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1 John 4:17

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— 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.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— 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.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— 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.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— In this 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.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— Herein has love been perfected with us that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, that even as *he* is, *we* also are in this world.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— Herein, hath love with us, been made perfect,—in order that, boldness, we might have in the day of judging,—in that, just as, He, is, we also, are, in this world.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— In this made perfect hath been the love with us, that boldness we may have in the day of the judgment, because even as He is, we—we also are in this world;
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— In this is the charity of God perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment: because as he is, we also are in this world.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— Herein is that loue perfect in vs, that we should haue boldnes in the day of iudgement: for as he is, euen so are we in this world.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— Herein is our loue made perfect, that wee may haue boldnesse in the day of Iudgement, because as hee is, so are we in this world.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— Herein is his love made perfect in us, so that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— And in this is his love perfected with us, that openness of face we might have in the day of judgment; because that as He was, so also we are in this world.
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— And hereby is his love perfected with us; that we may have open countenances in the day of judgment; because as he was, so also are we in this world.

Strong's Numbers & Red-LettersGreek New TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
Herein 1722
{1722} Prime
ἐν
en
{en}
A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); 'in', at, (up-) on, by, etc.
5129
{5129} Prime
τούτῳ
touto
{too'-to}
Dative singular masculine or neuter of G3778; to (in, with or by) this (person or thing).
is x3326
(3326) Complement
μετά
meta
{met-ah'}
A primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly denoting accompaniment; 'amid' (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive case association, or accusative case succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G0575 or G1537 and G1519 or G4314; less intimate than G1722, and less close than G4862).
our 2257
{2257} Prime
ἡμῶν
hemon
{hay-mone'}
Genitive plural of G1473; of (or from) us.
y3326
[3326] Standard
μετά
meta
{met-ah'}
A primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly denoting accompaniment; 'amid' (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive case association, or accusative case succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G0575 or G1537 and G1519 or G4314; less intimate than G1722, and less close than G4862).
love 26
{0026} Prime
ἀγάπη
agape
{ag-ah'-pay}
From G0025; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast.
made perfect, 5048
{5048} Prime
τελειόω
teleioo
{tel-i-o'-o}
From G5046; to complete, that is, (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character).
z5769
<5769> Grammar
Tense - Perfect (See G5778)
Voice - Passive (See G5786)
Mood - Indicative (See G5791)
Count - 215
that 2443
{2443} Prime
ἵνα
hina
{hin'-ah}
Probably from the same as the former part of G1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare G3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result).
we may have 2192
{2192} Prime
ἔχω
echo
{ekh'-o}
A primary verb (including an alternate form σχέω [[scheo]], {skheh'-o}; used in certain tenses only); to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession, ability, contiguity, relation or condition).
z5725
<5725> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Subjunctive (See G5792)
Count - 352
boldness 3954
{3954} Prime
παρρησία
parrhesia
{par-rhay-see'-ah}
From G3956 and a derivative of G4483; all out spokenness, that is, frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication assurance.
in 1722
{1722} Prime
ἐν
en
{en}
A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); 'in', at, (up-) on, by, etc.
the x3588
(3588) Complement

ho
{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
day 2250
{2250} Prime
ἡμέρα
hemera
{hay-mer'-ah}
Feminine (with G5610 implied) of a derivative of ἧμαι [[hemai]] (to sit; akin to the base of G1476) meaning tame, that is, gentle; day, that is, (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context).
of judgment: 2920
{2920} Prime
κρίσις
krisis
{kree'-sis}
(Subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension a tribunal; by implication justice (specifically divine law).
because 3754
{3754} Prime
ὅτι
hoti
{hot'-ee}
Neuter of G3748 as conjugation; demonstrative that (sometimes redundant); causatively because.
as 2531
{2531} Prime
καθώς
kathos
{kath-oce'}
From G2596 and G5613; just (or inasmuch) as, that.
he 1565
{1565} Prime
ἐκεῖνος
ekeinos
{ek-i'-nos}
From G1563; that one (or [neuter] thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.
is, 2076
{2076} Prime
ἐστί
esti
{es-tee'}
Third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are.
z5748
<5748> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - No Voice Stated (See G5799)
Mood - Indicative (See G5791)
Count - 1612
so 2532
{2532} Prime
καί
kai
{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
are 2070
{2070} Prime
ἐσμέν
esmen
{es-men'}
Frist person plural indicative of G1510; we are.
z5748
<5748> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - No Voice Stated (See G5799)
Mood - Indicative (See G5791)
Count - 1612
we 2249
{2249} Prime
ἡμεῖς
hemeis
{hay-mice'}
Nomitive plural of G1473; we (only used when emphatic).
in 1722
{1722} Prime
ἐν
en
{en}
A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); 'in', at, (up-) on, by, etc.
this 5129
{5129} Prime
τούτῳ
touto
{too'-to}
Dative singular masculine or neuter of G3778; to (in, with or by) this (person or thing).
world. 2889
{2889} Prime
κόσμος
kosmos
{kos'-mos}
Probably from the base of G2865; orderly arrangement, that is, decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally]).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

1 John 4:17-18

_ _ (Compare 1 John 3:19-21.)

