Topical Bible Study - Anxiety and Fear

    I’m working on the next booklet on our church discipleship curriculum (Managing My Emotions). As I’ve prepared to put on paper what I’ve used in counseling over the last decade, I have enjoyed sorting through other resources written on this topic, and hope to incorporate these in the booklet as well as future counseling sessions. There are some helpful Christian resources on anxiety and fear for Christians. 

    Having said that, I was a bit surprised at the amount of (lack of?) Scriptural basis as a foundation given in the most common resources. Although many sanctification principles are used; practical advice is given; Scriptural ideas and illustrations are incorporated in the layout; I did not come across a comprehensive study. That’s probably my lack of reading other resources. Or perhaps it's because of how we edit out the skeleton in a finished product. But, I wanted to be sure to share some of the skeleton for my study. Below is the anxiety word study. The format and outcome is about as unpolished as it gets. As I write the chapter on anxiety and fear, I hope to incorporate these thoughts as well as other principles I’ve used in the past. It is nice to be Bible-driven in these studies = )

    For those of you who enjoy word studies, you can scroll down past the applicational points, but for the sake of readability, I put a few application ideas that jump out of the study at the top. You can find the data sets below those points. For those of you who don’t like reading skeletons, you can wait for the finished product. Don’t be anxious about that; it may be a while = )

Topical Study: Anxiety

Examining different synonyms for anxiety and similar overlapping concepts in Hebrew and Greek (Part 2) with some ideas for application (Part 1).

Part 1 - Helpful Ideas from the Word Study 

• Idea 1:

The Bible refers to being worried or concerned with something as "giving thought to." E.g. when Pharaoh put Joseph in charge, he “gave no thought,” to his household. He was not concerned for the items because Joseph was able. 

Also used in Greek - with phroneo - to understand or think. Paul was thankful that they revived their “concern for him.” They thought of Paul. 

And so, Jesus says, “Take no thought for the morrow.” When we let the Lord manage our tomorrow, we really free up our thoughts for today.

Anxiety is a part of the mind - where do you discipline your thoughts? Once the thoughts are under control, the anxious feelings may follow in time. And so we must fix our thoughts on God as our Anchor and Stabilizer of our emotions.

• Idea 2:

One component, or biblical idea, behind anxiety is being drawn in many different directions (Thayer from meridzo… to be cut in pieces; hence distracted in different ways). I picture a person being pulled in four pieces from their arms and legs. That’s stressful. Often that can be the pressure we feel in life by being drawn from too many responsibilities we are being torn apart.

So, let’s not take on so many pieces? 

Which pieces/responsibilities do you enjoy or must you have? Choose the primary stressers that are necessary, and then leave some margins.

A Gospel conclusion to this idea... as we follow Christ, perhaps we find the ONE way we are being drawn toward - Take His yoke which is easy; then I’m only ever pulling in one direction ultimately and therefore being pulled in one direction emotionally.

• Idea 3:

The word care in the Greek, to (take a care for melei) is similar to the word anxiety (used positively and negatively - merimnao). In 1 Peter 5:7, we see both of these synonyms married in one verse. Don’t be anxious (merimnao) because God cares for (melei) you. 

What a great boon for our emotional stability! God cares. I think this gives some great comfort in that God speaks to us in emotional language. Also, the fact remains, if He is worrying about it, I can step out of that batter’s box. Ok, He’s got this worrying thing in my place, I can sit down and watch the designated hitter that bats a thousand.

• Idea 4:

Fear is a similar feeling to anxiety. Fear is a major theme in the Bible. Most often, referring to the need we have to fear God. Another repeated theme is that we should not fear because we know God. Do not fear, for the Lord . . . The more we know God, the less fearful we need to be.

This is true in both the Hebrew and Greek terms. If we survey the entire theme of fear and anxiety in the Bible, we have to come to the conclusion that although a bit obvious. It is still the most common solution to fear and anxiety that God shares with us in His Word. It's not a rare principle, and yet foundational… perhaps rarely practiced by those who struggle with fear and anxiety. Trust in God as refuge and strength and you will not be as anxious. So, meditate on the character of God - train your thoughts upon Him.

“God is our refuge and strength, 

A very present help in trouble. 

