1 John 4:17
New International Version
This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.

New Living Translation
And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

English Standard Version
By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.

Berean Standard Bible
In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.

Berean Literal Bible
In this, love has been perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because just as He is, also are we in this world.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

New American Standard Bible
By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, we also are in this world.

NASB 1995
By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.

NASB 1977
By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.

Legacy Standard Bible
By this, love has been perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as He is, so also are we in this world.

Amplified Bible
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.

Berean Annotated Bible
In this way, love {agapē} has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.

Christian Standard Bible
In this, love is made complete with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we in this world.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In this, love is perfected with us so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, for we are as He is in this world.

American Standard Version
Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world.

Contemporary English Version
If we truly love others and live as Christ did in this world, we won't be worried about the day of judgment.

English Revised Version
Herein is love made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, even so are we in this world.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God's love has reached its goal in us. So we look ahead with confidence to the day of judgment. While we are in this world, we are exactly like him [with regard to love].

Good News Translation
Love is made perfect in us in order that we may have courage on the Judgment Day; and we will have it because our life in this world is the same as Christ's.

International Standard Version
This is how love has been perfected among us: we will have confidence on the day of judgment because, during our time in this world, we are just like him.

NET Bible
By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because just as Jesus is, so also are we in this world.

New Heart English Bible
In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world.

Webster's Bible Translation
In this 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.

Weymouth New Testament
Our love will be manifested in all its perfection by our having complete confidence on the day of the Judgement; because just what He is, we also are in the world.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.

World English Bible
In this, love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so we are in this world.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
In this, love has been perfected with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because even as He is, we also are in this world.

Berean Literal Bible
In this, love has been perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because just as He is, also are we in this world.

Young's Literal Translation
In this made perfect hath been the love with us, that boldness we may have in the day of the judgment, because even as He is, we -- we also are in this world;

Smith's Literal Translation
In this has love been completed with us, that we might have freedom of speech in the day of judgment: for as he is, so are we in this world.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In this is the charity of God perfected with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment: because as he is, we also are in this world.

Catholic Public Domain Version
In this way, the love of God is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment. For as he is, so also are we, in this world.

New American Bible
In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world.

New Revised Standard Version
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.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Herein is his love made perfect in us, so that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
By this, love is fulfilled with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, so also are we, in this world.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
By this 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.

Godbey New Testament
In this the divine love has been made perfect in us, that we may have boldness in the day of the judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Haweis New Testament
By this is his love towards us perfected, that we might have confidence at the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world.

Mace New Testament
the divine love to us will be in the highest degree, if our condition in this world be the same as was that of Christ Jesus; so that we may appear with confidence in the day of judgment.

Weymouth New Testament
Our love will be manifested in all its perfection by our having complete confidence on the day of the Judgement; because just what He is, we also are in the world.

Worrell New Testament
In this has love been made perfect with us, that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, even so are we in this world.

Worsley New Testament
Herein is love perfected with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement; for as He is, we also are in this world.

Additional Translations ...



Context
Love Comes from God
16And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him. 18There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.…

Cross References
In this way, love has been perfected among us,

1 John 2:5
But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him:

Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment;

1 John 3:19-21
And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence: / Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things. / Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God,

1 John 2:28
And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.

Romans 8:33-34
Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. / Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.
for in this world we are just like Him.

1 John 3:2
Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.

Romans 8:29
For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

2 Corinthians 3:18
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
John 4:18
In fact, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. You have spoken truthfully.”

Romans 8:16-17
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. / And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

1 John 3:21
Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God,

1 Corinthians 1:8
He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:20
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

1 John 4:12
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 2:5
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

James 2:22
Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

we may.

1 John 2:28
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

1 John 3:19-21
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him…

James 2:13
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

the day.

Matthew 10:15
Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

Matthew 11:22,24
But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you…

Matthew 12:36
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

as.

1 John 3:3
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Matthew 10:25
It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

John 15:20
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

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1 John 4
1. He warns them not to believe all who boast of the Spirit;
7. and exhorts to brotherly love.












In this way, love has been perfected among us,

God’s love reaches its intended expression when believers live in faithful love toward one another. Such love demonstrates that they belong to God and that His work is producing spiritual maturity within His people.

1Jn 2:5 But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God…
Col 3:14 And over all these virtues put on love…
Rom 13:10 Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is…

so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment;

Those who abide in God need not face the coming judgment with fear. Their confidence rests on Christ’s saving work and is evidenced by a life marked by love, obedience, and fellowship with God.

1Jn 3:19-21 And by this we will know that we belong to the truth,…
1Jn 2:28 And now, little children, remain in Christ,…
Rom 8:33-34 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect?…

for in this world we are just like Him.

