Charity (Love)

Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for love of God. It is the greatest of all virtues — the "bond of perfection" (Colossians 3:14) that animates and orders all the others toward their ultimate end (CCC 1822).

Charity Is Not Merely Helping the Poor

In common usage, "charity" often means giving to those in need. In Catholic theology, charity — from the Latin caritas — is far more fundamental: it is the theological virtue of love, the very participation in God's own love by grace. Giving to the poor is an expression of charity, but charity is first the love of God and then, through that love, the love of neighbor (CCC 1824).

The Greatest Virtue

Paul calls charity the greatest virtue (1 Corinthians 13:13) and teaches that without it, every other gift — prophecy, martyrdom, giving everything to the poor — profits nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). Charity is the "form" of the virtues — it infuses all other virtues with the love of God that alone gives them supernatural value (CCC 1827).

God Is Charity

The basis of charity is the very nature of God: "God is love" (1 John 4:8). The love we are called to have for God and neighbor is a participation in and reflection of the love that is the inner life of the Trinity — the love between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (CCC 1823).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between love and charity? In Catholic theology, they are the same thing at the highest level. "Charity" is the technical theological term for supernatural love — love elevated by grace, directed toward God as its ultimate object, and extending to neighbor for God's sake. All authentic human love finds its source and model in this divine charity (CCC 1822–1829).