Reply Obj. 3:  Though charity is love, yet love is not always charity.  When, then, it is stated that every virtue is the order of love, this can be understood either of love in the general sense, or of the love of charity.  If it be understood of love, commonly so called, then each virtue is stated to be the order of love, in so far as each cardinal virtue requires ordinate emotions; and love is the root and cause of every emotion, as stated above (Q. 27, A. 4; Q. 28, A. 6, ad 2; Q. 41, A. 2, ad 1).  If, however, it be understood of the love of charity, it does not mean that every other virtue is charity essentially:  but that all other virtues depend on charity in some way, as we shall show further on (Q. 65, AA. 2, 5; II-II, Q. 23, A. 7). ________________________

THIRD ARTICLE [I-II, Q. 62, Art. 3]

Whether Faith, Hope, and Charity Are Fittingly Reckoned As
Theological Virtues?

Objection 1:  It would seem that faith, hope, and charity are not fittingly reckoned as three theological virtues.  For the theological virtues are in relation to Divine happiness, what the natural inclination is in relation to the connatural end.  Now among the virtues directed to the connatural end there is but one natural virtue, viz. the understanding of principles.  Therefore there should be but one theological virtue.

Obj. 2:  Further, the theological virtues are more perfect than the intellectual and moral virtues.  Now faith is not reckoned among the intellectual virtues, but is something less than a virtue, since it is imperfect knowledge.  Likewise hope is not reckoned among the moral virtues, but is something less than a virtue, since it is a passion.  Much less therefore should they be reckoned as theological virtues.

Obj. 3:  Further, the theological virtues direct man’s soul to God.  Now man’s soul cannot be directed to God, save through the intellective part, wherein are the intellect and will.  Therefore there should be only two theological virtues, one perfecting the intellect, the other, the will.

On the contrary, The Apostle says (1 Cor. 13:13):  “Now there remain faith, hope, charity, these three.”

I answer that, As stated above (A. 1), the theological virtues direct man to supernatural happiness in the same way as by the natural inclination man is directed to his connatural end.  Now the latter happens in respect of two things.  First, in respect of the reason or intellect, in so far as it contains the first universal principles which are known to us by the natural light of the intellect, and which are reason’s starting-point, both in speculative and in practical matters.  Secondly, through the rectitude of the will which tends naturally to good as defined by reason.