What is “peace”?
Take a moment to think about that. You may find that peace seems to be a more nebulous concept than you once thought.
What do you think “peace” means in Scripture? In the Old Testament? In the New Testament?
Peace for the Jews who wrote the Old Testament was embodied by the word “shalom”. Shalom “had a much richer connotation than the English word does since it conveyed not merely the absence of conflict and turmoil but also the notion of positive blessing, especially in terms of a right relationship with God (e.g., Num. 6:24–26; cf. Ps. 29:11; Hag. 2:9, and also, as a result, the idea that “all is well” in one’s life).”[1]
The most common word translated “peace” in the New Testament is the word “eirēnē”. Eirēnē can mean to be free from worry and undisturbed.
By examining these Hebrew and Greek words as well as looking at some passages in Scripture perhaps we can learn a little bit more about peace than just a feeling of being calm and serene.
When in your life have you been lacking peace?
When have you had peace?
If you have peace now how do you keep it?
If you don’t have peace how can you get it?
We Have Peace Because We Have Faith
Where does a Christian’s peace come from?
Romans 5:1-2 (NLT) “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”[2]
“The word ‘therefore’ reaches back to the contents of chapter four—therefore being justified [‘made right in God’s sight’ (NLT)], not by works (1–8), not by ordinances (9–12), not by law obedience (13–25), but by faith, we have peace. The first three never give peace to the soul. Faith does.”[3]
In this passage we see “peace” (Greek “eirēnē”) referring to a ceasing of warfare. Only through faith are we made right with God. Without peace with God we cannot receive the fullness of peace in freedom from worry or blessings.
What does St. Paul tell us in this passage comes with divine peace?
A joyful looking forward to sharing God’s glory!
We Have Jesus’ Gift of Peace
Read: John 14:25-33
Can we have peace without knowing what Jesus has said to us?
Vv. 26-27 (NASB) “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My [Jesus’] name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”[4]
It appears here that the Holy Spirit’s assistance and teaching comes with peace.
“In all the turmoil and heartache of leaving them, Jesus gives his friends his peace. ‘Peace’ is the everyday Jewish greeting — ‘shalom’. But Jesus doesn’t use the word lightly. He gives them God’s own peace; the settled conviction that God is in control, and that all will be well.”[5]
We Have Peace in the Presence of Christ
Read: John 16:23-33
How strong does the disciple’s faith appear in this passage?
How does Jesus respond to their degree of faith?
What would the disciples find in the midst of the trials they were soon to face?
“Note the contrast between ‘in Me’ and ‘in the world.’ In Christ there is peace; in the world there is tribulation. This is the position we need to claim: we are in Christ, and therefore we can overcome the world and all of its hatred…. ‘In Me’ is the key. In ourselves, we have nothing; but ‘in Christ’ we have all that we need.”[6]
Application
What do you do when times get rough? How do you respond?
How do you think you should respond?
During trials we should concentrate on increasing our faith and living in the presence of Jesus.
Psalm 29:11 (NLT)
“The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.”[7]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008). 2053.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible : New Living Translation., 3rd ed. (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007). Ro 5:1–2.
[3] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English Reader (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997). Ro 5:1.
[4] New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995). Jn 14:26–27.
[5] Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg books ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001). 521.
[6] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996). Jn 16:29.
[7] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible : New Living Translation., 3rd ed. (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007). Ps 29:11.
Take a moment to think about that. You may find that peace seems to be a more nebulous concept than you once thought.
What do you think “peace” means in Scripture? In the Old Testament? In the New Testament?
Peace for the Jews who wrote the Old Testament was embodied by the word “shalom”. Shalom “had a much richer connotation than the English word does since it conveyed not merely the absence of conflict and turmoil but also the notion of positive blessing, especially in terms of a right relationship with God (e.g., Num. 6:24–26; cf. Ps. 29:11; Hag. 2:9, and also, as a result, the idea that “all is well” in one’s life).”[1]
The most common word translated “peace” in the New Testament is the word “eirēnē”. Eirēnē can mean to be free from worry and undisturbed.
By examining these Hebrew and Greek words as well as looking at some passages in Scripture perhaps we can learn a little bit more about peace than just a feeling of being calm and serene.
When in your life have you been lacking peace?
When have you had peace?
If you have peace now how do you keep it?
If you don’t have peace how can you get it?
We Have Peace Because We Have Faith
Where does a Christian’s peace come from?
Romans 5:1-2 (NLT) “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”[2]
“The word ‘therefore’ reaches back to the contents of chapter four—therefore being justified [‘made right in God’s sight’ (NLT)], not by works (1–8), not by ordinances (9–12), not by law obedience (13–25), but by faith, we have peace. The first three never give peace to the soul. Faith does.”[3]
In this passage we see “peace” (Greek “eirēnē”) referring to a ceasing of warfare. Only through faith are we made right with God. Without peace with God we cannot receive the fullness of peace in freedom from worry or blessings.
What does St. Paul tell us in this passage comes with divine peace?
A joyful looking forward to sharing God’s glory!
We Have Jesus’ Gift of Peace
Read: John 14:25-33
Can we have peace without knowing what Jesus has said to us?
Vv. 26-27 (NASB) “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My [Jesus’] name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”[4]
It appears here that the Holy Spirit’s assistance and teaching comes with peace.
“In all the turmoil and heartache of leaving them, Jesus gives his friends his peace. ‘Peace’ is the everyday Jewish greeting — ‘shalom’. But Jesus doesn’t use the word lightly. He gives them God’s own peace; the settled conviction that God is in control, and that all will be well.”[5]
We Have Peace in the Presence of Christ
Read: John 16:23-33
How strong does the disciple’s faith appear in this passage?
How does Jesus respond to their degree of faith?
What would the disciples find in the midst of the trials they were soon to face?
“Note the contrast between ‘in Me’ and ‘in the world.’ In Christ there is peace; in the world there is tribulation. This is the position we need to claim: we are in Christ, and therefore we can overcome the world and all of its hatred…. ‘In Me’ is the key. In ourselves, we have nothing; but ‘in Christ’ we have all that we need.”[6]
Application
What do you do when times get rough? How do you respond?
How do you think you should respond?
During trials we should concentrate on increasing our faith and living in the presence of Jesus.
Psalm 29:11 (NLT)
“The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.”[7]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008). 2053.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible : New Living Translation., 3rd ed. (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007). Ro 5:1–2.
[3] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English Reader (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997). Ro 5:1.
[4] New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995). Jn 14:26–27.
[5] Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg books ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001). 521.
[6] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996). Jn 16:29.
[7] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible : New Living Translation., 3rd ed. (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007). Ps 29:11.
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