τρόμος (tromos)
tromos
trembling
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun tromos denotes a physical trembling or quaking, typically triggered by intense fear. In the New Testament, it appears in just five verses, often paired with phobos (fear) to describe a state of deep anxiety or awe. This combination captures the reaction of someone who feels completely unable to meet a daunting requirement yet strives to fulfill their duty despite that dread.
The word carries significant weight in Paul’s letters. In Philippians 2:12, believers are urged to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, highlighting a reverent seriousness about spiritual growth. Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 7:15, it describes the awe-struck respect the Corinthian church felt toward Titus after he returned from his difficult mission. The term also appears in Mark 16:8, where the women flee the empty tomb trembling and bewildered.
Its root relates to shaking or quivering, emphasizing the involuntary physical response to overwhelming circumstances. Translators usually render it as "trembling," preserving the visceral nature of the emotion. This usage underscores that true reverence often involves a healthy recognition of one’s limitations before God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word tromos describes a physical shaking that comes from being deeply moved or afraid. In Scripture, it often appears alongside fear to show how we react when we stand before God’s holiness or face heavy responsibilities. It is not just panic; it is a reverent awe that recognizes our smallness against His greatness.
This trembling invites us to approach our faith with honesty. When Paul tells believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, he is not asking for paralysis but for serious, humble effort. Acknowledging our weakness does not weaken our faith; it grounds it in the reality of who God is and who we are.
You do not need to hide your anxiety or doubt from God. He meets us in our shaking moments with grace. Let this awareness lead you to trust Him more deeply, knowing that your trembling is a sign of your respect for His power and presence.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- trembling5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τρόμου3×
- τρόμῳ1×
- τρόμος1×
Key Verses
-
Philippians 2:12
So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
This verse links trembling with the active process of working out salvation, showing that reverence drives spiritual effort rather than stopping it.
-
Mark 16:8
They went out, and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them. They said nothing to anyone; for they were afraid.
Here trembling is paired with astonishment at the empty tomb, capturing the overwhelming shock of encountering God's power in a new way.
-
I Corinthians 2:3
I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
Paul uses this word to describe his own vulnerability among the Corinthians, highlighting that ministry often involves sharing weakness rather than just strength.