Therefore we will not fear, 

though the earth should change 

And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea. 

(Psa 46:1-2)”

Summary of the commands not to fear tied to Who God is. Why not fear?

• Do not fear because God sees you (E.g. Hagar; Genesis 21:17).

• Do not fear because God is your shield (E. g Abraham; Genesis 15:1).

• Do not fear because God is with you (E.g. Abraham; Genesis 26:24; the Lord our Shepherd Psalm 23:4).

• Do not fear for God brings salvation in accordance with His power and promise (E.g. Repeatedly with Moses and Israel in Exodus; Exodus 14:13, Deuteronomy 3:22, Joshua 10:25, 2 Chronicles 32:7, or Nehemiah 4:14).

• Do not fear for God is your salvation, light, and defense (Psalm 27:1).

• Do not fear for God is your refuge, strength, and your help in trouble (Psalm 46:1-2).

• Do not fear because nothing else can be against you if God is for you. No one can do something against you outside of God’s power (Psalm 118:6).

• Do not fear sudden calamities because the Lord can keep you from slipping (Proverbs 3:25).

• Do not fear because God is your God and He is strong and will strengthen and uphold you (Isaiah 41:10, 13).

• Do not fear because you belong to God. He has bought you, formed you (Isaiah 43:1… and also bought with such a high price!). He has formed you, and chosen you (Israel 44:2 and Christian as well).

• Do not fear because of the great things that God has done (Joel 2:21).

• Do not fear because God is living with us through His Spirit (Haggai 2:5).

• Do not fear those who persecute you because the Lord will make everything known in the future (Matthew 10:26); fear only God Who can cause pain in life and death, not those who can hurt you in this life (10:28).

• Do not fear because God sees you as extremely valuable, and He already takes care of the creation that you might think is not valuable compared to you (Matthew 10:31; Luke 12:5, 7).

• Do not fear because, in Christ (message of the Gospel), you are welcomed into God’s family, not thrown from His family (Romans 8:15). As God is your Father, you can come to Him as a small child comes to their “Daddy” for protection, provision, security and freedom from fear.

• Do not fear because God is with us even in the most difficult times (NAU Lamentations 3:57  You drew near when I called on You; You said, "Do not fear!")

• Idea 5

A common term for fear is to be stirred - as when waters are stirred (waiting for the stirring of the waters when the angel came to heal). Circumstances trouble the water of the soul. The times this occurs refer often to troubling times that bring inner commotion. So, how do we find an inner “cease stir” of the soul? Not just the absence of circumstances, but a heart that is fixed and settled on the Lord rather than the pool ground of other circumstances.

This inner turmoil is something that is quieted not by absence of commotion from the outside.

That being said, this is, at times, the path of the child of God. This inner turmoil of soul can be inescapable. Very important: This word is used to refer to Jesus’ suffering. He was troubled in heart (John 11:33; John 12:27; John 13:21). And yet, as He was troubled by the events of His last days, He encouraged the disciples to consider the fact that they need not be troubled by looking at what He was going to do in the future. 

• Idea 6

There is a special help with anxiety for the Christian in our day. Jesus says His peace He is going to give us so we do not need to be fearful or troubled. That peace is from the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Whose fruit consists of peace (John 14:27).

• Idea 7

Side thought on fear. Fear God, fear of man, or fearful heart. These three are interestingly interconnected (Proverbs 29:25; Fear God in Proverbs, Matthew 10:26-28). As I fear God correctly I am not ensnared with fearing man, nor are my emotions tied up in fearfulness.

• Idea 8 

Love casts out fear. There is a relationship to loving perfectly and freedom from fear and anxiety (1 John 4:18). The more I am acting in my life for the help of God and others the less my own circumstances will be pressuring my mind and the less I will be overwhelmed with anxiety. The times that merimnao are used positively are the times they are used for others (1 Corinthians 7:31-32; Philippians 2:20). There is a positive form of anxiety then, when used from a loving heart. 

This is a good "put on / put off" principle for those struggling with anxiety. Develop good “loving activities” that are focused entirely on helping others with no thought of return.

