Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and General Understanding:Disorder, in a biblical context, refers to a state of confusion, chaos, or lack of order, which is contrary to the nature of God, who is characterized by order and harmony. The concept of disorder can manifest in various aspects of life, including personal conduct, community life, and spiritual practices.
Biblical References and Themes:1.
God as a God of Order: The Bible consistently portrays God as a God of order. In the creation narrative, God brings order out of chaos, as seen in
Genesis 1:2-3, where the earth was formless and empty, and God spoke light into existence. This theme is echoed in
1 Corinthians 14:33, which states, "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the saints."
2.
Disorder in Human Conduct: Disorder is often associated with sinful behavior and a departure from God's commandments.
James 3:16 warns, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." This highlights the connection between moral failings and the resulting chaos in personal and communal life.
3.
Community and Church Life: The New Testament emphasizes the importance of order within the church. Paul addresses the Corinthian church regarding orderly worship, instructing them in
1 Corinthians 14:40, "But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner." This reflects the need for structure and discipline in communal worship and church governance.
4.
Spiritual Disorder: Spiritual disorder occurs when individuals or communities stray from the truth of the Gospel.
Galatians 1:6-7 warns against turning to a different gospel, which leads to confusion and spiritual chaos. The call to adhere to sound doctrine is a call to maintain spiritual order.
5.
Consequences of Disorder: The Bible illustrates the consequences of disorder through various narratives. The account of the Tower of Babel in
Genesis 11:1-9 demonstrates how human pride and disobedience led to confusion and the scattering of people. Similarly, the chaos in Israel during the time of the Judges, when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (
Judges 21:25), serves as a cautionary tale of societal disorder.
6.
Restoration of Order: Throughout Scripture, God’s redemptive plan involves restoring order. The prophetic books often speak of a future time when God will establish His kingdom, characterized by peace and order.
Isaiah 9:7 proclaims, "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end," pointing to the ultimate restoration of divine order through the reign of Christ.
Practical Implications for Believers:Believers are called to reflect God's order in their lives by living according to His commandments and maintaining peace and harmony in their relationships. This involves personal discipline, adherence to biblical teachings, and active participation in the life of the church. By doing so, Christians bear witness to the order and peace that God desires for His creation.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Want of order or regular disposition; lack of arrangement; confusion; disarray; as, the troops were thrown into disorder; the papers are in disorder.
2. (n.) Neglect of order or system; irregularity.
3. (n.) Breach of public order; disturbance of the peace of society; tumult.
4. (n.) Disturbance of the functions of the animal economy of the soul; sickness; derangement.
5. (v. t.) To disturb the order of; to derange or disarrange; to throw into confusion; to confuse.
6. (v. t.) To disturb or interrupt the regular and natural functions of (either body or mind); to produce sickness or indisposition in; to discompose; to derange; as, to disorder the head or stomach.
7. (v. t.) To depose from holy orders.
Greek
181. akatastasia -- instability... Word Origin from akatastatos Definition instability NASB Word Usage confusion (1),
disorder (1), disturbances (2), tumults (1). commotion, confusion, tumult.
...4797. sugcheo -- to pour together, ie to confuse, throw into...
... soong-khoo'-no) from sun and cheo (to pour) or its alternate; to commingle
promiscuously, ie (figuratively) to throw (an assembly) intodisorder, to perplex...
5182. turbazo -- to disturb, to trouble.
... to 2351 , "uproar."). Word Origin from turbe (disorder, confusion) Definition
to disturb, to trouble. trouble. From turbe (Latin...
2351. thorubos -- an uproar
... 2351 -- properly, an uproar, tumult; trouble (accompanied by ) that throws things
intodisorder; (figuratively) emotions spun "out of control," especially when...
3148. mastix -- a whip, scourge
... When 3148 () refers to a (Mk 3:10, 5:29,34; Lk 7:21), it emphasizes the pain (suffering)
of thisdisorder -- acting like a scourge ("plague") which is and ....
5017. tarachos -- disturbance, trouble
... Word Origin a later form of tarache (disorder) Definition disturbance, trouble
NASB Word Usage disturbance (2). a disturbance, commotion....
