How many verses can you think of regarding love?

How about fear?

1 John 4:18
¹⁸There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

What affect do those references have on your interpretation of this verse? How do the two work together?

While there is only one true love described in the Bible, there are different kinds of fear. The fear of God being one of reverence, while fear of evils in our world or fear of death are emotions that result from uncertainty toward dangers and the unknown. The apostle John wants us to know through this verse that in God’s perfect love we can find a blessed assurance that no problem or situation is too great for Him to handle.

Romans 8:15
¹⁵For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Although fear and worry will come at times, our adoption as sons of God through the sacrifice of Christ serves to show us that our Heavenly Father cares for us and will see us through our troubles. We just have to believe in and on His ability to take care of us.

Matthew 6:27
²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

1 Corinthians 10:13
¹³No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Trust the One who is the very definition of love (1 John 4:8). In Him, fear has no place.