God’s Word says believers are to work out their salvation with “fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). The Bible also tells us that when Christ returns, men will faint from terror when they see all God brings upon the earth (Luke 21:26). Since the Bible commands us to fear God, does this mean Christians should be terrified of him?

The New Testament writers used one main word for fear in the Bible. The Greek word phobos, from which we derive the word “phobia,” means alarm, fear, fright, or reverence and respect, depending upon its use. When the modern American uses the word “fear,” what accompanies this term is a sense that one is facing possible harm, injury, or death. This is not always how the authors of Scripture used phobos in their writings, however.

The most commonly understood use of phobos is the kind of fear that refers to intimidation or fright. When angels appeared to the shepherds declaring the birth of Jesus, the shepherds were terrified because they believed harm was overtaking them (Luke 2:9). When Ananias and Saphirah dropped dead because they lied to God, those who heard about the event were filled with fear (Acts 5:5). Perhaps they believed death might overtake them due to the way they had been living their lives. It would appear, then, that “fear” in the Bible is synonymous with terror.

After all, Philippians 2:12 states that a Christian is to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” One often hears those within the Christian community say, “We do not fear men; we fear God!” While this is true, such words could convey that every Christ follower must live a terrified existence while he waits for the moment when God will crush him for his shortcomings.

If this is the case, what are we to make of Paul’s writings in 2 Corinthians 7:15 where he commends the members of this church for showing such care for Titus? In this verse he states, “And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient, receiving him with fear and trembling.” Does this mean the church members fell to the ground in terror when they greeted Titus for fear of what he would do to them? This certainly is not the case since Titus loved his friends deeply.

The use of phobos in this passage is identical to its use in Philippians 2:12 where the Christ follower is commanded to approach God with “fear and trembling.” While both uses do not mean precisely the same thing, since one is in response to the presence of a human being while the other is in response to the presence of God, it is clear that “fear” does not mean “terror” in every instance, especially for the believer.

What this signifies is that we are to approach God with a fear and trembling that is similar to a holy reverence. When we approach God with this kind of fear, we show him the praise, honor, and respect due him. This is why it is possible for us to approach God with fear while at the same time approaching his throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). After all, his perfect love casts out all fear on the Day of Judgment since fear has to do with punishment (1 John 4:18).

We know there are two kinds of fear—fear of harm and fear displayed through reverent respect. While we may face earthly situations that alarm us, we need not be afraid that God will harm us. As his children we fear God in that we respect and honor him for the totality of who he is. In this manner we worship God in reverent fear while offering ourselves as living sacrifices before him (Romans 12:1).

This same relationship does not exist for the person who has not placed his hope and faith in Christ. Such people must be very afraid, for God has appointed Christ Jesus to be the judge of the living and the dead (Acts 10:42). That is why men will faint from terror when Christ returns—for they will experience the fullness of God’s wrath (Luke 21:26). On that day such souls will truly approach God with “fear and trembling.” |L

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