Bible Verses About Charity

"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."

"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."

"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. And 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."

"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again."

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men."

"I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."

"That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate."

What does the Bible say about charity?

In the KJV, 'charity' translates the Greek word agape — the highest form of love. It is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. Key King James Version passages include 1 Corinthians 13:13, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Colossians 3:14. This page collects 10 KJV verses about charity, each quoted in full.

What is the difference between charity and love?

In the KJV, charity translates the Greek word agape, which is the highest, most selfless form of love. While modern English uses 'charity' primarily for giving to the poor, the biblical meaning encompasses all expressions of Christlike love.

Why does Paul say charity is the greatest virtue?

Because without love, all other gifts and actions are empty (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Faith and hope are essential but temporary — charity endures forever because God Himself is love (1 John 4:8).