The word charity originated in late Old English to mean a "Christian love of one's fellows," and up until at least the beginning of the 20th century, this meaning remained synonymous with charity. Aside from this original meaning, charity is etymologically linked to Christianity, with the word originally entering into the English language through the Old French word "charité", which was derived from the Latin "caritas", a word commonly used in the Vulgate New Testament to translate the Greek word agape (???p?), a distinct form of "love" (see the article: Charity (virtue)).
Over time, the meaning of charity has shifted from one of "Christian love" to that of "providing for those in need; generosity and giving," a transition which began with the Old French word charité. Thus, while the older Douay-Rheims and King James versions of the Bible translate instances of "agape" (such as those that appear in 1 Corinthians 13) as "charity", modern English versions of the Bible typically translate "agape" as "love."
9Apps 4.9
