EIRENE (Peace)
WRITTEN BY DREW MATZ
What is the Word?
We all seek peace in our spiritual lives. In fact, it is one of the tangible things that we can glean from being members of the Body of Christ. Christians live differently in that they live with a sense of hope and serenity, at peace with God and one another. In the New Testament, this word is εἰρήνη.
How does the Bible use this word?
Peace is a theme that runs all throughout the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word most often used is shalom. For the Hebrews, shalom was more of an all compassing word which denoted a state of well-being and rest. This same emphasis is carried by the Greek word eiréné. A noun in the Greek, it expresses a sense of oneness or rest in addition to our notion of peace as a contentment with our current situation. When used in the context of the New Testament, it denotes a sense of completeness – an assurance of God’s providence and care.
Where in the Bible?
Peace is something that Jesus wants for his people. He wants us to be completely secure and rest in his providential love. Even in the midst of our fears, he is present and imparts to us his peace. Consider the words of our resurrected Lord to the disciples while they were on their way to Emmaus:
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace (εἰρήνη) to you!”
LUKE 24:36
Although the disciples were startled at first, Jesus wants them to be at rest and blessed through his death and resurrection. He invites them to examine his very real body, to bring them a peace and comfort and assurance that he is truly risen and standing before them. In the same way, he sends his holy spirit to bring his indwelling peace to the heart of each believer.
Paul also emphasizes the spirit of peace and contrasts it to the spirit of confusion:
For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace (εἰρήνη).
1 Corinthians 14:32-33
Paul is speaking specifically of the gift of prophecy here, but his broader point still remains. The spirit of God does not lend itself to confuse his people. Rather, the spirit brings with it clarity and discernment – and through this discernment the peace of a renewed heart and clear conscience before God.
Blessed are the Peacemakers
One of the privileges of being a Christian is that God graciously works through each and every one of us. The spirit of peace that he has imparted to us he has commanded that we take out into the world. In this spirit of peace God works through us to bless others, to bring peace, joy, and comfort to the lives of others through the preaching of the Gospel and the spirit of reconciliation. Though we are yet sinners, God still uses the broken to bring wholeness to the world.