When someone speaks of charity or uses the term charity, we immediately turn to the belief someone did a good deed for another who is poor or in need. Sometimes we associate the term with a foundation which accepts monetary donations for the poor.
In contrast, with the term love, (which we often confuse the two) we immediately turn to a sense of admirable feeling toward another such as a child to a parent, spouse to spouse, or a sexual act of expression or affection.
There seems to be a great divide in the accepted meanings for charity and love. In religious terms, Christians think they are one in the same, except, in the usage in 1 Cor. 13. We are told this is the ‘love of God’ (agape) toward mankind; different from general love. (agapao) That is true. However, in our minds, we confuse the true meaning of God’s love–agape–with regular affection. Many really do not know the true meaning of Agape love–God’s love. I declare to you there is a great deception perpetrated against the truth. It becomes the greatest sin of all training mankind against the perfect will of God for mankind.
When we read 1 Corinthians 13 translated as ‘Love’ instead of ‘Charity’, we lose the entire meaning. Let us investigate the truth.
Apostle Paul says to Philippi, Phil. 2:3-4. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. This becomes the true definition of the love of God he wants for mankind. Charity is the proper term for the behavior Paul expressed. Let us learn.
Charity: Strong’s G26, Ag-ah’-pay: Bible usage is: affection, good-will, love, benevolence This is the usage in 1 Cor. 13:1-4. The better translation is ‘Charity’. To have charity toward our fellowman is to have affection, goodwill toward their plight or situation. It is the very definition Paul expressed in Phil. 1:3-4. … in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. This is charity–affection, goodwill, benevolence, love toward all others.
To be affectionate is to have a fond attachment; devotion, or love for another. Paul told Corinth in the passage just before chapter 13: 1 Cor. 12:25-26. …there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. This dialog is leading up to the greatest gift God has given to mankind, Charity–affection, fond attachment or devotion to others that they have the same life as you.
In the first century beginning with the stories from the book of Acts, the Christians had all things in common; they sold their possessions and shared them so the whole congregation had what they needed. Acts 4:32-36. The true love–charity–was being manifested and utilized. You saw what happened–the church grew in numbers immensely. Acts 6:1
Paul desired the church not to become as a worldly social club but as a benevolent club with a mission–utilize the gifts God bestowed upon the congregation for the good of the entire body of Christ.
Each member was gifted to do affectionately for another. These gifts had purpose and were distributed in an orderly fashion. Each member received as the Holy Spirit saw fit. Why?
1 Cor. 12:27-31. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
This was the lead up to teach the ‘more excellent way’. 1 Cor. 13. Not every member was given the exact same gift. Each one received the gift the Spirit saw necessary to confirm and supply the Spiritual needs of the whole congregation.
Before we enter into the study of ‘charity’, let us make sure we understand the meanings and perhaps the reason this chapter is interpreted using the term ‘charity’ rather than ‘love’.
Charity, or the Greek agape, is a definition more of the devotion to our fellowman expressing our desire for them to succeed in life and Godliness. It is of the love of men to men; especially of that love of Christians toward Christians which is enjoined and prompted by their religion, whether the love be viewed as in the soul or as expressed with goodwill. It includes the act of benevolence–a desire to do good to others; or an act of kindness, even to those not yet being believers. Let us turn to 1 Cor. 13.
! Cor. 13:1-7. 13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
If we translate the term ‘charity’ to ‘love’ in this passage, we lose the truth of the nature of God and his will for righteous behavior in the assemblies of God. The term charity comes from the Greek term love–Strong's G25. agapao–ag-ap-ah'-o which is used as: love of persons or things; to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly, to be well pleased, to be contented at or with a thing.
We love dearly our parents, children and kin. We find ourselves contented with them, also. We welcome them and entertain them. But, will you lay down your life for all of them? Are you affectionately minded to them because they are people God made or because they are kinfolk? We want our family to succeed in life. Do you desire the same for everyone? Or are you content with the way the people of the world are?
Our behavior is not a true representation of the behavior of Jesus Christ. Satan has diluted the minds of man to cause divisions and conflict. We have changed the meaning of
God’s love from charity to being content with, or well pleased with a person or thing. We have become content with the status quo and it has filtered into the body of Christ; or the modern Christian religious organizations. The true body of Christ would not allow this behavior nor be like that. They will imitate Christ to the fullest. They will have greater affection rather than contentment.
Why, then, is this the desire of Apostle Paul for the brethren to seek the greatest gift from God? It is to show the true affection, goodwill, benevolence of God; His true love for mankind.
Do you not understand, mankind does the will of God in conjunction with God and the Holy Spirit? This is God’s design. God will do his part; are you doing your’s?
The behavior of one with ‘charity’ is this: vss. 4-7. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Are we affectionately, benevolently, doing what is necessary for the goodwill of our neighbor? Both physically and Spiritually? I contend, if we do the act of charity (real charity) in this physical realm, the recipient will seek and receive the spiritual goodwill of God.
We need to recognize the difference between ‘charity’ and ‘love’. Too many have lost the true meaning of the Love of God–Agape–Charity.
