Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
CHARITY OR LOVE SUPERIOR TO ALL GIFTS. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)
tongues--from these he ascends to "prophecy" (1 Corinthians 13:2); then, to "faith"; then to benevolent and self-sacrificing deeds: a climax. He does not except even himself, and so passes from addressing them ("unto you," 1 Corinthians 12:31) to putting the case in his own person, "Though I," etc.
speak with the tongues--with the eloquence which was so much admired at Corinth (for example, Apollos, Acts 18:24; compare 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 3:21-22), and with the command of various languages, which some at Corinth abused to purposes of mere ostentation (1 Corinthians 14:2, etc.).
of angels--higher than men, and therefore, it is to be supposed, speaking a more exalted language.
charity--the principle of the ordinary and more important gifts of the Spirit, as contrasted with the extraordinary gifts (1Co. 12:1-31).
sounding . . . tinkling--sound without soul or feeling: such are "tongues" without charity.
cymbal--Two kinds are noticed (Psalms 150:5), the loud or clear, and the high-sounding one: hand cymbals and finger cymbals, or castanets. The sound is sharp and piercing.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Song of Solomon 8:7
Jeremiah 46:17
1 Corinthians 12:1
1 Corinthians 12:31
1 Corinthians 13:1
1 Corinthians 16:13
Galatians 1:8
Galatians 5:22
Colossians 3:14
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