What Does It Mean to Fear God?
What Does It Mean to Fear God? The fear of God is not terror but reverent awe — a deep respect for God's holiness, power, and authority that shapes how believers live and worship.
Key verse: Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)
The fear of God is not terror but reverent awe — a deep respect for God's holiness, power, and authority that shapes how believers live and worship.
The fear of God is not terror but reverent awe — a deep respect for God's holiness, power, and authority that shapes how believers live and worship.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." — Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
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Related Verses
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The Biblical Answer
The fear of the Lord is a central biblical concept. Proverbs 9:10 declares, 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.' Proverbs 1:7 adds, 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.' This fear is not cowering dread but profound reverence — recognizing who God is and responding appropriately. It produces holiness: 'The fear of the LORD is to hate evil' (Proverbs 8:13). It brings blessing: 'In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge' (Proverbs 14:26). It motivates evangelism: 'Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men' (2 Corinthians 5:11). The early church 'walked in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost' (Acts 9:31) — fear and comfort coexist. Moses told Israel, 'Fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart' (Deuteronomy 10:12). Fearing God liberates from fearing man: 'Fear not them which kill the body... but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell' (Matthew 10:28).
Key Scripture References
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."
"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil."
"Fear not them which kill the body... but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does the Bible Say About Wisdom?
Biblical wisdom is the practical application of God's truth to daily life, beginning with reverence for God and found primarily through Scripture and the Holy Spirit.
What Does the Bible Say About Holiness?
God is holy and calls His people to be holy — set apart from sin and consecrated to His purposes.
What Is True Worship?
True worship is honoring God in spirit and truth — not merely through rituals or music, but through a heart fully surrendered to Him in every area of life.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
Deep Dive Commentary
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The answer above sits inside Proverbs. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Proverbs on day 159 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
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