1 John 4:17-21
New International Version
17 This is how love is made complete(A) among us so that we will have confidence(B) on the day of judgment:(C) In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,(D) because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because he first loved us.(E) 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister(F) is a liar.(G) For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen,(H) cannot love God, whom they have not seen.(I) 21 And he has given us this command:(J) Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.(K)
1 John 4:17-21
Amplified Bible
17 In this [union and fellowship with Him], love is completed and perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him]; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love]. 19 We love, because [a]He first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (works against) his [Christian] brother he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should also [unselfishly] love his brother and seek the best for him.
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- 1 John 4:19 Because God bestowed on humanity a free will, man is not forced to love Him, but rather consciously and freely chooses the response he makes to God’s love.
1 John 4:17-21
English Standard Version
17 By this (A)is love perfected with us, so that (B)we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because (C)as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but (D)perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not (E)been perfected in love. 19 (F)We love because he first loved us. 20 (G)If anyone says, “I love God,” and (H)hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God (I)whom he has not seen. 21 And (J)this commandment we have from him: (K)whoever loves God must also love his brother.
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- 1 John 4:20 Some manuscripts how can he
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