faith, hope, and charity

Cultural

The three great virtues that the New Testament calls for in Christians (see also Christian). Charity is often called love. According to the Apostle Paul, “Now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The rosary presupposes our boredom, propensity to distraction, and impatience with dull routine and attempts to transmute these failings into the virtues of faith, hope and charity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

Those who have campaigned for him to someday be made a saint have stressed his deep spirituality and his tireless emphasis on key Christian virtues — faith, hope and charity.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 4, 2022

It’s almost Easter in Ukraine, where a trio of churches on the far edges of the capital have faith, hope and charity to consider.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2022

In the wake of the Egypt attack, he said: "May the goodness of God... strengthen the faith, hope and charity of everyone and give comfort to the communities that are being tested."

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2011

I swear I’ll lead a life of faith, hope and charity, poverty, chastity and obedience.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023