Osservazioni sul lessico di φόβος nelle «Omelie sui Salmi» di Origene

This paper aims at providing an example of the extremely refined technique Origen uses, preaching on the Psalms, in order to explain the various occurrences of the term φόβος. While he stresses the importance of love as the spiritual attitude of the Christian believer (in opposition with the role of fear which characterized the Old Testament economy), in continuity with some philosophical and theological arguments he underlines the preparatory value of the fear of God in order to fight against sin. However, he also shows originality inasmuch he suggests that the φόβος which also the sage should tribute to God is not based on fear at all, but consists solely on the lovely respect that the Christian who is made perfect in love pays to God. A brief excursus on the interpretation of the Greek term and on Clemens’ work will highlight the elements Origen derives from the tradition and the ones he develops on his own.