Succumbing to Fear, Worry & Anxiety

A8

We are not to fear, worry or be anxious, but rather put our trust in God.

Category: Godliness, Holiness & Righteousness

Type: Negative

Form: Explicit

Source dataset: Old Testament

Uniqueness: Not unique

Classical commandment: Yes

New Covenant Literal Application

Applies to Person Categories: Not specified

Literal Application: Not specified

More explanation about the icons and New Covenant Literal Application

The New Covenant Literal Application Code (NCLA) is an interpretive guide used by the authors to indicate which person categories a mitzvah applies to, and at what level of literal compliance.

Each card above groups one application level such as mandated or optional. The three people icons show whether that application is meant for Jewish, K'rov Yisrael, or Gentile believers, and the male or female symbols show whether it applies to men, women, or both.

Jewish

Used for instruction directed to Jewish believers.

K'rov Yisrael

Used for non-Jewish believers living closely with Israel and Torah practice.

Gentile

Used for instruction presented as applying to Gentile believers more broadly.

Male and female symbols

These show whether the instruction is directed to men, women, or both.

This code reflects the authors' interpretive opinion and is provided for prayerful consideration. The icon view is only a visual summary; the detailed codes and source explanation remain available below for careful study.

Read the full explanation from the source

Bible references

Key NT Scriptures

Hebrews 13:6
Luke 12:4-7
Matthew 6:25-34
Philippians 4:6-7
2 Timothy 1:7

Key OT Scriptures

Deuteronomy 1:17
Deuteronomy 3:19-22
Deuteronomy 7:16-21
Deuteronomy 20:2-4
Deuteronomy 20:8
Psalms 27:1
Psalms 118:6

Supportive NT Scriptures

Acts 18:9-10
Hebrews 2:14-15
John 14:26-27
1 John 4:18
Luke 12:22-32
Mark 4:37-40
Mark 5:35-36
Matthew 8:24-26
Matthew 10:25-31
1 Peter 3:12-14
1 Peter 5:6-7

Supportive OT Scriptures

Deuteronomy 31:4-6
Isaiah 12:2
Isaiah 35:4
Isaiah 41:10-14
Isaiah 43:1-5
Joshua 1:8-9
2 Kings 6:15-17
Lamentations 3:57
Proverbs 1:29-33
Proverbs 12:25
Proverbs 29:25
Psalms 23:1-4
Psalms 34:5
Psalms 46:2-3
Psalms 55:23-24
Psalms 56:2-4
Psalms 91:1-7
Psalms 112:5-8

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Commentary

Rabbi Michael Rudolph

There are three kinds of fear that are recognized in the Scriptures. The first kind (exemplified by "fear of God and parents") has to do with having profound respect (reverence), and is appropriate - even commanded in those and similar applications. The second kind (also appropriate) is the kind that is built into us by God, in order to protect us from imminent danger. Examples of this kind of fear are our ducking for cover upon being startled by a loud discharge, and our holding back from touching a hot object after having been previously burned by it. The third kind, the one that the Scriptures command against, is the kind where we seek to protect ourselves in circumstances where we ought instead to be relying on God. This kind is exemplified by fear of man and of unwanted circumstances (e.g. death). We sometimes think of fear as a feeling, and indeed there is a physiological component to it. However, God does not command us regarding feelings, but rather regarding the choices that we make (in faith) in spite of our feelings. That is the teaching of 2 Corinthians 5:7 : ... for we live by trust, not by what we see. (rendered in the New King James: For we walk by faith, not by sight. ) The Greek word for "sight" in this Scripture is (pronounced " aye-dos "), and refers not only to eyesight, but to all of our senses, including those that imbue us with feelings. Fear, worry, and anxiety are similar in that they are the opposite of trusting God for our welfare and protection. All three are debilitating and open us to spiritual attack, and that is why there are so many Scriptures (in both the Tanakh and the Kitvey B'rit Chadasha ) that warn us against giving in to fear, and exhort us to have faith instead.

Classical commentators

The mitzvot of Maimonides and HaChinuch address only three kinds of fear - the reverent kind (not addressed in this Mitzvah ), fear of idolaters, and fear (by a judge) of a party to a lawsuit. Meir addresses only reverent fear and a judge's fear.

Classical Commandments

Maimonides

Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon, 12th century) organized all 613 Torah commandments into a structured list. These linked items show where this Law of Messiah commandment overlaps with that classical framework.

Meir of Rothenburg

Rabbi Meir of Rothenburg (13th century, Germany) was a leading Talmudic authority. These reference numbers link this commandment to his halachic rulings.

Source and License

Based on The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective by Michael Rudolph and Daniel C. Juster.

Volume 1 & 2 | Volume 3

License: CC BY-ND 4.0 (Attribution required, NoDerivatives). CC BY-ND 4.0

Disclaimer: the original content is authored by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Rabbi Daniel Juster; additional notes or implementation details on this website are not part of their original work and do not represent their views.

Record source: The Law of Messiah - Torah from a New Covenant Perspective - Volume 1 & 2

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A8