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.

“"Love joins us to God, does all things in concord. In love, all the chosen of God were perfected. Apart from love, nothing is well pleasing to God." "Of its perfection there is no unfolding," it is said. "Who is fit to be found in it, except those whom God counts worthy?" To the point the Apostle Paul speaks, "If I give my body, and have not love, I am sounding brass, and a tinkling cymbal." If it is not from a disposition determined by gnostic love that I shall testify, he means; but if through fear and expected reward, moving my lips in order to testify to the Lord that I shall confess the Lord, I am a common man, sounding the Lord's name, not knowing Him.”

“This Spirit, (according to the apostle's showing, ) meant not that the service of these gifts should be in the body, nor did He place them in the human body); and on the subject of the superiority of love above all these gifts, He even taught the apostle that it was the chief commandment, just as Christ has shown it to be: "Thou shalt love the Lord with all thine heart and soul, with all thy strength, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbour as thine own self.”

“Moreover, also, this is comely and useful, that a man "visit orphans and widows," [James 1:27] and especially those poor persons who have many children. These things are, without controversy, required of the servants of God, and comely and suitable for them. This also, again, is suitable and right and comely for those who are brethren in Christ, that they should visit those who are harassed by evil spirits, and pray and pronounce adjurations over them, intelligently, offering such prayer as is acceptable before God; not with a multitude of fine words, well prepared and arranged, so that they may appear to men eloquent and of a good memory. Such men are "like a sounding pipe, or a tinkling cymbal;" [1 Corinthians 13:1] and they bring no help to those over whom they make their adjurations; but they speak with terrible words, and affright people, but do not act with true faith, according to the teaching of our Lord, who has said: "This kind goes not out but by fasting and prayer," offered unceasingly and with earnest mind.”

“And see whence he first begins; from that which was marvellous in their eyes and great, the gift of tongues. And in bringing forward that gift, he mentions it not just in the degree they had it in, but far more. For he did not say, "if I speak with tongues," but, "If I speak with the tongues of men,-" What is, "of men?" Of all nations in every part of the world. And neither was he content with this amplification, but he likewise uses another much greater, adding the words, "and of angels,-and have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal." Dost thou see to what point he first exalted the gift, and to what afterwards he lowered and cast it down? For neither did he simply say, "I am nothing," but, "I am become sounding brass" a thing senseless and inanimate. But how "sounding brass?" Emitting a sound indeed, but at random and in vain, and for no good end. Since besides my profiting nothing, I am counted by most men as one giving impertinent trouble, an annoying and wearisome kind of person. Seest thou how one void of love is like to things inanimate and senseless? Now he here speaks of the "tongues of angels," not investing angels with a body, but what he means is this: "should I even so speak as angels are wont to discourse unto each other, without this I am nothing, nay rather a burden and an annoyance." Thus (to mention one other example) where he saith, "To Him every knee shall bow, of things in heaven and things on earth, and things under the earth," he doth not say these things as if he attributed to angels knees and bones, far from it, but it is their intense adoration which he intends; also here he calls it "a tongue" not meaning an instrument of flesh, but intending to indicate their converse with each other by the manner which is known amongst us.”

“Aquinas assigned the distinction of graces freely given, and of the ministries in which the members of the Church are distinguished; here he treats of charity, which inseparably accompanies the grace that makes one pleasing. And because he had promised them that he would show a more excellent way, he shows the preeminence of charity over the other gratuitous gifts. First as to necessity, namely that without charity the other gratuitous gifts do not suffice; second as to usefulness, namely that through charity all evils are avoided and all goods are done, at the place "charity is patient," etc.; third as to permanence, at the place "charity never fails," etc. Now the Apostle seems to reduce all the gratuitous gifts to three. For first he shows that the gift of tongues, which pertains to speech, avails nothing without charity; second, that those things which pertain to knowledge also do not avail, at the place "and if I have prophecy," etc.; third he shows the same about those things which pertain to action, at the place "and if I distribute to the food of the poor," etc. Now the gift of tongues was much desired among the Corinthians, as will be clear below in chapter XIV; and therefore, beginning from it, he says: I promised that I would show a more excellent way, and this is first evident in the gift of tongues, because "if I speak with the tongues of men," namely of all men, that is, if I have the gift of grace by which I could speak in the tongues of all men; and for greater abundance he adds "and of angels: but if I have not charity, I have become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." He uses a fitting comparison. For the soul lives through charity, which lives to God, who is the life of the soul, according to that saying of Deut. XXX, 20: "he is your life." Hence also in I John III, 14 it is said: "we have been translated from death to life, because we love the brothers; he who does not love abides in death." Rightly, therefore, he compares speech lacking charity to the sound of a dead thing, namely of brass or a cymbal, which, although it renders a clear sound, is