Keraia
1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13:1

Love · 1 Corinthians 13:1–13
Read 1 Corinthians 13

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
If I should speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
Latin
Si linguis hominum loquar, et angelorum, caritatem autem non habeam, factus sum velut æs sonans, aut cymbalum tinniens.

Original

Greek
English
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.

Notes

1 Corinthians 13:1

tongues of men and of angels: The Corinthians valued the spiritual gift of tongues the most (see also 12:10, 28; 14:1–25, 27). Some believed tongues were the language of angels. In Acts, Luke uses the same term for natural human languages (see Acts 2:4–13).

1 Corinthians 13:1–3

Spiritual gifts do not determine our worth to God or the church. Without love, spiritual gifts have no value.

1 Corinthians 13:1–13

Paul pauses his discussion of spiritual gifts (which he continues in chapter 14) to stress that love is more important than any spiritual gift (see 8:1–3). The most important goal for Christians is to become deeply and consistently loving individuals.

1 Corinthians 12:1–14:40

The church in Corinth focused too much on the gift of speaking in tongues (see 14:1–25, 27; compare the lists in 12:8–10, 28, where Paul lists tongues last). Paul offers advice to correct their understanding of the value and use of spiritual gifts.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Clement, Epistle of First Letter to the Corinthians Love Minerals and Metals Music Mystery Poetry, Biblical Prophecy Spiritual Gifts

Topics

Brass: Articles Made of Trumpets Charitableness: General Scriptures Concerning Christian Conduct: Loving One Another Copper Brass: Characterised by Sonorousness Cymbal of Brass (Bronze) Graces: (Christian) Hypocrisy: General Scriptures Concerning Love of Man for Man Love to Man: Supernatural Gifts are Nothing Without Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Might be Possessed Without Saving Grace Music: Instruments of Made of Brass Religion: True Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Righteousness: Fruits of Sanctification: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Select Readings: Charity Self Sacrifice Testimony: Religious Uncharitableness: General Scriptures Concerning Works: Insufficiency of, for Salvation