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Selected Verse: 1 John 4:17 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
1Jo 4:17 |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
(Compare Jo1 3:19-21.)
our love--rather as the Greek, "LOVE (in the abstract, the principle of love [ALFORD]) is made perfect (in its relations) with us." Love dwelling in us advances to its consummation "with us" that is, as it is concerned with us: so Greek. Luk 1:58, "showed mercy upon (literally, 'with') her": Jo2 1:2, the truth "shall be with us for ever."
boldness--"confidence": the same Greek as Jo1 3:21, to which this passage is parallel. The opposite of "fear," Jo1 4:18. Herein is our love perfected, namely, in God dwelling in us, and our dwelling in God (Jo1 4:16), involving as its result "that we can have confidence (or boldness) in the day of judgment" (so terrible to all other men, Act 24:25; Rom 2:16).
because, &c.--The ground of our "confidence" is, "because even as He (Christ) is, we also are in this world" (and He will not, in that day, condemn those who are like Himself), that is, we are righteous as He is righteous, especially in respect to that which is the sum of righteousness, love (Jo1 3:14). Christ IS righteous, and love itself, in heaven: so are we, His members, who are still "in this world." Our oneness with Him even now in His exalted position above (Eph 2:6), so that all that belongs to Him of righteousness, &c., belongs to us also by perfect imputation and progressive impartation, is the ground of our love being perfected so that we can have confidence in the day of judgment. We are in, not of, this world. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Herein is our love made perfect - Margin, "love with us." The margin accords with the Greek - μεθ ̓ ἡμῶν meth' hēmōn. The meaning is, "the love that is within us, or in us, is made perfect." The expression is unusual; but the general idea is, that love is rendered complete or entire in the manner in which the apostle specifies. In this way love becomes what it should be, and will prepare us to appear with confidence before the judgment-seat. Compare the notes at Jo1 4:12.
That we may have boldness in the day of judgment - By the influence of love in delivering us from the fear of the wrath to come, Jo1 4:18. The idea is, that he who has true love to God will have nothing to fear in the day of judgment, and may even approach the awful tribunal where he is to receive the sentence which shall determine his everlasting destiny without alarm.
Because as he is, so are we in this world - That is, we have the same traits of character which the Saviour had, and, resembling him, we need not be alarmed at the prospect of meeting him. |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Herein (ἐν τούτῳ)
To what does this refer? Two explanations are given. (1.) To the following that we may have boldness. So Huther, who argues thus on the ground that Jo1 4:18 shows that the drift of the writer's thought is toward the fearlessness of love. According to this, therefore, love has its fulfillment in freeing us from fear, and inspiring us with boldness even in view of the final judgment. (2.) To what precedes, viz., our dwelling in God and He in us. So Westcott: "The fellowship of God with man and of man with God, carries with it the consummation of love." I prefer the latter, principally on the ground that in such phrases as ἐν τούτῳ in this, διὰ τοῦτο on this account, therefore, the pronoun usually refers to something preceding, though more fully developed in what follows. See Joh 5:16, Joh 5:18; Joh 6:65; Joh 8:47; Joh 10:17; Joh 12:18; Joh 16:15.
Our love (ἡ ἀγάπη μεθ' ἡμῶν)
The A.V. construes μεθ' ἡμῶν with us, with love, making with us equivalent to our. In that case it might mean either the love which is between Christians, or the love which is between God and Christians. The Rev. construes with us with the verb: love is made perfect with us. The latter is preferable. I do not think it would be easy to point out a parallel in the New Testament to the expression ἀγάπη μεθ' love that with us = our love. The true idea is that love is perfected in fellowship. The love of God is perfected with us, in communion with us, through our abiding in Him and He in us. "Love is not simply perfected in man, but in fulfilling this issue God works with man" (Westcott). Compare Jo2 1:3, "grace shall be with us" (true reading); and Act 25:4, "what things God had done with them." See also Mat 1:23; Co1 16:24; Gal 6:18. Μετά with, is used constantly in the New Testament of ethical relations. See Mat 20:2; Mat 2:3; Luk 23:12; Act 7:9; Rom 12:15; Jo1 1:6.
Boldness (παῤῥησίαν)
See on Jo1 2:28.
The day of judgment (τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῆς κρίσεως)
Lit., the day of judgment. The exact phrase occurs here only. Ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως day of judgment, without the articles, is found Mat 10:15; Mat 11:22, Mat 11:24; Mat 12:36; Pe2 2:9; Pe2 3:7. The day is called the great day of their wrath (Rev 6:17); the day of wrath and of revelation of the righteous judgement of God (Rom 2:5); the day of visitation (Pe1 2:12); the last day (Joh 6:39, Joh 6:40, Joh 6:44, Joh 6:54); that day (Mat 7:22; Luk 6:23; Luk 10:12). The judgment is found Mat 12:41, Mat 12:42; Luk 10:14; Luk 11:31, Luk 11:32.
Because
Likeness to Christ is the ground of boldness.
As (καθὼς)
Not absolutely, but according to our measure, as men in this world.
He is
The present tense is very significant. Compare Jo1 3:7, "is righteous even as He is righteous." The essence of out being as He is lies in perfected love; and Christ is eternally love. "He that abideth in love abideth in God and God in him." Compare Jo1 3:2.
In this world
This present economy, physical and moral. The phrase limits the conception of likeness. |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Hereby - That is, by this communion with God. Is our love made perfect; that we may - That is, so that we shall have boldness in the day of judgment - When all the stout - hearted shall tremble. Because as he - Christ. Is - All love. So are we - Who are fathers in Christ, even in this world. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Herein is our love made perfect - By God dwelling in us, and we in him; having cast out all the carnal mind that was enmity against himself, and filled the whole heart with the spirit of love and purity. Thus the love is made perfect; when it thus fills the heart it has all its degrees; it is all in all; and all in every power, passion, and faculty of the soul.
May have boldness in the day of judgment - Παρῥησιαν· Freedom of speech, and liberty of access; seeing in the person of our Judge, him who has died for us, regenerated our hearts, and who himself fills them.
As he is - Pure, holy, and loving; so are we in this world; being saved from our sins, and made like to himself in righteousness and true holiness. No man can contemplate the day of judgment with any comfort or satisfaction but on this ground, that the blood of Christ hath cleansed him from all sin, and that he is kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation. This will give him boldness in the day of judgment. |
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
18 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.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
18 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.
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.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
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.
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.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
18 For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.
17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.
16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.
18 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.