nevertheless not living but dead. So too the speech of a man lacking charity, however eloquent it may be, is nevertheless held as dead, because it does not profit toward the merit of eternal life. Now there is a difference between sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal, because brass, since it is flat, emits a simple sound from being struck; but a cymbal, since it is concave, multiplies the sound from a single strike, which pertains to tinkling. To brass, then, are compared those who pronounce the truth simply, but to a cymbal those who multiply and pronounce the truth, adding many arguments and similitudes, and drawing out very many conclusions, all of which, however, without charity are held as dead. Now it must be considered what are called the tongues of angels. For since the tongue is a bodily member, and the gift of tongues, which is sometimes called "tongue," pertains to its use, as will be clear below at XVI, neither seems to belong to angels, who do not have members. It can therefore be said that by "angels" are understood men having the office of angels, namely those who announce divine things to other men, according to that saying of Mal. II, 7: "the lips of the priest keep knowledge, and they seek the law from his mouth, because he is the angel of the Lord of hosts." In this sense, then, it is said "if I speak with the tongues of men and of angels," that is, not only of lesser men but also of greater ones who teach others. It can also be understood of the incorporeal angels themselves, as it is said in Ps. CIII, 4: "who makes his angels spirits." And although they do not have a bodily tongue, nevertheless by likeness there can be called "tongue" in them the power by which they manifest to others what they have in mind. Now it must be known that in the cognition of the angelic mind there is something concerning which the higher angels do not speak to the lower, nor conversely, namely the divine essence itself, which all see immediately, God showing himself to all, according to that saying of Jer. XXXI, 34: "a man shall no longer teach his neighbor, and a man his brother, saying: know the Lord. For all shall know me, from the least even to the greatest of them." But there is something in the cognition of the angelic mind concerning which the higher speak to the lower, but not conversely. And of this sort are the mysteries of divine providence, of which the higher know more in God himself, since they see him more clearly than the lower. Hence the higher instruct or illumine the lower concerning such things, which can be called speech. But there is something in the cognition of the angelic mind concerning which the higher speak to the lower and conversely; and of this sort are the hidden things of hearts, which depend on free will, which are open to God alone, and to those whose they are, according to that saying above at II, 11: "the things that are of a man, no one knows except the spirit of the man that is in him." These come into the knowledge of another when the one whose they are makes them manifest, whether he be inferior or superior. Now such a manifestation occurs when a lower angel speaks to a higher, not through illumination, but through a certain mode of signification. For there is in each angel something that is naturally known by another angel. When, therefore, that which is naturally known is set forth as a sign of that which is unknown, the hidden thing is manifested. And such a manifestation is called speech, by likeness to men, who manifest the hidden things of their hearts to others through sensible voices, or through whatever other corporeal thing appearing outwardly. Hence also those things which are naturally known in angels, insofar as they are taken up for the manifestation of hidden things, are called signs or nods. And the power of manifesting one's own concept in this way is metaphorically named "tongue." Then, when he says "and if I have," etc., he shows the same concerning those things which pertain to knowledge. Now it must be noted that above he set forth four gratuitous gifts pertaining to knowledge, namely wisdom, knowledge, faith, and prophecy. He begins here, therefore, from prophecy, saying "and if I have prophecy," by which hidden things are divinely revealed, according to that saying of II Pet. I, 21: "for prophecy was not at any time brought by the will of man, but the holy men of God spoke, inspired by the Holy Spirit." Second, as to wisdom, he adds "and know all mysteries," that is, the hidden things of the divinity, which pertains to wisdom, according to that saying above at II, 7: "we speak the wisdom of God, hidden in mystery." Third, as to knowledge, he says "and all knowledge," whether humanly acquired, as the philosophers had it, or divinely infused, as the apostles had it. Wis. VII, 17: "he gave me the true knowledge of the things that are." Fourth, as to faith, he adds "and if I have all faith, so that I could move mountains." Now what he says, "all faith," can be explained as, that is, of all the articles; but it is fitting that "all" be explained as, that is, perfect faith, because of what is added: "so that I could move mountains." For it is said in Matt. XVII, 19: "if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain: move from here, and it shall move." And although the mustard seed is smallest in quantity, nevertheless it is not a small but a perfect faith that is understood to be compared to the mustard seed. For it is said in Matt. XXI, v. 21: "if you have faith, and do not hesitate, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain: take yourself up and cast yourself into the sea, it shall be done." Faith, therefore, that does not hesitate, is compared to a mustard seed, which the more it is crushed, the more its strength is felt. But some object that although many saints had perfect faith, no one is read to have moved mountains; which indeed is resolved by what was said above at XII, 7: "to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for usefulness." For miracles are wrought through the grace of the Holy Spirit in that manner, place, and time in which the