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christian-anthropology-ethicsfeatured in 30 works

Love (Agape / Charity)

The greatest commandment and the summit of every virtue: self-giving love

Agape, or charity, is self-giving love of God and neighbor, named the greatest commandment and the summit of the virtues. Jesus joins love of God and neighbor in Matthew; Paul exalts love in First Corinthians; and the First Letter of John declares that God is love. Augustine made love central to the Christian life. Across traditions this love is held to be the heart and goal of holiness.

How it traveled

  1. James
    Jerusalem · 62
    explains
  2. 1 Peter
    Rome · 64
    explains
  3. 2 Corinthians
    Philippi · 67
    explains
  4. 1 Corinthians
    Ephesus · 67
    explains
  5. Romans
    Corinth · 67
    explains
  6. Ephesians
    Rome · 67
    explains
  7. 1 Timothy
    Ephesus · 67
    explains
  8. Philippians
    Rome · 67
    applies
  9. Titus
    Ephesus · 67
    applies
  10. 1 Thessalonians
    Corinth · 67
    explains
  11. Philemon
    Rome · 67
    explains
  12. Galatians
    Ephesus · 67
    explains
  13. Hebrews
    Rome · 67
    explains
  14. Colossians
    Rome · 67
    explains
  15. 2 Thessalonians
    Corinth · 67
    explains
  16. Mark
    Rome · 68
    explains
  17. Matthew
    Antioch · 80
    explains
  18. Luke
    Rome · 84
    explains
  19. Acts
    Rome · 84
    explains
  20. First Epistle to the Corinthians
    Rome · 99
    explains
  21. 1 John
    Ephesus · 100
    explains
  22. John
    Ephesus · 100
    explains
  23. 3 John
    Ephesus · 100
    explains
  24. 2 John
    Ephesus · 100
    explains
  25. Epistle to the Ephesians: Shorter and Longer Versions
    Antioch · 108
    explains
  26. Dialogue with Trypho
    Rome · 165
    explains
  27. The First Apology
    Rome · 165
    explains
  28. A Plea for the Christians
    Alexandria · 190
    explains
  29. Against Heresies: Book IV
    Lyons · 202
    explains
  30. The Instructions of Commodianus.
    — · 220
    applies

Key passages(20)

On the Morals of the Catholic Church — God is the One Object of Love; Therefore He is Man’s Chief Good. Nothing is Better Than God. God Cannot Be Lost Against Our Will.↗explains

On the Morals of the Catholic Church · Augustine of Hippo

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1 Corinthians 13:13↗explains

1 Corinthians · Paul the Apostle

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1 Corinthians 13:2↗explains

1 Corinthians · Paul the Apostle

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A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections, in Three Parts — PART III. Showing what are distinguishing Signs of truly gracious and holy Affections. — SECTION VIII. They beget and promote the temper of Jesus. — part 6↗explains

A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections, in Three Parts · Jonathan Edwards

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Christian Charity — SECTION IV. Objections which are sometimes made to the exercises of charity answered — part 4↗explains

Christian Charity · Jonathan Edwards

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Commentary on Galatians — Galatians 5 — part 8↗explains

Commentary on Galatians · Martin Luther

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Homilies on First Corinthians — Homily XX — part 1↗explains

Homilies on First Corinthians · John Chrysostom

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Homilies on First Corinthians — Homily XXXII — part 3↗explains

Homilies on First Corinthians · John Chrysostom

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Homilies on First Corinthians — Homily XXXII — part 6↗explains

Homilies on First Corinthians · John Chrysostom

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Homilies on First Corinthians — Homily XXXIII — part 3↗explains

Homilies on First Corinthians · John Chrysostom

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Internal Consolation — The Wonderful Effect of Divine Love↗explains

Internal Consolation · Thomas à Kempis

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Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John — 1 John III. 9–18. — part 2↗explains

Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John · Augustine of Hippo

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Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John — 1 John IV. 17–21. — part 1↗explains

Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John · Augustine of Hippo

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Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John — 1 John IV. 4–12.↗explains

Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John · Augustine of Hippo

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The Enchiridion — Love, Which is Greater Than Faith and Hope, is Shed Abroad in Our Hearts by the Holy Ghost.↗explains

The Enchiridion · Augustine of Hippo

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The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Epistle to the Hebrews — Hebrews 1.6—8 — part 6↗explains

The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Epistle to the Hebrews · John Chrysostom

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1 Corinthians 13:1↗explains

1 Corinthians · Paul the Apostle

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1 Corinthians 13:3↗explains

1 Corinthians · Paul the Apostle

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1 Corinthians 13:4↗explains

1 Corinthians · Paul the Apostle

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1 Corinthians 13:5↗explains

1 Corinthians · Paul the Apostle

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