We see in scripture that God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33), yet He speaks in parables to confuse people (Mark 4:10-12). Why would He do this, and how is that not a contradiction? Actually, it is not a contradiction at all. The answer is found I read in the context and defining our terms. First of all, Paul is dealing with proper and ordered practice in the church regarding the use of spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 14:1, 12) which were for the church’s edification. In verses 1-32, Paul mentions speaking in tongues (vv. 2, 4, 5, 6, 13, 18, 19, 22, 23, 26, 27), interpretation of tongues (vv. 26, 28), praying in tongues (v. 14) prophecy (vv. 3, 5, 6, 22, 24, 31), prophets (vv. 29, 32), knowledge (v. 6), teaching (v. 6), and revelation (vv. 26, 30). Immediately after verse 33, he talks about the issue at hand: no confusion in the church.
Confusion, ἀκαταστασία akatastasía
Second, the Greek word for ‘confusion’ is ἀκαταστασία akatastasía. It occurs five times in the NASB95 Bible and is translated differently depending on context: Luke 21:9 and 2 Cor. 12:20 (disturbances); 1 Cor. 14:33 (confusion); 2 Cor. 6:5 (tumults); and James 3:16 (disorder). In the context of 1 Cor. 14:33, the word is contrasted with peace. When a word is contrasted with another, such as “not this, but this,” it implies the opposite meaning. This is why different Bibles translate akatastasia differently when contrasted with ‘peace.’ So, it is translated as disorder (LEB, NIV84, CSB, HCSB, ISV), dissension (Douy-Rheism), and confusion (NASB95, ESV, KJV, NKJV, RSV, ASV). God isn’t confusing people. So, again, the context deals with God being the God of order, not confusion, when these charismatic gifts are being used in the church. This has nothing to do with Jesus speaking in parables.
Are parables meant to be confusing?
Jesus did not speak in parables to confuse people. Instead, it was so people would not be forgiven (Mark 4:10-12). As difficult as this might be, that is exactly what Jesus said. Let’s take a look.
Mark 4:10–12, “As soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, began asking Him about the parables. 11 And He was saying to them, ‘To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables, 12 so that WHILE SEEING, THEY MAY SEE AND NOT PERCEIVE, AND WHILE HEARING, THEY MAY HEAR AND NOT UNDERSTAND, OTHERWISE THEY MIGHT RETURN AND BE FORGIVEN.’“
The all-caps above are quotes from the Old Testament (Isaiah 6:9–10). So Jesus spoke in parables not to confuse people but so that they would not be forgiven. This is consistent with what is said in John 12:40 where God blinds people so they won’t be converted. How, then, can we make sense of this truth when we contrast it with “God wants all to be saved?” (1 Tim. 2:5; 2 Pet. 3:9). The solution is found in the doctrine of election. Now, election is often denied by many Christians but the fact is election is taught in Scripture. Election is God’s choosing people for salvation.
Eph. 1:4–5, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,”
2 Thess. 2:13, “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”
Without getting too deep into the issue of “all” in those two verses above, there is a sense in which the “all” can mean all people groups, not just the Jews. This is because Jesus said He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 15:24).
Conclusion
God is not the God of disorder and chaos but of order and peace. The issue of confusion is in the context of using charismatic gifts. As a spirit of God moves through people, and since the people can manifest self-control over their gifts (1 Cor. 14:32), they should display order, not chaos. That is why Paul said God is not the author of confusion. He is a God of order, truth, and peace. So, use your giftings properly in the church.
