1 John 4 17

1 John 4:17 kjv

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.

1 John 4:17 nkjv

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

1 John 4:17 niv

This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.

1 John 4:17 esv

By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.

1 John 4:17 nlt

And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

1 John 4 verses

1 John 4 17 Meaning

(h2)1 John 4:17 elucidates that the complete maturity and culmination of the believer's love, originating from God and operating within us, banishes fear and fosters absolute confidence concerning the Day of Judgment. The profound reason for this fearlessness lies in our current standing in Christ: just as Jesus Christ stands perfectly righteous and beloved before the Father, we, through our union with Him and by the divine love dwelling in us, presently share in that same righteous identity and secure acceptance in God's sight, even while we are still in this world. Our present spiritual likeness to Christ serves as the foundation for our confident assurance.

1 John 4 17 Context

(h2)1 John 4:17 is embedded within a profound theological discussion in 1 John Chapter 4 regarding the discerning of spirits and the nature of God, especially the declaration that "God is love" (v. 8, 16). Following directly from the statement in verse 16 about abiding in God through love, verse 17 explicates the consequence of this divine love's active presence in the believer. It reassures believers about their standing before God in anticipation of final judgment. John's broader epistle also counters false teachings (proto-Gnosticism) that emphasized esoteric knowledge over genuine love and denied the incarnate Christ. Thus, the emphasis on perfected love, Christ-likeness, and boldness "in this world" serves as a counter-polemic against those who might separate spiritual experience from ethical conduct, or who promote fear concerning judgment by misrepresenting God's true nature or Christ's work. It reinforces that authentic faith is manifest through love and results in a fearless relationship with God.

1 John 4 17 Word analysis

(h2)

• Herein (ἐν τούτῳ, en toutō): "In this" or "by this." It functions as an indicator, linking the concept of perfected love to the subsequent outcome of boldness. It implies that within this very realm or condition of completed love, the benefit of confidence arises.
• is our love (ἡ ἀγάπη, hē agapē): Refers to the God-originated, selfless love (agape) that now indwells and characterizes believers, not simply human affection. While it is our love as exercised by us, its source and nature are divine, a fruit of God's love being poured into our hearts.
• made perfect (τετελείωται, teteliōtai): A perfect passive indicative verb, meaning "has been perfected," "completed," or "brought to its full purpose." It denotes a state of completion with continuing results. This "perfection" signifies that love has reached its goal of functioning fully, maturing within the believer to the point where it accomplishes its divine purpose, which includes casting out fear. It implies God's effective work in us.
• that we may have (ἵνα ἔχωμεν, hina echōmen): "In order that we may have." This introduces a purpose clause, directly stating the intended result or consequence of love being perfected. The perfecting of love directly leads to the possession of this confidence.
• boldness (παρρησίαν, parresian): "Confidence," "frankness," "courage," "freedom of speech." It describes an assured, uninhibited standing, free from shame or fear, particularly before an authority figure. Here, it denotes believers' fearless confidence before God.
• in the day of judgment (ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῆς κρίσεως, en tē hēmera tēs kriseōs): This refers to the final, appointed eschatological day when all humanity will be judged by God according to their deeds and relationship with Christ. For believers, this is the time of facing God’s righteous scrutiny, yet without dread, due to their position in Christ.
• because (ὅτι, hoti): A conjunction that introduces the underlying reason or basis for the boldness experienced by believers. It connects the boldness directly to their identity and standing in Christ.
• as he is (καθὼς ἐκεῖνός ἐστιν, kathōs ekeinos estin): "As He (Christ) is." This refers to Christ's inherent, unchanging nature, His righteous standing before God, and His perfect relationship with the Father. The present tense "is" signifies a timeless and continuing reality.
• so are we (οὕτως καὶ ἡμεῖς ἐσμεν, houtōs kai hēmeis esmen): "So also we are." This is a profound statement of the believer's present identity. Through faith and spiritual union with Christ, believers share in His righteous standing, acceptance, and security before God right now. It indicates a spiritual reality and a positional righteousness that is given to them.
• in this world (ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ, en tō kosmō toutō): This phrase emphasizes that the believer's shared identity with Christ and consequent boldness are a present, active reality experienced while still living within the confines of the temporal, often hostile, and imperfect earthly realm. It is not merely a future hope but an inaugurated reality.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness": This highlights the causal link: the divine work of perfecting love within believers directly produces fearless confidence. This perfected love signifies its maturity and ability to function fully in casting out fear (as confirmed in the subsequent verse). It is a love that reflects God's own character and purpose, manifesting as an antidote to judgmental anxiety.
• "in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we": This reveals the ultimate ground of confidence: our identification with Christ. The assurance regarding the eschatological judgment is rooted not in our own perfect behavior, but in the present reality of our union with Jesus Christ. "As He is" points to Christ's blameless, perfectly righteous, and accepted standing before God; "so are we" signifies that by grace and faith, believers participate in and are counted with that very same standing.
• "in this world": This powerful qualifier emphasizes that the believer's identification with Christ, including sharing in His righteousness and acceptance, is not reserved for the future or for heaven. It is a present spiritual reality and lived-out truth amidst the challenges and imperfections of earthly existence, allowing believers to face life's difficulties and anticipate judgment with divine confidence now.

1 John 4 17 Bonus section

(h2)The "perfecting" of love in this verse signifies a love that is brought to its intended completeness and functionality, particularly in relation to the removal of fear. It is not speaking of an impossible, sinless moral perfection achieved by human effort, but rather God's work of bringing His agape love to full maturity within a believer, making it fully expressive and efficacious. This perfection means our love reflects God's nature and enables a true fellowship with Him, which then eliminates fear of future judgment. The phrase "as He is, so are we" does not mean we are deity or utterly morally perfect like Christ in our human experience, but rather refers to our justified status and our secure spiritual identity and position before God through Him. We stand with Him in acceptance. It also implies a process of sanctification where our character progressively reflects Christ's as we live out our faith "in this world." This boldness allows believers to live and love authentically without constant anxiety over future reckoning, testifying to the completed work of Christ and the transforming power of God's indwelling love.

1 John 4 17 Commentary

(h2)1 John 4:17 unveils a liberating truth: a matured love (God's love fully operative within us) inherently liberates us from the fear of judgment. This fearlessness stems from the unparalleled reality of our union with Christ. Because Christ, who is eternally righteous and perfectly acceptable before God, already stands without condemnation, we who are "in Him" through faith share that exact same standing and acceptance today. Our identity and legal standing before God are fully aligned with His Son. Therefore, the approaching Day of Judgment becomes not a moment of dread, but one of triumphant vindication. This powerful assurance applies not only to a future event but fundamentally shapes our present existence "in this world," empowering believers to live without fear, knowing their standing is secured by the One who overcame all condemnation.