2350b. thorubeo -- to make an uproar
... Word Origin from thorubos Definition to make an uproar NASB Word Usage make a commotion
(1), noisydisorder (1), set (1), troubled (1), uproar (1)....
Library
Concerning Maximus the Cynic and theDisorder which Has Happened...
... Canon IV. Concerning Maximus the Cynic and thedisorder which has happened
in Constantinople on his account? Concerning Maximus...
Gainas the Goth Attempts to Usurp the Sovereign Power; after...
... Book VI. Chapter VI."Ga??nas the Goth attempts to usurp the Sovereign Power;
after filling Constantinople withDisorder, he is slain....
Since These Ills Existed in the Church, Secular Affairs Also Fell...
... Book VIII. Chapter XXV."Since these Ills existed in the Church, Secular Affairs
also fell intoDisorder. The Affairs of Stilicho, the General of Honorius....
Whether Original Sin is Desire
... Man was subject to God first and foremost through his will, which directs all other
parts of his soul to their end, as we said in Q.9, Art.1.Disorder in any...
All who Enter the Church of God and Hear the Holy Scriptures...
... enter the church of God and hear the Holy Scriptures, but do not communicate with
the people in prayers, or who turn away, by reason of somedisorder, from the...
Whether the Division of Sins According to their Debt of Punishment...
... that the vital principle is destroyed; this is the inordinateness of death; while,
on the other hand, saving the vital principle, there may bedisorder in the...
The Climax of Ecclesiastes' Exercises Seems to have Been Reached...
... For let any leave their place, and it means necessarily confusion anddisorder....
The whole of the old creation is thus indisorder and confusion....
The Ecclesiastical Canons of the Same Holy Apostles.
... the holy church of God, and hear the sacred Scriptures, but do not stay during prayer
and the holy communion, must be suspended, as causingdisorder in the...
Influence of the Moon and Stars on Men.
... physicians then, discuss the physiology of the matter, inasmuch as they think that
there is no impure spirit in the case, but a bodilydisorder, and inquiring...
Whether Original Sin is a Habit
... On the first point: just as sickness of the body involves positivedisorder in the
disposition of the humours, as well as privation of the equilibrium of health...
Thesaurus
Disorder (6 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) Want of order or regular disposition; lack of arrangement; confusion; disarray;
as, the troops were thrown into
disorder; the papers are in
disorder.
...Malady (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Any disease of the human body; an ailment, a chronicdisorder, or indisposition,
proceeding from impaired, defective, or morbid organic functions...
Rout (6 Occurrences)
... n.) The state of being disorganized and thrown into confusion; -- said especially
of an army defeated, broken in pieces, and put to flight indisorder or panic...
Disordered (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) ofDisorder. 2. (a.) Thrown intodisorder;
deranged; as, a disordered house, judgment. 3. (a.) Disorderly....
Disease (213 Occurrences)
... the performance of the vital functions, and causing or threatening pain and weakness;
malady; affection; illness; sickness;disorder; -- applied figuratively...
Quiet (167 Occurrences)
... quiet conscience. 4. (a.) Not giving offense; not excitingdisorder or trouble;
not turbulent; gentle; mild; meek; contented. 5. (a...
Noisy (14 Occurrences)
... Noisy (14 Occurrences). Matthew 9:23 When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and
saw the flute players, and the crowd in noisydisorder, (WEB NAS NIV)....
Ulcer (8 Occurrences)
... purulent matter, found on a surface, especially one of the natural surfaces of the
body, and originating generally in a constitutionaldisorder; a sore...
Upset (9 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To disturb the self-possession of; todisorder the nerves of; to
make ill; as, the fright upset her. 6. (vi) To become upset....
Unsettle (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To throw into confusion; to unfix; to displace;
todisorder; to confuse. 2. (vi) To become unsettled...
Resources
How should a Christian view Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat effects do conditions like autism, attachment disorder, ADHD, etc., have on the Christian life? | GotQuestions.orgHow do we distinguish a psychological disorder from demon possession? | GotQuestions.orgDisorder: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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