Lexical Summary écheó: To sound, to resound, to echo Original Word: ἠχέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance roar, sound. From echos; to make a loud noise, i.e. Reverberate -- roar, sound. see GREEK echos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom échos Definition to make a loud noise, to sound NASB Translation noisy (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2278: ἠχέωἠχέω (ἤχῳ); (ἦχος, which see); (from Hesiod down); to sound: 1 Corinthians 13:1; used of the roaring of the sea, Luke 21:25 Rec. (Compare: ἐξηχέω, κατηχέω.) Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting The lone New Testament appearance of ἠχέω occurs in 1 Corinthians 13:1, where Paul compares eloquent human or angelic tongues without love to “a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal”. The participle ἠχῶν (“resounding”) provides the auditory image that opens the celebrated “love chapter,” setting the tone for the entire discussion of gifts and character that follows in chapters 12–14. Greco-Roman Acoustic Imagery In first-century Corinth the sound of bronze was familiar. Public processions, pagan temples, civic celebrations and even theatrical performances employed bronze gongs and cymbals that produced a sharp, reverberating ring. The term therefore evoked something attention-grabbing yet transitory—noise that filled the air but quickly dissipated. Paul leverages that cultural backdrop: spectacular noise minus substance. Old Testament and Septuagint Resonances Old Covenant worship also featured loud percussion (for example Psalm 150:5; 2 Chronicles 5:13). When the Septuagint speaks of cymbals “sounding” (e.g., Psalm 150:5 LXX), it supplies the auditory foundation for Paul’s metaphor. The contrast is not between musical instruments good or evil; rather, between sound that expresses genuine devotion and sound that masks its absence. Literary Function in 1 Corinthians 13 1. Contrast: Chapters 12 and 14 enumerate gifts; chapter 13 exposes their emptiness apart from love. Theological Emphasis • Genuine Christian ministry is measured by character, not mere charisma. Pastoral and Homiletical Implications • Worship Leaders: Excellence in music should never eclipse the need for love toward the congregation. Practical Applications 1. Examine motives before speaking or serving; pray Psalm 139:23-24. Devotional Reflection Ask oneself: When I worship, counsel, lead or debate, do others merely hear me—or do they sense Christ’s love resonating through me? The Lord who once silenced the sea’s roar (Mark 4:39) can also transform our clanging into melody when our hearts beat in love for Him and His people. Related Scriptures Psalm 33:3; Isaiah 58:1-7; Matthew 6:1-4; John 13:35; Romans 12:9-13; 1 John 4:7-12. Summary Ἠχέω paints the picture of ringing bronze—attention-getting yet empty. Paul’s single use of the verb in 1 Corinthians 13:1 crystallizes a timeless lesson: without love, the most dazzling spiritual expression degrades into hollow noise, but with love, every gift finds its true resonance to the glory of God. Forms and Transliterations ήχει ήχησαν ηχήσατε ήχησε ηχήσει ήχησεν ηχήσουσι ηχούντι ηχούσαν ηχούσης ηχων ηχών ἠχῶν echon echôn ēchōn ēchō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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