Whether faith precedes hope, and hope charity?
Objections
❌ Objection 1 : It would seem that the order of the theological virtues is not that faith precedes hope, and hope charity. For the root precedes that which grows from it. Now charity is the root of all the virtues, according to Eph. 3:17: "Being rooted and founded in charity." Therefore charity precedes the others.
❌ Objection 2 : Further, Augustine says (De Doctr. Christ. i): "A man cannot love what he does not believe to exist. But if he believes and loves, by doing good works he ends in hoping." Therefore it seems that faith precedes charity, and charity hope.
❌ Objection 3 : Further, love is the principle of all our emotions, as stated above (Article [2], ad 3). Now hope is a kind of emotion, since it is a passion, as stated above (Question [25], Article [2]). Therefore charity, which is love, precedes hope.