1 John 4:17

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

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.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Herein is our love made perfect - Margin, “love with us.” The margin accords with the Greek - μεθ ̓ ἡμῶν meth'hēmōnThe 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 1 John 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, 1 John 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.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The Father sent the Son, he willed his coming into this world. The apostle attests this. And whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. This confession includes faith in the heart as the foundation; makes acknowledgment with the mouth to the glory of God and Christ, and profession in the life and conduct, against the flatteries and frowns of the world. There must be a day of universal judgment. Happy those who shall have holy boldness before the Judge at that day; knowing he is their Friend and Advocate! Happy those who have holy boldness in the prospect of that day, who look and wait for it, and for the Judge's appearance! True love to God assures believers of God's love to them. Love teaches us to suffer for him and with him; therefore we may trust that we shall also be glorified with him, 2Ti 2:12. We must distinguish between the fear of God and being afraid of him; the fear of God imports high regard and veneration for God. Obedience and good works, done from the principle of love, are not like the servile toil of one who unwillingly labours from dread of a master's anger. They are like that of a dutiful child, who does services to a beloved father, which benefit his brethren, and are done willingly. It is a sign that our love is far from perfect, when our doubts, fears, and apprehensions of God, are many. Let heaven and earth stand amazed at his love. He sent his word to invite sinners to partake of this great salvation. Let them take the comfort of the happy change wrought in them, while they give him the glory. The love of God in Christ, in the hearts of Christians from the Spirit of adoption, is the great proof of conversion. This must be tried by its effects on their temper, and their conduct to their brethren. If a man professes to love God, and yet indulges anger or revenge, or shows a selfish disposition, he gives his profession the lie. But if it is plain that our natural enmity is changed into affection and gratitude, let us bless the name of our God for this seal and earnest of eternal happiness. Then we differ from the false professors, who pretend to love God, whom they have not seen, yet hate their brethren, whom they have seen.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

17. Herein. This may refer back to v. 16 or forward to the clause “that we may have boldness.” Both interpretations are possible, but John’s style in this epistle favors the forward reference.

Our love. Literally, “the love with us.” This may be taken to refer to God’s love for us and our love for God, both of which may be said to come to perfection with us, that is, in our transformed lives. If “herein” refers back to v. 16, this interpretation of “with us” readily fits the thought of dwelling in love; if “herein” be referred forward, then John’s meaning may be that, in our case, love is perfected when we confidently face the day of judgment.

Make perfect. Gr. teleioÅÂ (see on ch. 2:5).

That we may have. This points to one of the great objectives on which love has set its eyes. The love of God for man and the love of man for God have as a common purpose the preparation of man to face the day of judgment with confidence. Since the standard of judgment is the law (James 2:12), and since love is the fulfilling of the law (Rom. 13:10), the perfecting of our love is an essential process.

Boldness. Gr. parrÄ“sia (see on ch. 2:28).

The day of judgment. Literally, “the day of the judgment.” This is the only place where the full phrase with both articles is found in the NT. The effect of the articles is to emphasize both that it is a definite day or time and that there is one great judgment in which all cases are considered and decided. The two phases of the work of judgment (see on Rev. 14:7; 20:11-15) do not come under consideration here. John is expecting to appear before the judgment seat of Christ (cf. on 2 Cor. 5:10), and is preparing his readers also to be ready for that awful hour. See on Acts 17:31; 2 Peter 2:9.

Because. This points to the ultimate reason for the Christian’s confidence when confronted by the thought of the day of judgment. He can be confident because he is like Christ.

He. Gr. ekeinos, “that [one].” When applied to persons this pronoun uniformly refers to Christ in this epistle (chs. 2:6; 3:3, 5, 7, 16), and is clearly so intended here, although the immediate context would suggest a reference to God the Father. The thought of Christ comes to John’s mind doubtless because of Christ’s work in connection with the judgment (see on John 5:22, 27; Rom. 2:16).

So are we. John has already stressed the Christian’s likeness to the Saviour (see on ch. 3:1-3), and he now again emphasizes the resemblance to bring assurance to his judgment-bound readers. Those who are truly like the Judge need not fear the judgment The believer’s ground for confidence is not his own imperfect attainments, but the faultless character and propitiatory sacrifice of Christ his Saviour (see on Phil. 3:9; Titus 3:5; etc.).

