, to pull Him out of heaven , and treat Him as if He were a man amounts to the utmost contempt. Let the readers be assured He is the almighty creator, governor, and preserver of this universe. He is the omnipotent One with whom nothing is impossible. He is omnipresent, and is in all places at all times. He is not limited to time and space. He is over and above all. He is the mighty omniscient One who knows everything. There is nothing hidden from His eyes. There is nothing new that can take Him by surprise. He is the Almighty Eternal Living God. We look up to Him in awe.

We, who have violated all His principles, have rebelled against His every wish, have violently hated Him without cause must stop and consider. He has given up the One so dear to Him. He delivered up His only Son who inhabited all eternity with Him for us who hated Him. We begin to realise it really was for us, and our heads begin to bow. As we read, "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all", Rom.8:32, our heads bow lower.

We see the Lord, who perfectly manifested the Father, hanging on the cross bearing our sin in His own body on the tree. We each can say He suffered for me! As we see the heart of the Father going out to meet our need, and the Lord Jesus Christ suffering for us we are brought down to the dust. We realise we are not our own, we have been bought with a price. He lifts us up and we are overwhelmed with gratitude. We each have a heart which says, "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" If this is our individual experience we could not bear to disobey or dishonour Him.

This brings us into the realisation that the Almighty God has stooped down and met us in our need. In awe and wonder we look up and find He is our Father, and at that point the Holy Spirit instills in our heart a great awe, and a profound reverential fear of offending Him, the One who gave all to redeem us.

In face of the Spirit's revelation should one not be in awe? Should we not fear to offend? If we do not, it demonstrates a total lack of understanding of the character of God, and what He has done for us. It is an attitude of, "so what if I make a few mistakes, I do not have to worry". This is the attitude of one who has become insensitive to chastisement, and has not been exercised thereby and produced the peaceable fruits of righteousness. It may also be the case that God has ceased to strive with the disobedient child, and left him as a trial and burden to those who would reverence Him and His word. They are short sighted and can not see afar off. Finally it is definitely the attitude of one who has never been chastised, and sad to say, if never chastised then not a son. "Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king".1Pet.2:17. Perfect holiness in the fear of God, grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ all of which will increase our love for the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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