Theological Virtues are a set of three foundational virtues—faith, hope, and love (or charity)—that are central to Christian ethics and spirituality. These virtues are called “theological” because they are gifts from God that direct believers toward Him and are essential for living a life in accordance with Christian teaching. The theological virtues are distinct from the cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance) in that they are directly related to God and are infused by God’s grace rather than acquired by human effort.
Biblical Foundations
1 Corinthians 13:13
The theological virtues are most clearly articulated in the New Testament by the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians:
- 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV):
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
This verse succinctly captures the essence of the theological virtues, highlighting their enduring importance in the Christian life, with love being the greatest.
Faith
Faith is the first of the theological virtues and is the foundation of a Christian’s relationship with God. It is the virtue by which believers assent to the truths revealed by God, trust in His promises, and commit themselves to Him.
- Hebrews 11:1 (NIV):
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
This verse defines faith as a confident trust in God and His promises, even when they are not visible or fully understood.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV):
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Faith is understood as a gift from God that leads to salvation, emphasizing that it is not something earned by human effort but granted by divine grace.
Hope
Hope is the theological virtue by which Christians desire and expect eternal life and the graces necessary to attain it. It is rooted in the trust in God’s promises and His fidelity to fulfill them.
- Romans 8:24-25 (NIV):
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
Hope involves a forward-looking trust in the fulfillment of God’s promises, particularly the hope of eternal life.
- Titus 1:2 (NIV):
“In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.”
This verse connects hope directly to the promise of eternal life, affirming that this hope is secure because it is grounded in God’s unchanging truth.
Love (Charity)
Love (Charity) is the greatest of the theological virtues and is understood as the virtue by which Christians love God above all things for His own sake, and their neighbors as themselves for the love of God. Charity is the fulfillment of all the commandments and is seen as the essence of the Christian life.
- Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV):
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
Jesus highlights love as the greatest commandment, encompassing both love for God and love for neighbor.
- 1 John 4:16 (NIV):
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
This verse emphasizes that love is the very nature of God, and to live in love is to live in communion with God.
Historical Development
Early Church and Patristic Thought
The theological virtues have been central to Christian moral theology since the early Church. The Church Fathers, including Augustine and Aquinas, emphasized the importance of these virtues in the life of a Christian.
- St. Augustine (354-430 AD): Augustine taught that the theological virtues are infused by God and are necessary for living a righteous life. He emphasized that love (charity) is the greatest of these virtues because it binds everything together in perfect unity.
- Augustine on Love: Augustine famously said, “Love God, and do what you will,” highlighting that true love for God orders all actions and virtues rightly.
- St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274 AD): Aquinas provided a systematic treatment of the theological virtues in his Summa Theologica. He argued that these virtues are supernatural habits, infused by God, and that they are necessary for attaining the beatific vision—the ultimate union with God.
- Aquinas on Faith: Aquinas taught that faith is the first of the theological virtues because it is the foundation upon which hope and charity are built. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
- Aquinas on Hope: Aquinas viewed hope as the virtue that sustains Christians on their journey toward eternal life. It is the anchor that keeps them steadfast in the face of trials.
- Aquinas on Charity: Aquinas saw charity as the form of all virtues, meaning that it gives life and direction to all other virtues. Charity is the love of God above all things and is the highest expression of the Christian life.
Reformation and Modern Perspectives
During the Reformation, the theological virtues continued to be central to Christian thought, although different traditions emphasized them in various ways.
- Martin Luther (1483-1546): Luther emphasized faith as the primary means by which believers are justified before God. He argued that faith alone (sola fide) is what justifies, though he also acknowledged the importance of hope and love as fruits of faith.
- Luther on Faith: Luther taught that faith is a trust in God’s promises, particularly the promise of salvation through Jesus Christ. This faith, while alone in justifying, is never alone but is accompanied by love and good works.
- John Calvin (1509-1564): Calvin also emphasized the importance of faith, hope, and love in the Christian life. He saw these virtues as interconnected, with faith leading to hope and love, all of which are necessary for the Christian life.
- Calvin on Love: Calvin emphasized that love is the evidence of genuine faith. He argued that true faith is always active in love, manifesting itself in deeds of charity toward others.
