ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 13 v1

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.

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