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.
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.
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
There is no fear in love,.... In the love of the brethren; where that is, there is no fear: so far as that prevails and gains ground, fear removes; not the filial fear of God, the new covenant grace of fear, which is the beginning of wisdom, and is consistent with faith, hope, love, and spiritual joy; but either the fear of men, which brings...