usefulness of the Church is required. But the saints did much greater things than the moving of mountains, insofar as it was useful for the faithful, for instance by raising the dead, dividing the sea, and doing other such works. And this too they would have done, if necessity had been present. This can also be transferred to the expulsion of demons from human bodies, who are called mountains on account of pride. Jer. XIII, 16: "before your feet stumble upon the darkening mountains"; "behold, I am against you, O pestilent mountain, who corrupts the whole earth." Now the working of miracles is attributed to faith that does not hesitate, because faith rests upon omnipotence, through which miracles are wrought. If, I say, I shall have had all the aforesaid things pertaining to the perfection of the intellect, but shall not have had charity, by which the will is perfected, "I am nothing," namely according to the being of grace, concerning which it is said in Eph. II, 10: "we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus unto good works." Hence also against a certain one it is said in Ez. XXVII, 19: "you have been made nothing, and you shall not be forever." And this indeed happens on account of a lack of charity, through which a man makes good use of a perfect intellect. But without charity its use is not good. Hence also above at chapter VIII, 1 it is said, "knowledge puffs up, but charity builds up." Now it must be noted that the Apostle here speaks of wisdom and knowledge according as they pertain to the gifts of grace freely given, which can exist without charity. For according as they are counted among the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, they are never had without charity. Hence also in Wis. I, 4 it is said: "wisdom will not enter into a malevolent soul." And in Wis. X, 10 it is said: "he gave him the knowledge of the saints." But concerning prophecy and faith it is manifest that they can be had without charity. But it must be noted here that firm faith, even without charity, works miracles. Hence, in Matt. VII, 22, to those saying: "have we not prophesied in your name, and done many mighty works?" it is said: "I never knew you." For the Holy Spirit works mighty works even through the wicked, just as he also speaks the truth through them. Then, when he says "and if I distribute," etc., he shows the same in those things which pertain to works, which consist in this, that a man do good things, according to that saying of Gal. VI, v. 9: "let us not fail in doing good"; and in this, that he patiently endure evils, according to that saying of Ps. XCI, 15 f.: "they shall be well patient, that they may announce." Now among the other good works, works of piety are commended more, according to that saying of I Tim. IV, 8: "piety is useful for all things." Concerning this work he designates four conditions. Of which the first is, that the work of piety not be gathered wholly into one, but be divided among many, according to that saying of Ps. CXI, 9: "he has dispersed, he has given to the poor." And this is designated when it is said "if I distribute." Second, that the work of piety be done to relieve necessity, not to serve superfluity, according to that saying of Is. LVIII, 7: "break your bread for the hungry," and this is designated when it is said "to the food of the poor." Third, that the work of piety be shown to those in need, according to that saying of Lk. XIV, 13: "when you make a feast, call the poor"; and this is designated when it is said "of the poor." Fourth, it pertains to perfection, that a man expend all his goods in works of piety, according to that saying of Matt. XIX, 21: "if you wish to be perfect, go, sell all that you have, and give to the poor"; and this is designated when it is said "all my goods." Now among the evils which one endures patiently, martyrdom is the most excellent. Hence it is said in Matt. V, 10: "blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice's sake." This too he commends in four ways. First indeed, because it is more praiseworthy that, when necessity is imminent, for instance for the defense of the faith, one offer oneself to suffering, than if one should suffer having been caught. And therefore he says "if I deliver up." Just as also of Christ it is said in Eph. V, 2: "he delivered himself up for us." Second, because the loss of the human body is more grievous than that of possessions, concerning which nevertheless certain ones are commended in Heb. X, 34: "you sustained the plundering of your goods with joy." And therefore he says "body." Is. L, 6: "I have given my body to those who struck me." Third, it is more praiseworthy that someone expose his own body to punishment, than the body of a son, or of any relative whatsoever, concerning which nevertheless a certain woman is commended in II Mac. VII, 20: "she seems worthy of remembrance beyond measure, and worthy of good memory, who, seeing her seven sons perishing within the space of one day, bore it with a good spirit." And therefore he says "my." Judges V, v. 9: "you who of your own will offered yourselves to danger for the Lord." Fourth, martyrdom is rendered more praiseworthy from the bitterness of the punishment, concerning which is added "so that I burn," as Lawrence did. Ecclus. L, 9: "like a fire shining forth, and like incense burning in the fire." If, I say, I shall have done the aforesaid works, so excellent as they are, but shall not have had charity, either because together with the aforesaid works there is present the will to sin mortally, or because they are done for the sake of empty glory, "it profits me nothing," namely as to the merit of eternal life, which is promised only to those who love God, according to that saying of Job XXXVI, 33: "he declares concerning it to his friend that it is his possession." And it must be noted that speech, which is the voice of an animate being, if it be without charity, he compares to something that does not exist; but works which are done on account of faith, if they be without charity, he says are fruitless. Wis. III, 11: "their hope is vain, and their labors without fruit."”

