From this springs another double charity, which both are tokens and witnesses of that first, that is, that we love God who loved us first, and then for his sake our neighbours also. From Matthew Henry's Commentary . It is a sign that our love is far from perfect, when our doubts, fears, and apprehensions of God, are many. From Wesley's Notes . This little sentence brought St. John more sweetness, even in the time he was writing it, than the whole world can bring.
Fear has no place in love.
The design of Christ's propitiatory death was to deliver from this bondage of fear. Those who love God supremely will not be terrified at his presence. At Religion Online . An Exposition on Brotherly Love , expository outlines from Mark A. Copeland's Executable Outlines series. For love does not remove, it establishes justice.