ἀκαταστασία

From the study of 1 Corinthians 14:33

Range of meaning

Built from a- ('not') and kathistēmi ('to set in place, establish'), it means a state of being unsettled. Its range runs from instability and unrest to disorder, tumult, civil disturbance and even revolution. It is used of crowds, cities and communities far more than of individual minds.

Against the English

KJV and ESV say 'confusion', BSB and NIV 'disorder', YLT 'tumult'. In 1611 'confusion' still carried the sense of disorder, overthrow and ruin (compare 'put to confusion'). Today it mostly means mental bewilderment or not understanding something. 'Disorder' and 'tumult' are closer to the Greek.

How it drifted

The English word 'confusion' moved from its public sense (things thrown into disorder) to a private, mental one (not knowing what to think). The Greek word never had that mental sense.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT: Luke 21:9 ('wars and akatastasiai', meaning uprisings); 2 Cor 6:5 (riots Paul endured); 2 Cor 12:20 (listed with strife, jealousy, anger, factions, slander and gossip); James 3:16 ('where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is akatastasia'). In the Greek Old Testament, Proverbs 26:28 says a flattering mouth works akatastasia, and Tobit 4:13 has a related use. Polybius uses the word for political instability. 1 Clement 3:2, written to this same Corinthian church about forty years later, lists it alongside strife, sedition and war (BDAG s.v.).

From the study of 2 Corinthians 12:20

Range of meaning

Instability, unsettledness, disorder. In public life it means unrest, tumult or upheaval. It is built from a- ('not') plus καθίστημι ('to set in place').

Against the English

KJV 'tumults' and WEB 'riots' suggest street violence. The ESV, NIV and BSB 'disorder' fits a church setting better. The NLT's 'disorderly behavior' narrows it to individual conduct, when the word describes the state of the whole community.

How it drifted

'Riot' and 'tumult' now call to mind mobs and police. In Luke 21:9 and 2 Cor 6:5 (the riots Paul endured) the word does have that political sense, but here it describes a congregation that has come apart.

Used elsewhere in the period

Used by Polybius and others of political instability. In the New Testament: Luke 21:9; 1 Cor 14:33 ('God is not a God of ἀκαταστασία but of peace'); 2 Cor 6:5; James 3:16 ('where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is ἀκαταστασία').

From the study of 2 Corinthians 6:5

Range of meaning

From a-, "not," plus kathistēmi, "to set in place." Its basic sense is instability or unsettledness. It is used of political upheaval and insurrection, of disorder in a community, and of a disturbed state of mind. Context decides whether it means public tumult or general instability.

Against the English

BSB, WEB, NIV and ESV say "riots"; KJV and NASB say "tumults"; YLT says "insurrections." "Insurrections" is too political, because Paul led no revolt. He was the target of crowds, not their leader.

Used elsewhere in the period

Luke 21:9 has "wars and tumults (akatastasiai)." Elsewhere Paul uses it for disorder inside a church: 1 Cor 14:33 says God is not a God of akatastasia, and 2 Cor 12:20 lists disorders among the Corinthians. James 3:16 also uses it. Acts describes the kind of event in view: mobs at Pisidian Antioch, Iconium and Lystra (13:50; 14:5, 19), Philippi (16:19–22), Thessalonica (17:5), Corinth (18:12) and the great riot at Ephesus (19:23–41).