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class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/13.htm">New International Version</a> If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/13.htm">New Living Translation</a> If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/13.htm">English Standard Version</a> If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/13.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/13.htm">New King James Version</a> Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> If I speak with the tongues of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/13.htm">NASB 1995</a> If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a> If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a> If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> If I speak human or angelic languages but do not have love, I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/13.htm">American Standard Version</a> If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/cev/1_corinthians/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> What if I could speak all languages of humans and even of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/13.htm">English Revised Version</a> If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> I may speak in the languages of humans and of angels. But if I don't have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal. <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/13.htm">Good News Translation</a> I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/13.htm">International Standard Version</a> If I speak in the languages of humans and angels but have no love, I have become a reverberating gong or a clashing cymbal. <a href="/msb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/1_corinthians/13.htm">NET Bible</a> If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> If I speak with the tongues of humans and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong, or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> If I can speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but am destitute of Love, I have but become a loud-sounding trumpet or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/web/1_corinthians/13.htm">World English Bible</a> If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> If I speak with the tongues of men and of messengers, and do not have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal; <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> If with the tongues of men and of messengers I speak, and have not love, I have become brass sounding, or a cymbal tinkling; <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I have been the brass of echoes, and the shouting cymbal.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> IF I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> If I were to speak in the language of men, or of Angels, yet not have charity, I would be like a clanging bell or a crashing cymbal. <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/13.htm">New American Bible</a> If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love in my heart, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/13.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> If I shall speak with every human and Angelic language and have no love in me, I shall be clanging brass or a noise-making cymbal.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/13.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/13.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> If I may speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not divine love, I have become a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/13.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become as sounding brass, and tinkling cymbal. <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/13.htm">Mace New Testament</a> For tho' I should speak with the eloquence of men, and of angels, and not have social affection, I should be like sounding brass, or a noisy cymbal. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/13.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> If I can speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but am destitute of Love, I have but become a loud-sounding trumpet or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/13.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> If I speak with tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/13.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For if I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity, I am but as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=2743" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/13.htm">Love</a> 1<a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: Ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: lalō (V-PSA-1S) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">I speak</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">in the</a> <a href="/greek/1100.htm" title="1100: glōssais (N-DFP) -- The tongue; by implication, a language.">tongues</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpōn (N-GMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">of men</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/32.htm" title="32: angelōn (N-GMP) -- From aggello; a messenger; especially an angel; by implication, a pastor.">of angels,</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">but</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echō (V-PSA-1S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">have</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">not</a> <a href="/greek/26.htm" title="26: agapēn (N-AFS) -- From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast.">love,</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: gegona (V-RIA-1S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">I am</a> <a href="/greek/2278.htm" title="2278: ēchōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- From echos; to make a loud noise, i.e. Reverberate.">only a ringing</a> <a href="/greek/5475.htm" title="5475: chalkos (N-NMS) -- Perhaps from chalao through the idea of hollowing out as a vessel; copper.">gong</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or</a> <a href="/greek/214.htm" title="214: alalazon (V-PPA-NNS) -- From alale; to vociferate, i.e. to wail; figuratively, to clang.">a clanging</a> <a href="/greek/2950.htm" title="2950: kymbalon (N-NNS) -- A cymbal. From a derivative of the base of kuma; a cymbal.">cymbal.