Part 2: Primary words and their text in Scripture Old Testament and New Testament

Primary Old Testament Words

• דָּאַג 

Holladay - “Be anxious, worried”

Verb:

NAS 1 Samuel 9:5  When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, and let us return, lest my father cease to be concerned about the donkeys and become anxious for us."

NAS 1 Samuel 10:2  "When you go from me today, then you will find two men close to Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say to you, 'The donkeys which you went to look for have been found. Now behold, your father has ceased to be concerned about the donkeys and is anxious for you, saying, "What shall I do about my son?'"

NAU  Psalm 38:18 For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin. (Psa 38:18 NAU)

NAU  Isaiah 57:11 "Of whom were you worried and fearful When you lied, and did not remember Me Nor give Me a thought? Was I not silent even for a long time So you do not fear Me? (Isa 57:11 NAU)

NAU  Jeremiah 17:8 "For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit. (Jer 17:8 NAU)

NAU  Jeremiah 38:19 Then King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "I dread the Jews who have gone over to the Chaldeans, for they may give me over into their hand and they will abuse me." (Jer 38:19 NAU)

NAU  Jeremiah 42:16 then the sword, which you are afraid of, will overtake you there in the land of Egypt; and the famine, about which you are anxious, will follow closely after you there in Egypt, and you will die there. (Jer 42:16 NAU)

Noun:

NAS Proverbs 12:25  Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.

NAS Jeremiah 49:23  Concerning Damascus. "Hamath and Arpad are put to shame, For they have heard bad news; They are disheartened. There is anxiety by the sea, It cannot be calmed.

NAU  Joshua 22:24 "But truly we have done this out of concern, for a reason, saying, 'In time to come your sons may say to our sons, "What have you to do with the LORD, the God of Israel? (Jos 22:24 NAU)

NAU  Ezekiel 4:16 Moreover, He said to me, "Son of man, behold, I am going to break the staff of bread in Jerusalem, and they will eat bread by weight and with anxiety, and drink water by measure and in horror, (Eze 4:16 NAU)

NAU  Ezekiel 12:18 "Son of man, eat your bread with trembling and drink your water with quivering and anxiety. (Eze 12:18 NAU)

NAU  Ezekiel 12:19 "Then say to the people of the land, 'Thus says the Lord GOD concerning the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the land of Israel, "They will eat their bread with anxiety and drink their water with horror, because their land will be stripped of its fullness on account of the violence of all who live in it. (Eze 12:19 NAU)

• יָרֵא 

Holladay -  “3. be afraid”

NAU  Genesis 44:34 "For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me-- for fear that I see the evil that would overtake my father?" (Gen 44:34 NAU)

Tim - The most common use of these, of course, is 

to fear God (most occurrences)

and not to fear others because we fear God (see next set of verses). 

Following are all references encouraging us not to fear because of Who the Lord is:

NAU  Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." (Gen 15:1 NAU)

Do not fear because the Lord’s intervention comes up:

NAU Genesis 15:1  After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great."

NAU Deuteronomy 3:22  'Do not fear them, for the LORD your God is the one fighting for you.'

NAU Deuteronomy 31:8  "The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

NAU 2 Kings 6:16  So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

NAU  Psalm 46:2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

NAU Isaiah 41:10  'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

NAU Isaiah 44:2  Thus says the LORD who made you And formed you from the womb, who will help you, 'Do not fear, O Jacob My servant; And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen.

NAU Haggai 2:5  'As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!'

Also: Genesis 21:17; Genesis 26:24; Exodus 14:13; Numbers 14:9; Numbers 21:34; Deuteronomy 1:21; Deuteronomy 3:2; Joshua 8:1; Joshua 10:8; Joshua 10:25; Judges 6:23; 1 Samuel 12:20; 1 Chronicles 22:13; 1 Chronicles 28:20; 2 Chronicles 20:15; 2 Chronicles 20:17; 2 Chronicles 32:7; Isaiah 10:24; Isaiah 40:9;  Isaiah 41:13; Isaiah 43:1,5; Jeremiah 46:27; Jeremiah 46:28; Lamentations 3:57; Joel 2:21, 2; Zechariah 8:13, 15

piel - “overawe, alarm” 

NAU  2 Samuel 14:15 "Now the reason I have come to speak this word to my lord the king is that the people have made me afraid; so your maidservant said, 'Let me now speak to the king, perhaps the king will perform the request of his maidservant.

