The seriousness with which they should treat this matter is shown by the phrase with fear and trembling. Certainly the attitude here recommended has nothing to do with slavish terror: as Paul assures the Christians in Rome, “you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear” (Rom. 8:15). It is rather an attitude of due reverence and awe in the presence of God, a sensitivity to his will, an awareness of responsibility in view of the account to be rendered before the tribunal of Christ.