Peace on Account of Christ's Victory in Acts 9:31
Acts 9:31 describes a period of peace and growth for the early Christian communities: "So the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit" [1]. This verse appears at a significant juncture in the book of Acts, immediately following the conversion of Saul (who would become Paul) and his initial ministry in Damascus and Jerusalem [1].
The broader narrative of Acts emphasizes the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, often amidst persecution and opposition. The peace described in Acts 9:31 is a temporary respite from the intense persecution that had previously scattered believers, as seen after the martyrdom of Stephen [1]. This period of peace allows the church to consolidate and grow, both numerically and spiritually [1]. The phrase "built up" (οἰκοδομοῦντο) suggests spiritual edification and strengthening, while "multiplied" (ἐπληθύνοντο) indicates numerical increase [1].
Key terms in this verse highlight the nature of this peace and growth. "Peace" (εἰρήνη) in a biblical context often signifies more than just the absence of conflict; it encompasses wholeness, well-being, and reconciliation, particularly with God [9]. This spiritual peace is a gift from God, often associated with Christ's atonement and the work of the Holy Spirit [5]. Indeed, Jesus is called the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6) and is said to have bequeathed peace to his followers (John 14:27) [5]. The peace experienced by the early church is thus understood as a spiritual peace, a result of God's blessing and protection [6].
The phrase "walking in the fear of the Lord" (πορευόμεναι τῷ φόβῳ τοῦ Κυρίου) indicates a life lived in reverence and obedience to God [1]. This concept is cross-referenced with passages like Psalm 111:10, which states that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" [2]. Similarly, Psalm 128:1 connects fearing the Lord with blessedness [3]. This "fear" is not terror but a profound respect and awe that leads to righteous living.
The "comfort of the Holy Spirit" (παρακλήσει τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος) points to the active role of the third person of the Trinity in sustaining and empowering the believers [1]. The Holy Spirit is often referred to as the Comforter or Advocate (John 14:16) [4]. This comfort provides strength and encouragement, enabling the church to persevere and grow even in challenging circumstances [1]. The presence and work of the Holy Spirit are crucial for the church's spiritual development and expansion [1].
The peace described in Acts 9:31 is not merely an external cessation of hostilities but an internal spiritual state that fosters growth. This aligns with the broader New Testament teaching that peace with God is established through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) [7, 8]. The security of believers' relationship with God, grounded in Christ's work, God's love, and the Spirit's power, is a recurring theme [7]. The growth of the church, therefore, is attributed to divine intervention and the spiritual vitality of its members, rather than solely to external conditions.
This passage has functioned in Christian tradition as an illustration of how God provides periods of rest and consolidation for His church, even amidst a larger narrative of struggle and expansion. It underscores the importance of both reverent obedience ("fear of the Lord") and divine empowerment ("comfort of the Holy Spirit") for the church's health and growth. The peace granted allowed the church to be "built up" and "multiplied," demonstrating that spiritual and numerical growth are often intertwined and facilitated by divine provision [1].
Sources
- Acts “So the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. -- Acts 9:31”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Acts.9.31 → Ps.111.10 (confidence: 12 votes)”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Ps.128.1 → Acts.9.31 (confidence: 18 votes)”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: John.14.16 → Acts.9.31 (confidence: 15 votes)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Peace, Spiritual — God is the God of -- Ro 15:33; 2Co 13:11; 1Th 5:23; Heb 13:20. God ordains -- Isa 26:12. God speaks, to his saints -- Ps 85:8. Christ is the Lord of -- 2Th 3:16. Christ is the prince of -- Isa 9:6. Christ gives -- 2Th 3:16. Christ guides into the way of -- Lu 1:79. Christ is our -- Eph 2:14. Is through the atonement of Christ -- Isa 53:5; Eph 2:14,15; Col 1:20. Bequeathed by Christ -- Joh 14:27. Preached By Christ. -- Eph 2:17. Through Christ. -- Ac 10:36. By ministers. -- Isa 52:7; Ro 10:15. Announced by angels -- Lu 2:14. Follows upon justificati”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 4:8: 4:8 Peace comes from God’s blessing and protection (4:6; see 37:11).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 5:1: 5:1–8:39 Paul now turns from the Good News about how people enter a relationship with God to the security of that relationship. Christians have a strong and unassailable promise because of God’s work in Christ, God’s love for them, and the power of the Holy Spirit. This theme frames the teaching of these chapters (5:1-11; 8:18-39) as Paul grounds that promise in the transfer of believers from the realm of Adam to the realm of Christ (5:12-21). No power—whether sin (ch 6), the law (ch 7), or death (8:1-13)—“will ever be able to separate us from the love of God” (8:3”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 3:12: 3:12-26 The evangelistic speeches in the book of Acts focus on Jesus, the crucified and risen Lord. They call people to repentance and faith in Jesus as the promised Messiah and the divinely appointed Judge (2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30; 26:20). They also offer the same Good News for the people of Israel and the Gentile world—“there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all” (10:36).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:9: 5:9 This beatitude probably targeted zealots—Jewish revolutionaries who advocated the overthrow of Roman domination through violent resistance. The Messiah’s Kingdom would be established by other means. • those who work for peace: Jesus is not calling for pacifism per se, but rather a different kind of activism. • Peace is the absence of enmity and the presence of God’s salvation (Lev 26:6; 1 Sam 16:4-5; Isa 9:5-6; Zech 8:16; Eph 2:14; Col 1:20). Jesus’ disciples are to work for justice, righteousness, reconciliation, and mercy as the effects of God’s salvation th”