1 Corinthians 13:1 kjv
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.
1 Corinthians 13:1 nkjv
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1 niv
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.
1 Corinthians 13:1 esv
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1 nlt
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.
1 Corinthians 13 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 13:1 | If I speak in tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am noisy gong or clanging cymbal. | Foundation of Love |
| 1 Corinthians 8:1 | Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. | Knowledge vs. Love |
| Galatians 5:22-23 | Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. | Love as Fruit |
| Romans 12:1-2 | Present bodies as living sacrifices; do not be conformed to this world. | Transformation and Love |
| Ephesians 4:2-3 | Walk in humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another in love. | Unity through Love |
| John 13:34-35 | "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another." | Love as a Distinctive Mark |
| Matthew 22:37-40 | Great Commandment: Love God and love neighbor. | Love as the Greatest Command |
| 1 John 4:7-8 | God is love; whoever does not love does not know God. | Essence of God |
| 1 John 4:19-21 | We love because He first loved us. | Reciprocal Love |
| Colossians 3:14 | Above all, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect unity. | Love as the Bond of Perfection |
| Romans 15:5-6 | May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus. | Harmony through God’s Spirit |
| 1 Corinthians 14:2 | Whoever speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God. | Nature of Tongues |
| 1 Corinthians 14:4 | Whoever speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but whoever prophesies builds up the church. | Edification and Tongues |
| 1 Corinthians 14:9 | Unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will anyone know what is said? | Clarity of Speech |
| Acts 2:4 | They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues. | Holy Spirit and Tongues |
| 1 Samuel 16:7 | Man looks on outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. | Divine Perspective on Character |
| Proverbs 25:20 | Like one who takes off a coat on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. | Emotional Incongruity |
| Luke 6:45 | The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of the evil treasure produces evil. | Heart's Testimony |
| Ecclesiastes 5:3 | For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. | Empty Words |
| Romans 1:14-15 | I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. | Obligation to Communicate |
| Philippians 2:1-2 | If there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy. | Unity of Spirit and Love |
| 1 Corinthians 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you. | Unity in the Church |
| Matthew 7:21-23 | "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father." | Action over Words |
1 Corinthians 13 verses
1 Corinthians 13 1 Meaning
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
This verse sets the stage for the entire chapter, introducing the paramount importance of love (agape) above all spiritual gifts and actions. Even the most eloquent speech, capable of communicating with celestial beings, is worthless without the underlying principle of love. It emphasizes that genuine spiritual experience and expression are intrinsically tied to a heart filled with God's love.
1 Corinthians 13 1 Context
In 1 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul addressed the proper use and understanding of spiritual gifts within the Corinthian church. The Corinthians were proud of their spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of speaking in tongues, leading to division and a distorted view of Christian life. Chapter 13 serves as a pivotal interruption to the discussion on gifts, revealing love as the essential ingredient that gives all spiritual activity its true meaning and value. This specific verse establishes that without love, even the most profound or seemingly miraculous communication, whether human or angelic, is devoid of substance. It corrects their overemphasis on observable spiritual phenomena by directing them to the inner disposition of the heart.
1 Corinthians 13 1 Word Analysis
- εὰν (ean): "if" - A conditional particle, introducing a hypothetical situation.
- λαλῶ (lalō): "I speak" - Present indicative active verb from laleō, meaning to speak, talk, say. It implies continuous or ongoing action.
- τῇ (tē): "the" - Definite article, feminine genitive singular.
- γλώσσῃ (glōssē): "tongue" - Noun glōssa, meaning tongue or language. In this context, it refers to a language, possibly supernatural or known.
- τῶν (tōn): "of the" - Definite article, genitive plural.
- ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn): "men" / "humans" - Noun anthrōpos, referring to humankind.
- καὶ (kai): "and" - Conjunction, connecting clauses or words.
- τῶν (tōn): "of the" - Definite article, genitive plural.
- ἀγγέλων (angelōn): "angels" - Noun angelos, meaning messenger, angel.
- (present participle of eimi, "to be") (implied): "if I have"
- (present indicative of echo, "to have") (implied): "and have not"
- (object of the preceding participle/verb, "love")
- (dative feminine singular of agape, meaning "love," specifically selfless, divine love.)
- (predicate nominative, participle form of gineomai, "to become" or "to be")
- (accusative neuter singular of chalkos, meaning "copper" or "bronze," hence "gong" or "cymbal".)
- (adjective, masculine nominative singular modifying the previous noun)
- (accusative neuter singular of kymbalon, meaning "cymbal," a musical instrument producing a metallic clang.)
- (adjective, masculine nominative singular modifying the previous noun)
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels": This phrase covers the spectrum of communication. "Tongues of men" refers to any human language, and "tongues of angels" suggests a superior, possibly divine or supernatural, form of speech, hinting at the charismatic gift of tongues discussed previously.
- "but have not love": The critical condition. Agape love is the absence of this central quality, making everything else hollow.
- "I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal": The consequence of lacking love. These instruments, when struck, produce a loud, often jarring sound but lack melodic expression. This imagery emphasizes emptiness, a lack of true substance or harmonious purpose despite the noise. It signifies a harsh, attention-grabbing sound that ultimately means nothing of true value or edification.
1 Corinthians 13 1 Bonus Section
The contrast between "tongues of men" and "tongues of angels" may also reflect the Corinthians' fascination with different forms of spiritual expression. Paul is subtly re-ordering their values. He is stating that even the highest spiritual manifestation, conversing with angels, is surpassed by the fruit of the Spirit, love. The reference to musical instruments, a gong or cymbal, would be well understood by the Corinthians, as these were used in both temple worship and daily life. The loud, percussive nature of these instruments highlights a superficial impressiveness without deeper substance or meaning when detached from love. It’s a vivid, auditory metaphor for spiritual actions lacking the essential quality of love.
1 Corinthians 13 1 Commentary
This verse underscores that outward manifestations of spirituality or great abilities are ultimately meaningless if they are not rooted in divine love. The ability to communicate in any known language, or even a language understood by angelic beings, is presented as a significant, perhaps supernatural, capability. However, Paul forcefully asserts that without agape love—self-giving, sacrificial, and God-centered love—this impressive speech is merely a loud, irritating, and empty noise. It's like a musical instrument producing sound without harmony or melody. This teaches that all actions, gifts, and utterances must be motivated and directed by love to be truly valuable in God's sight and to edify the church.
- Practical Usage Example: Someone with an extraordinary ability to preach or prophesy (like speaking in tongues with interpretation) but who acts out of pride, selfishness, or a desire for recognition, is, in God's economy, producing only empty noise. True ministry, no matter how seemingly small, empowered by love, is infinitely more valuable.