What Kind of Fear

by Cathy Vinson

When we have been taught about fear, we realize fear has torment (1 Jn 4:18). It repels. The word we have thought of comes from phobos: phobia which has to do with flight, dread, terror, being scared. "If any man shall draw back, My soul has no pleasure in Him" (Heb 10:38). We have learned an imperfected love has fear (1 Jn 4:18). Then what did Jesus have to do with fear?

"in that He feared (eulabeia)." Caution. Then reverence, apprehension, especially holy fear. "...that mingled fear and love which combined, constitute the piety of man toward God; the OT places emphasis on the fear, the NT...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.).

It appears we need to allow this tension in our love with God that accomodates and allows space for reverential caution even apprehension, yet still is ever drawn to Him. "In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence; and his children shall have a place of refuge" (Prov 14:26). In the irony of God's ways, it is in allowing the loss of any smugness in the face of Almighty God that we find confidence, confidence that bars the way from all other fear.

and [He] was heard in that He feared.

(Hebrews 5:7)