Note 1 at 1 Cor. 13:1: There are different kinds of tongues. That's why Paul spoke of divers (i.e. different) kinds of tongues (1 Cor. 12:10). This verse mentions two kinds of tongues-those that are human languages and those that are angelic languages.

Tongues of men are simply known languages that are in use here on earth. This is the type of tongue that the believers spoke in on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11). They spoke in the native tongues of the people who had come from foreign countries to Jerusalem for the feast. The believers who spoke in these tongues had not learned these languages and they did not understand what they were saying as they spoke. Yet those from the different countries understood them perfectly.

Tongues of angels are simply the languages that angels speak. Some might see a benefit in speaking in the tongues of men. After all, that was quite a testimony to the multitudes and many were saved as a result. But what benefit is there to speaking in the tongues of angels?

One of the great advantages of speaking in tongues is that when we speak in tongues, we are praying from our spirit and not our head (1 Cor. 14:14). Speaking in this heavenly language allows us to bypass our brain and it's limitations, which can be a real hindrance to our communication with the Lord at times. Our spirit is the part of us that has the mind of Christ (see note 6 at 1 Cor. 2:16, p. 870), and praying from our spirit is much more powerful than praying from our limited wisdom.

Also, as we pray in tongues, we are praising God with perfect praise (1 Cor. 14:17). Throughout history, man has been frustrated in our finite attempts to adequately praise an infinite God. That's the feeling behind songs like "O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing my Great Redeemer's Praise." The Lord has given us the ability to praise Him beyond the limitations of our minds through giving us this heavenly language which knows no limits.

Speaking in the tongues of angels promotes spiritual growth (1 Cor. 14:4), it builds us up on our most holy faith (Jude 20), and it allows us to draw on the infinite wisdom of God which has been deposited on the inside of us (see note at 1 Cor. 14:13).

Note 2 at 1 Cor. 13:1: The old English word "charity" has lost some of its meaning in modern English. Most people today associate this word with some non-profit organization or fund raiser for a worthwhile cause. However, this word was used at the time of the King James translation to denote a specific kind of love-a brotherly love that expressed itself in actions, not just words. That's why non-profit groups such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill, which specialize in helping our fellow man, are called charities.

The English word "love" expresses a wide range of emotions, many of which do not even come close to the God kind of love Paul is describing here (see notes on God's kind of love listed in ref. c). Therefore, if the translators had translated this as just "love," it would not have conveyed the total meaning.

So, this word charity really is descriptive of the God kind of love that Paul is describing here. God didn't love us just in word, but in deed and truth (1 Jn. 3:16-18). It is this AGAPE (see note 3 at Rom. 12:10, p. 830), God kind of love that Paul is referring to throughout this chapter.

Note 3 at 1 Cor. 13:1: Paul is saying that if he didn't have the God type of love that produces actions, then it wouldn't matter how much he spoke in tongues, he would only be making noise. The motive behind our actions determines whether our actions are anointed or just dead works (Heb. 9:14).