I also tried 6 times yesterday to post a response with no luck. Not to take away from what Chris has shared because I agree, but here is what I tried sending:
The word charity in the King James text is the word Agape in Greek. And there are different words in Greek for different kinds of love.
Over the years, the church has relegated Agape to be something special. But not that special, because we think we can produce it!
But the word charity is Agape.
Agape is the fruit of God's Spirit according to Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love." And that word love is Agape. God's Spirit produces Agape.
1 John 4:8 tells us that God is Agape. It's His nature. In fact, outside of the New Testament, the word was hardly ever used.
But God is Agape.
Agape love includes sacrifice. Agape is the concern for someone's spiritual welfare. God exhibited that toward us in that "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son."
He looked at us and said your spiritual condition needs help. If I don't send a Savior, you're going to die in your sins!
So the word charity throughout all of Chapter 13 is the word Agape. It is Agape love, or Godly love. It doesn't mean charity like we know it today.
Hi Ian. Apologies for the delay in responding; we had some problems posting comments yesterday.
Since the KJV was published first in 1611, the translators probably looked for a word that more expressly described true love or a love that is God-preferred. As you know, most other translations simply write 'love' as the translation from the Greek, 'Agape', which is correct. But in the KJV, the translators also probably looked for a more apt word & gave consideration to the Latin language for 'love', which is Caritas (from which we get 'charity'). And Caritas is more than showing love, concern & giving to another in need, but has at its root, Christian love or a brotherly sacrificial love that extends further & deeper than just a sympathetic love for another.
Maybe, the word 'charity' & its present meaning amongst most people, is actually the incorrect outdated one. Rather, when we use the word it should be as originally intended in meaning: that of love that goes beyond the emotional & sensual but much deeper to giving of oneself which includes both a deep concern & practical help.
I also tried 6 times yesterday to post a response with no luck. Not to take away from what Chris has shared because I agree, but here is what I tried sending:
The word charity in the King James text is the word Agape in Greek. And there are different words in Greek for different kinds of love.
Over the years, the church has relegated Agape to be something special. But not that special, because we think we can produce it!
But the word charity is Agape.
Agape is the fruit of God's Spirit according to Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love." And that word love is Agape. God's Spirit produces Agape.
1 John 4:8 tells us that God is Agape. It's His nature. In fact, outside of the New Testament, the word was hardly ever used.
But God is Agape.
Agape love includes sacrifice. Agape is the concern for someone's spiritual welfare. God exhibited that toward us in that "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son."
He looked at us and said your spiritual condition needs help. If I don't send a Savior, you're going to die in your sins!
So the word charity throughout all of Chapter 13 is the word Agape. It is Agape love, or Godly love. It doesn't mean charity like we know it today.
Since the KJV was published first in 1611, the translators probably looked for a word that more expressly described true love or a love that is God-preferred. As you know, most other translations simply write 'love' as the translation from the Greek, 'Agape', which is correct. But in the KJV, the translators also probably looked for a more apt word & gave consideration to the Latin language for 'love', which is Caritas (from which we get 'charity'). And Caritas is more than showing love, concern & giving to another in need, but has at its root, Christian love or a brotherly sacrificial love that extends further & deeper than just a sympathetic love for another.
Maybe, the word 'charity' & its present meaning amongst most people, is actually the incorrect outdated one. Rather, when we use the word it should be as originally intended in meaning: that of love that goes beyond the emotional & sensual but much deeper to giving of oneself which includes both a deep concern & practical help.
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Please Sign In or Register to post comments...
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?