How should a Christian understand the essential quality of “the fear of God”? #
The fear of God, or the fear of the Lord, is described by the wise King Solomon as the beginning of wisdom. However, there seems to be a visible contradiction when comparing this idea with the teaching of the holy apostles on fear. St. John the Theologian writes in his First Epistle:
“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.”
At first glance, this statement appears to conflict with many sayings of the prophets and apostles. For example, St. Paul exhorts the Corinthians—and all of us—by saying:
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
In the Epistle to the Ephesians, the same apostle calls the faithful to “submit yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
How can this apparent contradiction be resolved? Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria offers an explanation:
“Fear is of two kinds. The first is initial fear, which involves torment. A person who has done evil approaches God with fear, seeking to avoid punishment. This is the initial fear. The second fear is perfect fear, which is free from torment; hence, it is called pure and enduring forever (Psalm 18). What is this perfect fear, and why is it perfect? Because the one who possesses it is wholly captivated by love and strives in every way to lack nothing that a deeply loving person would do for the beloved… The fear mentioned here refers to the initial fear. One who sincerely loves God does what is pleasing to Him not out of fear of punishment but from a desire for virtue and a love for God, not even relying on lawful fear, which is rooted in love of what is good. And that fear which acts to avoid punishment is identical to the first fear. Hence, it is said: ‘fear hath torment.’”
Thus, the fear of God is perfect fear, which is love for God. A person who follows God’s commandments out of fear of punishment does not truly understand the fear of God. True fear of God, rooted in love for Him, is free from dread or suffering and instead brings joy and blessedness.
—Priest Mikhail Rodin