Verse 1
1. tongues—from these he ascends to "prophecy" ( :-); 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," :-) to putting the case in his own person, "Though I," c.
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; 1 Corinthians 3:22), and with the command of various languages, which some at Corinth abused to purposes of mere ostentation (1 Corinthians 14:2, &c.).
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 (1 Corinthians 14:2- :).
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.
Be the first to react on this!