</a> 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-39</a> Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ / This is the first and greatest commandment. / And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ <a href="/romans/13-8.htm">Romans 13:8-10</a> Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. <a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22-23</a> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. <a href="/john/13-34.htm">John 13:34-35</a> A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” <a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7-8</a> Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. <a href="/ephesians/4-15.htm">Ephesians 4:15-16</a> Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head. / From Him the whole body, fitted and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love through the work of each individual part. <a href="/colossians/3-14.htm">Colossians 3:14</a> And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. <a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a> Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. <a href="/1_john/3-18.htm">1 John 3:18</a> Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. <a href="/2_john/1-6.htm">2 John 1:6</a> And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the very commandment you have heard from the beginning, that you must walk in love. <a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">Matthew 5:43-48</a> You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ / But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, / that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ... <a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-36</a> But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. / If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. ... <a href="/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9-10</a> Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. / Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. <a href="/philippians/1-9.htm">Philippians 1:9</a> And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, <a href="/james/2-8.htm">James 2:8</a> If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.I speak.<a href="/1_corinthians/13-2.htm">1 Corinthians 13:2,3</a> 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… <a href="/1_corinthians/12-8.htm">1 Corinthians 12:8,16,29,30</a> For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; … <a href="/1_corinthians/14-6.htm">1 Corinthians 14:6</a> Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?have not.<a href="/1_corinthians/8-1.htm">1 Corinthians 8:1</a> Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.<a href="/matthew/25-45.htm">Matthew 25:45</a> Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.<a href="/romans/14-15.htm">Romans 14:15</a> But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.as.<a href="/1_corinthians/14-7.htm">1 Corinthians 14:7,8</a> And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/11-10.htm">Angels</a> <a href="/luke/21-2.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-1.htm">Charity</a> <a href="/psalms/150-5.htm">Clanging</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">Destitute</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-30.htm">Languages</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/11-10.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/matthew/9-23.htm">Noisy</a> <a href="/psalms/150-5.htm">Resounding</a> <a href="/acts/27-28.htm">Sounding</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-30.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-18.htm">Tinkling</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-30.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/matthew/24-31.htm">Trumpet</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-18.htm">Use</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Angels</a> <a href="/revelation/1-15.htm">Brass</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-2.htm">Charity</a> <a href="/psalms/150-5.htm">Clanging</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-2.htm">Destitute</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-5.htm">Languages</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/8-23.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">Noisy</a> <a href="/psalms/92-3.htm">Resounding</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-52.htm">Sounding</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-11.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/exodus/28-35.htm">Tinkling</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-8.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-8.htm">Trumpet</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-11.htm">Use</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 13</div>1. <a href="/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">All gifts,</a> 3. <a href="/1_corinthians/13-3.htm">however excellent, are of no worth without love.</a> 4. <a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">The praises thereof,</a> 13. <a href="/1_corinthians/13-13.htm">as love is greatest before hope and faith.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels This phrase highlights the gift of tongues, a spiritual gift mentioned in <a href="/1_corinthians/12-10.htm">1 Corinthians 12:10</a>. Speaking in tongues was a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence and was highly valued in the early church. The "tongues of men" refers to human languages, as seen in <a href="/acts/2-4.htm">Acts 2:4-11</a> during Pentecost when the apostles spoke in various languages. The "tongues of angels" suggests a heavenly language, emphasizing the supernatural aspect of this gift. The mention of both human and angelic tongues underscores the breadth of communication possible through the Spirit, yet it also sets the stage for the greater importance of love over spiritual gifts.but have not love Love, or "agape" in Greek, is central to Christian ethics and theology. It is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional, reflecting God's nature as seen in 1 <a href="/john/4-8.htm">John 4:8</a>. The absence of love renders even the most extraordinary spiritual gifts meaningless. This echoes Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-40</a>, where love for God and neighbor is the greatest commandment. The emphasis on love over gifts serves as a corrective to the Corinthian church, which was experiencing division and competition over spiritual gifts.I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal The imagery of a "ringing gong" or "clanging cymbal" conveys noise without substance. In the cultural context of Corinth, gongs and cymbals were used in pagan rituals, often associated with the worship of Dionysus and Cybele, where noise was used to invoke the presence of deities. Paul uses this metaphor to illustrate that without love, spiritual gifts are as empty and meaningless as pagan noise. This aligns with the prophetic tradition, such as in <a href="/amos/5-23.htm">Amos 5:23</a>, where God rejects worship that lacks justice and righteousness. The metaphor also points to the futility of religious actions devoid of genuine love, emphasizing that love is the true measure of spiritual maturity and effectiveness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/apostle_paul.htm">Apostle Paul</a> The author of 1 Corinthians, Paul was addressing the church in Corinth, a city known for its diversity and moral challenges. He wrote to correct issues and guide the church in spiritual maturity. 