But whoever keeps his word, God's love has most assuredly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him:
Before leaving this verse, we should note that love ([Greek: agape]) is one of the leading concepts, recurring again and again in John's work.  In this letter alone, "it occurs 18 times, more than in any other New Testament book, 1Corinthians being 2nd with 14 times.  In a book so short this is very significant."[16] As used in this place, the love to God is not a mere emotional response, "it is the response lived out in obedience.  Love delights to do God's will."[17]