Well, that's obviously a hyperbole but there is a
deep message and purpose or strategy behind Paul's use of it. Paul spends a
good time in between listing and desiring spiritual gifts and explaining about
tongues and prophecy in light of church edification and worship discipline just
to show that without Love spiritual gifts are nothing.
The likely purpose of Paul’s use of tongues of
angels could be sarcasm to a self-elevated view of Corinthians in spiritual
conduct. There are certain mention of tongues of angels in non-canonical book
like Testament of Job. The thing unusually going around with Corinthians was
their high view of spirituality because of tongues. But they were deprived of
love and proper conduct at church. Hence, Paul urged them to seek benefit of
the whole church instead and desire prophecy more.
Paul neither highlights tongues as awesome gift nor does
he condemn its usage. It seems by his own words that he knows this gift is
really amazing and fruitful. Meanwhile, he also realizes its appropriate place
of use. He also ends by saying not to forbid tongues by knowing its usefulness
alongside giving warning of its inappropriate usage at the church.
With these things all in mind, addressing the
problems of Corinthians, Paul used the term they might have been familiar with
to show their foolishness.
Hence, it was a hyperbole but with something
significant meaning it carries in that culture.
Resources:
- Abingdon Bible commentary
- Commentary by Gordon D Fee
- An Evaluation of Speaking in Tongues as
Angelic An Evaluation of Speaking in Tongues as Angelic Language from the
Judaean and Early Christian Language from the Judaean and Early Christian
Perspectives Perspectives by Eben jager
- Hard sayings of the Bible, Walter Kaiser
.png)
.png)
.png)
![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://apologeticsimpact.blogspot.com/2024/06/was-paul-referring-to-tongues-of-angels.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSD7ZN5mRXe1ZBnHgCrKlYstRVYLruxMjlsG4o5BjwCGR2YFGdfiN3yecYc6BLmkQM1qEYkF-80G8dPIGKCi1tbyZSxWllQFq_DzYur3DWmygWFD7hr21dvJTFNV2payN68FSQsK_hSBLYBclYVwJjgd0KN1HbBYAXaYLxX29VYIRkmSqODRlrHI4zunE/s16000/8uqke6.jpg&description=Was Paul referring to "Tongues of angels" as literal language or hyperbole?){kind=link}
0 Comments