Remember the greatest: Remaining in love and casting out fear in 1 John

Abstract

This article argues that the confusing admonition in favor of “love” and “casting out fear” in 1 John 4 is clarified when read in light of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. The commands to love God and love neighbor from Deut 6:4–5 and Lev 19:18b were ubiquitous in Second Temple Jewish contexts, and were a prominent part of Jesus’ teachings in the Gospels (Mark 12:29–31; Matt 22:37–40; Luke 10:27–28). Although often unrecognized, or at least unexplored, these Old Testament texts also influence the Gospel and Letters of John (e.g., John 5:39–47; 13:24–35; 1 John 4:16b–21). First John, in particular, can be read as an interpretation of Leviticus 19 that rearticulates and expands on traditions of Jesus’ instructions reflected in John 13–17. The author of 1 John uses these traditions to explain how the purifying blood of Jesus the Advocate enables believers to have boldness rather than fear. In this way, 1 John calls on believers to remain in the love who is God so that they can act with confident love regardless of the fear that threatens them.