Dist. 27, Divisio Textus
by St. Bonaventure
Source text: Public Domain Mark 1.0. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://bonaventure.wrootpress.com/browse/3/d/27/q/bon-sent-III-d27-divisio
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### COMMENTARY ON DISTINCTION XXVII.
*On charity as to its essence and definition.*

*"But since Christ had neither faith nor hope, etc."*

### DIVISION OF THE TEXT.

In the foregoing the Master treated of two of the theological virtues, namely faith and hope. Here there follows the third part, in which he intends to treat of charity. Now this part is divided into six parts according to the six distinctions which it contains. In the first of these he treats of charity according to its essence and de-

finition. But in the second, as to the number and distinction of things to be loved, below in the twenty-eighth distinction: *"Here it can be asked whether by that commandment, etc."* But in the third, as to the order of loving, below in the twenty-ninth distinction: *"After what has been said concerning the order of charity, etc."* But in the fourth, as to the perfection of merit, below in the thirtieth distinction: *"Here it is wont to be asked, which is rather of greater merit."* But in the fifth, as to the duration of charity itself, below in the thirty-first distinction: *"This too is not to be passed over, etc."* But in the sixth, in comparison to eternal love, below in the thirty-second distinction: *"To what has been said there must be added [something] concerning the love of God, etc."*

The first part, which contains the present distinction, is divided into two parts, in the first of which the Master determines concerning charity itself as to its essence and unity. But in the second, as to its act and mode, there: *"Let us next consider the mode of each love."*

The first part is divided into four parts. In the first of these he continues this part to the inquiry of the preceding part. But in the second part he sets down the definition of charity, there: *"Charity is love, etc."* But in the third he compares it to the duplication of the divine commandment, there: *"But this has two commandments."* But in the fourth he removes a doubt, there: *"Here it is asked whether from that very love, etc."*

Likewise the second principal part, in which he determines concerning charity itself as to its act and mode, is divided into four parts, in the first of which he determines what mode is found regarding the act of charity. But in the second he shows where that mode is suggested, there: *"But the mode of the love of God is suggested, etc."* But in the third he inquires whether that mode is fulfilled in this life, there: *"But this precept is utterly not fulfilled, etc."* But in the fourth and last he shows how one precept of charity is implied in the other, there: *"But since there are two precepts of charity."* The subdivisions of the parts, however, are sufficiently manifest in the text.

### TREATMENT OF THE QUESTIONS.

Now for the understanding of this part, according to the two things which the Master touches upon, a question here falls principally concerning two matters.

For first it is asked concerning charity itself as to the disposition.

Second it is asked concerning the same as to its act and mode.

Concerning the first, six points can be asked.

The first is, whether charity is a created disposition.

The second is, whether it is a virtuous disposition.

The third is, whether it is a disposition distinct from the other virtues.

The fourth is, whether it is a disposition undivided in itself.

The fifth is, whether it is a disposition merely gratuitous.

The sixth and last is, whether it is a disposition sometimes unformed, or always formed.

But since the truth of the first two can sufficiently be had from those things which were determined in the first book, where it was shown that charity is a created virtue: therefore it now remains to determine the other four that follow.

### ARTICLE I.

*On charity itself as to the disposition.*