There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Verse 18. There is no fear in love. Love is not an affection which produces fear. In the love which ,we have for a parent, a child, a friend, there is no fear. If a man had perfect love to God, he would have no fear of anything--for what would he have to dread?
Love to God gives us boldness in the day of judgment. When we love Him truly, we know ourselves loved by Him in return; we can lift our heads before the Judge knowing He is our friend. This assurance comes only from lovers of God.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 John 4:17-21
18 There is no fear He now commends the excellency of this blessing by stating the contrary effect, for he says that we are continually tormented until God delivers us from misery and anguish by the remedy of his own love towards us.