1 Corinthians 13:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 13:1 powerfully introduces the foundational truth that even the most extraordinary human eloquence and divine spiritual manifestations are rendered utterly meaningless and devoid of true value if they are not motivated, permeated, and expressed through genuine, self-sacrificial love. This verse serves as the arresting opening to Paul's profound discourse on the supremacy and nature of divine love, establishing it as the indispensable essence of all authentic Christian expression and spiritual efficacy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned by the Apostle Paul immediately following his extensive discussion of spiritual gifts in [1 Corinthians 12](/1_corinthians/12 "1 Corinthians 12 - Spiritual Gifts and Unity"). In chapter 12, Paul addresses the Corinthian church's issues with disunity, pride, and the misuse or overemphasis of certain spiritual gifts, particularly glossolalia (speaking in tongues). He emphasizes the diversity of gifts for the common good and the unity of the body of Christ. The chapter concludes with Paul declaring, "And yet I show you a more excellent way" ([1 Corinthians 12:31](/1_corinthians/12-31 "1 Corinthians 12:31 - The More Excellent Way")). Chapter 13, often called the "love chapter," then unpacks this "more excellent way," asserting love's absolute preeminence over all spiritual gifts, knowledge, and actions. Verse 1 sets the stage by presenting an extreme hypothetical scenario to underscore this point.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city, a hub of trade, wealth, and diverse religious practices. Its culture was influenced by Greek philosophy, Roman governance, and various mystery cults. The Corinthian church, though gifted, struggled with internal divisions, moral laxity, and a tendency towards spiritual elitism, particularly regarding the more outwardly impressive spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues. There was a desire for spiritual experiences that brought status or notoriety. Paul's letter addresses these specific issues, aiming to correct their understanding of Christian community, morality, and the true nature of spiritual power. The "sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" imagery might also evoke the loud, often cacophonous music associated with pagan festivals or public displays, which would have been familiar to the Corinthians.
* **Key Themes:** This verse immediately introduces and champions the **Supremacy of Love (Agape)** as the overarching theme of [1 Corinthians 13](/1_corinthians/13 "1 Corinthians 13 - The Love Chapter"). Paul argues that love is not merely one virtue among many but the essential foundation and animating principle for all Christian life and ministry. It also highlights the **Emptiness of Gifts Without Love**, using vivid auditory metaphors to convey that spiritual abilities, no matter how impressive, become mere noise if not accompanied by genuine love. This challenges the Corinthian church's preoccupation with outward display and performance, redirecting their focus to **Authenticity Over Performance**, emphasizing that true spiritual power and value flow from a heart filled with God's love, rather than from mere talent or miraculous ability, a theme Paul also touches upon in [1 Corinthians 8:1](/1_corinthians/8-1 "1 Corinthians 8:1 - Knowledge Puffs Up, Love Builds Up") regarding knowledge.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Charity (Greek, _agápē'_):** From ἀγαπάω (agapao); love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast. 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, as described in [Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - God's Love Poured Out"). Understanding _agápē_ is crucial to grasping the depth of Paul's message here and in [the subsequent verses of this chapter](/1_corinthians/13-4-7 "1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - Characteristics of Love").
* **Tongues (Greek, _glōssa'_):** Of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired). This refers to miraculous speech, encompassing both known human languages not learned by the speaker (as seen in [Acts 2:4-11](/acts/2-4-11 "Acts 2:4-11 - Tongues at Pentecost")) and potentially a heavenly or angelic language, emphasizing the most exalted form of communication imaginable.
* **Become (Greek, _gínomai'_):** A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.). Here, it signifies a transformation or a state of being, indicating that without love, the speaker *is* reduced to, or *becomes*, something hollow and valueless.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels":** This clause sets up a powerful hypothetical scenario. Paul begins by imagining the highest possible forms of verbal communication. "Tongues of men" refers to the ability to speak in any human language, perhaps supernaturally, without prior learning. "And of angels" is a hyperbole, suggesting an even more exalted, divine, or heavenly form of communication, perhaps beyond human comprehension. This emphasizes the most impressive and seemingly spiritual gift, one that the Corinthians particularly valued.
* **"and have not charity":** This is the critical turning point of the verse. The conjunction "and" (Greek, _dé_) introduces a strong contrast or adversative condition. Despite possessing the most extraordinary communicative abilities, if the speaker "have not charity" (Greek, _agápē_), meaning divine, self-sacrificial love, then all those impressive abilities are nullified. The absence of _agápē_ negates the value of the spiritual gift.
* **"I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal":** This clause delivers the stark consequence of lacking love. "I am become" (Greek, _gínomai_) indicates a transformation or reduction in essence. The speaker, despite their gifts, is likened to inanimate objects that produce loud, often discordant, and empty noise. "Sounding brass" likely refers to a gong or a large, resonant bronze instrument, while a "tinkling cymbal" refers to a small, clanging percussion instrument. These images convey noise without melody, sound without spiritual substance, and an absence of harmonious purpose. They are loud but empty, drawing attention but conveying no true meaning or edification without the animating power of love.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey his message. The phrase "tongues of men and of angels" is a clear example of **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration used for emphasis. By imagining the most exalted form of speech, Paul underscores that even such a supreme ability is worthless without love. The core of the verse relies on a powerful **Metaphor**, comparing a person speaking without love to "sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." This auditory imagery vividly portrays emptiness and discord. These instruments produce loud noise but lack melody, harmony, or intrinsic beauty. This **Metaphor** effectively communicates that spiritual gifts, when devoid of love, are mere clamor—impressive to the ear perhaps, but spiritually hollow and ultimately unproductive. The entire verse also functions as a **Conditional Statement**, setting up a stark contrast between impressive spiritual manifestations and the indispensable requirement of love, highlighting love's absolute supremacy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse lays the theological cornerstone for understanding that God's primary attribute is love, and therefore, love must be the animating force behind all Christian life and ministry. It asserts that true spirituality is not measured by outward displays of power or eloquence, but by the inward reality of a heart transformed by and overflowing with divine love. Without this love, even actions performed in God's name, or with supernatural enablement, become hollow and ineffective in His eyes. This perspective reorients the church's priorities from self-aggrandizement through gifts to self-giving through love, reflecting the very nature of God.

