Has the fear of the punishments which God can inflict always the nature of servile fear?
Yes, except that it need not always have a sinful character such as is proper to sin (XIX. 4).
When does servile fear have a sinful character such as is proper to sin?
It has this character when punishment, or the loss of a created good whatsoever (which is the object of this fear) is a thing one fears as if it were the supreme evil (XIX. 4).
If then one fears this evil, not indeed as the supreme evil, but as wbordinate to the loss of God loved above all, is servile fear an evil thing?
On the contrary, it is even a good thing, albeit of an inferior order and of much less worth than filial fear (XIX. 4, 6).
Why is this fear of less worth than filial fear?
Because filial fear recks not at all the loss of all created goods, provided that the possession of the Uncreated Good which is God Himself remains assured (XIX. 2, 5).
It is then only the loss of the Infinite Good which is God Himself, or of whatsoever compromises perfect possession of it, that filial fear dreads?
Yes, it is only the loss of the Infinite Good which is God Himself, or of whatsoever compromises perfect possessioa of it, that filial fear dreads (XIX. 2).
Next - The Catechism of the Summa -SECOND SECTION - A DETAILED SURVEY OF MAN'S RETURN TO GOD - VI. OF THE GIFT OF FEAR WHICH CORRESPONDS TO THE VIRTUE OF HOPE OF SERVILE FEAR, AND OF FILIAL (C)
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