Charity vs. Love
“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness." – Colossians 3:14
In Colossians 3:14, Paul elevates charity above essential virtues like mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, and forgiveness. But what is charity?
According to Romans 14:15-19 and 15:1-3, charity can be interpreted as a form of love that seeks to edify others in truth. It is an altruistic love that aims for the betterment of others, not just an emotional response.
Love is an affection of the mind excited by beauty, worth, or pleasing qualities of any kind. However, it's crucial to understand that charity is not merely love. Sinful flesh can misguide love towards wrong things such as greed, pride, selfishness, and things of the world (Joh 3:19, 12:43, 2Ti 3:1-4, 4:10, 1Jn 2:15). Love can become vain and unproductive if it does not edify.
Charity transcends love, embodying patience, kindness, humility, and selflessness. It doesn't envy, doesn't boast, isn't proud, isn't unseemly, seeks others' benefit, isn't easily provoked, thinks no evil, doesn't delight in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth (1Co 13:4-8, Php 2:2-4).
Additionally, even seemingly good things aren’t good without charity. Abilities, knowledge, sacrifice, and good works, although important, are unprofitable if they aren't rooted in charity (1Co 13:1-3, 8:1-3). If those aren’t done to save souls or edify saints, then they aren’t charitable and they are ultimately vain.
Charity, described as the "bond of perfectness," binds, connects, and unites the body of Christ with truth and selfless love. It is through speaking the truth in love that we edify and perfect the saints in Christ (Eph 4:3, 11-16, Col 2:10, 1Co 1:10, 2Co 13:8-11, 1Ti 1:3-5). This powerful bonding attribute underscores charity's critical role in promoting evangelism, unity, and spiritual growth.
Paul commends charity as the most important virtue and "a more excellent way" (1Co 12:31, 13:13). This conclusion reinforces the supremacy of charity in the Christian faith. Charity, in its biblical context, goes beyond emotional love or acts of kindness. It's a selfless, patient, and enduring love that rejoices in truth and seeks the edification of others.
