4:18 not been perfected in love. God’s love is perfect in itself, and it brings to us the sure promise of perfection as soon as we receive it (vv. 12, 17; 2:5). But because we are being made perfect in His love over time (3:2), the remnants of fear may temporarily coexist with love. “Perfected love” from God “casts out fear” progressively rather than instantaneously.