1 John 2:5

On the other hand the Christian who is careful to observe all of God’s Word (not just His commandments, 1 John 2:4) gives evidence that he has come to understand and appreciate God’s love for him. God’s love is perfected in him in the sense that the Christian has perceived it, has responded to it, and it is having its intended effect in his or her behavior. Our love for God is in view here rather than His love for us (cf. 1 John 2:15; 1 John 4:12; 1 John 5:3). [Note: Bruce, p. 51; Stott, p. 91; Dodd, p. 31.] Loving God is parallel to knowing God (1 John 2:3-4).

Bible students have often called John the apostle of love because of his frequent references to love. There are no fewer than 46 references to love in 1 John. The verb agapao appears 28 times in these verses: 1 John 2:10; 1 John 2:15 (twice); 1 John 3:10-11; 1 John 3:14 (twice), 18, 23; 1 John 4:7 (twice), 8, 10 (twice), 11 (twice), 12, 19 (twice), 20 (thrice), 21 (twice); 1 John 5:1 (twice), 2 (twice). The noun agape occurs 18 times: 1 John 2:5; 1 John 2:15; 1 John 3:1; 1 John 3:16-17; 1 John 4:7-10; 1 John 4:12; 1 John 4:16 (thrice), 17, 18 (thrice); 1 John 5:3. Likewise many have referred to Paul as the apostle of faith and to Peter as the apostle of hope because of their major emphases.