“Here the apostle shows what more excellent way he meant, or had in view, in the close of the former chapter, namely, charity, or, as it is commonly elsewhere rendered, love - agapē: not what is meant by charity in our common use of the word, which most men understand of alms - giving, but love in its fullest and most extensive meaning, true love to God and man, a benevolent disposition of mind towards our fellow-christians, growing out of sincere and fervent devotion to God. This living principle of all duty and obedience is the more excellent way of which the apostle speaks, preferable to all gifts. Nay, without this the most glorious gifts are nothing, of no account to us, of no esteem in the sight of God. He specifies, 1. The gift of tongues: 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, Co1 13:1. Could a man speak all the languages on earth, and that with the greatest propriety, elegance, and fluency, could he talk like an angel, and yet be without charity, it would be all empty noise, mere unharmonious and useless sound, that would neither profit nor delight. It is not talking freely, nor finely, nor learnedly, of the things of God, that will save ourselves, or profit others, if we are destitute of holy love. It is the charitable heart, not the voluble tongue, that is acceptable with God. The apostle specifies first this gift because hereupon the Corinthians seemed chiefly to value themselves and despise their brethren. 2. Prophecy, and the understanding of mysteries, and all knowledge. This without charity is as nothing, Co1 13:2. Had a man ever so clear an understanding of the prophecies and types under the old dispensation, ever so accurate a knowledge of the doctrines of Christianity, nay, and this by inspiration, from the infallible dictates and illumination of the Spirit of God, without charity he would be nothing; all this would stand him in no stead. Note, A clear and deep head is of no signification, without a benevolent and charitable heart. It is not great knowledge that God sets a value upon, but true and hearty devotion and love. 3. Miraculous faith, the faith of miracles, or the faith by which persons were enabled to work miracles: Had I all faith (the utmost degree of this kind of faith), that I could remove mountains (or say to them, "Go hence into the midst of the sea," and have my command obeyed, Mar 11:23), and had no charity, I am nothing. The most wonder-working faith, to which nothing is in a manner impossible, is itself nothing without charity. Moving mountains is a great achievement in the account of men; but one dram of charity is, in God's account, of much greater worth than all the faith of this sort in the world. Those may do many wondrous works in Christ's name whom yet he will disown, and bid depart from him, as workers of iniquity, Mat 7:22, Mat 7:23. Saving faith is ever in conjunction with charity, but the faith of miracles may be without it. 4. The outward acts of charity: Bestowing his goods to feed the poor, Co1 13:3. Should all a man has be laid out in this manner, if he had no charity, it would profit him nothing. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is no liberal and charitable heart. The external act of giving alms may proceed from a very ill principle. Vain-glorious ostentation, or a proud conceit of merit, may put a man to large expense this way who has no true love to God nor men. Our doing good to others will do none to us, if it be not well done, namely, from a principle of devotion and charity, love to God, and good-will to men. Note, If we leave charity out of religion, the most costly services will be of no avail to us. If we give away all we have, while we withhold the heart from God, it will not profit. 5. Even sufferings, and even those of the most grievous kind: If we give our bodies to be burnt, without charity, it profiteth nothing, Co1 13:3. Should we sacrifice our lives for the faith of the gospel, and be burnt to death in maintenance of its truth, this will stand us in no stead without charity, unless we be animated to these sufferings by a principle of true devotion to God, and sincere love to his church and people, and good-will to mankind. The outward carriage may be plausible, when the invisible principle is very bad. Some men have thrown themselves into the fire to procure a name and reputation among men. It is possible that the very same principle may have worked up some to resolution enough to die for their religion who never heartily believed and embraced it. But vindicating religion at the cost of our lives will profit nothing if we feel not the power of it; and true charity is the very heart and spirit of religion. If we feel none of its sacred heat in our hearts, it will profit nothing, though we be burnt to ashes for the truth. Note, The most grievous sufferings, the most costly sacrifices, will not recommend us to God, if we do not love the brethren; should we give our own bodies to be burnt, it would not profit us. How strange a way of recommending themselves to God are those got into who hope to do it by burning others, by murdering, and massacring, and tormenting their fellow-christians, or by any injurious usage of them! My soul, enter not thou into their secrets. If I cannot hope to recommend myself to God by giving my own body to be burnt while I have no charity, I will never hope to do it by burning or maltreating others, in open defiance to all charity.”

