1 Corinthians 13:1

1. Though I speak A case, it is said, which never will happen; but the particle though, or if, ( εαν ,) here used, implies a case objectively possible, and which experience will decide as to its real occurrence. WINER, Grammar, page 291. See the note on 1 Corinthians 13:2.

Tongues The Corinthians’ favourite charism, first mentioned in order to humble it before love.

Of men Though my tongue could speak every language of the entire human race.

Of angels Whether the gifted Corinthians claimed that one of their charisms was to speak in angel dialect is more than we know. St. Paul himself, (2 Corinthians 12:4,) when caught up into paradise, “heard unspeakable words,” apparently the speech of higher natures. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus implies speech of disembodied spirits, so telegraphic as to reach from paradise to hades inferior.

I am become To this, if gifted yet loveless, I am brought.

Sounding brass Corinthian brass (a metal formed by the mixture of silver and gold) was proverbially famed for its ringing sound when struck, or blown as a trumpet.

Tinkling Clanging is better, as more truly denoting the sound produced.

Cymbal Two concave metallic plates struck against each other, and giving a sound varying with the size of the instrument. Possessing no variation of tone or mellowness, they served as a fit illustration of a vain clatter, while the richer ring of the sounding brass indicated the vainglory of the ostentation of tongues.

Cymbals were used (1 Chronicles 13:8) in the most ancient times, with other instruments, in religious service. The old Egyptians used wooden cymbals, ( crotala,) and the modern Spaniards use castanets, so called because made of chestnut wood.