CHARITY . The word ‘charity’ never occurs in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] in the sense of almsgiving , but always with the meaning of love . It comes from the Vulg. [Note: Vulgate.] caritas , which was frequently used to translate the Greek agapç , probably because amor had impure associations, and because dilectio (which is sometimes so used) was scarcely strong enough. Wyclif followed the Vulg. [Note: Vulgate.] , as did afterwards the Rhemish translators. Tindale and the Genevan Version preferred ‘love’; but in the Bishops’ Bible’ charity’ was again often used, and the AV [Note: Authorized Version.] followed the Bishops in this. In the RV [Note: Revised Version.] , however, ‘charity’ never occurs, the Gr. agapç being everywhere rendered ‘love.’
For Feast of Charity ( Judges 1:12 AV [Note: Authorized Version.] ) see Love Feast.