1. This proverb presents us with a problem of translation concerning the meaning of “fear.”

2. This difficulty is seen in the various ways it is translated:
a. NKJV: “Happy is the man who is always reverent”
b. ESV: “Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always”
c. NIV: “Blessed is the one who always trembles before God”
d. NIV84: “Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord” (1984)
e. NET: “Blessed is the one who is always cautious”

3. The NIV added the words “before God” in their translation, and then in the 1984 update changed it to “the Lord.”

a. Those words do not appear in the original Hebrew text.

b. They were added as a means of interpretation, not translation.

c. The problem with adding words to the text for the sake of clarity is that while your interpretation may be correct, it may also be incorrect.

4. Note also that there are two different lines of thought in the way the verse is translated.

a. One assumes that the “fear” is fear of reverence of God.

b. The other assumes that the “fear” is a fear in the sense of being cautious.

c. The KJV did a perfect job in translating. They translated the term right out of the dictionary definition and left the interpretation to the reader.

5. FEAR defined:

a. To be startled; afraid; shake; dread; panic; terror; severe distress over danger or trouble.

b. It is sometimes used of reverence or awe, but mostly of fear and dread.

c. It is possible to define the term used in Prov. 28:14 as “awe” or “reverence,” (thus meaning a fear of the Lord) as many of the translations have done.

d. However, there is another Hebrew word for “fear” (yir’at) that probably would have been used in that case. That Hebrew term (yir’at) is used countless times in the Old Testament for the fear of the Lord or reverence for God.

e. But the term Solomon uses in Prov. 18:14 is a word that is used predominantly to refer to fear, dread, terror, distress, etc.

6. As for the interpretation, there are two good reasons to interpret the word “fear,” not as reverence but as dread or terror.

a. The first reason is the dictionary definition of the Hebrew word.
• It is by far most commonly used this way: dread or terror.
• A different Hebrew word would probably have been used if “reverence” was the idea being conveyed.
• One commentator noted that the book of Proverbs usually (generally – not always) follows that pattern of translation.
• For example:
» In Proverbs 1:33; 3:24-25, our word for “fear” is used and speaks of fear of evil or desolation. It is a dread or terror – real fear.
» In Proverbs 1:7; 3:7 (fear of the Lord) the word for “fear” is yare’, which means “to reverence.”

b. Context: The previous verse spoke about “how to deal with our sins.”
• The one who covers his sins up will not be successful at it.
• Sooner or later your sin will find you out.
• The one who confesses and forsakes his sin shall find mercy.
• In the second part of the proverb (vs.14) Solomon speaks of falling into “mischief” – meaning evil, sinful behavior.
• With that in mind, the “fear” of verse 14 seems to be a fear of sin… a holy terror of falling into sin… a spiritually healthy fear of falling to temptation and committing sin.
• Hence, the NET Bible translated it “Blessed is the one who is always cautious.”
» That translation is also an interpretation, but I happen to think it is the right one.
» The best translation doesn’t interpret the Bible for us.

7. That being the case, then our proverb is stating that the man who fears falling into sin will be a happy or blessed man.

a. Psalm 1:1 – He is blessed because he fears falling into sin and therefore refuses to go along with those who do.

b. The fear of falling into temptation is a healthy fear.

c. We SHOULD fear sin… if we understand what sin is and what it can do!
• Prov. 5:22-23 – Sin has cords that bind us up… (like tying up a prisoner) and you may not be able to escape!
» In particular, Solomon is speaking here of the snare of a harlot.
» It is true also of any sexual sin… pornography…
» This is certainly true of drugs and alcohol…
» It is true of unbridled anger, which can get out of hand.
» It is even true of seemingly innocent things – like video games, eating, etc.
• Prov. 11:5 – “The wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.” We should fear the effects of sin – the FALL… and the shame that it brings.
• Prov. 11:29 – Bringing trouble to your own house will leave you with nothing… but wind.
• Prov. 12:21 – “There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.” The wicked who sin will have lives that are filled with mischief – trouble, calamity, affliction. We should fear falling into that trap.
• Prov. 13:5, 6, 15 – We should fear (vs.5) coming to shame; (vs.6) being overthrown; (vs.15) the way of the transgressor is hard.
• We could go on indefinitely through the Scriptures to list many more consequences of sin that we should FEAR.

8. The clear implication of our proverb is that the FEAR of falling into sin will help to PREVENT us from falling into sin.

a. This is not the New Testament method of dealing with sin.

b. However, Solomon gives us here a principle that stems from common sense… that transcends dispensational distinctions.

c. We teach our children to fear the wood stove because it is hot. The fear of getting burned keeps them away.

d. We spank our children and in doing so we are teaching them that there are painful consequences to disobedience and sin. The fear of the consequences of sin helps keep them from doing it again.

e. Thus, HAPPY or blessed is the man who fears falling into sin.

f. His life will be spared from trouble, affliction, hardship, traps, cords, and shame that others endure.

g. Blessed is the man who fears… or as the NET Bible puts it, “Blessed is the one who is always cautious.”

h. Our proverb, though worded very differently, is similar in meaning to Paul’s warning in I Thess. 5:6: “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” WATCH out for sin… for snares… for temptations. Be cautious… be careful.

i. That attitude will keep you safe from sin, its consequences, and thus “blessed and happy.”

9. Note also the word “always.”

a. Blessed is the man that fears always – it is his lifestyle.

b. He is continually aware of the danger of sin that is ever present.

c. H realizes that the world is a minefield. He is always fearful of stepping on a mine.

d. He is always conscious of his own fallen nature and how susceptible he is to falling.

e. I Cor. 10:12 – He is NOT like the man who thinks he standeth – who prides himself in his own strength and ability to stand.
• That man OUGHT to fear falling. It would be good for him.
• That is Solomon’s point in our proverb.
• When we fear falling, we are less likely to fall.
• When we are weak (and know it) then we are strong (II Cor. 12:10).
• We will be more cautious.

10. And for those who prefer the translation “Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always” (as opposed to fear sinning)… the overall meaning and message of the proverb is much the same.

a. The fear of the Lord is NOT a dread or a terror to be in His presence.

b. The believer LOVES the Lord and desires to be in His presence. We seek to draw nigh unto God… to stay close to Him… like a chick “under His wings.”

c. The fear of the Lord is not a dread of Him.

d. Rather, we fear Him because we love the Lord and fear DISPLEASING Him. We fear offending Him.

e. And what causes us to displease and offend the Lord? SIN!

f. Thus, the fear of falling into sin and the fear of the Lord are very much related… two sides of one coin… because all sin is in reality a sin against God.