What does the Greek 5399 saith!

aymon de albatrus 

Before knocking this as rubbish, go and honestly check it out for yourself.

The numbers in-between the words presented as, i. e. God <G2316> refer to word from the original languages codifies by a Pastor/Theologian named Strong to facilitate the meaning comprehension to those not familiar with the Bible’s original languages. He placed all the original words in alphabetical order, numbering them and listing against them the meaning in English and variants together with the number of appearances of that word in the Bible. (In this case the suffix letter G means "Greek" whilst H means "Hebrews").

Now let’s compare G5399 in Ephesians 5:33 and in 1 Peter 2:17 where G5399 appears in an interesting way.

Eph 5:33
Nevertheless <G4133> let every <G1520> one of you in particular <G1520> so <G3779> love <G25> his wife <G1135> even <G5613> as himself <G1438>; and the wife <G1135> [see] that she reverence <G5399> [her] husband <G435>.

1Pe 2:17
Honour <G5091> all [men]. <G3956> Love <G25> the brotherhood <G81>. Fear <G5399> God <G2316>. Honour <G5091> the king <G935>.

In a Table format:

Every Strong codified word is expanded with all the relevant meanings of the original language. The word G5399 is presented this way: (the numbers in parentheses represent meanings of the original word with that many appearances)

fear (62)
be afraid (23)
be afraid of (5)
reverence (1)
misc (2)

total [93]

To put to flight by terrifying (to scare away)

to put to flight, to flee
to fear, be afraid; to be struck with fear, to be seized with alarm; of those startled by strange sights or occurrences; of those struck with amazement; to fear, be afraid of one; to fear (i.e. hesitate) to do something (for fear of harm)
to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience
fear, dread, terror; that which strikes terror

To note that in 93 appearances the word "phobeo" is translated as "reverence" only once in Ephesians 5:33 …….. strange? (see listing below)

Practically every modern versions traduce the word <phobeo> (G5399) in Ephesians 5:33 as <reverence or respect>. However the American Standard Version of 1901 remains true to the original meaning, as the Darby version does.

(Ephesians 5:33)

Nevertheless do ye also severally love each one his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she fear her husband. (1901 American Standard Version)

But *ye* also, every one of you, let each so love his own wife as himself; but as to the wife [I speak] that she may fear the husband. (Darby)

Another version called the "Amplified Bible" that presents the various shadows of meaning for each word uses at least 12 words to express the meaning of <phobeo> for Ephesians 5:33, in trying to come close to its real original meaning, not having the courage to use the actual word (fear), this to circumvent the full strength of its meaning. Instead of <fear> it uses: respect, reverence, notice, regard, honour, prefer, venerate, esteem, defer, praise, loves, admire…. Exceedingly.

Well, close , but not the real thing.

Amplified Bible Eph 5:33

However, let each man of you (without exception) love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband - that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly.

To boot, here is another demonstrative verse:

"While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear <phobos>. (1 Peter 3:2 AV)"

The word G5399 " phobeo " appears 93 times in 89 verses with the usual meaning of <fear>, except in Ephesians 5:33.

Mat 1:20; Mat 2:22; Mat 10:26; Mat 10:28; Mat 10:31; Mat 14:5; Mat 14:27; Mat 14:30; Mat 17:6-7; Mat 21:26; Mat 21:46; Mat 25:25; Mat 27:54; Mat 28:5; Mat 28:10; Mar 5:15; Mar 5:33; Mar 5:36; Mar 6:20; Mar 6:50; Mar 9:32; Mar 10:32; Mar 11:18; Mar 11:32; Mar 12:12; Mar 16:8; Luk 1:13; Luk 1:30; Luk 1:50; Luk 2:9-10; Luk 5:10; Luk 8:25; Luk 8:35; Luk 8:50; Luk 9:34; Luk 9:45; Luk 12:4-5; Luk 12:7; Luk 12:32; Luk 18:2; Luk 18:4; Luk 19:21; Luk 20:19; Luk 22:2; Luk 23:40; Joh 6:19-20; Joh 9:22; Joh 12:15; Joh 19:8; Act 5:26; Act 9:26; Act 10:2; Act 10:22; Act 10:35; Act 13:16; Act 13:26; Act 16:38; Act 18:9; Act 22:29; Act 27:17; Act 27:24; Act 27:29; Rom 11:20; Rom 13:3-4; 2Co 11:3; 2Co 12:20; Gal 2:12; Gal 4:11; Eph 5:33; Col 3:22; Heb 4:1; Heb 11:23; Heb 11:27; Heb 13:6; 1Pe 2:17; 1Pe 3:6; 1Pe 3:14; 1Jo 4:18; Rev 1:17; Rev 2:10; Rev 11:18; Rev 14:7; Rev 15:4; Rev 19:5;

But a contentious and rebellious heart says: " Oh! Yeah!  This Biblical submission to nice believing husbands is hardly done in our western society, imagine "fearing" the husband, absolutely not on, let alone a non believing husband."  Everyone can do as they like, and be personally responsible of it in front of God, but let us not kid ourselves that this is not so, for the Word of God is absolutely clear on this.  Without exclusions of conditions or circumstances, the woman is commanded to be submitted to, and in fear of her husband, whether a believer or not.  This ordinance of God is not based on the husband's behaviour, but exclusively on the sex of the person and the position given by God, keeping in mind what has happened in the Garden and the pre-eminence of the man Adam,  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7 AV)