Peace

εἰρήνη

שָׁלוֹם

Wholeness and well-being, beginning with peace with God.

PEACE

1. In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind.

In Scripture, peace is more than the absence of conflict. The Hebrew shalom speaks of wholeness, welfare and well-being — life as God means it to be — and it is his gift: the priestly blessing ends, "Jehovah lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace" (Numbers 6:26).

At its root is peace with God. "Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1); Christ has "made peace through the blood of his cross" (Colossians 1:20). From that peace flow the others: peace between people once divided — "he is our peace, who made both one" (Ephesians 2:14) — and "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding" guarding heart and mind (Philippians 4:7).

Webster's first sense — quiet, freedom from disturbance — is part of what Scripture means, and the Bible knows that inward calm: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee" (Isaiah 26:3). But biblical peace is not only a mood. It is a restored relationship, and so it can hold in the middle of trouble. Jesus gives his peace "not as the world giveth" (John 14:27), and later, in the same saying that promises peace, he warns, "In the world ye have tribulation" (John 16:33).

Scripture also warns against false peace: the prophets who were "saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14). And it treats peace as something to pursue, not only to receive: "Seek peace, and pursue it" (Psalms 34:14); "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9); "as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men" (Romans 12:18).

Peace is chiefly an Old Testament word in the ASV. Isaiah leads, with the promised "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6) and the servant on whom fell "the chastisement of our peace" (Isaiah 53:5). Leviticus and Numbers rank high because of the peace-offerings, sacrifices shared in fellowship before God. The count also includes the idiom "held their peace," meaning kept silent (Acts 11:18).

Shalom was an everyday greeting and inquiry — the ASV sometimes renders it welfare (Genesis 43:27) or well (2 Kings 4:26) — and Gideon named an altar "Jehovah-shalom" (Judges 6:24). The New Testament's eirene carries much of that fuller sense. The risen Jesus greeted his disciples, "Peace be unto you" (John 20:19), and most of Paul's letters open with "Grace to you and peace" (Romans 1:7).

Terms

• peace

Jehovah bless thee, and keep thee: Jehovah make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: Jehovah lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

The priestly blessing ends with God's gift of peace.

In peace will I both lay me down and sleep; For thou, Jehovah, alone makest me dwell in safety.

Peace that lets a person lie down and sleep, safe in God's keeping.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The promised child is named the Prince of Peace.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.

Perfect peace belongs to the mind that is fixed on God.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Our peace was bought by the suffering of the servant.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.

Those who make peace bear the family likeness of God.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.

Jesus leaves his own peace, unlike anything the world gives.

Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;

Justified by faith, we are at peace with God.

For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,

Christ himself is our peace, breaking down the wall between peoples.

In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Prayer in place of anxiety, and God's peace standing guard.

More illuminations · Harbinger's Lamp