Is God the author of confusion - Genesis 11 verses 7-9 and 1 Corinthians 1 verse 27 - or not - - 1 Corinthians 14 verse 33?

Answer 1

Firstly, God is not the author of confusion, but man certainly is.

Secondly, the two passages are talking about two entirely different subjects separated in time by over 2500 years.

In the first example in Genesis 11, God confounded or confused the language of man due to his disobedience and pride as well as false worship of himself and his own achievements. This is talking about the human race generally in terms of providing historical information, which, in the telling, also explains the origin of different language groups on the earth.

In the second group of passages, the context is specifically the New Testament church, and within that, the church at Corinth, which had a problem with disorder. This disorder or confusion was of their making not God's.

Out of the two New Testament passages the first, from 1 Corinthians 1:27, set out in its context below is not relevant to the issue of confusion since it is discussing something different.

The verses directly below are talking about the Gospel. The Greek word translated as confound in the KJV is kataischunoand it means 'to put to shame', thus having a somewhat different meaning from the idea of confusion. If the context of the passage is read, without even knowing the Greek, it is clear that the Gospel message is being compared to other types of 'wisdom', other ways of behavior, and other belief systems. The Gospel message of salvation through the cross of calvary confounds or 'shames' these. We could say it thoroughly refutes them, even though they regard it as foolishness. This is the argumentation in the passage below and so it doesn't really apply to the idea of confusion at all.

18For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confoundthe things which are mighty; 28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29That no flesh should glory in his presence.

The passage below is relevant in that it discusses the need for proper order in the church at Corinth, which evidently had a problem with this issue. The confusion which apparently was a problem here was created entirely by the Corinthians.

26How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God. 29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

God judged the proud activities of the people at Babel and there confused their language and created many where there previously was one. This is not the same as saying that God is the author of confusion as mentioned in relation to the church at Corinth. The latter relates to a situation in the early church which required correction. There is no contradiction since the two passages are talking about two entirely different things.