HKB
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Often appears with: prudence and practical wisdom · the fear of death · justice as a virtue · wise man fears and declines from evil · wisdom and understanding · the nature and attributes of God · temperance and self-mastery · sin, guilt, and repentance · servile fear vs filial fear · servile and filial fear · reverence and watchfulness · prophecy and revelation
Usually: argument (4) · exhortation (3) · reflection (1) · crisis of belief (1) · censure (1) · curiosity (1) · detachment (1)
“Thus the beginning of wisdom as to its essence consists in the first principles of wisdom, i.e. the articles of faith, and in this sense faith is said to be the beginning of wisdom.” Thomas, Aquinas, Saint, Summa Theologica, Part II-II (Secunda Secundae) · insight
“Consequently the excellence of the gifts corresponds with the order in which they are enumerated; but so far as wisdom and understanding are given the preference to the others, their excellence is considered simply, while, so far, as counsel and fortitude are preferred to knowledge and piety, it is considered with regard to their matter.” Thomas, Aquinas, Saint, Summa Theologica, Part I-II (Pars Prima Secundae) · insight
“For the impious fear not God from a dread of incurring his displeasure, if they could do it with impunity; but because they know him to be armed with vindictive power, they tremble with horror at hearing of his wrath.” Jean Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (Vol. 1 of 2) · observation
“True or right fear is discovered by three things:— 1. By its rise; it is caused by saving convictions for sin. 2. It driveth the soul to lay fast hold of Christ for salvation. 3. It begetteth and continueth in the soul a great reverence of God, his Word, and ways, keeping it tender.” John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which · precept
Christian and Hopeful discuss how the naturally ignorant resist fear of God, and they describe “right fear” as coming from convictions, driving to Christ, and producing reverence and watchfulness.
we are by ourselves, what do you think of such men? Have they at no time, think you, convictions of sin, and so consequently fears that their state is dangerous? HOPE. Nay, do you answer that question yourself, for you are the elder man. CHR. Then I say, sometimes (as I think) they may; but they being naturally ignorant, understand not that such convictions tend to their good; and therefore they do desperately seek…
In discussing Isaias’ order of the seven gifts, Aquinas argues that their excellence can be measured absolutely or by their matter, and thus their order corresponds with their enumeration.
counsel pertains to inquiry. But judgment is more excellent than inquiry. Therefore knowledge is a more excellent gift than counsel; and yet it is set down as being below it. Obj. 4: Further, fortitude pertains to the appetitive power, while science belongs to reason. But reason is a more excellent power than the appetite. Therefore knowledge is a more excellent gift than fortitude; and yet the latter is given the p…
He answers that fear can be the beginning of wisdom by effect, while faith is the beginning by essence, because fear disposes people to avoid sin and submit to God’s direction.
*On the contrary,* It is written in the Ps. 110:10: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." *I answer that,* A thing may be called the beginning of wisdom in two ways: in one way because it is the beginning of wisdom itself as to its essence; in another way, as to its effect. Thus the beginning of an art as to its essence consists in the principles from which that art proceeds, while the beginning of an a…
He replies that the “fearless” just man is praised only insofar as fear of temporal evils does not push him away from good, and that death should be feared only as a hindrance to virtue.
that fearlessness is a vice, whether it result from lack of love, pride of soul, or dullness of understanding: yet the latter is excused from sin if it be invincible. Reply Obj. 1: The just man is praised for being without fear that withdraws him from good; not that he is altogether fearless, for it is written (Ecclus. 1:28): "He that is without fear cannot be justified." Reply Obj. 2: Death and whatever else can b…
Calvin explains “fear of the Lord” as beginning wisdom and arising from reverence for God as both Father and Master, and he contrasts faithful fear with the tormented fear of unbelief.
have not forgotten, but with fear and reverence I say, We are; but in the heart of God. We are; but by his condescending favour, not by our own merit.” XXVI. Now, the fear of the Lord, which is universally ascribed to all the saints, and which is called sometimes “the beginning of wisdom,”(1520) sometimes “wisdom”(1521) itself, although it be but one, proceeds from a twofold apprehension of him. For God requires the…