1 John 4:18 net — There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears p…

NET Bible

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love."

— 1 John 4:18, NET Bible

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1 John 4:18 in Other Translations

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1 John 4 — Context

15

If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God resides in him and he in God.

16

And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has in us. God is love, and the one who resides in love resides in God, and God resides in him.

17

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

18

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

19

We love because he loved us first.

20

If anyone says“I love God” and yet hates his fellow Christian, he is a liar, because the one who does not love his fellow Christian whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

21

And the commandment we have from him is this: that the one who loves God should love his fellow Christian too.

1 John 4:18 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 John 4:18 say?
1 John 4:18 in the NET Bible reads: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love.”
Where is 1 John 4:18 in the Bible?
1 John 4:18 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 John, chapter 4, verse 18.
Who wrote 1 John?
1 John is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle. It was written c. AD 85–95.
What is the book of 1 John about?
John writes to help believers know they have eternal life. Three tests run through the letter: do you walk in the light, love one another, and confess that Jesus is the Christ come in the flesh? Where these are present, assurance follows.
What are the major themes of 1 John?
1 John explores themes including Assurance, Love, Light, Truth vs. Error, Eternal Life. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 John 4:18.
What translation should I read 1 John 4:18 in?
1 John 4:18 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 John 4:18?
1 John 4:18 reads (NET): “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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