charity Summary and Overview
Bible Dictionaries at a Glance
charity in Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1 Cor. 13), the rendering in the Authorized Version of the word which properly denotes love, and is frequently so rendered (always so in the Revised Version). It is spoken of as the greatest of the three Christian graces (1 Cor. 12:31-13:13).
charity in Schaff's Bible Dictionary
CHAR'ITY (from Lat. caritas, Fr. charite). In 1 Cor 13:1 and parallel passages the Saxon word love (to God as well as to man) would better express the sentiment intended. See Love. Charity, in the popular acceptation of the word, is confined to love to suffering men, or almsgiving. See Alms.
charity in Fausset's Bible Dictionary
The Greek "love," "loving esteem"; Latin caritas. The outward benefaction, or alms, is a mere manifestation of the inward and true charity of Scripture (1 Corinthians 13:3): "Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, ... and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."