16 And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. 17 In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment,(A) because as he is, so also are we in this world.(B) 18 There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear,(C) because fear involves punishment.[a] So the one who fears is not complete in love.(D) 19 We love[b] because he first loved us.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 4:18 Or fear has its own punishment or torment
  2. 4:19 Other mss add him

16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us.

God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world.(A) 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 19 We love[a] because he first loved us.

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Footnotes

  1. 4.19 Other ancient authorities add him or God