Bible Question:
In your Cor 13:1-13, you changed charity to love. By definition, love does not mean charity nor charity means love? Why did you change the word charity to love? There is also a passage in the Bible that whosoever adds or deletes a word from the Bible shall receive an equal punishment. Please give the best definition of charity and love. Sincerely, reygalicio@juno.com |
Bible Answer: Greetings Reynaldo! Who is the 'you' that you refer to in your question? Do you mean the translators or Christians in general? As to your question, the text of 1 Cor. 13 does not use 'love' or 'charity'. These are English words. The actual verse was written in Greek. The word used in Greek is 'agape' (this is a transliteration of the actual Greek word since we cannot use actual Greek fonts on this site). The Greek word 'agape' means 'love'. Whether or not 'charity' was ever a good translation, I can't answer. :) 'Agape' is defined in 1 Cor. 13 itself. 1 Cor. 13:4 - "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails...." I can't think of any better definition than this one. By the way, the verse you reference concerning adding or deleting is found at Rev. 22:19. It is by no means certain that this applies to the entire Bible or just to the Book of Revelation. However, 'adding' or 'deleting' is not the same as translating. :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |