1 John 4:17

¶ 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.

Herein {G1722}{G5129} is our {G3326}{G2257} love {G26} made perfect {G5048}, that {G2443} we may have {G2192} boldness {G3954} in {G1722} the day {G2250} of judgment {G2920}: because {G3754} as {G2531} he {G1565} is {G2076}, so {G2532} are {G2070} we {G2249} in {G1722} this {G5129} world {G2889}.

Here is how love has been brought to maturity with us: as the Messiah is, so are we in the world. This gives us confidence for the Day of Judgment.

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.

Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world.

1 John 4:17 is a profound verse that connects the maturity of Christian love with the assurance of standing before God without fear. It assures believers that as they grow in love, they develop a boldness that overcomes the apprehension of judgment, rooted in their spiritual union and identification with Christ.

Context

This verse is nestled within John's extensive discussion of God's love and its implications for believers. Beginning in 1 John 4:7, the apostle emphasizes that "God is love" (1 John 4:8) and demonstrates this love by sending His Son (1 John 4:9). Our love for one another is a direct response and evidence of God's love dwelling in us (1 John 4:12). Verse 17 builds on the idea that this mutual love, when fully expressed, leads to confident assurance, directly preceding the well-known truth that "perfect love casteth out fear".

Key Themes

  • Perfected Love: The phrase "our love made perfect" (Greek: teteleiotai) does not imply sinless perfection, but rather a love that is brought to its intended goal, maturity, or completion. It refers to the full development of God's love within us, expressed through our actions and attitudes towards others. This love, rooted in God's character, transforms us.
  • Boldness in the Day of Judgment: This perfected love produces boldness (Greek: parrhesia), which means confidence, assurance, and freedom of speech. When believers live out God's love, they gain an inner conviction that they are in right standing with God, removing the dread of future judgment. This is not boldness based on self-righteousness, but on the assurance of Christ's work and our union with Him. The "day of judgment" refers to the time when all will give an account before God.
  • Identification with Christ: The profound statement, "because as he is, so are we in this world," is central. "He" refers to Christ. This means that through faith, believers are spiritually united with Christ and share in His righteousness and standing before God. We are called to reflect His character, particularly His love, in our earthly lives. This identification gives us confidence, knowing that God views us through the lens of His Son, leading to no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "perfected" here, teteleiotai (from teleioō), is a perfect passive indicative verb, signifying a completed action with ongoing results. It emphasizes that God's love, at work within us, brings about a state of maturity and completeness. The term "boldness," parrhesia, denotes a confident freedom, especially in speech, implying an open and unashamed demeanor before God, a stark contrast to fear.

Practical Application

This verse offers immense comfort and challenge. For believers, it provides assurance that as we allow God's love to mature in us, we can face the future, including the day of judgment, with confidence rather than dread. It calls us to actively cultivate love for God and for one another, knowing that this is the path to spiritual maturity and inner peace. Living "as He is" in this world means striving to embody Christ's character, particularly His sacrificial and unconditional love, in our daily interactions. This transforms our present experience, enabling us to live fearlessly and purposefully, reflecting God's nature to a watching world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 John 4:12

    No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

  • 1 John 2:28

    ¶ And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

  • Romans 8:29

    ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

  • 1 John 2:5

    But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

  • 1 John 3:3

    And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

  • John 15:20

    Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

  • 1 John 3:19

    And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back