_ _ our love — rather as the Greek, “LOVE (in the abstract, the principle of love [Alford]) is made perfect (in its relations) with us.” Love dwelling in us advances to its consummation “with us” that is, as it is concerned with us: so Greek. Luke 1:58, “showed mercy upon (literally, ‘with’) her”: 2 John 1:2, the truth “shall be with us for ever.”

_ _ boldness — “confidence”: the same Greek as 1 John 3:21, to which this passage is parallel. The opposite of “fear,” 1 John 4:18. Herein is our love perfected, namely, in God dwelling in us, and our dwelling in God (1 John 4:16), involving as its result “that we can have confidence (or boldness) in the day of judgment” (so terrible to all other men, Acts 24:25; Romans 2:16).

_ _ because, etc. — The ground of our “confidence” is, “because even as He (Christ) is, we also are in this world” (and He will not, in that day, condemn those who are like Himself), that is, we are righteous as He is righteous, especially in respect to that which is the sum of righteousness, love (1 John 3:14). Christ IS righteous, and love itself, in heaven: so are we, His members, who are still “in this world.” Our oneness with Him even now in His exalted position above (Ephesians 2:6), so that all that belongs to Him of righteousness, etc., belongs to us also by perfect imputation and progressive impartation, is the ground of our love being perfected so that we can have confidence in the day of judgment. We are in, not of, this world.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

1 John 4:17-21

_ _ The apostle, having thus excited and enforced sacred love from the great pattern and motive of it, the love that is and dwells in God himself, proceeds to recommend it further by other considerations; and he recommends it in both the branches of it, both as love to God, and love to our brother or Christian neighbour.

_ _ I. As love to God, to the primum amabile — the first and chief of all amiable beings and objects, who has the confluence of all beauty, excellence, and loveliness, in himself, and confers on all other beings whatever renders them good and amiable. Love to God seems here to be recommended on these accounts: — 1. It will give us peace and satisfaction of spirit in the day when it will be most needed, or when it will be the greatest pleasure and blessing imaginable: Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, 1 John 4:17. There must be a day of universal judgment. Happy they who shall have holy fiducial boldness before the Judge at that day, who shall be able to lift up their heads, and to look him in the face, as knowing he is their friend and advocate! Happy they who have holy boldness and assurance in the prospect of that day, who look and wait for it, and for the Judge's appearance! So do, and so may do, the lovers of God. Their love to God assures them of God's love to them, and consequently of the friendship of the Son of God; the more we love our friend, especially when we are sure that he knows it, the more we can trust his love. As God is good and loving, and faithful to his promise, so we can easily be persuaded of his love, and the happy fruits of his love, when we can say, Thou that knowest all things knowest that we love thee. And hope maketh not ashamed; our hope, conceived by the consideration of God's love, will not disappoint us, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost that is given to us, Romans 5:5. Possibly here by the love of God may be meant our love to God, which is shed abroad upon our hearts by the Holy Ghost; this is the foundation of our hope, or of our assurance that our hope will hold good at last. Or, if by the love of God be meant the sense and apprehension of his love to us, yet this must suppose or include us as lovers of him in this case; and indeed the sense and evidence of his love to us do shed abroad upon our hearts love to him; and thereupon we have confidence towards him and peace and joy in him. He will give the crown of righteousness to all that love his appearing. And we have this boldness towards Christ because of our conformity to him: Because as he is so are we in this world, 1 John 4:17. Love hath conformed us to him; as he was the great lover of God and man, he has taught us in our measure to be so too, and he will not deny his own image. Love teaches us to conform in sufferings too; we suffer for him and with him, and therefore cannot but hope and trust that we shall also be glorified together with him, 2 Timothy 2:12. 2. It prevents or removes the uncomfortable result and fruit of servile fear: There is no fear in love (1 John 4:18); so far as love prevails, fear ceases. We must here distinguish, I judge, between fear and being afraid; or, in this case, between the fear of God and being afraid of him. The fear of God is often mentioned and commanded as the substance of religion (1 Peter 2:17; Revelation 14:7); and so it imports the high regard and veneration we have for God and his authority and government. Such fear is constant with love, yea, with perfect love, as being in the angels themselves. But then there is a being afraid of God, which arises from a sense of guilt, and a view of his vindictive perfections; in the view of them, God is represented as a consuming fire; and so fear here may be rendered dread; There is no dread in love. Love considers its object as good and excellent, and therefore amiable, and worthy to be beloved. Love considers God as most eminently good, and most eminently loving us in Christ, and so puts off dread, and puts on joy in him; and, as love grows, joy grows too; so that perfect love casteth out fear or dread. Those who perfectly love God are, from his nature, and counsel, and covenant, perfectly assured of his love, and consequently are perfectly free from any dismal dreadful suspicions of his punitive power and justice, as armed against them; they well know that God loves them, and they thereupon triumph in his love. That perfect love casteth out fear the apostle thus sensibly argues: that which casteth out torment casteth out fear or dread: Because fear hath torment (1 John 4:18) — fear is known to be a disquieting torturing passion, especially such a fear as is the dread of an almighty avenging God; but perfect love casteth out torment, for it teaches the mind a perfect acquiescence and complacency in the beloved, and therefore perfect love casteth out fear. Or, which is here equivalent, he that feareth is not made perfect in love (1 John 4:18); it is a sign that our love is far from being perfect, since our doubts, and fears, and dismal apprehensions of God, are so many. Let us long for, and hasten to, the world of perfect love, where our serenity and joy in God will be as perfect as our love! 3. From the source and rise of it, which is the antecedent love of God: We love him, because he first loved us, 1 John 4:19. His love is the incentive, the motive, and moral cause of ours. We cannot but love so good a God, who was first in the act and work of love, who loved us when we were both unloving and unlovely, who loved us at so great a rate, who has been seeking and soliciting our love at the expense of his Son's blood; and has condescended to beseech us to be reconciled unto him. Let heaven and earth stand amazed at such love! His love is the productive cause of ours: Of his own will (of his own free loving will) begat he us. To those that love him all things work together for good, to those who are the called according to his purpose. Those that love God are the called thereto according to his purpose (Romans 8:28); according to whose purpose they are called is sufficiently intimated in the following clauses: whom he did predestinate (or antecedently purpose, to the image of his Son) those he also called, effectually recovered thereto. The divine love stamped love upon our souls; may the Lord still and further direct our hearts into the love of God! 2 Thessalonians 3:5.

