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Cone
Guest
This may seem like a basic question, but what exactly is charity? What kind of charity is required for salvation?
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AKDee
Guest
My understanding is that Charity = Love of Neighbor.
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MaryT777
Guest
I normally don’t post a dictionary reference, but this reference from dictionary.com was pretty spot on I thought.
noun, plural charities.
1.
generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless:
to devote one’s life to charity.
2.
something given to a person or persons in need; alms:
She asked for work, not charity.
3.
a charitable act or work.
4.
a charitable fund, foundation, or institution:
He left his estate to a charity.
5.
benevolent feeling, especially toward those in need or in disfavor:
She looked so poor that we fed her out of charity.
6.
leniency in judging others; forbearance:
She was inclined to view our selfish behavior with charity.
7.
Christian love; agape.
Origin of charity Expand
noun, plural charities.
1.
generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless:
to devote one’s life to charity.
2.
something given to a person or persons in need; alms:
She asked for work, not charity.
3.
a charitable act or work.
4.
a charitable fund, foundation, or institution:
He left his estate to a charity.
5.
benevolent feeling, especially toward those in need or in disfavor:
She looked so poor that we fed her out of charity.
6.
leniency in judging others; forbearance:
She was inclined to view our selfish behavior with charity.
7.
Christian love; agape.
Origin of charity Expand
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O_Lumen
Guest
According to Fr.Hardon’s dictionary, which seems to give a pretty traditional definition, charity is:
The Baltimore Catechism (see also CCC#1822):
Note especially that having charity for others is for the sake of God, and NOT for their own sake as if they were the final end of charity.
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Richard_White
Guest
Charity is simply a fancy word for love. In fact, it comes from the Latin word caritas, meaning “love.” As such, “the fullness of charity,” which we pray for in the Eucharisitc Prayer in the Mass, is total love for God above all things, with or whole mind, heat, and strength, and love for our neighbors as ourselves out of love for God.
May God bless you all abundantly and forever!
May God bless you all abundantly and forever!
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TimothyH
Guest
Charity is love of God. Love of neighbor flows from that.
1822 Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.
We can’t love our enemy, let alone our neighbor, with a supernatural love unless we love God first. We love God above all things first.
-Tim-
1822 Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God.
We can’t love our enemy, let alone our neighbor, with a supernatural love unless we love God first. We love God above all things first.
-Tim-
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ProVobis
Guest
Right. Actually Latin (as Greek does as well) distinguishes between the different types of love.
books.google.com/books?id=X_ZyRtXRWNUC&pg=PA60&lpg=PA60&dq=difference+of+caritas,+deligere,+amor&source=bl&ots=5JP9hz7tRH&sig=1jm50XS-nVjuaPRTgLyEj0-dHYs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CCcQ6AEwAWoVChMI_rzs3JaExwIVhc2ACh2NCAvC#v=onepage&q=difference%20of%20caritas%2C%20deligere%2C%20amor&f=false
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OraLabora
Guest
The word “charity” is derived from the Latin “caritas”. In French it is rendered as “charité”, and it’s primary definition is "L’amour de Dieu et de son prochain, une des vertues chrétiennes. " (translated: the love of God and one’s neighbour, one of the Christian virtues).
In English, I think it tends to be more seen as alms in general conversation.
If you look at the passage of St. Paul on “Love” (1 Cor. 13:4-7), it’s interesting to see the words used in various versions of the Bible:
New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition:
But in short, “charity” in the Christian sense, as used in the Bible particularly in these verses, I think really means agape love:
1.the love of God or Christ for humankind.
2.the love of Christians for other persons, corresponding to the love of God for humankind.
3. unselfish love of one person for another without sexual implications; brotherly love.
(source: Dictionary.com)
It is the totally selfless love that Christ had for us, to the point of giving up His life for us.
In short, what Tim said
In English, I think it tends to be more seen as alms in general conversation.
If you look at the passage of St. Paul on “Love” (1 Cor. 13:4-7), it’s interesting to see the words used in various versions of the Bible:
New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition:
Douai-Reims:
Bible de la Liturgie (in French; this is the French Bible used in the lectionary):
Bible de Jérusalem:
Novo Vulgate (Latin):
More modern versions thus use the word “love” (or “amour” in French), probably because the modern usage of charity has come to be more associated with alms; using “charity” unfortunately does not provide the right modern sense, but using “love” is not descriptive enough.
But in short, “charity” in the Christian sense, as used in the Bible particularly in these verses, I think really means agape love:
1.the love of God or Christ for humankind.
2.the love of Christians for other persons, corresponding to the love of God for humankind.
3. unselfish love of one person for another without sexual implications; brotherly love.
(source: Dictionary.com)
It is the totally selfless love that Christ had for us, to the point of giving up His life for us.
In short, what Tim said
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TimothyH
Guest
.
(source: Dictionary.com)
Just a point of interest. Christian definitions don’t always match secular definitions. What is described above is not agape love but phileo. Agape and phileo are not the same thing.
Agape love is totally self giving. This is love which does not “count the cost”, expects nothing in return and loves for the sake of love itself. This is Christ emptying himself on the Cross for humanity.
***Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. *(John 15:13)
Phileo or brotherly love goes both ways, each gives but each also receives.
Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Romans 14:19)
Erotic love is better described as desire. Eros desires only for its own use and does not care about the other. Erotic love appropriates a person or thing for itself.
But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:28)
Charity (caritas) surpasses these because it is supernatural love. Charity - love of God for his own sake and love of man for the sake of God - can only be divinely infused.
***God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. *(Romans 5:5)
-Tim-
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thistle
Guest
Modern Catholic Dictionary:
CHARITY. The infused supernatural virtue by which a person loves God above all things for his own sake, and loves others for God’s sake. It is a virtue based on divine faith or in belief in God’s revealed truth, and is not acquired by mere human effort. It can be conferred only by divine grace. Because it is infused along with sanctifying grace, it is frequently identified with the state of grace. Therefore, a person who has lost the supernatural virtue of charity has lost the state of grace, although he may still possess the virtues of hope and faith.
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