Fear is a state of uneasiness or suffering brought on by apprehension about harm to one’s future. Throughout the Bible, there are several examples of fearful situations. However, it proclaims that only God is to be feared and that human fear might be an opportunity to grow in faith in him.
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. 1 John 4:18
The reverent fear of God commended.
Pr 1:7
Also see: Deut 6:13; Deut 31:12–13; Jos 4:24; Jos 24:14; 1 Sa 12:24; Ps 2:11; Ps 34:7–9; Pr 15:33; Ec 12:13; Is 33:6; Re 14:7
Natural disasters cause fear.
Ps 91:5; Jon 1:4–5
Also see: Ge 19:30; Job 5:22; Ec 12:5; Is 7:25; Mt 8:26; Re 11:13
Fear as an opportunity for faith
Deut 1:21; Ps 23:4; Pr 3:25–26; Mt 10:29–31
Also see: Ex 14:13; Deut 1:29; Deut 7:18–21; Deut 31:6; Jos 11:6; Ne 4:14; Ps 3:6; Ps 34:4; Ps 49:5; Ps 56:3; Is 10:24; Is 35:3–4; Is 41:14; Is 43:5; Is 44:8; Is 51:12; Je 1:8; Je 1:17; Je 30:10; Je 42:11; Je 46:27; Eze 2:6; Eze 3:9; Da 10:19; Mt 8:26; Mk 6:49–51; Jn 14:27
Fear of the unnatural
Fear of thoughts and visions
Da 4:5; Ac 10:4
Also see: 1 Sa 3:15; Job 4:13–15; Is 21:4; Da 8:17; Da 10:11–12; Mt 1:20; Mt 28:4; Lk 1:12–13; Lk 1:29–30; Lk 2:9–10
Fear of the unknown or the abnormal
Mt 14:26–27; Ac 5:5
Also see: Ex 20:18; Ex 34:30 The radiance of Moses’ face reflected God’s glory and made the Israelites afraid; Deut 5:5; 1 Sa 4:7; Ne 6:16; Je 10:2; Da 5:9 Belshazzar’s fear at the writing on the wall; Jon 1:10; Mt 17:6 the fear of the disciples at the transfiguration; Mt 27:54; Mk 5:33; Mk 9:32; Mk 16:8; Lk 5:10; Lk 8:37 Fear seized the people when the Gerasene demoniac was healed; Lk 9:34; Jn 19:8; Ac 19:17
Fear of embarrassment or shame
Ge 3:10
Also see: Is 54:4; Jn 3:20; 2 Co 12:20
Fear of the future
Je 51:46
Also see: Is 41:23; Mk 10:32; Lk 12:32; Ac 27:24
Fear of being persecuted
Ezr 4:4; Jn 12:42–43
Also see: 1 Ki 19:3; Jn 7:13; Jn 9:22; Jn 20:19; 1 Pe 3:14; Re 2:10
Fear of death
Heb 2:14–15
Also see: Ps 55:4–5; Mk 5:36; Ac 23:10
Fear of people and of enemies
Ex 14:10; 1 Sa 7:7
Also see: Nu 22:3; Jdg 7:3; 1 Sa 17:24; 1 Sa 17:11; 2 Sa 10:19; 2 Ch 12:5; Ps 27:1–3; Ps 56:1–4; Is 20:5; Is 41:5; Je 22:25; Je 41:18; Ob 9
Fear of one’s own family
Ge 32:11; Ge 45:3; Jdg 9:21
Also see: Ge 31:31; Ge 32:7; Ge 42:4; Ge 50:19; Jdg 6:27
Fear of particular people
1 Sa 15:24; 1 Co 2:3
Also see: Ge 26:7; Ex 2:14; Deut 2:4; 1 Sa 18:15 Saul’s fear of David; 2 Sa 3:11; Ne 2:2 Nehemiah’s fear before the king; Es 7:6; Je 26:21; Je 38:19; Mt 2:22; Mk 12:12; Lk 19:21; Ac 9:26 the disciples fear of Paul, not believing his conversion; 1 Co 16:10; 2 Co 7:15; Ga 2:12
Fear of human beings in general
Pr 29:25
Also see: Deut 1:17; Is 51:7
Fear of judgment
Eze 11:8; Ac 24:25
Also see: 1 Sa 28:20; 1 Ch 21:30; Is 33:14; Je 17:18; Je 30:5; Je 42:15–16; Eze 12:18; Eze 27:35; Zec 9:5; 1 Jn 4:18 Christians, assured of God’s love, no longer fear judgment; Re 18:10; Re 18:15
Fear as a deterrent
Ro 13:4
Also see: Deut 13:11; Deut 17:13; Deut 19:20; Deut 21:21; Job 19:28–29