* [1 John 4:8](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God Is Love")
* [Galatians 5:6](/galatians/5-6 "Galatians 5:6 - Faith Working Through Love")
* [Matthew 7:22-23](/matthew/7-22-23 "Matthew 7:22-23 - I Never Knew You")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Corinthians 13:1 serves as a timeless and convicting mirror for every believer and every church. It compels us to look beyond the superficial and to examine the deepest motivations of our hearts. Are our words, our actions, our service, and even our most fervent spiritual expressions genuinely rooted in a selfless, Christ-like love for God and for others? This verse challenges the human tendency to prioritize performance, recognition, or impressive displays over the quiet, consistent, and often costly work of love. It reminds us that true spiritual impact and eternal value are not found in what we *do* or what gifts we *possess*, but in the spirit of love with which we *do* it. It calls us to cultivate a heart of _agápē_, recognizing that without it, our lives, however outwardly successful or spiritually gifted, risk becoming nothing more than a resonant but empty noise in the symphony of God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or ministry might I be prioritizing impressive actions or words over genuine love?**
* **How does the "sounding brass" imagery challenge my understanding of effective Christian witness or spiritual success?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to ensure that love is the primary motivation behind my interactions and service?**
* **How can my church community better embody the supremacy of love over the pursuit of specific gifts or outward appearances?**

### FAQ
**What does "tongues of men and of angels" mean?**

Answer: "Tongues of men" refers to the miraculous ability to speak in various human languages without having learned them, as seen on the Day of Pentecost in [Acts 2:4-11](/acts/2-4-11 "Acts 2:4-11 - Tongues at Pentecost"). "Tongues of angels" is generally understood as a hyperbole, an exaggerated expression to emphasize the highest possible, even heavenly or divine, form of communication. Paul is not necessarily saying that humans literally speak angelic languages, but rather that even if one possessed the most exalted and supernatural communicative ability imaginable, it would still be worthless without love. It highlights the ultimate insignificance of the gift itself compared to the character of the giver.

**Why does Paul use the imagery of "sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal"?**

Answer: This imagery is a powerful **metaphor** to convey emptiness and discord. "Sounding brass" likely refers to a large gong or a resonant bronze instrument, while a "tinkling cymbal" refers to a small, clanging percussion instrument. These instruments produce loud noise but lack melody, harmony, or intrinsic beauty. Paul uses them to illustrate that spiritual gifts or eloquent speech, when devoid of love, are like mere clamor—loud and noticeable, but ultimately hollow, meaningless, and spiritually unproductive. They may attract attention but fail to edify, build up, or truly glorify God. This contrasts sharply with the harmonious and edifying purpose of spiritual gifts when exercised in love, as described in [1 Corinthians 14:26](/1_corinthians/14-26 "1 Corinthians 14:26 - All Things for Edification").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Corinthians 13:1 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of the _agápē_ that Paul extols. Jesus did not merely speak with eloquence; His entire life was a living demonstration of self-sacrificial love. From His humble birth to His obedient life and, supremely, to His death on the cross, every word and deed was permeated by divine love. The very essence of the Gospel is that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Christ's sacrifice was not a performance or a display of power for its own sake, but the ultimate act of _agápē_ to reconcile humanity to God ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). He commanded His followers to love one another as He loved them ([John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - A New Commandment")), making love the distinguishing mark of His disciples. Therefore, when Paul declares that even angelic speech is nothing without _agápē_, he implicitly points to Christ, in whom all true spiritual power and expression are rooted in perfect, divine love, transforming empty noise into life-giving truth and redemptive action.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.