1 John 4:18 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹⁸ There is no [reason for] fear if one [really] loves, but a complete love removes fear [from us] because fear produces punishment [i.e., mental anxiety], and the person who is [always] afraid does not have a complete love.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹⁸ There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].

American Standard Version (1901)

¹⁸ 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.

Common English Bible

¹⁸ There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹⁸ Fear is not in love. Instead, perfect love casts out fear, for fear pertains to punishment. And whoever fears is not perfected in love.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

¹⁸ Fear is not in charity: but perfect charity casteth out fear, because fear hath pain. And he that feareth, is not perfected in charity.

1 John 4:18 Cross References

Matthew 9:34

But the Pharisees said, “He is driving out evil spirits by [the power of] the chief of evil spirits.”

Romans 8:15

For you did not receive the Holy Spirit, to enslave you again to fear, [Note: Some translators take “Holy Spirit” here to be “spirit,” making the verse say “you did not receive the spirit of slavery”], but you received the Holy Spirit [or, a spirit] by adoption [who produces] sonship, so we can call out, “Abba” [which means] “Father.”

2 Timothy 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit [i.e., a disposition] that makes us cowards but one that gives us power and love and self-control.

Hebrews 12:28

Therefore, we should be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken [i.e., the church. See Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:6, 9]. So, with reverence and awe, we should serve God in a way that pleases Him,

James 2:19

You believe that there is [only] one God; that is good! Even the demons believe [that], and they shudder [with fear at the thought].

1 John 4:12

No person has gazed upon God [at any time]; [but] if we love one another, God [continually] lives in our hearts, and His love is made complete within us.