Believers remain in a world opposed to God, yet they are called to reflect Christ’s character in their conduct. As Christ lived in righteousness and love, His people are to bear that same likeness before the world.

1Jn 3:2 Beloved, we are now children of God…
Rom 8:29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined…
2Co 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory…

Persons / Places / Events
1. John the Apostle
The author of 1 John, one of Jesus' original twelve disciples, known for his close relationship with Jesus and his emphasis on love and truth in his writings.

2. The Early Church
The recipients of John's letter, likely a community of believers facing challenges from false teachings and needing reassurance of their faith and identity in Christ.

3. The Day of Judgment
A future event in Christian eschatology where all individuals will be judged by God. John speaks of having confidence on this day due to the perfection of love.
Teaching Points
Perfected Love and Confidence
The perfection of love in believers is a process that leads to confidence before God. This love is not self-generated but is a result of abiding in God's love.

Identity in Christ
Being "just like Him" in this world speaks to our identity in Christ. As believers, we are called to reflect Christ's character and love in our daily lives.

Eschatological Assurance
Confidence on the day of judgment is rooted in the assurance of salvation and the transformative work of love in our lives. This assurance is a source of peace and motivation for holy living.

Practical Love
The perfection of love is demonstrated through practical acts of love and service to others, reflecting Christ's love to the world.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 John 4:17?

2. How does 1 John 4:17 encourage confidence in the day of judgment?

3. What does "as He is, so also are we" mean for believers?

4. How can we reflect Christ's love to others daily?

5. Which other scriptures emphasize love's role in spiritual maturity?

6. How can we cultivate boldness in our relationship with God?

7. How does 1 John 4:17 define love's role in judgment day confidence?

8. What does "as He is, so also are we in this world" mean in 1 John 4:17?

9. How does 1 John 4:17 relate to the concept of Christian perfection?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 John 4?


Verse 17. - This verse raises various questions which can scarcely be answered with certainty. Does "herein" ἐν τούτῳ look back to verse 16? or forwards to "that" ἵνα? or forwards to "because" ὅτι? Again, does "with us" μεθ ἡμῶν belong to "is made perfect" τετελείωται? or to "love" ἡ ἀγάπη? John 15:8 inclines us to refer "herein" to "that" ἵνα; and "with us" or "among us" goes better with the verb than with the subject: "Herein has love reached its perfection among us Christians, i.e., in the Church, that we have confidence in the day of judgment." This is the perfection of love to have no fear. The ὅτι, introduces the reason for this confidence: its basis is our likeness to Christ. especially in being united to the Father (John 17:21, 23, 26). Compare "even as he is pure" (1 John 3:3), and "even as he is righteous" (1 John 3:7): καθὼς ἐκεῖνος in all three cases.

1 John 4:17 assures believers that the observable, maturing love of God in their lives is God’s own evidence that they belong to Him. This love gives fearless confidence about the coming judgment, since the believer’s standing mirrors Christ’s own standing before the Father. In the here and now, we live as reflections of the Savior, enjoying His acceptance and extending His love to the world.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
In
Ἐν (En)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

this [way],
τούτῳ (toutō)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

love
ἀγάπη (agapē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 26: From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.

has been perfected
τετελείωται (teteleiōtai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5048: From teleios; to complete, i.e. accomplish, or consummate.

among
μεθ’ (meth’)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

us,
ἡμῶν (hēmōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

we may have
ἔχωμεν (echōmen)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

confidence
παρρησίαν (parrēsian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3954: From pas and a derivative of rheo; all out-spokenness, i.e. Frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance.

on
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

day
ἡμέρᾳ (hēmera)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.

of judgment;
κρίσεως (kriseōs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2920: Decision; by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice.

for
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

this
τούτῳ (toutō)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

world
κόσμῳ (kosmō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2889: Probably from the base of komizo; orderly arrangement, i.e. Decoration; by implication, the world (morally).

we
ἡμεῖς (hēmeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

are
ἐσμεν (esmen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

just like
καθὼς (kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531: According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

Him.
ἐκεῖνός (ekeinos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.


Additonal Resources
1 John 4:17 Blue Letter Bible
1 John 4:17 Bible Gateway
1 John 4:17 Bible.com

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1 John 4:17 Study Bible
1 John 4:17 Biblia Paralela
1 John 4:17 Chinese Bible
1 John 4:17 French Bible
1 John 4:17 Catholic Bible

NT Letters: 1 John 4:17 In this love has been made perfect (1J iJ 1Jn i jn 1 jo)

1 John 4:16
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