Why do some Bible verse teach there is 'no fear in love', but other verses seem to say the opposite?
I am referring to the following verses: Proverbs 9:10: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." Proverbs 1:7: Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, As contrasted with: 1 John 4.18: (Aramaic Bible in Plain English) "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear is by suspicion, but he who fears is not grown up in love." 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind".
Proverbs 9:10
ESV - 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
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Asked October 08 2014
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Georg Kouz
Supporter
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Georg Kouz
Supporter
Reading many other verses in the Greek Bible regarding fear/love, I believe I've got the correct meaning. Fear of losing God’s approval is not only healthy, it is the beginning of wisdom. The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else. In some other Greek Bible verses you get the meaning “ I fear God, yet am not afraid of Him.”
Jeanette Green
Supporter
The fear of the Lord spoken of in Proverbs, is a reverent fear, a respect. The spirit of fear spoken of in Timothy is the spirit of fear, given in your mind by the enemy or Satan. That scripture plainly says that God did not give you the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. Holy Spirit would never gives us a spirit of anything contrary to the fruit of the Spirit!
Charles Yohanna
Supporter
My opinion is that the fear in Proverbs refers to reverence or to do obeisance to the Lord while the fear in 2 Timothy connotes intimidation which is rooted to satanic harassment or faithlessness. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom means respect for God by obeying his laws and commandments.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
Good question, Georg! The "fear" spoken of in Proverbs 9:10 is about reverence, respect, and submission to God's authority—it's the kind of fear that acknowledges His holiness and leads to wisdom. This is a healthy, righteous fear that draws us closer to God rather than pushing us away. On the other hand, the "fear" in 1 John 4:18 is a fear of punishment, condemnation, or insecurity in one's relationship with God. It could include fear of going to hell (being cast into hell], as it did in my case. Perfect love—the kind of love God has for us—removes that kind of fear because it assures us of our standing in Him. So, rather than contradicting each other, these verses actually complement one another. The proper reverence for God is the foundation of wisdom, and as we grow in His love, we are freed from the kind of fear that would keep us from trusting Him fully.
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