NAU  Nehemiah 6:9 For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, "They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done." But now, O God, strengthen my hands. (Neh 6:9 NAU) (Also verses 14 and 19).

NAU  2 Chronicles 32:18 They called this out with a loud voice in the language of Judah to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them, so that they might take the city.

• שַׂרְעַפִּים

Halladay - “Disquieting Thoughts”

NAS Psalm 94:19  When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations delight my soul.

NAS Psalm 139:23  Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

• יָדַע 

Halladay - “4. care about, be concerned about”

Tim - The most common use of this word is to recognize, know or understand. Where are your thoughts going to go?  

Genesis 39:6 So he left everything he owned in Joseph's charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. (Gen 39:6 NAU)

NAU  Proverbs 29:7 The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor, The wicked does not understand such concern. (Pro 29:7 NAU)

•  לְנִמְהֲרֵי־לֵ֔ב 

Tim - “Hurried of Heart”

NAS Isaiah 35:4  Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you."

• וַתִּתְפָּ֫עֶם (of spirit)

Tim “Quick-Paced of Spirit” 

NAS Daniel 2:3  And the king said to them, "I had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand the dream."

• חָרָה 

Halladay - “be(come) hot” (most often used of anger) / translated, fret

NAS Psalm 37:1  A Psalm of David. Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers.

NAS Psalm 37:7  Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

NAS Psalm 37:8  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it leads only to evildoing.

NAS Proverbs 24:19  Do not fret because of evildoers, Or be envious of the wicked;

Primary New Testament Words

• Μεριμνάω (verb)

Thayer “a. to be anxious; to be troubled with cares” 

NAS Matthew 6:25  "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing?

NAS Matthew 6:27  "And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?

NAS Matthew 6:28  "And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,

NAS Matthew 6:31  "Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?'

NAS Matthew 6:34  "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

NAS Matthew 10:19  "But when they deliver you up, do not become anxious about how or what you will speak; for it shall be given you in that hour what you are to speak.

NAU  Luke 10:41 But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; (Luk 10:41 NAU)

NAS Luke 12:11  "And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not become anxious about how or what you should speak in your defense, or what you should say;

NAS Luke 12:22  And He said to His disciples, "For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on.

NAS Luke 12:25  "And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?

NAS Luke 12:26  "If then you cannot do even a very little thing, why are you anxious about other matters?

NAS Philippians 4:6  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

NAU  1 Corinthians 7:32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;

NAU  1 Corinthians 7:33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife,

NAU  1 Corinthians 7:34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

NAU  Philippians 2:20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.

• Μέριμνα (Noun)

Thayer - "μέριμνα, μεριμνᾷς, ἡ (from μερίζω, μερίζομαι, to be drawn in different directions, cf. (English `distraction' and `curae quae meum animum divorse trahunt') Terence, Andr. 1, 5, 25; Vergil Aen. 4, 285f; (but according to others derived from a root meaning to be thoughtful, and akin to μάρτυς, memor, etc.; cf. Vanicek, p. 1201; Curtius, sec. 466; Fick 4:283; see μάρτυς)), care, anxiety." 

NAU  Matthew 13:22 "And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

NAU  Luke 8:14 "The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

NAU  Luke 21:34 "Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap;

NAU  2 Corinthians 11:28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.

NAS 1 Peter 5:7  casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

• προμεριμνάω

Thayer - “to be anxious beforehand:” 

NAS Mark 13:11  "And when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not be anxious beforehand about what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit.

• Μέλει 

Thayer - "it is a care"

NAS 1 Corinthians 7:21  Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.

  Matthew 22:16 And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any.

NAU  Mark 4:38 Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"

Mark 12:14 They came and said to Him, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?

NAU  Luke 10:40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."

NAU  John 10:13 "He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep.

NAU  John 12:6 Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it.

NAU  Acts 18:17 And they all took hold of Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and began beating him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio was not concerned about any of these things.

NAU  1 Corinthians 7:21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.

NAU  1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING." God is not concerned about oxen, is He?

