St. Anthony the Great on love casting out fear
The post shares a saying attributed to St. Anthony the Great describing how a believer's relationship with God changes. As one grows closer to God, dread and terror of damnation give way to intimate affection. The internal panic of punishment disappears when a person truly knows and loves God.
The accompanying image text quotes the saint directly: "I no longer fear God, but I love Him. For perfect love casts out fear," referencing 1 John 4:18. The passage presents the classic monastic teaching that perfect love removes servile fear.
Main points
- St. Anthony the Great teaches that closeness to God replaces fear with love
- The dread of damnation disappears through true knowledge of God
- Direct quote: "I no longer fear God, but I love Him"
- References 1 John 4:18: "perfect love casts out fear"
- Illustrates the monastic distinction between servile fear and filial love
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