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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - 1 John 4:17 - 4:17
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
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 1Jo 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 2Jo 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; 1Co 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; 1Jo 1:6.
Boldness (παῤῥησίαν)
See on 1Jo 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; 2Pe 2:9; 2Pe 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 (1Pe 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 1Jo 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 1Jo 3:2.
In this world
This present economy, physical and moral. The phrase limits the conception of likeness.