1 John 4:18

Yes, we know that we have God’s love in us, so we don’t have to be frightened of God at all. Some people are frightened that God will punish them. Those people don’t properly understand God’s love. God’s amazing love means that we don’t have to be frightened.

Plain English Version

In The King James Version

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

In Context

17We are joined up with God, and we have God’s love in us. We are like Jesus in this world. So later, on the day when God will judge everybody, we will not be frightened, because we know that God will not punish us.

19We didn’t love God at first, but he loved us anyway. So now we love God, and we love other Christians.

Read all of 1 John 4

Cross References

Luke 1:74He promised to save us from our enemies, so we can work for him without being frightened.

2 Timothy 1:7God’s spirit in us doesn’t make us frightened, but he helps us be strong so that we do great things, and he helps us love people, and he helps us control ourselves.

James 2:19You believe that there is only one God. That’s good, but even the bad spirits believe that. They believe that there is only one God, and if they think about him, they get really frightened of him. They get so frightened that they shake.

Matthew Henry on 1 John 4:18-21

The Divine Love. ( a. d. 80.) 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study 1 John 4:18