ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 13 v1 - 3

OVERVIEW:

The tongues of men are human languages (SEVERIAN OF GABALA). Without love they are like a noisy gong (AMBROSIASTER). The tongues of angels are perceived by the mind, not the ear (THEODORET OF CYR). One may have prophetic powers yet be filled with an evil spirit, as in the case of Saul. Even Balaam’s ass prophesied in a human language to demonstrate the majesty of God (AMBROSIASTER). By faith Paul does not mean common and universal faith but the spiritual gift of faith (GENNADIUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE). Love, which fulfills the law (SEVERIAN), is the head of religion (AMBROSIASTER). Love does not hate anyone (CAESARIUS OF ARLES). Paul discounts even the most extreme sacrifices if they are made without love (CHRYSOSTOM). Offering one’s body to be burned is not permission to commit suicide but a command not to resist suffering if the alternative is being forced to do wrong (AUGUSTINE).

13:1 | Speaking Without Love

A NOISY GONG. AMBROSIASTER: It is a great gift to be able to speak in different languages. To speak with the tongues of angels is even greater. But in order to show that none of this can be ascribed to merit and that every tongue is subject to the glory of God, Paul adds that a man without love is like a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

Balaam’s ass spoke a human language in order to demonstrate the majesty of God, and children sang the praises of Christ in order to confound the Jews. In fact the Savior went further and declared that even stones could cry out if necessary. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

A NUISANCE WITHOUT LOVE. CHRYSOSTOM: In other words, says Paul, if I have no love I am not just useless but a positive nuisance. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 32.6.

TONGUES OF MEN ARE LANGUAGES. SEVERIAN OF GABALA: The tongues of angels refer to the different languages spoken on earth since the destruction of the tower of Babel. As Moses says in Deuteronomy [32:8]: “God has set the boundaries of the nations according to the number of angels.” It is therefore the task of each angel to defend the distinction of nations. The tongues of men on the other hand are languages which we learn; they do not come to us naturally. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

TONGUES OF ANGELS NOT PERCEIVED BY THE EAR. THEODORET OF CYR: Paul chooses speaking in tongues as his example because the Corinthians thought that it was the greatest of the gifts. This was because it had been given to the apostles on the day of Pentecost, before any of the others. The tongues of angels are those which are perceived by the mind, not by the ear. COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 251.

13:2 | Nothing Without Love

THE LIMITS OF PROPHETIC POWERS. AMBROSIASTER: Balaam prophesied even though he was not a prophet, and Caiaphas also prophesied. So did Saul when, because of his disobedience, he was filled with an evil spirit. Judas accompanied the other disciples and understood all the mysteries and knowledge given to them, but as an enemy of love he betrayed the Savior. Both Tertullian and Novatian were men of no small learning, but because of their pride they lost the fellowship of love and falling into schism devised heresies, to their own damnation. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

MIRACLES OF WORD AND DEED. CHRYSOSTOM: By naming prophecy and faith, Paul included every spiritual gift, since miracles are either in word or in deed. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 32.7.

THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF FAITH. GENNADIUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE: By faith, Paul does not mean the common and universal faith of believers but the spiritual gift of faith. The two things have the same name, because when the Holy Spirit comes upon us it is our human faith which expands to make room for the divine gift. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

13:3a | Giving Away All

EXTREME SACRIFICES. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul discounts even the most extreme sacrifices, if they are made without love. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 32.8.

GIVING ONE’S BODY TO BE BURNED. AUGUSTINE: Giving one’s body to be burned is not a license to commit suicide but a command not to resist suffering if the alternative is being forced to do wrong. LETTER 173, TO DONATUS.

13:3b | Gaining Nothing Without Love

THE HEAD OF RELIGION. AMBROSIASTER: Love is the very head of religion, and someone who has no head is dead. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

LOVE DOES NOT HATE ANYONE. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: Since true charity loves all, if someone knows that he hates even one other person he should hasten to vomit up this bitter gall, in order to be ready to receive the sweetness of charity himself. SERMON 23.4.

LOVE FULFILLS THE LAW. SEVERIAN OF GABALA: The one who loves fulfills the law. The one who fulfills the law is well respected. The one who is well respected receives a spiritual gift. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.