On Peace

In the New Testament (NT) peace comes from two words, vastly differing in meaning: 1) eirene (Koine Greek), and 2) shalom (Hebrew).

We’ll look at eirene although one could make a case that shalom is the real way peace is understood in the NT.

The word eirene has various meanings: national peace, harmony between brothers, the Messiah’s peace, etc.

inward peace

It basically means to be a peace with God.

“It is the consciousness that we are in right relationship with God, a sense of spiritual well-being.”[1]

“The Greek eirene includes the ideas of harmony, health, wholeness, and well-being.”[2]

The ideas of harmony and wholeness are not only for the individual, but for the community.

outward peace

It means to be at peace with others.
When we’re at peace with God…
we can live in harmony with others as well;
we don’t have to seek approval, or impress, or put people in their place, etc.

The Greek understanding was different than the Jewish understanding. The Greeks applied harmony, health, wellness, and well-being to the individual. The Jews applied harmony, health, wholeness, and well-being to the community.

shalom

Speaking of Jewish community, one of the root words for Jerusalem is the word shalom.

Before it was called Jerusalem, it was called Salem, a derivative of shalom.

Shalom is the basis for community, the glue that holds the community together.

The Messiah is in some ways the embodiment of shalom. He would be called the Prince of Shalom (Isaiah 9.6).

It is commonly believed that Jesus Christ speaks in Aramaic, although the Gospels are written in Greek. Therefore, when Jesus enters the upper room after the resurrection and initiates salvation with the Disciples, He does not declare, “Eirene be unto you” (John 20.19, 21). Jesus declares, “Shalom be unto you.”

In a real way, the peace of God is fundamental to salvation and Christian community.

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notes:

1. Stanley M. Horton, What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit, Rev. ed. (Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2005), 178.
2. David Lim, “Spiritual Gifts,” in Systematic Theology, ed. Stanley M. Horton (Springfield, MO: Logion Press, 2002), 480.