Bible Verses About Fear

The Bible addresses fear with the command "fear not" appearing 365 times - one for each day. Scripture teaches that perfect love casts out fear and that God's presence provides courage in every frightening situation.

9 Verses

1. Isaiah 41:10

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Matthew Henry highlights God's tender message promising to be "present with thee" and help in need. God will "strengthen thee" and "uphold thee" when weak. Barnes notes this offers universal consolation - originally addressing exiled Jews but applicable to all believers. The core promise: "God was their protector" - if God is with you, "whom should they be afraid?" Gill explains God's presence means "special grace" that "guard and protect" believers, enabling them to "depend on his love" and "expect all needful supplies" (BibleHub Commentaries).

2. 2 Timothy 1:7

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
God does not give believers a "spirit of cowardice," but instead provides power - the ability to "encounter foes and dangers" and "strike good blows for Christ"; love - a selfless love that "leads to noble deeds of self-surrender" and overcomes fear; and sound mind/discipline - the capacity for "self-control" to regulate passions and impulses. This was particularly important for Timothy, who seemed to have a "weak and timid nature." Through faith, even naturally fearful people can become "fearless" and strong. MacLaren: "God did not give us the spirit of cowardice, but of power, love, and self-control" (BibleHub Commentaries).

3. Psalm 56:3

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."
MacLaren notes "It is when we are 'afraid' that we trust in God; not in easy times." Trust emerges precisely during moments of fear. Barnes explains fear is natural, designed to "make us cautious" and "induce us to put our trust in God as a Preserver and Friend." The Treasury of David emphasizes fear and faith can coexist: "It is possible for fear and faith to occupy the mind at the same moment." "Gracious fear drives to [God]." Gill adds "trust and confidence in the Lord is the best antidote against fears." Fear is not weakness but opportunity to deliberately choose trust in God's protection (BibleHub Commentaries).

4. Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
God's repeated command to Joshua emphasizes divine presence as courage's foundation. Matthew Henry notes Joshua should not be "disheartened" because "God is all-sufficient." MacLaren highlights that the assurance "I will be with you" is the foundation for courage, stating "If we know that Christ is with us, it is wise to be strong and courageous." Gill explains the command comes from "the great Jehovah" to "animate him to the work" and "encourage his faith." The core message: "Be strong and courageous... for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go" (BibleHub Commentaries).

5. Psalm 27:1

"The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?"
God as "the guiding and cheering beacon-fire" provides both moral and intellectual illumination (Ellicott). Benson explains God is "my counsellor in my difficulties, and my comforter and deliverer in all my distresses." Matthew Henry highlights "The Lord, who is the believer's light, is the strength of his life" providing "holy security and peace of mind." Barnes interprets light as guidance through darkness, with God dispelling "distress, trouble, perplexity, and sorrow." With God as light and salvation, there's no reason to fear, as expressed in the rhetorical question: "Whom shall I fear?" (BibleHub Commentaries).

6. 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."
Love and fear are mutually exclusive emotions. MacLaren notes, "We cannot both love and fear the same person or thing." Fear involves "punishment" and creates inner torment. Barnes explains "If a man had perfect love to God, he would have no fear of anything." The Cambridge Bible observes "The more perfect the love, the less possibility of fear." Bengel captures the progression: people can be "without fear and love; with fear without love; with fear and love; without fear with love." The goal is love so complete it eliminates servile fear, replacing it with peaceful, trusting relationship (BibleHub Commentaries).

7. Matthew 10:28

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."
Jesus reframes fear by contrasting temporal and eternal threats. "Those who kill the body" includes all human persecutors whose power ends at physical death. "Cannot kill the soul" reveals death's limitation - it separates soul from body but cannot destroy the soul. "Fear Him" commands reverent awe of God who has ultimate authority over eternal destiny. "Destroy" (apollumi) means to ruin, render useless - not annihilation but eternal ruin in hell. This teaching, given while commissioning the twelve apostles for dangerous ministry, provides perspective for persecution. Proper fear (reverence for God) eliminates improper fear (terror of humans). Martyrs throughout history have drawn courage from this verse, choosing physical death over spiritual compromise (BibleHub Commentaries).

8. Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Paul prescribes prayer as anxiety's antidote. "Anxious" (merimnao) means to be pulled apart, distracted by cares - the worried fear that fragments peace. "About anything" is comprehensive - no worry is justified. "In everything" corresponds - every anxiety trigger should prompt prayer. Four prayer elements: general prayer, specific supplication, concrete requests, and pervading thanksgiving. The promise: God's peace as fortress. "Transcends understanding" means beyond human comprehension or production. "Guard" (phroureo) is military term - to garrison, mount guard. God's peace becomes a supernatural sentinel protecting hearts (emotions) and minds (thoughts) from fear's assault. Written from prison, Paul models this teaching (BibleHub Commentaries).

9. Psalm 46:1-2

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,"
The Sons of Korah declare fearlessness amid cosmic catastrophe because of God's character. "Refuge" (machseh) means shelter, place of trust; "strength" (oz) means might, fortress. "Ever-present" (nimtsa meod) literally means "abundantly found" - God is readily available in crisis. "Therefore" draws logical conclusion - if God is refuge and strength, fear is illogical. The hypothetical catastrophes - earth giving way, mountains falling - represent ultimate disasters, yet even these don't warrant fear. This psalm, possibly written after Jerusalem's miraculous deliverance from Assyria, became Luther's inspiration for "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." It teaches that security rests not in circumstantial stability but in God's unchanging character (BibleHub Commentaries).

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