5156. tromos
Lexical Summary
tromos: Trembling, quaking, fear

Original Word: τρόμος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: tromos
Pronunciation: TRO-mos
Phonetic Spelling: (trom'-os)
KJV: + tremble(-ing)
NASB: trembling
Word Origin: [from G5141 (τρέμω - trembling)]

1. a "trembling", i.e. quaking with fear

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
trembling.

From tremo; a "trembling", i.e. Quaking with fear -- + tremble(-ing).

see GREEK tremo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5156 trómos – trembling (shaking) caused by great fear. See 5141 (tremō).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from tremó
Definition
trembling, quaking
NASB Translation
trembling (5).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5156: τρόμος

τρόμος, τριχοῦ, (τρέμω), from Homer down, a trembling, quaking with fear: Mark 16:8; μετά φοβοῦ καί τρόμου, with fear and trembling, used to describe the anxiety of one who distrusts his ability completely to meet all requirements, but religiously does his utmost to fulfil his duty, 2 Corinthians 7:15; Ephesians 6:5; Philippians 2:12; ἐν φόβῳ καί ἐν τρόμῳ (Isaiah 19:16), 1 Corinthians 2:3 (φόβος and τρόμος are joined in Genesis 9:2; Exodus 15:16; Deut. (); , etc.; ἐν φόβῳ ... ἐν τρόμῳ, Psalm 2:11). (Synonym: cf. φοβέω, at the end.)

Topical Lexicon
Overview of Trembling (Strong’s Greek 5156)

A vivid term for an involuntary shaking that can signal terror, astonishment, deep reverence, or earnest humility before God or delegated authority.

Occurrences in the New Testament

Mark 16:8 – the women flee the empty tomb “for trembling and bewilderment had seized them.”
1 Corinthians 2:3 – Paul ministers in “weakness and fear, and with much trembling.”
2 Corinthians 7:15 – the Corinthian church receives Titus “with fear and trembling.”
Ephesians 6:5 – bond-servants obey masters “with respect and fear and sincerity of heart.”
Philippians 2:12 – believers “work out” salvation “with fear and trembling.”

Historical and Cultural Background

In the Greco-Roman world, public trembling often accompanied encounters with the divine or with rulers who wielded life-and-death power. Scripture redeploys the word to portray an appropriate human response to the infinitely greater majesty of God and, by extension, to legitimate authorities He ordains.

Theological Significance of Godly Trembling

1. Awareness of Divine Holiness: Trembling marks the vast moral gulf between the holy Creator and His creatures (compare Exodus 20:18-20; Isaiah 66:2).
2. Dependence upon Grace: Paul’s “weakness…with much trembling” (1 Corinthians 2:3) denies confidence in self and magnifies reliance on the Spirit’s power (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).
3. Authentic Obedience: “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12) guards against careless presumption, reminding believers that sanctification is God-energized yet personally responsible (Philippians 2:13).
4. Community Discipline: The Corinthians’ reception of Titus “with fear and trembling” (2 Corinthians 7:15) evidences earnest repentance and respect for apostolic authority, ensuring church purity.

Relationship between Fear, Reverence, and Obedience

Scripture binds trembling to obedience. Ephesians 6:5 links it with “sincerity of heart” toward earthly masters, ultimately “as you would obey Christ.” Such trembling is not paralyzing dread but wholehearted submission springing from reverence. It harmonizes love and fear: filial affection that refuses to trifle with God’s commands (Psalm 2:11).

Christological Dimensions

The women’s trembling at the resurrection (Mark 16:8) underscores the awe that the risen Christ evokes. Their reaction anticipates the worldwide proclamation that the crucified One now holds all authority, before whom “every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:10).

Old Testament Continuity

The Septuagint uses the same root to describe Israel’s response at Sinai and the nations’ terror before the Lord’s judgments (e.g., Psalm 55:5; Jeremiah 5:22). The New Testament maintains this continuity while placing the ultimate theophany in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Pastoral and Practical Applications

• Preaching and Teaching: Ministers approach the pulpit as Paul did—aware of personal inadequacy and utterly reliant upon divine power.
• Corporate Worship: Services cultivate reverent awe, resisting a casual atmosphere that dulls the sense of God’s holiness.
• Discipleship: Believers encourage one another to pursue sanctification seriously, avoiding complacency.
• Vocational Ethics: Employees serve supervisors conscientiously, seeing their labor as service to Christ, tempered by respectful trembling.
• Conflict Resolution: Church discipline aims for restored fellowship characterized by humble, trembling repentance.

Eschatological Implications

A final, universal trembling will seize humanity when Christ returns in glory (Revelation 1:7; Revelation 6:15-17). Present godly trembling anticipates that day and prepares believers to stand with confidence, clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 5156 portrays a bodily response that, when rooted in faith, becomes a spiritual virtue. It signals reverent awe, earnest obedience, and deep humility before the living God, shaping Christian ministry and daily conduct until the consummation of all things.

Forms and Transliterations
τρόμον τρομος τρόμος τρομου τρόμου τρομω τρόμω τρόμῳ tromo tromō trómoi trómōi tromos trómos tromou trómou
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Englishman's Concordance
Mark 16:8 N-NMS
GRK: γὰρ αὐτὰς τρόμος καὶ ἔκστασις
NAS: from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment
INT: indeed them trembling and amazement

1 Corinthians 2:3 N-DMS
GRK: καὶ ἐν τρόμῳ πολλῷ ἐγενόμην
NAS: and in fear and in much trembling,
KJV: in much trembling.
INT: and in trembling much was

2 Corinthians 7:15 N-GMS
GRK: φόβου καὶ τρόμου ἐδέξασθε αὐτόν
NAS: him with fear and trembling.
KJV: fear and trembling ye received him.
INT: fear and trembling you received him

Ephesians 6:5 N-GMS
GRK: φόβου καὶ τρόμου ἐν ἁπλότητι
NAS: with fear and trembling, in the sincerity
KJV: fear and trembling, in singleness
INT: fear and trembling in sincerity

Philippians 2:12 N-GMS
GRK: φόβου καὶ τρόμου τὴν ἑαυτῶν
NAS: with fear and trembling;
KJV: fear and trembling.
INT: fear and trembling your own

Strong's Greek 5156
5 Occurrences


τρόμῳ — 1 Occ.
τρόμος — 1 Occ.
τρόμου — 3 Occ.

5155
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