1 Corinthians 14:33
in 1 Corinthians 14For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
KJV
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
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This verse in 1 Corinthians 14
Commentary
16 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
God is not the author of confusion - Margin, “Tumult,” or “unquietness.” His religion cannot tend to produce disorder. He is the God of peace; and his religion will tend to promote order. It is calm, peaceful, thoughtful. It is not boisterous and disorderly. As in all churches of the saints - As was everywhere apparent in the churches. Paul here appeals to them, and says that this was the fact wherever the true religion was spread, that it tended to produce peace and order. This is as true now as it was then.
This site's exposition
The spirits of prophets are
on 1 Corinthians 14:32-33
The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets, so a genuine gift leaves its holder in self-control, where compulsion marked the pagan oracle. Verse 33 grounds this order in God's own character and in the practice of all the churches.
This site's exposition
For God is not a God of disorder
Disorder translates akatastasia, the word James 3:16 uses for the turmoil that comes with selfish ambition. Translations divide over the last phrase, which the Berean joins to verse 33 and several others join to the rule of verse 34. Order in worship reflects God's peace.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
Those who are called in peace ought to aim for patience, so that the laws of peace are not broken.
Then he signifies that this is pleasing also to God, subjoining and saying, "For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as [I teach] in all the Churches of the saints." Seest thou by how many reasons he leads him to silence and soothes him, in the act of giving way to the other? By one thing and that the chief, that he was not shut up by such a proceeding; "for ye all can prophesy," saith he, "one by one." By a second, that this seems good to the Spirit Himself; "for the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets." Besides these, that this is according to the mind of God; "for God," saith he, "is not a God of confusion, but of peace:" and by a fourth, that in every part of the world this custom prevails, and no strange thing is enjoined upon them. For thus, saith he, "I teach in all the Churches of the saints." What now can be more awful than these things? For in truth the Church was a heaven then, the Spirit governing all things, and moving each one of the rulers and making him inspired. But now we retain only the symbols of those gifts. For now also we speak two or three, and in turn, and when one is silent, another begins. But these are only signs and memorials of those things. Wherefore when we begin to speak, the people respond, "with thy Spirit," indicating that of old they thus used to speak, not of their own wisdom, but moved by the Spirit. But not so now: (I speak of mine own case so far.) But the present Church is like a woman who hath fallen from her former prosperous days, and in many respects retains the symbols only of that ancient prosperity; displaying indeed the repositories and caskets of her golden ornaments, but bereft of her wealth: such an one doth the present Church resemble. And I say not this in respect of gifts: for it were nothing marvelous if it were this only: but in respect also of life and virtue.
A commentator
Apostolic ConstitutionsApostolic Constitutions (Book VIII), Section 5, XLVI · Written before 380.
proposed
For you know undoubtedly that those that are by us named bishops, and presbyters, and deacons, were made by prayer, and by the laying on of hands; and that by the difference of their names is showed the difference of their employments. For not every one that will is ordained, as the case was in that spurious and counterfeit priesthood of the calves under Jeroboam; [1 Kings 13:33] but he only who is called of God. For if there were no rule or distinction of orders, it would suffice to perform all the offices under one name.
The Medieval Church2 voices
He shows that this is also pleasing to God, that the first should be silent; because God is not a God of disorder and confusion (and there would be confusion if no one were silent, but all prophesied), but of peace. This peace is observed …
A commentator
BonaventureCollations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 1 · Written in the 13th century.
proposed
The Church is a union of rational men united in harmonious and uniform adherence to divine peace. For the Church in return loves itself. And love is born of obedience to the Law. And so it is fitting that those who obey the Law be …
8 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church1 voice
That this is true he proves when he says, God is not a God of confusion. And he formulates this reason: God never compels one to something from which arise quarrels or dissension, because He is not a God of dissension, but of peace. But …
The Puritans and the Awakening5 voices
To do otherwise was to destroy the end of a Christians ministry, and all assemblies for Christian worship. Note, Manifest indecencies and disorders are to be carefully kept out of all Christian churches, and every part of divine worship.
