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Occurrences and Scriptures of the Word "Peace" in Bible

The concept of "peace" in the Bible encompasses a broad range of meanings, from individual well-being to cosmic harmony, and is frequently associated with God's blessing and protection [8]. The Hebrew word shalom and the Greek word eirēnē are the primary terms translated as "peace," carrying rich theological significance.

Biblical names and places often incorporate the idea of peace. For instance, "Jerusalem" means "vision of peace" [1], while "Salem" signifies "complete or perfect peace" [5]. Personal names like "Abishalom" and "Absalom" both mean "father of peace" [2, 3], and "Bishlam" means "in peace" [4]. The name "Hen" is associated with grace, quiet, and rest, further connecting these concepts to a state of peace [6].

In the Old Testament, peace is frequently presented as a result of righteousness. Isaiah 32:17 states, "The work of righteousness will be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever" [7]. This suggests that true peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a positive state of flourishing that stems from right relationship with God. The prophet Isaiah also links God's favor with peace, describing it as encompassing all blessings, both temporal and spiritual, in contrast to trials [13]. Psalm 4:8 indicates that peace originates from God's blessing and protection [8].

The New Testament continues to emphasize peace, often connecting it directly to God and Jesus Christ. Paul frequently opens his epistles with a greeting of "grace and peace," which are understood as gifts from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ [10, 11]. Grace is described as undeserved blessing from God's kindness, while peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit [10, 11]. Romans 5:1-2, for example, highlights that believers have peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

The "peace of God" is a recurring theme in Paul's letters. In Philippians 4:7, Paul writes that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This peace is described as coming from God and resting in God, surpassing human understanding, and acting as a guardian for the heart and mind [14]. It is presented as an inseparable consequence of prayer with thanksgiving, dispelling anxious care [14].

The "peace of Christ" is also a significant concept. Colossians 3:15 refers to "the peace of Christ" ruling in believers' hearts. Some ancient manuscripts and versions read "the peace of God" here, leading to the theological conclusion that Christ is God, as peace is uniquely His to give [9]. This peace was Christ's legacy to His disciples before His departure, as seen in John 14:27, where Jesus says, "My peace I give to you" [9]. The peace of Christ is meant to "sit as umpire" in the hearts of believers, guiding their decisions and resolving conflicts [9].

Jesus Christ is explicitly identified as the source and bringer of peace. Ephesians 2:17 states that "He came and announced glad tidings of peace." This refers to Christ's own proclamation of peace to His apostles after His resurrection (Luke 24:36, John 20:19, 21, 26) and, through them, to others by the Spirit present in His Church [15]. This peace was announced to both "them that were nigh" (the Jewish people) and "you that were afar off" (the Gentiles), signifying the universal scope of Christ's peace [15].

The Lord Jesus Christ is also called the "Lord of peace" in 2 Thessalonians 3:16, a title also given to God the Father as "the God of peace" (Romans 15:33, 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:11) [12]. This title is particularly fitting in a prayer for harmony within the Christian community, which might be disrupted by disorder [12]. The peace Christ gives is described as both outward and inward, present in this life and the next, and unbroken by changing circumstances [12]. It is a peace that He gives "in every way" [12].

Sources

  1. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Jerusalem — vision of peace”
  2. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Abishalom — father of peace”
  3. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Absalom — father of peace”
  4. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Bishlam — in peace”
  5. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Salem — complete or perfect peace”
  6. Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Hen — grace; quiet; rest”
  7. Isaiah “The work of righteousness will be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. -- Isaiah 32:17”
  8. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 4:8: 4:8 Peace comes from God’s blessing and protection (4:6; see 37:11).”
  9. Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 3:15: peace of God--The oldest manuscripts and versions read, "The peace of CHRIST" (compare Phi 4:7). "The peace of GOD." Therefore Christ is God. Peace was His legacy to His disciples before He left them (Joh 14:27), "MY peace I give unto you." Peace is peculiarly His to give. Peace follows love (Col 3:14; Eph 4:2-3). rule--literally, "sit as umpire"; the same Greek verb simple, as appears compounded (Col 2:18). The false teacher, as a self-constituted umpire, defrauds you of your prize; but if the peace of Christ be your umpire ruling in your hearts”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 1:3: 1:3 Grace and peace represent traditional Greek and Hebrew greetings. Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from the kindness of God. Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness, rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). Together, the phrase conveys things understood as gifts from God (see Rom 5:1-2).”
  11. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:2: 1:2 Paul usually invokes God’s grace and peace on those to whom he is writing. Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God’s kindness; peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit (see Gal 5:22). Both are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (see Rom 5:1-2).”
  12. 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; Co2 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Rom 14:17). always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances. by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscript”
  13. Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 26:12: peace--God's favor, including all blessings, temporal and spiritual, opposed to their previous trials (Psa 138:8).”
  14. Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 4:7: And--The inseparable consequence of thus laying everything before God in "prayer with thanksgiving." peace--the dispeller of "anxious care" (Phi 4:6). of God--coming from God, and resting in God (Joh 14:27; Joh 16:33; Col 3:15). passeth--surpasseth, or exceedeth, all man's notional powers of understanding its full blessedness (Co1 2:9-10; Eph 3:20; compare Pro 3:17). shall keep--rather, "shall guard"; shall keep as a well-garrisoned stronghold (Isa 26:1, Isa 26:3). The same Greek verb is used in Pe1 1:5. There shall be peace secure within, ”
  15. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 2:17: Translate, "He came and announced glad tidings of peace." "He came" of His own free love, and "announced peace" with His own mouth to the apostles (Luk 24:36; Joh 20:19, Joh 20:21, Joh 20:26); and by them to others, through His Spirit present in His Church (Joh 14:18). Act 26:23 is strictly parallel; after His resurrection "He showed light to the people ('them that were nigh') and to the Gentiles ('you that were afar off')," by His Spirit in His ministers (compare Pe1 3:19). and to them--The oldest manuscripts insert "peace" again: "And peace to t”
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