Page 255 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

FATHER - FEAR OF GOD

4:10-17; 9:31; Ne. 1:4). (5) Fast when something is “fault” in Ja. 5:16 is paraptoma, which refers to “a side-
earnestly desired from God and the answer has not slip, lapse, deviation, or error (Strong). Elsewhere it is
come through prayer alone (1 Sa. 1:6-7). (6) Fast when translated “fall” (Ro. 11:11), “offence” (Ro. 4:25),
in mourning for loved ones or the defeat of God’s people “trespass” (Mt. 6:14), and “sin” (Ep. 1:7). Many new
(2 Sa. 1:12). (7) Fast when new ministries are launched translations (such as the NIV and NASV) erroneously
and when men go forth to proclaim God’s Word and read “sin” instead of “faults” in Ja. 5:16 because they
battle spiritual enemies (Ac. 13:2-3; 14:23). (8) Fast follow the Westcott-Hort Greek text which replaces the
when involved in spiritual ministry (2 Co. 6:5; 11:27). word paraptoma with hamartia, the Greek word most
(9) Fast during times of special repentance, confession, commonly used for sin in the N.T. This, of course, gives
and revival (Joel 1:14-15; 2:12; 2:15; Ne. 9:1-2). support to the false Catholic idea of confessing one’s
What Is a Biblical Fast? A biblical fast is to focus one’s sins to a man instead of directly to God. [See Sin.]
attention wholly toward God, abstaining from lawful FAVOUR. (1) Blessing; grace; kindness (Ge. 18:3;
pleasantries, to the end of resolving certain 39:21; Ru. 2:13). In the New Testament the Greek word
extraordinary spiritual needs. It incorporates the translated “favour” is also translated “grace,” “benefit,”
following: (1) Abstinence from food and normal and “gift.” (2) Support; accept (Ps. 35:27). [See Grace.]
physical pleasures (Da. 10:3; 1 Co. 7:5). (2) Prayer (Mt. FAVOURABLE. To be pleased with; set affection upon
17:21). (3) Confession of sins (Da. 9:3-6). (4) Service (Ps. 77:7).
toward God (Is. 58:6-8). [See Repentance, Revival, FAVOURED. Form; countenance; appearance (Ge.
Sanctification.] 29:17; 41:3; Da. 1:4).
FATHER. (1) One who begets; head; first. Father FAVOURED, ILL. Bad looking; sickly (Ge. 41:3-4).
refers to the compassionate, protecting, disciplining role [See Ill.]
of a male parent toward his family. This is a picture of
God the Father. In all senses the word “father” is applied FEAR OF GOD. That fear, reverence, awe, and
to God. He is the Chief of the family; He has begotten us esteem for God’s holiness and power, which results in
through His Spirit; and He is the loving guardian of His careful obedience to God’s will (Ge. 20:11; De. 6:2, 13,
children (Mt. 5:16, 45; 6:1-32; 7:11; 11:25; 12:50; 24; Pr. 1:7; 8:13; Ps. 33:8; 34:9; 36:1). “In the main it
13:43; 28:19; Ga. 4:4-7). (2) One who leads another implies a right state of heart toward God, as opposed to
person to Christ (1 Ti. 1:2; 2 Ti. 1:2; Tit. 1:4; Phile. 10). the alienation of an unconverted man” (William Arnot).
(3) As a religious title, the Lord Jesus Christ forbade the The fear of God has been defined as “an affectionate
use of “father” (Mt. 23:9-10). The Roman Catholic reverence for God by which the child of God bends
Church disobeys Christ by calling priests “father.” (4) A himself humbly and carefully to his Father’s will.” The
reference to ancient church leaders, who are often fear of God is mentioned at least 24 times in the New
spoken of as the “church fathers.” We do not prefer this Testament (Mt. 10:28; Lk. 1:50; 12:5; 18:2, 4; 23:40;
language because the Bible does not use such Ac. 9:31; 10:2, 22, 35; 13:16, 26; Ro. 3:18; 2 Co. 7:1;
terminology. Furthermore, a number of these men— Ep. 5:21; Col. 3:22; He. 10:31; 12:28; 1 Pe. 1:17; 2:17;
such as Clement, Origin, and Jerome—were heretics. Re. 11:18; 14:7; 15:4; 19:5). To fear God is to glorify
The Bible titles for church leaders are pastor, bishop, and worship Him as the eternal creator (Re. 14:7). The
and elder—not father. [See Clergy, Holy, Laity, Pastor, fear of the Lord (1) is the beginning of knowledge (Pr.
Pope, Rabbi, Reverend, Roman Catholic Church.] 1:7); (2) is to hate evil (Pr. 8:13); (3) prolongeth days
(Pr. 10:27); is strong confidence (Pr. 14:26); is a
FATHOM. [See Weights and Measures.] fountain of life (Pr. 14:27); is riches and honor and life
FATLING. An animal fattened to offer to God or to (Pr. 22:4). The root problem with the wicked is that
eat on a special occasion (2 Sa. 6:13; Ps. 66:15; Lk. they do not fear God (Ps. 36:1; Ro. 3:18).
15:23). Some deny that actual fear is intended by this term,
FATS. Wine-vats (Joel 2:24; 3:13). but there is a genuine fear that man must have for God
FATTED. Fattened (Lk. 15:23). (Ex. 20:18-21; De. 2:25; 1 Sa. 11:6-7; 2 Ch. 17:10;
FAULT. An erring or missing; a failing; hence, an 20:29; Is. 2:10, 19, 21; Jon. 1:16; Mt. 10:28; Lk. 12:5; 2
error or mistake; a blunder; a defect; a blemish; Co. 5:11; Ph. 2:12; He. 12:26-29; Jude 3). God is kind,
whatever impairs excellence; an imperfection; any loving, and merciful, but He is also fearfully holy, being
deviation from propriety; a slight offense; a neglect of described as a consuming fire. Godly fear is a proper
duty or propriety, resulting from inattention or want of and wise motivation for salvation and for Christian
prudence (Webster). Jesus Christ had no fault at all (Jn. service.
18:38; 19:4, 6). The Christian is to confess his faults to “It is often urged that the actions which are
his brethren (Ja. 5:16). The Greek word translated stimulated by fear have no moral worth, that fear is but

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 255