“Though I speak with the tongues of men,.... That is, of all men, all languages that men anywhere speak, or have been spoken by them. The number of these is by some said (i) to be "seventy five"; but the general opinion of the Jews is, that at the confusion of languages at Babel, they were seventy; for they say (k), that then "the holy blessed God descended, and "seventy angels" surrounding the throne of his glory, and confounded the languages of seventy people, and every nation of the seventy had their own language and writing, and an angel set over each nation;'' whether this may be the reason, why the tongues of angels are mentioned here with those of men, let it be considered. Mordecai, they say (l), was skilled in all these seventy languages, so that when he heard Bigthan and Teresh, who were Tarsians, talking together in the Tarsian language, he understood them. The same is said (m) of R. Akiba, R. Joshua, and R. Eliezer; yet, they say (n), that this was one of the qualifications of the sanhedrim, or of such that sat in that great council, that they should understand these seventy languages, because they were not to hear causes from the mouth of an interpreter. It is affirmed (o) of Mithridates, king of Pontus and Bithynia, that he had "twenty five" nations under his government, and that he so well understood, and could speak the language of each nation, as to converse with men of any of them, without an interpreter. Apollonius Tyaneus (p) pretended to understand, and speak with the tongues of all men; such a case the apostle supposes here, whether attained to by learning, industry, and close application, or by an extraordinary gift of the Spirit, which latter seems to be what he intends; and the rather he mentions this, and begins with it, because many of the Corinthians were greatly desirous of it; some that had it not, were dejected on that account; wherefore to comfort them, the apostle suggests, that the grace of love which they were possessed of, was abundantly preferable to it; and others that had it were lifted up with it, and used it either for ostentation or gain, or to make parties, and not to the edification of their brethren; which showed want of love, and so were no better than what the apostle hereafter asserts: what he says here and in the following verses, is in an hypothetical way, supposing such a case, and in his own person, that it might be the better taken, and envy and ill will be removed: he adds, and of angels; not that angels have tongues in a proper sense, or speak any vocal language, in an audible voice, with articulate sounds; for they are spirits immaterial and incorporeal; though they have an intellectual speech, by which they celebrate the perfections and praises of God, and can discourse with one another, and communicate their minds to each other; see Isa 6:3 and which is what the Jews (q) call, "", "the speech of the heart"; and is the speech (they say) , "which the angels speak" in their heart; and is the "pure language", and more excellent than other tongues; is pleasant discourse, the secret of the holy seraphim--and is , "the talk of angels"; who do the will of their Creator in their hearts, and in their thoughts:'' this is not what the apostle refers to; but rather the speech of angels, when they have assumed human bodies, and have in them spoke with an audible voice, in articulate sounds; of which we have many instances, both in the Old Testament and the New, wherein they have conversed with divers persons, as Hagar, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Manoah and his wife, the Virgin Mary, Zechariah, and others; unless by the tongues of angels should be meant the most eloquent speech, and most excellent of languages; or if there can be thought to be any tongue that exceeds that of men, which, if angels spoke, they would make use of. Just as the face of angels is used, to express the greatest glory and beauty of the face, or countenance, Act 6:15 and angels' bread is used for the most excellent food, Psa 78:25. Dr. Lightfoot thinks, and that not without reason, that the apostle speaks according to the sense and conceptions of the Jews, who attribute speech and language to angels. They tell us (r) that R. Jochanan ben Zaccai, who was contemporary with the apostle, and lived to the destruction of Jerusalem, among other things, he was well versed in, understood , "the speech of demons", and "the speech of the ministering angels": and which they take to be the holy tongue, or the Hebrew language; they observe (s), that "the children of men (by whom I suppose they mean the Israelites) are in three things like to the ministering angels; they have knowledge as the ministering angels, and they walk in an erect stature as the ministering angels, , "and they speak in the holy tongue, as the ministering angels".'' They pretend that the angels do not understand the Syriac language; hence they (t) advise a man, "never to ask for what he wants in the Syriac language; for (says R. Jochanan) whoever asks for what he wants in the Syriac language, the ministering angels do not join with