The Reconciliation of Fear and Love

In The Qualities of the Prince, Machiavelli presents the compelling concept that it is better to be feared than loved. Perhaps this is true in government as long as the feared leader is loving toward his subjects (for if he does not love, then he is a tyrant). But in Christianity, how do we reconcile the fear of God and the love of God?

A distinction between love and fear is drawn in 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” We are well aware that God is love, so how then can we fear the very essence of love?

Perhaps the issue is not choosing one, but blending both. In the Old Testament, we are commanded to “fear God and keep his commandments” and to “love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 and Deuteronomy 6:5, respectively). Though our finite minds tend to immediately draw a line of distinction between “fear” and “love”, I believe the two go hand in hand.

To know the nature of something, go to its source. That’s why I ran a word study on these passages to determine the Greek definitions of “fear” used in these passages. The fear that is driven out by love is actually the word phobos, meaning fear, dread or terror. In contrast, the fear that we are to have toward God is the word phobeo, inferring reverence, awe, or amazement. Alas, the distinction.

God is not only authoritative but also inviting. Our natural response should be the reverence for which He is due, for if we love Him, we’ll obey Him (John 14:15). 

We can live fearlessly yet respectfully, humble yet confident that we are irrevocably and infinitely loved. As followers of Christ, our relationships with God should exemplify the perfect marriage of love and fear. Machiavelli highlighted the necessity of this example by saying that “it is much safer to be feared than to be loved when one of the two must be lacking.” 

And my God doesn’t lack anything.

“Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17).