1 Corinthians 13:1

¶ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Though {G1437} I speak {G2980} with the tongues {G1100} of men {G444} and {G2532} of angels {G32}, and {G1161} have {G2192} not {G3361} charity {G26}, I am become {G1096} as sounding {G2278} brass {G5475}, or {G2228} a tinkling {G214} cymbal {G2950}.

I may speak in the tongues of men, even angels;
but if I lack love, I have become merely
blaring brass or a cymbal clanging.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:1 introduces the profound truth that even the most impressive human and spiritual abilities are meaningless without genuine love. This verse serves as the powerful opening statement to what is widely known as the "love chapter" in the Bible.

Context

This verse is strategically placed by the Apostle Paul after his detailed discussion of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12. The Corinthian church was experiencing significant issues related to pride, division, and the misuse or overemphasis of certain gifts, particularly speaking in tongues (glossolalia). Paul isn't denying the validity or power of these gifts; rather, he is elevating a "more excellent way" (1 Corinthians 12:31) – the way of love. Chapter 13 then defines and exalts this love as the essential foundation for all spiritual expression and Christian living.

Key Themes

  • The Supremacy of Love (Charity): The verse immediately establishes love as paramount. No matter how eloquent one's speech, how profound their spiritual experience, or how miraculous their abilities, if love is absent, all else is empty. This "charity" (KJV) is not mere sentimentality but a divine, active principle.
  • Emptiness Without Love: Paul uses vivid, auditory imagery to convey the emptiness of gifts without love. "Sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" suggests noise without melody, a jarring sound that lacks purpose or harmony, much like an unloving person's actions, however gifted.
  • Authenticity Over Performance: This verse challenges the motivation behind spiritual acts. It's not about outward display or impressive performance, but about the inward reality of a heart filled with God's love. True spiritual power flows from love, not from mere ability.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Charity": The King James Version's translation of the Greek word agape (ἀγάπη). This is not merely human affection (like phileo, brotherly love, or eros, romantic love) but a distinct, unconditional, self-sacrificial, and divine love. It is the love that God Himself embodies and pours into believers' hearts. Understanding agape is crucial to grasping the depth of Paul's message here and in the subsequent verses of this chapter.
  • "Tongues of men and of angels": This refers to miraculous speech, including known human languages not learned by the speaker, and potentially a heavenly language. The phrase "of angels" is hyperbole, emphasizing the most exalted form of communication imaginable, yet even this is worthless without agape.
  • "Sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal": These instruments, particularly the cymbal, were often used in ancient pagan rituals to create loud, clanging, and sometimes discordant noise. Paul uses this metaphor to describe something that is loud and noticeable but ultimately devoid of meaning, beauty, or spiritual value when unaccompanied by love. It lacks soul or purpose.

Practical Application

1 Corinthians 13:1 serves as a timeless reminder for believers and the church today. It calls us to regularly examine our motives in ministry, service, and even in our daily interactions. Are our words, our actions, and our spiritual gifts rooted in genuine love for God and for others? This verse teaches that our eloquence, our knowledge, our talents, or even our fervent spiritual expressions, while potentially valuable, become empty noise if they are not empowered and guided by the selfless love that defines God's character. It challenges us to pursue love above all else, ensuring that our faith is not just a performance, but a heartfelt outpouring of divine love.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Timothy 1:5

    ¶ Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and [of] a good conscience, and [of] faith unfeigned:

  • 1 Peter 4:8

    And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

  • 1 Corinthians 13:8

    ¶ Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.

  • Galatians 5:6

    For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:2

    And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:3

    And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
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