him, for they do not know the Syriac language;'' and yet, in the same page, they say that Gabriel came and taught one the seventy languages: but let the tongues of angels be what they will, and a man be able to speak with them ever so well, and have not charity; by which is meant not giving of alms to the poor, for in Co1 13:3 this is supposed in the highest degree it can be performed, and yet a man be destitute of charity; nor a charitable opinion of men as good men, let their principles and practices be what they will; for this is not true charity, but rather uncharitableness, and acting the most unkind part to their souls, to consider and caress them as such, when destruction and ruin are in all their ways; but the grace of love is here meant, even love to God, and love to Christ, and love to the saints, which is a grace implanted in regeneration by the Spirit of God; and which, if a person is destitute of, as he may, who has never so great a share of learning, or knowledge of the languages, or even the extraordinary gift of speaking with divers tongues; all his learning is but an empty sound, his eloquence, his diversity of speech, is but like the man's nightingale, "vox & praeterea nihil", a voice and nothing else; or as the apostle here says, supposing it was his own case, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal; or rather, "the loud", or "high sounding cymbal", as in Psa 150:5 which the Septuagint there render by , a phrase of the same signification with this: for not that little tinkling instrument used by the Heathens is here meant; though what is here said of the cymbal agrees with that; which made a tinkling noise when shaken, or struck with anything, or with one against another; and was an hollow vessel of brass, in form of the herb called "navel wort" (u); but rather that musical instrument which bore this name, used in the Jewish worship under the Old Testament; and which, the Jews (w) say, was an instrument that gave a very great sound; and that the sound of it was heard as far as Jericho (x), which was some miles from Jerusalem; they say (y), that the cymbals were two brazen instruments or pieces of brass, which they struck one against another, and so made a sound. The cymbal was also used in the worship of Heathen deities, and the allusion here in both the things mentioned, is either to the tinkling of brass, and the sounding of cymbals in the worship of idols (z); which were mere empty sounds, and of no avail, as is a man's speaking with divers tongues, destitute of the grace of love; or to the confused clamours and noises made upon going to battle, just upon the onset, by drums and cymbals, and , hollow sounding pieces of brass; as appears from Polytenus, Plutarch, Appianus and others (a); to which confused noises the apostle compares the most eloquent speech without love. The Greeks had a play they used at feasts, I will not say the allusion is to it here, but leave it to be though of, which they call "Cottabisis"; when, the liquor that was left, they cast into cups of brass, and such whose liquor made the greatest sound in the cup, fancied himself to be loved again, by the person he loved (b): sounding brass and tinkling cymbals are inanimate things, things without life, as all such persons are destitute of spiritual life, who are devoid of the grace of love; and though they, by an extraordinary gift, and under a divine impulse, speak with divers tongues, they are but like hollow vessels of brass, and sounding cymbals, which only make a noise when they are stricken, and what they give is a mere empty sound, which is of no profit to themselves; they cannot hear, nor be delighted with it, but are rather hurt, being worn out thereby; nor of no great advantage to others, unless they give a musical sound, and that only delights the ear, but neither feeds nor clothes the body; of such little use and profit are men, speaking with tongues destitute of the grace of love, either to themselves or others. (i) Eupherus & alii in Clement. Alex. Stromat. l. 1. p. 338. (k) Pirke Eliezer, c. 24. (l) Targum in Esther ii. 22. Misn. Shekalim, c. 5. sect. 1. T. Hieros. Shekalim, fol. 48. 4. T. Bab. Megilla, fol. 13. 2. (m) Juchasin, fol. 36. 2. (n) T. Bab. Sanhedrin, fol. 17. 1. & Menachot, fol. 65. 1. (o) A. Gellii Noct. Attic. l. 17. c. 17. (p) Philostrat. Vita Apollon. l. 1. c. 13. (q) Tzeror Hammor, fol. 2. 3. & 13. 4. (r) T. Bab. Succa, fol. 28. 1. & Bava Bathra, fol. 134. 1. Vid. Zohar in Numb. fol. 92. 1. (s) T. Bab. Chagiga, fol. 16. 1. & Sabbat. fol. 12. 2. Vid. Bereshit Rabba, sect. 74. fol. 65. 2. & Vajikra Rabba, sect. 1. fol. 147. 1. (t) T. Bab. Sota, fol. 33. 1. (u) Vid. Pignorium de Servis, p. 163. 165. (w) Bartenora in Misn. Shekaelim, c. 5. sect. 1. & Kimchi in Psal. cl. 5. (x) Misn. Tamid. c. 3. sect. 8. (y) Bartenora in Misn. Eracin, c. 2. sect. 5. R. David Kimchi & R. Samuel Laniado in 2 Sam. vi. 5. (z) Vid. Arnob. adv. Gentes, l. 7. p. 280. Ed. Elmenhorst, & Ovid, Metamorph. l. 3, fab. 7. (a) Vid. Vaa Till. not. in Lydium de re militare, p. 38. (b) Alex. ab Alex. Genial. Dier. l. 3. c. 10.”

