[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III


The Apostle also says: “And God has appointed these in the Church:




first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (1Cor.12: 28). Thus the Apostle puts the gift of Speaking in tongues last in the order of gifts.When the Apostle says: “But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way” (1Cor.12: 31), he explains that this more excellent way is love. He explains how love is greater and more important than every prophecy, all knowledge, all faith which can move mountains, charity and asceticism (1Cor. 13). He explains that love is more important than Speaking in tongues of men and of angels - not of men only. He says: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal” (1Cor.13: 1).