Charity or love?
A question many people ask is why did the KJV translators use the word Charity when translating the KJV bible
Many people do not understand its use and some will say that it is in fact an error on the part of the translators and shows that the KJV is not as KJV only proponents state the only correct translation and highlight this mistake as proof.
The GReek word translated as charity is Ἀγάπην Agapé Strongs 26
love, benevolence, good will, esteem; plur: love-feasts
So as many point out if Agape means love then why would the translators use Charity, charity of course means donating to the poor or an act of helping someone in need
If we go to dictionary.com and search for the word charity we will indeed see definition 1
1.
generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill,or helpless:
to devote one’s life to charity.
Agape occurs 116 times. In the Greek in the NT
The word charity appears 28 times in the NT in the KJV
Every other time it is translated as love
So clearly then the KJV translators understood what the word Agapé meant and didn’t mistranslate it as charity, if this was the case then it would have been translated as such in each occurrence.
There was something clearly different about the rendering of the Agapé as charity.
Are the verses talking about the act of giving to the poor or helping someone in need
Let’s have a look at a few of these verses that are often highlighted when stating the KJVs use of charity is wrong
1 Corinthians 13-1 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. 2And 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 KJV
1 Corinthians 13-13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. KJV
1 Peter 4 -8 8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins KJV
Clearly these verse are not talking about this.
In fact it would indeed seem like they are talking about love, the Greek word used is Agapé
Let’s have a look at those verses in the NIV
1 Corinthians 13-1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. NIV
1 Corinthians 13-13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.. NIV
1 Peter 4-8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins..NIV
THe NIV uses the word Love so here is the proof the KJV is incorrect and the NIV is a better and more accurate translation.
Well not quite, let’s look into the rendering of the word charity.
The use of the word charity always describes the love of a believer and another believer. It never is used when love between God and humans is in reference. LIkewise it is also not used to show the love a husband and wife or parent and child.
Charity is used to distinguish between the love of believers and other believers and the other types of love.
The English word charity comes from the latin word If we have a look at the word charity in the 1611 dictionary when the KJV was translated
1611 dictionary 1. In a general sense, love, benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men
, and to do them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men.
Love is the first definition of the word
Although today the primary definition and use of Charity is donating to the poor If we continue on down we will see that one definition of charity is stated as christian love agape
Dictionary .com
1.
generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill,or helpless:
to devote one’s life to charity.
2.
something given to a person or persons in need;alms:
She asked for work, not charity.
3.
a charitable act or work.
4.
a charitable fund, foundation, or institution:
He left his estate to a charity.
5.
benevolent feeling, especially toward those in needor in disfavor:
She looked so poor that we fed her out of charity.
6.
leniency in judging others; forbearance:
She was inclined to view our selfish behavior withcharity.
7.
Christian love; agape.
Just because a word has a definition that seems to be its main or only definition doesn’t actually mean that it doesn’t or shouldn’t in fact mean something else.
Now if we go back to the definition of Agapé in strongs we will see that it states as its rendering
1. affection, good-will, love, benevolence:
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:
So a definition of Agapé is charity and charity is also in the definition of Agapé
So it would seem that there is a clear emphasis placed on Love between believers and charity far from being incorrect highlights this fact.
Now i want to just go back and relook at 2 of those verse.
1 Corinthians 13-13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
KJV
It is love as a christian a follower of Christ that is the greatest , not simply love. You can love your car or your TV or a new pair of shoes this love is not the greatest and the KJV is distinguishing between them.
1 Peter 4 -8 8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins
KJV
Now this is probably the verse where i think the word charity is needed to distinguish from love the most.
When the verse simply says love covers a multitude of sin how do we know what love is being referenced, i don’t think the rendering love covers the sin means that Jesus covers the sin, i think it’s a person’s love for the sinful things that will cover the multitude of sins.Meaning that the love for it will cover over their committing of it as in hide their sins from themselves. Through their love for the sin they commit they hide it away as if it doesn’t really count. But god sees. Charity is a much better definition, christian love, the love christ showed is what covers the multitude of sin. Jesus’ love does not cover the sin of non believers but only those that believe in him therefore it is not true to simply say love covers sin but it is the love the believer accepts that covers the believer’s sins and so it is important to distinguish between the 2.
Now also if charity is an incorrect translation of the Agape and we should replace it simply with love what do we do with
1 Corinthians 13-4 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 change the translation from charity to love like the NIV,ESV etc we now say love thinketh no evil
Then we create a contradiction in
John 3-19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
The men loving darkness which is a reference to evil. So the men loving evil because of their evil deeds is a contradiction if it says love thinks no evil. Clearly these men were indeed thinking evil.
If Love doesn’t seek itself What about
Luke 6:32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
There was no mistake in the translation by the KJV translators,
The KJVs translation of charity is correct.