“Though I speak, etc. - At the conclusion of the preceding chapter the apostle promised to show the Corinthians a more excellent way than that in which they were now proceeding. They were so distracted with contentions, divided by parties, and envious of each other's gifts, that unity was nearly destroyed. This was a full proof that love to God and man was wanting; and that without this, their numerous gifts and other graces were nothing in the eyes of God; for it was evident that they did not love one another, which is a proof that they did not love God; and consequently, that they had not true religion. Having, by his advices and directions, corrected many abuses, and having shown them how in outward things they should walk so as to please God, he now shows them the spirit, temper, and disposition in which this should be done, and without which all the rest must be ineffectual. Before I proceed to the consideration of the different parts of this chapter, it may be necessary to examine whether the word αγαπη be best translated by charity or love. Wiclif, translating from the Vulgate, has the word charity; and him our authorized version follows. But Coverdale, Matthews, Cranmer, and the Geneva Bible, have love; which is adopted by recent translators and commentators in general; among whom the chief are Dodd, Pearce, Purver, Wakefield, and Wesley; all these strenuously contend that the word charity, which is now confined to almsgiving, is utterly improper; and that the word love, alone expresses the apostle's sense. As the word charity seems now to express little else than almsgiving, which, performed even to the uttermost of a man's power, is nothing if he lack what the apostle terms αγαπη, and which we here translate charity; it is best to omit the use of a word in this place which, taken in its ordinary signification, makes the apostle contradict himself; see Co1 13:3 : Though I give all my goods to feed the poor, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. That is: "Though I have the utmost charity, and act in every respect according to its dictates, yet, if I have not charity, my utmost charity is unprofitable." Therefore, to shun this contradiction, and the probable misapplication of the term, Love had better be substituted for Charity! The word αγαπη, love, I have already considered at large in the note on Mat 22:37; and to that place I beg leave to refer the reader for its derivation and import. Our English word love we have from the Teutonic leben to live, because love is the means, dispenser, and preserver of life; and without it life would have nothing desirable, nor indeed any thing even supportable: or it may be taken immediately from the Anglo-Saxon lofa and lufa love, from lufan and lufian, to desire, to love, to favor. It would be ridiculous to look to the Greek verb φιλειν for its derivation. Having said so much about the word love, we should say something of the word charity, which is supposed to be improper in this place. Charity comes to us immediately from the French charite, who borrowed it from the Latin charitas, which is probably borrowed from the Greek χαρις, signifying grace or favor, or χαρα, joy, as a benefit bestowed is a favor that inspires him who receives it with joy; and so far contributes to his happiness. The proper meaning of the word Charus, is dear, costly; and Charitas, is dearth, scarcity, a high price, or dearness. Hence, as in times of dearth or scarcity, many, especially the poor, must be in want, and the benevolent will be excited to relieve them; the term which expressed the cause of this want was applied to the disposition which was excited in behalf of the sufferer. Now, as he who relieves a person in distress, and preserves his life by communicating a portion of his property to him, will feel a sort of interest in the person thus preserved; Hence he is said to be dear to him: i.e. he has cost him something; and he values him in proportion to the trouble or expense he has cost him. Thus charity properly expresses that affectionate attachment we may feel to a person whose wants we have been enabled to relieve; but originally it signified that want of the necessaries of life which produced dearth or dearness of those necessaries; and brought the poor man into that state in which he stood so much in need of the active benevolence of his richer neighbor. If the word be applied to God's benevolence towards man, it comes in with all propriety and force: we are dear to God, for we have not been purchased with silver or gold, but with the precious (τιμιῳ αἱματι, costly) blood of Christ, who so loved us as to give his life a ransom for ours. As Christians in general acknowledge that this chapter is the most important in the whole New Testament, I shall give here the first translation of it into the English language which is known to exist, extracted from an ancient and noble MS. in my own possession, which seems to exhibit both a text and language, if not prior to the time of Wiclif, yet certainly not posterior to his days. The reader will please to observe that there are no divisions of verses in the MS. The XIII. Chapter of 1 Corinthians, from an Ancient MS. Gyf I speke with tungis of men and aungels sotheli I have not charitee: I am maad as brasse sounynge, or a symbale tynking. And gif I schal habe prophecie and habe knowen alle mysteries and alle hunynge or science. and gif I schal have al feith so that I oder bere hills fro oo place to an other. forsothe gif I schal not have charite: I am nought. And gif I schal deperte al my goodid into metis of pore men. And gif I schal bitake my body so that I brenne forsothe gif I schal not have charite it profitith to me no thing. Charite is pacient or suffering. It is benyngne or of good wille. Charite envyeth not. It doth not gyle it is not inblowen with pride it is not ambyciouse or coveitouse of wirschippis. It seeketh not the thingis that ben her owne. It is not stirid to wrath it thinkith not yvil. it joyeth not on wickidnesse forsothe it joyeth to gydre to treuthe. It suffreth all thingis. it bileeveth alle thingis. it hopith alle thingis it susteeneth alle things. Charite fallith not doun. Whether prophecies schuln be bolde eyther langagis schuln ceese: eyther science schul