NAU  1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

• ἀμέριμνος

Thayer -  "free from anxiety, free from care"

NAS 1 Corinthians 7:32  But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;

• ἐπίστασις

Thayer - "an advancing, approach; incursion, onset, press: τῆς κακίας . . . used of the pressure of a multitude asking help, counsel, etc., τίνι"

NAU  Acts 24:12 "Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot.

NAS 2 Corinthians 11:28  Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure upon me of concern for all the churches.

• φρονέω

Thayer - “3. to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek or strive for”  

Tim - Most commonly used to refer to understanding or knowing.

NAS Philippians 4:10  But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity.

• Φοβέω

Thayer - "to fear, be afraid"

NAU Mark 10:32  They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him,

NAU Luke 8:25  And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?"

NAU John 14:27  "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

NAU 1 Timothy 5:20  Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.

• ταράσσω

 

Thayer - “to agitate, trouble (a thing, by the movement of its parts to and fro); a. properly:  τό ὕδωρ, John 5:4 (R L),7 b. tropically, "to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mind, disturb his equanimity; to disquiet, make restless" 

 

NAU  Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Mat 2:3 NAU)

NAU  Matthew 14:26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. (Mat 14:26 NAU)

NAU  Mark 6:50 for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, "Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid." (Mar 6:50 NAU)

NAU  Luke 1:12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw the angel, and fear gripped him. (Luk 1:12 NAU)

NAU  Luke 24:38 And He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? (Luk 24:38 NAU)

NAU  John 5:7 The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me." (Joh 5:7 NAU)

NAU  John 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled,

 (Joh 11:33 NAU)

NAU  John 12:27 "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour '? But for this purpose I came to this hour. (Joh 12:27 NAU)

NAU  John 13:21 When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me."

 (Joh 13:21 NAU)

NAU  John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (Joh 14:27 NAU)

 24 "Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, (Act 15:24 NAU)

 8 They stirred up the crowd and the city authorities who heard these things. (Act 17:8 NAU)

 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there as well, agitating and stirring up the crowds. (Act 17:13 NAU)

 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. (Gal 1:7 NAU)

 10 I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. (Gal 5:10 NAU)

14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, (1Pe 3:14 NAU)

• φοβέω, φόβῳ: 

Thayer - "2. to fear, be afraid; the Septuagint very often for יָרֵא; absolutely to be struck with fear, to be seized with alarm"  

Fear (There were 500 + references in OT and NT, I have a few here and above).

NAU Romans 8:15  For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"

NAU Romans 11:20  Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;

NAU Romans 13:3  For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;

NAU Romans 13:7  Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

NAU 1 Corinthians 2:3  I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling,

NAU 2 Corinthians 5:11  Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.

NAU 2 Corinthians 7:1  Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

NAU 2 Corinthians 7:11  For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

NAU 2 Corinthians 7:15  His affection abounds all the more toward you, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.

NAU Galatians 2:2  It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.

NAU Galatians 4:11  I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.

NAU Ephesians 5:21  and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

NAU Ephesians 6:5  Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;

NAU Philippians 1:14  and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear.

NAU Philippians 2:12  So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

NAU 1 Thessalonians 3:5  For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be in vain.

NAU Hebrews 2:15  and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

NAU Hebrews 4:1  Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it.

NAU Hebrews 12:21  And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I AM FULL OF FEAR and trembling."

NAU 1 Peter 1:17  If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;

NAU 1 Peter 2:17  Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

NAU 1 Peter 3:6  just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.

NAU 1 Peter 3:14  But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,

NAU 1 John 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

NAU Jude 1:12  These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted;

NAU Jude 1:23  save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.

NAU Revelation 2:10  'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

NAU Revelation 11:11  But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God came into them, and they stood on their feet; and great fear fell upon those who were watching them.

NAU Revelation 11:18  "And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath came, and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints and those who fear Your name, the small and the great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth."

NAU Revelation 14:7  and he said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters."

NAU Revelation 15:4  "Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; For ALL THE NATIONS WILL COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE YOU, FOR YOUR RIGHTEOUS ACTS HAVE BEEN REVEALED."

NAU Revelation 18:10  standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.'

NAU Revelation 18:15  "The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning,

NAU Revelation 19:5  And a voice came from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great."