2. <a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a> A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and immorality. The church in Corinth faced many challenges, including divisions and misunderstandings about spiritual gifts. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_corinthian_church.htm">The Corinthian Church</a> The recipients of Paul's letter, they were struggling with issues of unity, spiritual gifts, and love. Paul sought to teach them the supremacy of love over all spiritual gifts.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_supremacy_of_love.htm">The Supremacy of Love</a> Love is the most important virtue in the Christian life. Without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts are meaningless. <a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_true_spirituality.htm">The Nature of True Spirituality</a> True spirituality is not measured by the ability to speak in tongues or perform miracles, but by the presence of love in one's life. <a href="/topical/t/the_sound_of_lovelessness.htm">The Sound of Lovelessness</a> Without love, our actions and words are like noise—loud but empty. Love gives meaning and purpose to our spiritual expressions. <a href="/topical/l/love_as_a_motivator.htm">Love as a Motivator</a> Our motivation for using spiritual gifts should be love for God and others, not self-promotion or recognition. <a href="/topical/p/practical_love_in_community.htm">Practical Love in Community</a> In our church communities, we should prioritize love in all interactions, ensuring that our gifts build up the body of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 13</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_heavenly_language.htm">What is considered the heavenly language?</a> <a href="/q/when_will_the_gift_of_tongues_end.htm">When will the gift of tongues end?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_we_love_in_actions_and_truth.htm">How do we love in actions and truth?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_best_way_to_follow.htm">What is the more excellent way you should follow?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XIII.(1) Though I speak . . .--The more excellent way is "Love." Without it all moral and intellectual gifts are valueless. If there be love--the love of God, and the love of our brethren--in our hearts, all will be well. This hymn of praise in honour of love is remarkable. (1) as coming from St. Paul, and not from St. John, from whose pen we might naturally have looked for it; and (2), occurring here in an atmosphere of controversy, preceded and succeeded as it is by close logical argument.On the first point we may observe what a striking illustration it is of the completeness of St. Paul's character. The clear, vigorous intellect and the masculine energy of the great Apostle are united to a heart full of tenderness. We can almost feel its pulsations, we can almost hear its mighty throbbings, in every line of this poem.That this passage should be found in the middle of a protracted argument suggests the idea that we have here the result of a sudden and direct inspiration. The Apostle had always been conscious of a mighty power working in him, mastering him, bringing him into captivity to Christ. There suddenly flashes upon him the realisation of what that power is, and he cannot but at once give utterance, in language of surpassing loftiness and glowing with emotion, to the new and profound conviction which has set his whole soul aflame. This chapter is the Baptismal Service of Love. Here it receives its new Christian name. The word (agape) which is used here for love is peculiar to the New Testament (and a few passages in the LXX.). It is not to be found in any heathen writer. The word "charity," which signifies either tolerance or almsgiving, is an insufficient rendering of the original, and destroys the force of the passage, especially in <a href="/1_corinthians/13-3.htm" title="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 profits me nothing.">1Corinthians 13:3</a>, where "almsgiving" without love is pronounced worthless. The Latin caritas was used as the rendering of agape, probably because the ordinary Latin word amor (love) was considered too significant of a mere earthly or fleshly affection; and hence the word "charity" in the English version. Perhaps it was hoped that the word "charity," when planted in such a soil. and with such surroundings, would have grown to have that larger significance to which the original gives expression. If so, the experiment has not succeeded, the word has not become acclimatised to this chapter. The word "love" had better be restored here. The rare purity of its surrounding atmosphere will completely deprive it of any earthly or sensual taint.This chapter, occupied with the one main thought, divides itself into three parts--<a href="/context/1_corinthians/13-1.htm" title="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.">1Corinthians 13:1-3</a>. The greatest gifts are valueless without LOVE.<a href="/context/1_corinthians/13-4.htm" title="Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity braggs not itself, is not puffed up,">1Corinthians 13:4-7</a>. The pre-eminent characteristics of LOVE.<a href="/context/1_corinthians/13-8.htm" title="Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.">1Corinthians 13:8-13</a>. Gifts are transient; virtues are eternal, and chief of them is LOVE. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 1-13. - The supremely excellent way of Christian love. This chapter has been in all ages the object of the special admiration of the Church. Would that it had received in all ages the loftier and more valuable admiration which would have been expressed by an acceptance of its lessons! Tertullian says that it is uttered "with all the force of the Spirit" (totis Spiritus viribus). It is a glorious hymn or paean in honour of Christian love, in which St. Paul rises on the wings of inspiration to the most sunlit heights of Christian eloquence. Like the forty-fifth psalm, it may be entitled "A Psalm of Love." Valcknaer says that the "oratorical figures which illuminate the chapter have been born spontaneously in an heroic soul, burning with the love of Christ, and placing all things lower than this Divine love." In vers. 1-3 he shows the absolute necessity for love; in vers. 4-7 its characteristics; in vers. 8-12 its eternal permanence; in ver. 13 its absolute supremacy. Verse 1. - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels. The case is merely supposed. The tongues of men are human