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Hebrews 4:1 – Let Us Fear
In looking at the following gradations of the word phobeo (by Thayer), which shade of meaning best fits the context?
1) to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away)
1a) to put to flight, to flee
1b) to fear, be afraid
1b1) to be struck with fear, to be seized with alarm
1b1a) of those startled by strange sights or occurrences
1b1b) of those struck with amazement
1b2) to fear, be afraid of one
1b3) to fear (i.e. hesitate) to do something (for fear of harm)
1c) to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience
The context of the fear is connected to both obedience and punishment. It is important to keep fear in its context and in a healthy attitude. Biblical fear of God does not come from the unknown, but the known. It is not a fear of ill will. This same word (phobeo) is used of Moses and his birth family not fearing Pharaoh, and of believers not fearing people due to their relationship with God.
I find it intriguing that the use of fear is tied to something positive instead of negative – although scripture uses it the opposite way also. Although the result would be the same, not receiving the promise, the emphasis is on what we would loose, not the punishment.
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