King James Version

What Does 1 John 4:18 Mean?

1 John 4:18 in the King James Version says “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perf...” — study this verse from 1 John chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Fear & CourageLove

Context

16

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

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. our love: Gr. love with us

18

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.

19

We love him, because he first loved us.

20

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

Read 1 John 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse presents the paradox that defines Christian maturity: the inverse relationship between love and fear. The Greek word 'agape' (divine love) represents God's self-giving, covenant love demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice. 'Perfect love casteth out fear' employs the word 'ekstasis' in translation principle - meaning to drive out, expel, or displace completely. Fear (Greek 'phobos') here denotes a specific spiritual fear: the fear of judgment, rejection, or separation from God that characterizes those who have not fully apprehended God's character. John establishes that love and fear are fundamentally incompatible emotional states when the love is mature and established. The phrase 'There is no fear in love' is absolute - a categorical statement that where authentic agape exists, existential fear of divine judgment cannot coexist. This is not mere sentiment but theological reality: when we comprehend that God has loved us with infinite, self-sacrificial love (cf. John 3:16), fear of His judgment becomes irrational. The believer's fear gives way to 'perfect love' - which means love that has reached its completion, maturity, or full expression in our understanding and practice.

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Historical & Cultural Context

John writes this epistle in the late first century (approximately 90-95 AD) to combat early Gnostic heresies that denied Christ's incarnation and the reality of loving community. His audience comprised second or third-generation Christians facing persecution and existential anxiety about their standing with God. In this context, John's emphasis that God is love (1 John 4:8) was revolutionary - it contradicted the capricious, wrathful deity concepts prevalent in Greco-Roman religious thinking. The Roman Empire under Domitian (81-96 AD) intensified persecution of Christians, creating genuine fear of execution, property loss, and family separation. Yet John argues that the Christian's understanding of Christ's redeeming love should enable transcendence of this fear. The epistle also addresses perfectionist anxieties - the fear that any sin disqualifies believers from God's love. John's theology of 1 John 1:8-9 (God's ongoing cleansing) combines with this passage to assure believers that love persists despite human failure. Early church fathers like Augustine interpreted this passage to mean that God's love expressed through Christ's atonement provides the foundation for believers to reorient their deepest emotions from fear to confident trust. The passage became foundational for understanding Christian psychology - that belief shapes emotions more than emotions shape belief.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the distinction between the fear of God (reverence) and the fear that love casts out (terror of judgment)?
  2. How does understanding Christ's sacrificial love specifically address the existential fear of judgment and separation from God?
  3. In what ways does 'perfect love' require maturity and development, suggesting that immature believers may not yet experience fear's departure?
  4. How might John's audience under Domitian's persecution have found comfort in this verse despite their very real physical danger?
  5. What does this passage suggest about the relationship between theological knowledge ('knowing') and emotional transformation ('feeling')?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
φόβος1 of 27

“fear”

G5401

alarm or fright

οὐ2 of 27

“no”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔστιν3 of 27

“There is”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἐν4 of 27

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ5 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγάπῃ6 of 27

“love”

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

ἀλλ'7 of 27

“but”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ἡ8 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τελεία9 of 27

“perfect”

G5046

complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with g3588) completeness

ἀγάπῃ10 of 27

“love”

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

ἔξω11 of 27

“out”

G1854

out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively

βάλλει12 of 27

“casteth”

G906

to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)

τὸν13 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φόβος14 of 27

“fear”

G5401

alarm or fright

ὅτι15 of 27

“because”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ὁ16 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φόβος17 of 27

“fear”

G5401

alarm or fright

κόλασιν18 of 27

“torment”

G2851

penal infliction

ἔχει19 of 27

“hath”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ὁ20 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ21 of 27
G1161

but, and, etc

φοβούμενος22 of 27

“He that feareth”

G5399

to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere

οὐ23 of 27

“no”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

τετελείωται24 of 27

“is”

G5048

to complete, i.e., (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character)

ἐν25 of 27

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ26 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγάπῃ27 of 27

“love”

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 John 4:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 John 4:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Timothy 1:7Romans 8:151 John 4:12Luke 1:74-75Hebrews 12:28James 2:19

Test Your Knowledge

1 John 4 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 John Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 John 4 with CommentaryAll 1 John ChaptersComplete 1 John QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes