Here "love" is described as a person with the power to remove fear. God's love is perfect. Alternate translation: "Instead, when our love is complete, we are no longer afraid" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "But when a person is afraid that God will punish him, his love is not complete" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])