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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First John 4:17 powerfully articulates the transformative power of God's love maturing within believers, leading to profound confidence in the face of future judgment. This verse reveals that as divine love is brought to its intended completion in us, it eradicates fear and instills a holy boldness, grounded in the profound spiritual reality that our present identity and standing in this world mirror Christ's own perfect standing before God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within 1 John's overarching discourse on the nature and implications of divine love. Following John's foundational declaration that [God is love](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God is Love") and His demonstration of this love through the [sending of His Son](/1_john/4-9 "1 John 4:9 - God Sends His Son"), the apostle emphasizes that our love for one another is both a response to and evidence of God's indwelling presence ([1 John 4:12](/1_john/4-12 "1 John 4:12 - God Dwells in Us")). Verse 17 directly builds upon the preceding verses that speak of abiding in God and God in us ([1 John 4:15-16](/1_john/4-15-16 "1 John 4:15-16 - Abiding in God's Love")), asserting that this mutual indwelling, expressed through perfected love, culminates in a confident assurance. It serves as the immediate precursor to the well-known truth that [perfect love casts out fear](/1_john/4-18 "1 John 4:18 - Perfect Love Casts Out Fear"), explaining *how* that fear is dispelled—through the bold confidence born of Christ-like love.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First John was likely written in the late first century, addressing a community facing internal divisions and external pressures, possibly from proto-Gnostic teachings that denied the true humanity of Christ and emphasized knowledge over ethical living. The concept of "judgment" (Greek _krisis_) would have been a familiar eschatological theme in both Jewish and early Christian thought, often evoking fear. The idea of "boldness" (_parrhesia_) was significant in the Greco-Roman world, denoting freedom of speech, especially in public or before authorities, and in a spiritual context, it signified confident access to God. John’s emphasis on love as the antidote to fear, and the basis for boldness, directly counters any teaching that might lead to anxiety about one's standing before God, instead grounding assurance in a lived reality of divine love, not merely intellectual assent.
* **Key Themes:** The central themes converging in [1 John 4:17](/1_john/4-17 "1 John 4:17 - Perfected Love and Boldness") are **Perfected Love**, **Boldness in Judgment**, and **Identification with Christ**. The "perfected love" (from the Greek _teleioō_) does not imply sinless perfection in a legalistic sense, but rather a love brought to its full maturity, completion, or intended goal, reflecting God's own character. This mature love produces "boldness" (_parrhesia_), which is a confident assurance and freedom from fear, particularly concerning the [future day of judgment](/matthew/12-36 "Matthew 12:36 - Day of Judgment"). Crucially, this boldness is rooted in the profound theological truth of the believer's **identification with Christ**: "as he is, so are we in this world." This statement underscores the believer's spiritual union with Christ, implying a shared status and righteousness that empowers them to live fearlessly and confidently, even as they await the final accounting. This identification is the bedrock of Christian assurance, echoing themes found in [Romans 8](/romans/8 "Romans 8 - Life in the Spirit") regarding no condemnation for those in Christ.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **perfected (Greek, _teleióō_):** From G5048, meaning "to complete, i.e. (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character)." In this context, it signifies love that has reached its intended goal or maturity, not necessarily sinless perfection, but a love that is fully developed and active in the believer's life. It's a process of growth and completion, where God's love within us achieves its full expression.
* **boldness (Greek, _parrhesía_):** From G3954, meaning "all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance." This is a powerful term denoting confidence, freedom of speech, and an unashamed demeanor. It implies the ability to stand openly and without fear before God, a stark contrast to the dread often associated with judgment. It is a spiritual courage derived from a right relationship with God.
* **is (Greek, _estí_):** From G2076, the third person singular present indicative of _eimi_, meaning "he (she or it) is." In the phrase "as he is," this simple verb carries immense theological weight. It refers to Christ's present, eternal state of being—His perfect righteousness, holiness, and acceptance before the Father. It is not a past or future state, but a current reality that forms the basis for the believer's own standing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Herein is our love made perfect,"**: This clause introduces the central theme: the maturation of Christian love. The "herein" (Greek _toutōi_) points to what follows—the outcome or result of this perfected love. "Our love" refers to the love that believers have for God and for one another, which is a reflection and fruit of God's love poured into their hearts. When this love is "made perfect" (_teteleiotai_), it means it has reached its intended maturity and completeness, becoming fully active and expressed in the believer's life, not merely an abstract concept.
* **"that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:"**: This phrase explains the purpose and result of perfected love. The "boldness" (_parrhesia_) is a confident assurance, an absence of fear, especially concerning the future "day of judgment." This is not a human-generated bravado, but a Spirit-given confidence rooted in a right relationship with God, brought about by the active presence of His love. It implies that believers, living in matured love, will not shrink back in terror but will stand with confidence when they face God's final assessment.
* **"because as he is, so are we in this world."**: This is the profound theological bedrock for the believer's boldness. "He" refers unequivocally to Jesus Christ. The statement means that Christ's present standing, His perfect righteousness, holiness, and acceptance before the Father, is the very pattern and basis for the believer's own standing "in this world." Through union with Christ, believers share in His status and character. Our identity and position before God are fundamentally aligned with His, even while we still live in the earthly realm. This identification is the ultimate source of our confidence and freedom from fear.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Parallelism** is evident in the phrase "as he is, so are we in this world," creating a direct comparison and highlighting the profound identification of the believer with Christ. This parallelism underscores the source of the believer's confidence. **Metonymy** is present in "the day of judgment," where "day" stands for the entire event or period of divine evaluation. The concept of "love made perfect" functions as a **synecdoche**, where the completion of love represents the broader spiritual maturity and transformation of the believer. Furthermore, the entire verse serves as an **explanation** of how "perfect love casts out fear" (the subsequent verse), providing the theological rationale for the absence of dread in believers. The contrast between fear and **boldness** also creates a powerful **antithesis**, emphasizing the liberating effect of mature love.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First John 4:17 is a cornerstone of Christian assurance, deeply rooted in the New Testament's understanding of salvation and sanctification. It teaches that true confidence before God is not based on human merit or self-righteousness, but on the profound reality of God's love perfected in us and our union with Christ. This "perfected love" is not a state of sinless perfection, but a love that has reached its intended maturity and is actively expressed, reflecting God's own character. The boldness it produces is a Spirit-given confidence that dispels the fear of judgment, because believers, through faith, are identified with Christ Himself. This identification means that God views believers through the lens of His Son's perfect righteousness, making them acceptable in His sight.

