Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 13:1

1 THough I speak with the tongues of men and of angels , and have not charity b, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal .

The Apostle had promised in the close of the former Chapter, to shew them a more excellent thing than Gifts, or a more excellent course, than that they were so hotly pursuing, in their emulation of the best Gifts; he now cometh to shew them that way, that course: the way was that of Love, the course was the study and pursuing methods how to shew their Love to God, and to one another; for (saith the Apostle) though I speak, that is, if I could speak, or admit I did speak, with the Tongues used in all the Nations of the World, and with the Tongues of Angels; by which some understand the best and most excellent ways of expressing our selves. Angels have no tongues, nor make any articulate audible sounds, by which they understand one another; but yet there is certainly a Society, or intercourse among Angels, which could not be upheld without some way amongst them, to communicate their minds and wills each to other. How this is we cannot tell: some of the Schoolmen say, it is by way of Impression; that way God indeed communicates his Mind sometimes to his people, making secret impressions of his Will upon their minds and understandings; but whether Angels can do the like, or what their way is of communicating their minds each to other, is a great Secret, and we ought to be willingly ignorant of what God hath not pleased, in any part of his revealed Will, to tell us. Neither do I judge it a question proper to this place, where the Tongues of Angels unquestionably signifie the best and most excellent ways of expressing and communicating our selves to others, as Manna is called Angels food, Psal. 78.25. that is, the most excellent food; for Angels being spiritual Substances, need no food, have no mouths to eat, nor bellies to fill, and this the Apostle meaneth. Though I could express my self, or communicate my mind to others in the most excellent way, or in the greatest variety of expression, yet if I have not ([non-Latin text not transcribed], which we translate) Charity, but possibly might be better translated Love, because we usually by Charity (in common speech) understand that indication of brotherly Love, which is in acts of bounty, feeding the hungry, cloathing the naked, giving to those that are in want, which it is possible that men may do out of meer humanity, or a superstitious opinion of meriting thereby, without any true root of love to our Neighbours; which is never true, if it doth not grow out of a Love to God.

If I want Love (saith the Apostle) a true root of love to men, flowing from a true Love to God, and out of obedience to his Precept, I am but as sounding brass, &c. that is, I only make a noise, but it will conduce nothing to my Salvation, it will be of no use to me: But if I have this true root of Love, then it will be of avail to me. And thus the Apostle proveth, that the habit of Love to God and man in the heart, is far more excellent than the gift of Tongues, which many of the Corinthians had, or coveted, or boasted in, despising those who had it not.