World. Gr. kosmos (see on ch. 2:15). Although John’s thought has reached to the day of judgment, he is primarily concerned with the Christian’s conduct in this present world. He, as firmly as any NT writer, refuses to postpone Christlikeness to an indefinite future, but insists on the possibility of its being a present reality (see on ch. 3:2, 9). Here he declares that, even as Jesus is eternally righteous in His environment, so we are to be righteous in our present surroundings. The expression “in this world” implies the temporary nature of our sojourn here, but suggests that we are to be Christ’s representatives while we live on earth. Notice, however, that this description of our being like Christ in the world is conditional upon our dwelling in love and in God (v. 16). It is love that links us to the Master and makes us like Him (chs. 2:7-10; 3:10-18). Some have felt that this description cannot be applied to individual members of the church, since none continually makes his home in the realm of selfless love. They claim that the description can be true only of the church as a whole. But until all the members abide in love, the church cannot as a whole be like Christ in the world. It is the individual who is indwelt and guided, and through individuals the Lord upbuilds His church on earth (Eph. 2:19-22).

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Ellen G. White
The Publishing Ministry, 313.1

The Lord is soon to come. In fire and flood and earthquake, He is warning the inhabitants of this earth of His soon approach. O that the people might know the time of their visitation! We have no time to lose. We must make more determined efforts to lead the people of the world to see that the day of judgment is near at hand. Carefully prepared literature on the significance of the scenes we are now witnessing is to be circulated everywhere. Our understanding is to be quickened by the Holy Spirit. O if our people would feel as they should the responsibility resting upon them to give the last message of mercy to the world, what a wonderful work would be done! A thousand times more work for God might be accomplished if all His children would fully consecrate themselves to Him, using their talents aright.—The Review and Herald, May 24, 1906. PM 313.1

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Ellen G. White
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 287

The world is ripening for its destruction. God can bear with sinners but a little longer. They must drink the dregs of the cup of His wrath unmixed with mercy. Those who will be heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ to the immortal inheritance, will be peculiar. Yes, so peculiar that God places a mark upon them as His, wholly His. Think ye that God will receive, honor, and acknowledge a people so mixed up with the world that they differ from them only in name? Read again Titus 2:13-15. It is soon to be known who is on the Lord's side, who will not be ashamed of Jesus. Those who have not moral courage to conscientiously take their position in the face of unbelievers, leave the fashions of the world, and imitate the self-denying life of Christ, are ashamed of Him, and do not love His example. 1T 287.1

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Ellen G. White
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 531

It is worldly lust that is destroying true godliness. Love of the world and the things that are in the world is separating from the Father. The passion for earthly gain is increasing among those who profess to be looking for the soon appearing of our Saviour. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life control even professed Christians. They are seeking for the things of the world with avaricious lust, and many will sell eternal life for unholy gain. 1T 531.1

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 552

“And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The conditions of obtaining mercy from God are simple and reasonable. The Lord does not require us to do some grievous thing in order to gain forgiveness. We need not make long and wearisome pilgrimages, or perform painful penances, to commend our souls to the God of heaven or to expiate our transgression. He that “confesseth and forsaketh” his sin “shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13. AA 552.1

In the courts above, Christ is pleading for His church—pleading for those for whom He has paid the redemption price of His blood. Centuries, ages, can never lessen the efficacy of His atoning sacrifice. Neither life nor death, height nor depth, can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus; not because we hold Him so firmly, but because He holds us so fast. If our salvation depended on our own efforts, we could not be saved; but it depends on the One who is behind all the promises. Our grasp on Him may seem feeble, but His love is that of an elder brother; so long as we maintain our union with Him, no one can pluck us out of His hand. AA 552.2

As the years went by and the number of believers grew, John labored with increasing fidelity and earnestness for his brethren. The times were full of peril for the church. Satanic delusions existed everywhere. By misrepresentation and falsehood the emissaries of Satan sought to arouse opposition against the doctrines of Christ, and in consequence dissensions and heresies were imperiling the church. Some who professed Christ claimed that His love released them from obedience to the law of God. On the other hand, many taught that it was necessary to observe the Jewish customs and ceremonies; that a mere observance of the law, without faith in the blood of Christ, was sufficient for salvation. Some held that Christ was a good man, but denied His divinity. Some who pretended to be true to the cause of God were deceivers, and in practice they denied Christ and His gospel. Living themselves in transgression, they were bringing heresies into the church. Thus many were being led into the mazes of skepticism and delusion. AA 553.1

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1 John 4:17