In modern Christian thought, the theological virtues remain central to Christian ethics and spirituality. They are often discussed in the context of Christian formation, discipleship, and the moral life.
Theological Significance
Relationship with God
The theological virtues are primarily about a Christian’s relationship with God. They are gifts from God that enable believers to know, trust, and love Him in ways that go beyond natural human abilities.
- Faith: Faith allows believers to assent to the truths revealed by God and to trust in His promises. It is the foundation of the Christian life and the basis for the other theological virtues.
- Hope: Hope sustains Christians in their journey toward God, keeping their focus on the ultimate goal of eternal life. It is the virtue that anchors the soul in God’s promises, especially in times of trial.
- Love: Love is the fulfillment of the Christian life, directing all actions toward God and others. It is the greatest of the theological virtues because it is the essence of God Himself and the ultimate goal of the Christian life.
Transformation of the Soul
The theological virtues are transformative, shaping the character and actions of the believer. Through these virtues, Christians are conformed to the image of Christ and participate in the divine life.
- Romans 5:5 (NIV):
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
This verse highlights the transformative power of the theological virtues, particularly love, which is poured into believers’ hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Foundation of Christian Ethics
The theological virtues are the foundation of Christian ethics, guiding how believers relate to God and others. They shape the moral life, informing decisions, actions, and the pursuit of holiness.
- Galatians 5:6 (NIV):
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
This verse underscores the ethical dimension of the theological virtues, particularly how faith is expressed through love in the life of the believer.
Practical Implications for Worship and Life
Living by Faith
Christians are called to live by faith, trusting in God’s promises and relying on His grace in all aspects of life. This includes a commitment to studying Scripture, participating in the sacraments, and engaging in prayer.
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NIV):
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
This verse encourages believers to trust in God’s unseen realities and to walk by faith in their daily lives.
Hope in Trials
Hope provides Christians with the strength to endure trials and suffering, knowing that God is faithful and that eternal life awaits those who trust in Him.
- Romans 8:24-25 (NIV):
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
Hope encourages perseverance and patience, especially in the face of difficulties and uncertainties.
Loving God and Neighbor
Love is the practical outworking of faith and hope. Christians are called to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and to love their neighbors as themselves.
- John 13:34-35 (NIV):
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Love is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ and is the greatest evidence of the theological virtues in action.
Broader Thematic Connections
The Fruit of the Spirit
The theological virtues are closely connected to the fruit of the Spirit, as described by Paul in Galatians 5:22-23. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are manifestations of the theological virtues in the believer’s life.
- Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV):
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
The fruit of the Spirit can be seen as the practical expressions of the theological virtues, particularly love.
The Beatitudes
The Beatitudes, as taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12), are also closely related to the theological virtues. They describe the attitudes and dispositions of those who live by faith, hope, and love, and who seek the kingdom of God.
- Matthew 5:3-12 (NIV):
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The Beatitudes reflect the character of those who live out the theological virtues in their pursuit of God’s kingdom.
Legacy and Influence in Christian Doctrine
The theological virtues have been foundational to Christian theology, ethics, and spirituality throughout the history of the Church. They continue to shape Christian teaching, discipleship, and moral formation in both Catholic and Protestant traditions.
Conservative Reflection on Theological Virtues
From a conservative theological perspective, the theological virtues are understood as essential for living a life that is pleasing to God. They are seen as gifts of grace that enable believers to grow in holiness, to know and love God more deeply, and to live out the gospel in their daily lives. Conservatives emphasize the importance of cultivating these virtues through prayer, the sacraments, and a life committed to following Christ.
Final Thoughts on God’s Love and Jesus
The theological virtues ultimately point to the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ. Through faith, believers are united to Christ; through hope, they look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises; and through love, they live out the command to love God and neighbor, reflecting the very nature of God Himself.
- Romans 5:1-5 (NIV):
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
This passage encapsulates the essence of the theological virtues: faith, hope, and love, all rooted in the love of God and the work of Jesus Christ. These virtues are the foundation of the Christian life and the pathway to a deeper relationship with God.