Peace

Occurrences in Scripture

In the Old Testament, peace frequently appears in words of blessing and promise. The blessing of Aaron in Numbers 6 concludes, "The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace" (Numbers 6:26). Isaiah 9 calls the coming king "The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). By contrast, Jeremiah rebukes the false prophets who cover over the crisis, "saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace" (Jeremiah 6:14).

In the New Testament, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you" (John 14:27), and after his resurrection he greets his disciples with "Peace be unto you" (John 20:19). Paul opens each of his letters with a wish for "grace and peace" (Romans 1:7 and elsewhere). In Philippians he speaks of "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7).

Meaning of the Term

The Hebrew word in the Old Testament is shalom. It carries the sense of "wholeness" or "lacking nothing," and so encompasses not only the absence of strife but also health, well-being, and relationships that have been set right. The Greek word in the New Testament is eirene. Because the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) rendered shalom with this word, eirene also took on the broad meaning of shalom.

The New Korean Revised Version renders the same original term as pyeonggang, pyeongan, hwapyeong, or pyeonghwa, depending on context. As a result, readers of Korean Bibles do not readily recognize these words as a single term. The New Korean Standard Version often renders it as pyeonghwa.

Significance Across Scripture

The New Testament connects the shalom of the Old Testament with the work of Christ. Romans 5:1 declares that those who are justified by faith "have peace with God." Ephesians 2 calls Christ, who broke down the wall between Jews and Gentiles, "our peace." Peace is also one of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22; the New Korean Revised Version renders it hwapyeong). The Beatitudes pronounce a blessing on "the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9).

Interpretations and Debates

Traditions differ in which aspect of peace they emphasize.

• The Reformation tradition stresses the relationship with God restored through justification as the foundation of peace.
• Pietist traditions often emphasize the inner peace given to the believer's heart.
• The so-called peace churches, such as the Anabaptists and the Quakers, read peace as the basis for nonviolence and the refusal to take part in war.
• Ecumenical bodies, including the World Council of Churches, have emphasized social peace together with justice.

At the same time, John 14:27 states that Jesus gives his peace "not as the world giveth," and Matthew 10:34 says, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth." These two passages are cited in support of the view that biblical peace is not simply identical to the absence of conflict or to favorable circumstances.

In the Korean Church

Greetings such as "Be at peace" (pyeonganhaseyo) and "Shalom" are common within the church. The priestly blessing of Numbers 6 is also used in the benediction at the close of worship. Some churches, including Anglican churches, include in their worship a "passing of the peace," in which members of the congregation wish one another peace.