CategoryDoctrine / Christian Virtue
Modern Equivalentself-giving Christian love.
KJV Word TypeTheological noun / virtue term
DefinitionChristian love, especially self-giving love. In the KJV, it often refers to the love that reflects God’s character and governs Christian conduct.
Key Verses"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." (1 Corinthians 13:13); "And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness." (Colossians 3:14)
KJV Usage NoteIn passages such as 1 Corinthians 13, “charity” means self-giving Christian love rather than only almsgiving or donations.
Common MisunderstandingIt does not mean only charitable giving; in many KJV passages it means self-giving Christian love.
EtymologyFrom Latin caritas ("dearness, love").