_ _ II. As love to our brother and neighbour in Christ; such love is argued and urged on these accounts: — 1. As suitable and consonant to our Christian profession. In the profession of Christianity we profess to love God as the root of religion: “If then a man say, or profess as much as thereby to say, I love God, I am a lover of his name, and house, and worship, and yet hate his brother, whom he should love for God's sake, he is a liar (1 John 4:20), he therein gives his profession the lie.” That such a one loves not God the apostle proves by the usual facility of loving what is seen rather than what is unseen: For he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen? 1 John 4:20. The eye is wont to affect the heart; things unseen less catch the mind, and thereby the heart. The incomprehensibleness of God very much arises from his invisibility; the member of Christ has much of God visible in him. How then shall the hater of a visible image of God pretend to love the unseen original, the invisible God himself? 2. As suitable to the express law of God, and the just reason of it: And this commandment have we from him, that he who loveth God love his brother also, 1 John 4:21. As God has communicated his image in nature and in grace, so he would have our love to be suitably diffused. We must love God originally and supremely, and others in him, on the account of their derivation and reception from him, and of his interest in them. Now, our Christian brethren having a new nature and excellent privileges derived from God, and God having his interest in them as well as in us, it cannot but be a natural suitable obligation that he who loves God should love his brother also.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

1 John 4:17

Hereby — That is, by this communion with God. Is our love made perfect; that we may — That is, so that we shall have boldness in the day of judgment — When all the stout — hearted shall tremble. Because as he — Christ. Is — All love. So are we — Who are fathers in Christ, even in this world.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

1 John 4:17

(13) Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because (i) as he is, so are we in this world.

(13) Again (as before) he commends love, seeing that by our agreement with God in this thing, we have a sure testimony of our adoption, it comes to pass by this that without fear we look for that latter day of judgment, so that trembling and torment of conscience is cast out by this love.

(i) This signifies a likeness, not an equality.

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
our love:
Gr. love with us

made:

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 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

we may:

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.
1 John 3:19-21 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. ... Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God.
James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

the day:

Matthew 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Matthew 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
Matthew 11:24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

as:

1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Matthew 10:25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more [shall they call] them of his household?
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.
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.
Hebrews 12:2-3 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ... For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
1 Peter 3:16-18 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. ... For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
1 Peter 4:1-3 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; ... For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
1 Peter 4:13-14 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. ... If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Mt 10:15, 25; 11:22, 24; 12:36. Jn 15:20. Ro 8:29. He 12:2. Jm 2:13, 22. 1P 3:16; 4:1, 13. 2P 2:9; 3:7. 1Jn 2:5, 28; 3:3, 19; 4:12.

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