What does the Bible say about fear?
Retrieved texts include Psalms 55:5, Proverbs 9:10, Psalms 34:9, Job 4:14.
The texts do not directly address broader modern formulations; NO DIRECT REFERENCE IN SOURCE TEXTS and INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE apply beyond retrieved passages.
THEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
1. QUESTION
What does the Bible say about fear?
2. PRIMARY TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
The retrieved texts present two distinct categories of "fear" in biblical usage:
A. Fear of the LORD (Commanded/Commended)
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." — Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." — Proverbs 1:7 (KJV)
"O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him." — Psalms 34:9 (KJV)
"Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling." — Psalms 2:11 (KJV)
"The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever." — Psalms 19:9 (KJV)
"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate." — Proverbs 8:13 (KJV)
"The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility." — Proverbs 15:33 (KJV)
"Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God." — Proverbs 2:5 (KJV)
"God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him." — Psalms 89:7 (KJV)
"Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you." — 1 Samuel 12:24 (KJV)
B. Human Fear/Terror (Described or Discouraged)
"Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me." — Psalms 55:5 (KJV)
"Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake." — Job 4:14 (KJV)
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." — 1 John 4:18 (KJV)
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." — 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
"Thou shalt not be affrighted at them: for the LORD thy God is among you, a mighty God and terrible." — Deuteronomy 7:21 (KJV)
2. LINGUISTIC/HISTORICAL DATA
Based strictly on the texts provided:
- The phrase "fear of the LORD" appears repeatedly in Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Psalms) and is consistently linked with positive outcomes: wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and moral discernment.
- The term "fear" in 1 John 4:18 is explicitly associated with "torment" and contrasted with "perfect love."
- 2 Timothy 1:7 distinguishes a "spirit of fear" (not given by God) from "power, love, and a sound mind" (given by God).
- Psalms 89:7 pairs "feared" with "reverence," suggesting an awe-based meaning in that context.
3. SCHOLARLY POSITIONS
The retrieved texts themselves suggest two interpretive categories that commentators would recognize:
- "Fear of the LORD" — presented as reverent awe, the foundation of wisdom, and linked to moral living and blessing.
- Human terror/anxiety — presented either descriptively (Psalms 55:5, Job 4:14) or as something to be overcome through love and divine empowerment (1 John 4:18, 2 Timothy 1:7).
The texts do not provide explicit definitions distinguishing these usages, but the contrast is evident from context.
4. SOURCES
| Reference | Translation | |-----------|-------------|
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE: retrieved texts do not resolve this question explicitly.