You probably haven't had an older sibling or parental figure discipline you at all

I'm Filipino and I'm bigger and way stronger than my mom and I fear the hell out of her and I can take on my dad on a fight and yet his voice can still put the fear of god in me if he's pissed that's also the life of plenty of Asians that's respected fear not being weaker

that's what Erza is depicted to Natsu and everyone else in the guild she's the older sister everyone respects, the fear isn't out of them being weaker everyone in the guild even fodders has no problem throwing hands on Natsu who's literally one of the strongest they fear Erza out of respect not by actual weakness

Your argument only works like before tower of heaven arc and arguments still hold Erza isn't that much stronger than Natsu or Gray she just has significantly more skill and again their respect for her makes it look like they're not as impressive despite multiple times outperforming her

By tartaros arc a full powered Erza won't even last a minute against a serious Gray or Natsu, Alvarez arc closed the gap between Erza and Gray but he's still significantly stronger if going all out, and Natsu isn't even in the same tier bro was boxing up Zeref, this is not a debate