1 John 4 18

1 John 4:18 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.

1 John 4:18 nkjv

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18 niv

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18 esv

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

1 John 4:18 nlt

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

1 John 4 verses

1 John 4 18 Meaning

This verse asserts a fundamental incompatibility between genuine love and fear of punishment or judgment. Where divine love, agape, is present and matures within a believer, the tormenting anxiety of divine wrath or personal condemnation is expelled. The presence of such fear indicates that love has not yet reached its complete or mature work in a person, implying an incompleteness in their understanding and experience of God's perfect love and grace.

1 John 4 18 Context

First John, particularly chapter 4, emphasizes that "God is love" (v. 8, 16) and urges believers to love one another because love is from God. The surrounding verses in chapter 4 instruct on discerning true spirits from false ones, testing whether a spirit acknowledges Jesus Christ's incarnation (v. 2-3). The apostle then connects this truth to the active manifestation of God's love within believers, leading to boldness. Verse 17 states that God's love is perfected in us so that we may have confidence in the Day of Judgment. Verse 18 elaborates how this confidence manifests: by casting out fear. Historically, the early church faced both external persecution and internal theological disputes, leading some to question their standing before God or to embrace beliefs that downplayed the reality of sin or the necessity of love. John counteracts such anxiety by reiterating the foundational truth of God's boundless love, which frees believers from tormenting fear of His judgment.

1 John 4 18 Word analysis

• There is no fear (φόβος οὐκ ἔστιν):

  • φόβος (phobos): In this context, it refers specifically to a tormenting dread, an anxious terror of impending punishment or judgment, rather than a reverential awe or respect (which is elsewhere commendable as "the fear of the Lord").
  • οὐκ ἔστιν (ouk estin): "There is not." It emphasizes a definitive absence. The nature of divine agape makes it impossible for this kind of tormenting fear to co-exist with it.

• in love (ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ):

  • ἀγάπῃ (agapē): This is God's selfless, divine love, which He gives to believers and which is to be manifest through them. It signifies not merely a sentiment but an active principle of benevolence and goodwill.
  • ἐν τῇ (en tē): "In the" — implies a dwelling within or being permeated by this love.

• but perfect love (ἀλλ᾽ ἡ τελεία ἀγάπη):

  • ἀλλ᾽ (all’): "But" or "rather," introducing a contrast or explanation.
  • τελεία (teleia): "Perfect," "complete," "mature," "full-grown." It doesn't denote a human striving for sinless perfection, but rather the full development and effectiveness of God's love as it operates in a believer. It speaks of the fullness of love working itself out.
  • ἀγάπη (agapē): Emphasizes that this perfected/mature love is of the same divine character.

• casteth out (ἔξω βάλλει):

  • ἔξω βάλλει (exō ballei): A strong verbal phrase meaning "throws out," "expels," "ejects." It suggests an active, decisive expulsion rather than a gradual fading. Mature love takes an aggressive stance against tormenting fear, driving it completely away.

• fear (τὸν φόβον):

  • φόβον (phobon): Again, the same kind of tormenting dread. The definite article "τὸν" makes it specific to "the" fear just discussed.

• because fear hath torment (ὅτι ὁ φόβος κόλασιν ἔχει):

  • ὅτι (hoti): "Because," "for that reason." Introduces the causal clause explaining why perfect love expels fear.
  • κόλασιν (kolasin): "Torment," "punishment," "chastisement." It implies severe, painful anguish, often with the anticipation of suffering for wrongdoing. This is the inherent nature of the fear discussed – it brings agony and dread.
  • ἔχει (echei): "Has," "possesses." Fear, by its very nature, brings along this anguish.

• He that feareth (ὁ δὲ φοβούμενος):

  • ὁ δὲ (ho de): "But the one who," indicating a transition or slight contrast.
  • φοβούμενος (phoboumenos): Present middle/passive participle of phobeō, "one who fears," or "the one being made afraid." It describes someone habitually or continually living in a state of this tormenting fear.

• is not made perfect (οὐ τετελείωται):

  • οὐ (ou): "Not."
  • τετελείωται (tetelēiōtai): Perfect passive indicative of teleioō, "to complete," "to perfect." It means "has not been perfected," or "has not reached completion/maturity." The perfect tense signifies an enduring state resulting from a completed past action (or lack thereof).
  • This implies that the process of being filled with or growing in God's love has not yet reached its full or complete development in that individual, leaving room for fear.

• in love (ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ):

  • ἐν τῇ ἀγάπῃ (en tē agapē): Reinforces the sphere in which this perfecting process takes place – the divine agape.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear": The first clause states an absolute truth, the second explains how that truth manifests. Love's very essence excludes this kind of fear, and mature love is the active force that expels it. It speaks to the incompatibility of genuine divine love with the kind of dread that accompanies a potential judgment.
• "because fear hath torment": This provides the core reason for the incompatibility. The nature of this fear is intrinsically agonizing and distressful. It highlights why such fear cannot dwell with the peace and security inherent in God's perfect love.
• "He that feareth is not made perfect in love": This concluding statement acts as a diagnostic. Persistent, tormenting fear (especially regarding God's judgment) indicates a spiritual immaturity or incompleteness in experiencing and embodying agape. It is not a condemnation, but an invitation to grow deeper in love.

1 John 4 18 Bonus section

The relationship between 1 John 4:17 and 4:18 is crucial: Verse 17 establishes that "love has been perfected with us, so that we may have boldness in the day of judgment." Verse 18 then clarifies why and how this boldness is possible—because perfected love expels the very fear that causes torment and would negate such boldness. The progressive growth in agape not only empowers us with confidence towards God and others, but also provides the spiritual stability to confront the future with peace. This internal transformation through love is what truly sets a believer free. This love-driven boldness is not mere audacity but a Spirit-given confidence in approaching God's throne of grace (Heb 4:16) and standing firm in the face of all circumstances.

1 John 4 18 Commentary

1 John 4:18 powerfully reveals the transforming nature of God's love in the believer's life. It fundamentally distinguishes between two types of "fear": a healthy, reverential awe of God (e.g., Prov 9:10), which is foundational to wisdom and obedience, and the "fear" spoken of here—a tormenting, paralyzing dread of divine punishment or judgment. This latter fear is a direct antagonist to true spiritual flourishing and confidence.

The verse explains that where God's agape love is fully present and matured within a person ("perfect love"), it actively expels this tormenting fear. This isn't about human striving to be flawless but about God's love being fully apprehended and operating within the believer, creating security. The reason for this expulsion is profound: fear, by its very nature, carries "torment"—anguish and dread. Such internal pain cannot coexist with the peace, confidence, and security that mature love brings. Therefore, if one still harbors such tormenting fear, it signals that their understanding and experience of God's love—and their capacity to love Him and others in return—is not yet complete or fully developed.

This verse offers believers assurance against unnecessary anxiety regarding the Day of Judgment (1 Jn 4:17). A person securely anchored in God's perfect love and striving to walk in obedience through that love can approach God with confidence, not dread. This spiritual truth is critical for experiencing freedom in Christ and for a vibrant, confident faith that propels one into courageous living, rather than paralyzed by fear of consequences or disapproval.For example, if a believer faces a difficult life decision and struggles with extreme anxiety about displeasing God or making the "wrong" choice, this verse encourages them to rest in God's perfect love, which liberates them from the torment of perceived failure or judgment, guiding them to peace and wisdom. Similarly, a believer wrestling with past sins, though forgiven, may still fear final judgment; the message here is that growing deeper in God's agape and their love response to Him will progressively cast out such lingering dread, leading to boldness.