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Objection 1: It would seem that charity does not remain after this
life, in glory. Because according to 1 Cor. 13:10, "when
that which is perfect is come, that which is in part," i.e. that
which is imperfect, "shall be done away." Now the charity of the
wayfarer is imperfect. Therefore it will be done away when the
perfection of glory is attained.
Objection 2: Further, habits and acts are differentiated by their
objects. But the object of love is good apprehended. Since therefore
the apprehension of the present life differs from the apprehension of
the life to come, it seems that charity is not the same in both cases.
Objection 3: Further, things of the same kind can advance from
imperfection to perfection by continuous increase. But the charity of
the wayfarer can never attain to equality with the charity of heaven,
however much it be increased. Therefore it seems that the charity of
the wayfarer does not remain in heaven.
On the contrary, The Apostle says (1 Cor. 13:8):
"Charity never falleth away."
I answer that, As stated above (Article 3), when the
imperfection of a thing does not belong to its specific nature, there
is nothing to hinder the identical thing passing from imperfection to
perfection, even as man is perfected by growth, and whiteness by
intensity. Now charity is love, the nature of which does not include
imperfection, since it may relate to an object either possessed or not
possessed, either seen or not seen. Therefore charity is not done
away by the perfection of glory, but remains identically the same.
Reply to Objection 1: The imperfection of charity is accidental to
it; because imperfection is not included in the nature of love. Now
although that which is accidental to a thing be withdrawn, the
substance remains. Hence the imperfection of charity being done away,
charity itself is not done away.
Reply to Objection 2: The object of charity is not knowledge
itself; if it were, the charity of the wayfarer would not be the same
as the charity of heaven: its object is the thing known, which remains
the same, viz. God Himself.
Reply to Objection 3: The reason why charity of the wayfarer cannot
attain to the perfection of the charity of heaven, is a difference on
the part of the cause: for vision is a cause of love, as stated in
Ethic. ix, 5: and the more perfectly we know God, the more
perfectly we love Him.
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