1 John 4:18

The Passion Translation

Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment has not reached love’s perfection.

Cross References

Psalm 119:120

My body trembles in holy awe of you, leaving me speechless, for I’m frightened of your righteous judgments.

Psalm 73:19

It will be an instant end to all their life of ease; a blink of the eye and they’re swept away by sudden calamity! They’re all nothing more than momentary monarchs—

Matthew 9:34

But the Pharisees kept saying, “The chief of demons is helping him drive out demons.”

Romans 8:15

And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, “Beloved Father!”

2 Timothy 1:7

For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control.

Hebrews 12:28

Since we are receiving our rights to an unshakable kingdom we should be extremely thankful and offer God the purest worship that delights his heart as we lay down our lives in absolute surrender, filled with awe.

James 2:19

You can believe all you want that there is one true God, that’s wonderful! But even the demons know this and tremble with fear before him, yet they’re unchanged—they remain demons.

1 John 4:12

No one has ever gazed upon the fullness of God’s splendor. But if we love one another, God makes his permanent home in us, and we make our permanent home in him, and his love is brought to its full expression in us.