Fear

An attitude of anxiety or distress, caused by concern over a threat to one's future. Scripture provides numerous examples of situations in which fear is experienced. It declares, however, that God alone is to be feared, and moments of human fear can be opportunities for deepening faith in him.

Reverent fear of God commended

Proverbs 1:7 See also Deuteronomy 6:13, Deuteronomy 31:12–13; Joshua 4:24, Joshua 24:14; 1 Samuel 12:24; Psalm 2:11, Psalm 34:7–9; Proverbs 15:33; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Isaiah 33:6; Revelation 14:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Fear of natural phenomena

Psalm 91:5; Jonah 1:4–5 See also Genesis 19:30; Job 5:22; Ecclesiastes 12:5; Isaiah 7:25; Matthew 8:26; Revelation 11:13

You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart. The sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the ship’s cargo into the sea to lighten the load. But Jonah had gone down to the lowest part of the vessel, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

Fear of the unnatural

Fear of thoughts and visions

Daniel 4:5; Acts 10:4 See also 1 Samuel 3:15; Job 4:13–15; Isaiah 21:4; Daniel 8:17, Daniel 10:11–12; Matthew 1:20, Matthew 28:4; Luke 1:12–13, Luke 1:29–30, Luke 2:9–10

I had a dream, and it frightened me; while I was in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me.

Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God.

Fear of the unknown or the abnormal

Matthew 14:26–27 parallels Mark 6:50, John 6:19–20Acts 5:5 See also Exodus 20:18, Exodus 34:30 The radiance of Moses' face reflected God's glory and made the Israelites afraid; Deuteronomy 5:5; 1 Samuel 4:7; Nehemiah 6:16; Jeremiah 10:2; Daniel 5:9 Belshazzar's fear at the writing on the wall; Jonah 1:10; Matthew 17:6 the fear of the disciples at the transfiguration; Matthew 27:54; Mark 5:33, Mark 9:32, Mark 16:8; Luke 5:10, Luke 8:37 Fear seized the people when the Gerasene demoniac was healed; Luke 9:34; John 19:8; Acts 19:17

When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”

On hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. And great fear came over all who heard what had happened.

Fear of embarrassment or shame

Genesis 3:10 See also Isaiah 54:4; John 3:20; 2 Corinthians 12:20

“I heard Your voice in the garden,” he replied, “and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

Fear of the future

Jeremiah 51:46 See also Isaiah 41:23; Mark 10:32; Luke 12:32; Acts 27:24

Do not let your heart grow faint, and do not be afraid when the rumor is heard in the land; for a rumor will come one year— and then another the next year— of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler.

Fear of persecution

Ezra 4:4; John 12:42–43 See also 1 Kings 19:3; John 7:13, John 9:22, John 20:19; 1 Peter 3:14; Revelation 2:10

Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build.

Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Fear of death

Hebrews 2:14–15 See also Psalm 55:4–5; Mark 5:36 parallel Luke 8:50; Acts 23:10

Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

Fear of people

Of enemies

Exodus 14:10; 1 Samuel 7:7 See also Numbers 22:3; Judges 7:3; 1 Samuel 17:24, 1 Samuel 17:11; 2 Samuel 10:19; 2 Chronicles 12:5; Psalm 27:1–3, Psalm 56:1–4; Isaiah 20:5, Isaiah 41:5; Jeremiah 22:25, Jeremiah 41:18; Obadiah 1:9

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified and cried out to the LORD.

When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, their rulers marched up toward Israel. And when the Israelites learned of this, they feared the Philistines

Of one's own family

Genesis 32:11, Genesis 45:3; Judges 9:21 See also Genesis 31:31, Genesis 32:7, Genesis 42:4, Genesis 50:19; Judges 6:27

Please deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid that he may come and attack me and the mothers and children with me.

Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But they were unable to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence.

Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech.

Of particular people

1 Samuel 15:24; 1 Corinthians 2:3 See also Genesis 26:7; Exodus 2:14; Deuteronomy 2:4; 1 Samuel 18:15 Saul's fear of David; 2 Samuel 3:11; Nehemiah 2:2 Nehemiah's fear before the king; Esther 7:6; Jeremiah 26:21, Jeremiah 38:19; Matthew 2:22; Mark 12:12; Luke 19:21; Acts 9:26 the disciples fear of Paul, not believing his conversion; 1 Corinthians 16:10; 2 Corinthians 7:15; Galatians 2:12

Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.

Of human beings in general

Proverbs 29:25 See also Deuteronomy 1:17; Isaiah 51:7

The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.

Fear of judgment

Ezekiel 11:8; Acts 24:25 See also 1 Samuel 28:20; 1 Chronicles 21:30; Isaiah 33:14; Jeremiah 17:18, Jeremiah 30:5, Jeremiah 42:15–16; Ezekiel 12:18, Ezekiel 27:35; Zechariah 9:5; 1 John 4:18 Christians, assured of God's love, no longer fear judgment; Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:15

You fear the sword, so I will bring the sword against you, declares the Lord GOD.

As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”

Fear as a deterrent

Romans 13:4 See also Deuteronomy 13:11, Deuteronomy 17:13, Deuteronomy 19:20, Deuteronomy 21:21; Job 19:28–29

For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

Fear as an opportunity for faith

Deuteronomy 1:21; Psalm 23:4; Proverbs 3:25–26; Matthew 10:29–31 See also Exodus 14:13; Deuteronomy 1:29, Deuteronomy 7:18–21, Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 11:6; Nehemiah 4:14; Psalm 3:6, Psalm 34:4, Psalm 49:5, Psalm 56:3; Isaiah 10:24, Isaiah 35:3–4, Isaiah 41:14, Isaiah 43:5, Isaiah 44:8, Isaiah 51:12; Jeremiah 1:8, Jeremiah 1:17, Jeremiah 30:10, Jeremiah 42:11, Jeremiah 46:27; Ezekiel 2:6, Ezekiel 3:9; Daniel 10:19; Matthew 8:26 parallels Mark 4:40, Luke 8:25; Mark 6:49–51; John 14:27

See, the LORD your God has placed the land before you. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.