1 John 4:18

Fear Love for others God's love

¹⁶ And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

¹⁷ In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.

¹⁹ We love because He first loved us.

²⁰ If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.
KJV: 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.
WEB: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.
ASV: There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love.
DARBY: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has torment, and he that fears has not been made perfect in love.
BLB: There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment; and the one fearing has not been perfected in love.

ÅB: Frykt er ikke i kjærligheten, men den fullkomne kjærlighet driver frykten ut; for frykt har straffen i seg; men den som frykter, er ikke blitt fullkommen i kjærligheten.
OTB: Det er ingen frykt i kjærligheten, men den fullkomne kjærligheten driver frykten ut, for frykt har med straff å gjøre, og den som frykter, er ikke blitt fullendt i kjærligheten.
B1930: Frykt er ikke i kjærligheten, men den fullkomne kjærlighet driver frykten ut; for frykt har straffen i sig; men den som frykter, er ikke blitt fullkommen i kjærligheten.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
Read in context
Romans 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Read in context
1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.
Read in context
Luke 1:74–75
deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
Read in context
Hebrews 12:28
Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.
Read in context
James 2:19
You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
Read in context
Psalms 119:120
My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments.
Read in context
Psalms 73:19
How suddenly they are laid waste, completely swept away by terrors!
Read in context