What does the Bible say about fear?
'Do not be afraid' is the Bible's most repeated command — some have counted it more than 300 times. Fear is never mocked in scripture; it is answered, again and again, with the same reply: I am with you. From the angels at the empty tomb to Isaiah's promise to a frightened nation, the cure for fear is not certainty but presence.
Don't be afraid, for I am with you.
Bible verses about fear
"fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
"Jehovah is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? Jehovah is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?"
"For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline."
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."
"There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love."
"Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be affrighted at them: for Jehovah thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
Frequently asked
How many times does the Bible say 'do not be afraid'?
Counts vary by translation and how you tally synonyms, but most scholars find some 300+ instances of 'fear not' or 'do not be afraid' across the Bible.
What does 1 John 4:18 mean by 'perfect love casts out fear'?
John is contrasting the fear of judgment with the security of being fully loved. Love that is mature and trusted in does not coexist with the dread of being rejected.
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