be distruyed. Forsothe of the party we ban knowen: and of partye prophecien. Forsothe whenne that schal cum to that is perfit: that thing that is of partye schal be avoydid. Whenne I was a litil chiilde: I spake as a litil chiilde. I understode as a litil chiilde: I thougte as a litil chiild. Forsothe whenne I was a maad a mam: I avoydid tho thingis that weren of a litil chiild. Forsothe we seen now bi a moror in dercness: thanne forsothe face to face. Nowe I know of partye: thanne forsothe I schal know and as I am knowen. Nowe forsothe dwellen feith hoope charite. These three: forsothe the more of hem is charite. This is the whole of the chapter as it exists in the MS., with all its peculiar orthography, points, and lines. The words with lines under may be considered the translator's marginal readings; for, though incorporated with the text, they are distinguished from it by those lines. I had thought once of giving a literal translation of the whole chapter from all the ancient versions. This would be both curious and useful; but the reader might think it would take up too much of his time, and the writer has none to spare. The tongues of men - All human languages, with all the eloquence of the most accomplished orator. And of angels - i.e. Though a man knew the language of the eternal world so well that he could hold conversation with its inhabitants, and find out the secrets of their kingdom. Or, probably, the apostle refers to a notion that was common among the Jews, that there was a language by which angels might be invoked, adjured, collected, and dispersed; and by the means of which many secrets might be found out, and curious arts and sciences known. There is much of this kind to be found in their cabalistical books, and in the books of many called Christians. Cornelius Agrippa's occult philosophy abounds in this; and it was the main object of Dr. Dee's actions with spirits to get a complete vocabulary of this language. See what has been published of his work by Dr. Casaubon; and the remaining manuscript parts in the Sloane library, in the British museum. In Bava Bathra, fol. 134, mention is made of a famous rabbin, Jochanan ben Zaccai, who understood the language of devils, trees, and angels. Some think that the apostle means only the most splendid eloquence; as we sometimes apply the word angelic to signify any thing sublime, grand, beautiful, etc.; but it is more likely that he speaks here after the manner of his countrymen, who imagined that there was an angelic language which was the key to many mysteries; a language which might be acquired, and which, they say, had been learned by several. Sounding brass - Χαλκος ηχων· That is, like a trumpet made of brass; for although; χαλκος signifies brass, and aes signifies the same, yet we know the latter is often employed to signify the trumpet, because generally made of this metal. Thus Virgil, when he represents Misenus endeavoring to fright away the harpies with the sound of his trumpet: - Ergo, ubi delapsae sonitum per curva dedere Littora, dat signum specula Misenus ab alta Aere cavo: invadunt socii, et nova praelia tentant, Obscoenas pelagi ferro faedare volucres. Aeneid, lib. iii. ver. 238. Then as the harpies from the hills once more Poured shrieking down, and crowded round the shore, On his high stand Misenus sounds from far The brazen trump, the signal of the war. With unaccustomed fight, we flew to slay The forms obscene, dread monsters of the sea. Pitt. The metal of which the instrument was made is used again for the instrument itself, in that fine passage of the same poet, Aeneid, lib. ix. ver. 603, where he represents the Trojans rushing to battle against the Volsciane: - At tuba terribilem sonitum procul aere canoro Increpuit: sequitur clamor, caelumque remugit. And now the trumpets, terrible from far, With rattling clangour rouse the sleepy war. The soldiers' shouts succeed the brazen sounds And heaven from pole to pole their noise rebounds. Dryden. And again, in his Battle of the Bees, Geor., lib. iv. ver. 70: - - namque morantes Martius ille aeris rauci canor increpat, et vox Auditur fractos sonitus imitata tubarum. With shouts the cowards' courage they excite, And martial clangours call them out to fight; With hoarse alarms the hollow camp rebounds, That imitate the trumpet's angry sounds. Dryden. Examples of the same figure might be multiplied; but these are sufficient. Tinkling cymbal - "The cymbal was a concavo-convex plate of brass, the concave side of which being struck against another plate of the same kind produced a tinkling, inharmonious sound." We may understand the apostle thus: "Though I possessed the knowledge of all languages, and could deliver even the truth of God in them in the most eloquent manner, and had not a heart full of love to God and man, producing piety and obedience to the One, and benevolence and beneficence to the other, doing unto all as I would wish them to do to me were our situations reversed, my religion is no more to my salvation than the sounds emitted by the brazen trumpet, or the jingling of the cymbals could contribute intellectual pleasure to the instruments which produce them; and, in the sight of God, I am of no more moral worth than those sounds are. I have, it is true, a profession; but, destitute of a heart filled with love to God and man, producing meekness, gentleness, long-suffering, etc., I am without the soul and essence of religion." I have quoted several passages from heathens of the most cultivated minds in Greece and Rome to illustrate passages of the sacred writers. I shall now quote one from an illiterate collier of Paulton, in Somerset; and, as I have named Homer, Horace, Virgil, and others, I will quote Josiah Gregory, whose mind might be compared to a diamond of the first water, whose native splendor broke in various places through its incrustations, but whose brilliancy was not brought out for want of the hand of the lapidary. Among various energetic sayings of this great, unlettered man, I remember to have heard the following: "People of little religion are always noisy; he who has not the love of God and man filling his heart is like an empty wagon coming violently down a hill: it makes a great noise, because there is nothing in it."”