languages, including, perhaps, the peculiar utterance of ecstatic inspiration with which he is now dealing. It is, perhaps, with reference to this latter result of spiritual exultation, at any rate in its purest and loftiest developments, that he adds the words, "and of angels." It is unlikely that he is referring to the rabbinic notion that the angels only understood Hebrew, and not Aramaic or other languages. The words are meant to express the greatest possible climax. The most supreme powers of utterance, even of angelic utterance - if any of the Corinthians had or imagined that they had attained to such utterance - are nothing in comparison with the universally possible attainment of Christian love. It is remarkable that here again he places "tongues," even in their grandest conceivable development, on the lowest step in his climax. And have not charity. It is deeply to be regretted that the translators of the Authorized Version here introduced from the Vulgate a new translation for the sacred word "love," which dominates the whole New Testament as its Divine keynote. Greek possesses two words for "love." One of these, eros, implying as it did the love which springs from sensual passion, was dyed too deeply in pagan associations to be capable of redemption into holier usage. It is characteristic of the difference between paganism and Christianity, that Plato's eulogy in the 'Symposium' is in honour of eros, not of anything resembling agape. The apostles, therefore, were compelled to describe the ideal of the gospel life by another word, which expressed the love of esteem and reverence and sacred tenderness - the word agape. This word was not indeed classical. No heathen writer had used it. But the verb agapao, corresponding to the Latin diligo, and bring reserved for this loftier kind of love, suggested at once the substantive agape, which, together with the similar substantive agapesis (<a href="/jeremiah/31-3.htm">Jeremiah 31:3</a>, etc.), had already been adopted by the LXX. and by Philo and in Wisd. 3:9. The word is thus, as Archbishop Trench says, "born in the bosom of revealed religion" ('New Testament Synonyms,' p. 41). The Vulgate chose caritas (whence our "charity") to express this love of reason and affection, the dearness which reigns between human beings, and between man and God. This word, like agape, is absolutely unstained with any evil association. If "charity" had been exclusively used for agape, no objection need have arisen, although "love" is English while "charity" is Latin. But it was an Unmixed evil that, by the use of two different words for the same Greek word, English readers should have been prevented from recognizing the unity of thought on this subject which prevails among all the books of the New Testament (<a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37-40</a>; <a href="/1_peter/1-22.htm">1 Peter 1:22</a>; <a href="/1_john/3-14.htm">1 John 3:14</a>; <a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7, 8</a>, etc.). To argue that the word "love" in English is not unmingled with unhallowed uses is absurd, because those uses of the word have never been supposed for a single moment to intrude into multitudes of other passages where love is used to render agape. Who has ever dreamed of objecting on such grounds to the favourite hymn? - "Faith and Hope and Love we see Joining hand in hand agree; But the greatest of the three And the best is Love." It is true that Lord Bacon admired "the discretion and tenderness of the Rhenish Version" in using the word "charitie," "because of the indifferencies and equivocation of the word [love] with impure love." But that objection, if it ever existed, has now been done away with by the use of "love" in such a multitude of other pure and lofty passages of Holy Writ. It is, therefore, a great gain that the Revised Version restored to this passage the word "love," which had been used by Tyndale, Cranmer, and the Geneva Bible. For in modern English usage the word "charity" is almost confined to "almsgiving," and that of a kind which is often made an excuse for shirking all real self denial, and for not acting up to the true spirit of love. Christian love is always and infinitely blessed, but the almsgiving which has usurped the name of "charity" often does more harm than good. I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal; more literally, I have become booming brass, or clanging cymbal. My "tongues" without "love" become a mere discordant, obtrusive, unintelligible dissonance. The Greek word for "clanging" (alalazon) is an onomatopoeia, like the Hebrew name for cymbals, tseltselim (<a href="/psalms/150-5.htm">Psalm 150:5</a>). <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>If Ἐὰν (Ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. I speak λαλῶ (lalō) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. in the ταῖς (tais) Article - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. tongues γλώσσαις (glōssais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1100.htm">Strong's 1100: </a> The tongue; by implication, a language. of men ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. of angels, ἀγγέλων (angelōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_32.htm">Strong's 32: </a> From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor. but δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. have ἔχω (echō) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. not μὴ (mē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. love, ἀγάπην (agapēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_26.htm">Strong's 26: </a> From agapao; love, i.e. Affection or benevolence; specially a love-feast. I am γέγονα (gegona) Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. [only a] ringing ἠχῶν (ēchōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2278.htm">Strong's 2278: </a> From echos; to make a loud noise, i.e. Reverberate. gong χαλκὸς (chalkos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5475.htm">Strong's 5475: </a> Perhaps from chalao through the idea of hollowing out as a vessel; copper. or ἢ (ē) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. [a] clanging ἀλαλάζον (alalazon) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_214.htm">Strong's 214: </a> From alale; to vociferate, i.e. to wail; figuratively, to clang. cymbal. κύμβαλον (kymbalon) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2950.htm">Strong's 2950: </a> A cymbal. From a derivative of the base of kuma; a 'cymbal'. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak with the languages (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-31.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 12:31"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 12:31" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 13:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 13:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>