); that is, the spiritual gifts they have leave them still possessed of their reason, and capable of using their own judgment in the exercise of them. Divine inspirations are not, like the diabolical possessions of heathen priests, violent and ungovernable, and prompting them to act as if they were beside themselves; but are sober and calm, and capable of regular conduct.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation+unbalanced-parens
For God is not the author of confusion,....
Note, The honour of God requires that things should be managed in Christian assemblies so as not to transgress the rules of natural decency. If they are managed in a tumultuous and confused manner, what a notion must this give of the God who is worshipped, to considerate observers!
He forbids women speaking in the church; and closes this subject by requiring them to perform every thing in the public worship with order and decency,
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
In all the churches of the saints God is a God of peace; let Him not among you be supposed to be a God of confusion [ALFORD]. Compare the same argument in 1Co 11:16. LACHMANN and others put a full stop at "peace," and connect the following words thus: "As in all churches of the saints, let your women keep silence in your churches."
For God is not the author of confusion - Let not the persons who act in the congregation in this disorderly manner, say, that they are under the influence of God; for he is not the author of confusion; but two, three, or more, praying or teaching in the same place, at the same time, is confusion; and God is not the author of such work; and let men beware how they attribute such disorder to the God of order and peace. The apostle calls such conduct ακαταστασια, tumult, sedition; and such it is in the sight of God, and in the sight of all good men. How often is a work of God marred and discredited by the folly of men! for nature will always, and Satan too, mingle themselves as far as they can in the genuine work of the Spirit, in order to discredit and destroy it. Nevertheless, in great revivals of religion it is almost impossible to prevent wild - fire from getting in amongst the true fire; but it is the duty of the ministers of God to watch against and prudently check this; but if themselves encourage it, then there will be confusion and every evil work.
The words behind it
15 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| οὐ | ou | Not | G3756 → | 1664 times |
| γάρ | gar | for | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| ἐστιν | estin | He is | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| ἀκαταστασίας | akatastasias | of disorder | G181 → | |
| ὁ | ho | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| θεὸς | theos | God | G2316 → | 1312 times |
| ἀλλ᾽ | all᾽ | but | G235 → | 635 times |
| εἰρήνης, | eirenes | of peace, | G1515 → | 91 times |
| ὡς | hos | as | G5613 → | 500 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| πάσαις | pasais | all | G3956 → | 1235 times |
| ταῖς | tais | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἐκκλησίαις | ekklesiais | churches | G1577 → | 113 times |
| τῶν | ton | of the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ἁγίων.¶ | hagion | saints. | G40 → | 220 times |
οὐNot
ouG3756 →1664 times
γάρfor
garG1063 →1039 times
ἐστινHe is
estinG1510 →2333 times
ἀκαταστασίαςof disorder
akatastasiasG181 →
ὁthe
hoG3588 →19766 times
θεὸςGod
theosG2316 →1312 times
ἀλλ᾽but
all᾽G235 →635 times
εἰρήνης,of peace,
eirenesG1515 →91 times
ὡςas
hosG5613 →500 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
πάσαιςall
pasaisG3956 →1235 times
ταῖςthe
taisG3588 →19766 times
ἐκκλησίαιςchurches
ekklesiaisG1577 →113 times
τῶνof the
tonG3588 →19766 times
ἁγίων.¶saints.
hagionG40 →220 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
it leads to
- Colossians 3:12–17
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4–7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
- John 15:5
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.
- James 3:17–18
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- John 15:2
He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.
- Colossians 3:12–17
Through
2 Thessalonians 3:16Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
it leads to
- Psalms 29:11
The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace.
- John 16:33
I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
- Matthew 1:23
“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”).
- Psalms 29:11
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies10
About 1 Corinthians
This page draws on 13 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrosiaster, COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES; Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions (Book VIII), Section 5, XLVI; Bonaventure, Collations on the Hexaemeron, Collation 1; Charles Hodge, An Exposition of the First Epistle to the Corinthians; Frederic Godet, Commentary on First Corinthians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 Corinthians 36; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 1 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 1 Corinthians.