Depending upon, the context in which it is used, the word “phobos”,translated fear, can have a good or bad sense. The word itself is quite neutral, and, rather like the chameleon which changes its colour to suit the surroundings, it may describe a useful and praiseworthy attribute or something evil and contemptible.
Scholars suggest three main meanings of phobos:
- Panic, particularly with the added idea of running away. Its opposite in this case is to “endure”, “to stand fast”.
- Fear in the wider more general sense of being the opposite of courage.
- Awe or reverence, especially as in the presence of a superior.
In the passage, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2. 12), Paul obviously is not suggesting that we become panic-stricken, lose our nerve and run away, or that we should lack courage to the extent that our knees knock and our teeth chatter. Rather that a deep sense of awe or reverence—of the calibre which will surely be in each of us when we face Jesus in the day of judgment—should pervade our lives now. Too frequently fear in this sense is not felt, because the reality of the presence of Jesus among us is forgotten, despite such plain assurances as, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them”, and “I am with you always, to the close of the age”.
As we daily work out our lives to bring them to the complete salvation in Christ, let us remember His eye is upon us. We will then walk in the fear or reverence of God more perfectly, being constantly aware of our ever-present, august audience.
“Phobos” is frequently used in the Gospels and in the book of Acts to describe the human reaction when confronted with the divine power in action. When Jesus healed the man sick of the palsy, the record of Luke (5. 26) is, “They were all amazed and they glorified God, and were filled with fear”, that is, “phobos”awe or reverence. Luke also records (7. 15), “And he (the widow’s son) that was dead sat up and began to speak . . . and there came fear (phobos) on all: and they glorified God”. The great storm filled the disciples with fear so that they cried, “We perish”, but, after Jesus rebuked the wind and waves, he said to them, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4. 40). The next verse reads, “And they feared exceedingly!” A strange sequence, until investigation shows that “fearful” of verse 40 is a translation of “deilos”. This is always a bad type of fear. It is a timidity or cowardice due to lack of faith, and those who are fearful in this way head the list of those destined “for the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone” (Rev. 21. 8). More accurately, the disciples were filled with very great awe and reverence at this display of Jesus’ power, for they say, “Who is this that even the wind and sea obey him? “
Even when “men’s hearts shall fail them for fear”, it will not be a “bad” fear, but rather an awful last-minute recognition of God’s might, outside and beyond their human reason or understanding. But some will lift up their heads, like those mentioned in Acts 9. 31, who now “walk in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit!”
In bad company “phobos” takes on a sinister character. It may describe that lack of courage to openly confess to being “in Christ”. Of such was Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a secret disciple “for fear of the Jews”. He was not alone (see John 7. 13). After the crucifixion His closest followers met behind locked doors, again “for fear of the Jews”. But later one of them wrote (1 Peter 3. 14), “And if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake happy are ye . . . and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled”.
“Fear of death” (Heb. 2. 1 5) is an apprehension inducing panic-stricken flight to false religion. The law and the hopelessness of its observance produced a slavery described by Paul as “the spirit of bondage again to fear” (Rom. 8. 15). Concerning these “bad” fears, Bro. J. Carter says,
“The fear of death and of possible experiences beyond it are terrifying things to many people. Superstitions of all kinds have sprung up, and ritual of many forms has been designed in endeavours to allay the fear. False religion thrives on fear, and the darkened mind of man is soon enslaved to priests of various orders and kinds, civilised and uncivilised. The Hebrew, more enlightened than the Gentile, had his form of bondage. The many offerings of the law brought home to him the sinfulness of man; with him there was ‘conscience of sins’. Greater efforts to keep the law, in a mistaken apprehension of its aim, made it a burden which they were unable to bear. But the sacrifice of Christ, his victory over death, the forgiveness of sins, and the certain hope of resurrection at his coming, removes the distressing fear which destroys the peace of all those who are affected by it.”
It was God’s love that provided Christ for our salvation and, as John in his first letter chapter 4. 18 shows, that love is the cure for fear (phobos in the bad sense). He says, “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”. These words are both an inspiration and a warning to us. That God first loved us should fill us with very great awe and reverence, from which “phobos”. comes that wisdom which leads to life.
Daniel The Prophet – (Part 3)