* [Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")
* [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne with Boldness")
* [Ephesians 2:6](/ephesians/2-6 "Ephesians 2:6 - Seated with Christ in Heavenly Places")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound comfort and a challenging call to action for every believer. The comfort lies in the assurance that our standing before God, even on the "day of judgment," is secure, not because of our own flawless performance, but because of our union with Christ and the perfecting work of His love within us. As God's love matures in our hearts and lives, expressed in genuine affection for Him and for others, it naturally displaces fear. This means that cultivating love is not merely an ethical duty but a pathway to profound spiritual peace and confidence. The challenge is to actively pursue this "perfected love"—to allow God's love to transform us more fully, to grow in empathy, forgiveness, and self-sacrifice towards others. Living "as He is" in this world calls us to embody Christ's character, particularly His radical, unconditional love, in our daily interactions, our decisions, and our very being. This transforms our present experience, enabling us to live fearlessly, purposefully, and as true reflections of God's nature to a watching world, preparing us for His glorious return.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways does the "love made perfect" manifest in your daily life, and how does it impact your sense of assurance before God?**
* **What fears or anxieties do you hold regarding the future or the "day of judgment," and how does the truth of "as he is, so are we" address them?**
* **How can you more intentionally cultivate God's love in your relationships, allowing it to mature and produce greater boldness in your walk with Christ?**
* **What does it practically mean for you to live "as he is" in your current circumstances, and what changes might that require?**

### FAQ
**Does "perfected love" mean I have to be sinless to have boldness?**

Answer: No, "perfected love" in [1 John 4:17](/1_john/4-17 "1 John 4:17 - Perfected Love and Boldness") does not imply a state of sinless perfection. The Greek word _teleioō_ (made perfect) refers to something brought to its intended goal, maturity, or completion. It speaks of love that is fully developed and active in the believer's life, reflecting God's character more and more. Our boldness comes not from our own sinless performance, but from the fact that we are "in Christ" and His righteousness is imputed to us. As we grow in expressing God's love, our confidence grows because we are living in alignment with His nature, which is the basis of our acceptance. The boldness is a gift, a fruit of the Spirit, not a reward for our own perfection.

**What is the "day of judgment" referred to in this verse?**

Answer: The "day of judgment" (Greek _hēméra kríseōs_) refers to the future time when all humanity will stand before God to give an account. For believers, this is not a day of condemnation, but a day of evaluation of their works done in the body ([2 Corinthians 5:10](/2_corinthians/5-10 "2 Corinthians 5:10 - Judgment Seat of Christ")). For the unrighteous, it is a day of condemnation ([Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11-15 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")). For the Christian, the fear of this day is removed by the perfecting of God's love within them and their identification with Christ, who has already borne the judgment for sin. It is a day where their union with Christ will be fully vindicated.

**How can I live "as he is" in this world if I still struggle with sin?**

Answer: Living "as he is" in this world means that through your union with Christ, you share in His perfect standing and righteousness before God, even while you are still in the process of sanctification. It is a declaration of your new identity in Christ, not a claim to immediate, personal sinlessness. Practically, it means striving to reflect Christ's character, particularly His love, holiness, and obedience, in your daily life, knowing that His Spirit empowers you. It involves confessing sin when you fall ([1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession of Sins")), relying on His grace, and continually growing in conformity to His image. Your position "as He is" is a secure reality, while your practical living "as He is" is a lifelong journey of growth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First John 4:17 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is the very embodiment of "perfected love" and the sole basis for our "boldness in the day of judgment." Christ's life was a perfect demonstration of God's love, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, which was the ultimate act of divine love ([John 15:13](/john/15-13 "John 15:13 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")). It is through His finished work that believers are reconciled to God, and it is in Him that our love is "made perfect"—not by our own efforts, but by the indwelling Spirit of Christ who empowers us to love as He loves ([Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - God's Love Poured Out")). The profound truth, "as he is, so are we in this world," speaks directly to our spiritual union with Christ. Because Jesus, our High Priest, has entered the heavenly sanctuary on our behalf ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our High Priest")), perfectly righteous and accepted by the Father, we who are "in Him" share in that same standing. Our boldness before God on the day of judgment is not a presumption based on our own merit, but a confident trust in Christ's perfect righteousness imputed to us ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Made Sin for Us")). He is our advocate ([1 John 2:1](/1_john/2-1 "1 John 2:1 - Christ Our Advocate")), and His present reality at the Father's right hand is the guarantee of our future acceptance and the source of our present freedom from fear.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.