Theological virtues

[1] Virtues are traits or qualities which dispose one to conduct oneself in a morally good manner.

[2] The first mention in Christian literature of the three theological virtues is in St. Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians 1:3, "...calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and endurance in hope..."[3] In 1 Thessalonians 5:8, he refers to this triad of virtues again, "But since we are of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet that is hope for salvation.

[5] Aquinas found an interconnection of practical wisdom (prudentia) and moral virtue (e.g. courage without prudence risks becoming mere foolhardiness).

According to Aquinas, this grace, through the theological virtues, allows humanity to become agents in meritorious action that is beyond their own natural ability.

[clarification needed][1] The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that faith, hope, and love (charity) "dispose Christians to live in a relationship with the Holy Trinity.

As such, Moravian Christians teach to judge themselves "by how deep our faith is, how expansive our love is, and how life affirming our hope is.

[16] Following Augustine, Aquinas also recognized a separate but related type of moral virtue which is also infused by God.

The moral virtue of temperance recognizes food as a good that sustains life, but guards against the sin of gluttony.