Serve the Lord with fear
Not the creature, neither more, nor besides, nor with the
Creator; God and mammon cannot both be served; nor any fictitious
and nominal deities, the idols of the Gentiles, who are not gods
by nature; but the true Jehovah, the one and only Lord God, he
only is to be worshipped and served, even Father, Son, and
Spirit. Here it may be understood either of the Lord Christ, the
Son of God, who is to be served by the kings and judges of the
earth, he being King of kings, and Lord of lords; or rather of
Jehovah the Father, since the Son seems to be distinguished from
him in ( Psalms 2:12 ) : and the
service these persons are called unto lies not in the discharge
of any office in the church, as in preaching the word, which is
serving God in the Gospel of his Son; and hence the ministers of
the word are eminently called the servants of the most high God;
for kings and judges are not required hereby to lay aside their
crowns and sceptres, and leave their seats of justice, and become
preachers of the Gospel; but in acting according to the will of
God revealed in his word, and in the whole worship of him, both
internal and external: and this is to be done "with fear", not
with fear of man, nor with servile fear of God, but with a godly
and filial fear, with a reverential affection for him, and in a
way agreeable to his mind and will; with reverence and awe of
him, without levity, carelessness, and negligence;
and rejoice with trembling;
some reference may be had to the joy in public worship, as at
sacrifices and festivals, and the music in divine service under
the law; and the singing of psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
under the Gospel; and especially to the Gospel dispensation
itself, which is a time of joy and rejoicing; the Gospel is good
tidings of great joy; the kingdom of God is not in things
external, but in joy in the Holy Ghost; and, above all, respect
is had to a rejoicing in Christ Jesus, in his person,
righteousness, and salvation: and which is consistent with
"trembling"; not with a fearful looking for of judgment, but with
modesty and humility; in which sense this word, when joined with
"fear" as here, is used ( Philippians
2:12 ) , and stands opposed to pride, haughtiness, and
arrogance; men should so rejoice in Christ as to have no
confidence in the flesh, or assume any degree of glory to
themselves, or have any rejoicing in themselves, but wholly in
Christ, giving all the glory of what they have to him.