Peace of God [Bible Study]

We often think of peace as something we have in the absence of conflict or trouble. In the Bible, the definition of peace is more than this. I want us to look at what the peace of God is.

In Greek, the word peace comes from the word Eirene. It means to join or tie together into a whole. It also means to make whole or complete. This gives us a different meaning than just the absence of conflict or trouble.

The peace of God is revealed in three areas:

Our relationship with God

God’s peace comes first and foremost to bring us reconciliation with God. It comes to give us peace with God. It mends what is broken between us and God and makes it whole.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds, we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

The price for our peace with God was too costly for us to pay, but Jesus paid it for us, he took on our punishment and he gave us his peace.

And through him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross. Colossians 1:20

We now have peace with God. Where sin had caused a separation, Christ through his blood on the cross has brought peace.

Our relationship with ourselves

The second place that the peace of God is revealed is our relationship with ourselves. God’s peace allows us to be at rest. It takes away worry and anxiety. It brings us rest in trouble.

We have peace and rest even in troubling circumstances.

I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

The peace the world gives is temporal and it only comes in the absence of trouble, but the peace that God gives is eternal and is with us even in trouble.

Philippians 4: 7 calls it the peace which surpasses all understanding and is a guard for our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

When we cannot understand, He sends us His peace that exceeds our ability to understand. We don’t need to understand, we need His peace. His peace becomes a guard for our minds and hearts in confusion and mystery.

God’s peace crushes satan under our feet.

The peace that God gives us enables us to put the enemy under our feet. The enemy has no power over us when we can walk through difficulties in peace. It renders him powerless. And this is a gift that God gives to us so that we can overcome.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. Romans 16:20

Peace at all times, in every way.

We are promised peace in all things and all ways.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times, in every way. The Lord is with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

God’s peace brings sanctification.

His peace makes us pure and whole; it also separates us and consecrates us for Himself.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Our relationship with others

When our relationship with God is mended and we have peace in and with ourselves, we can now go and bring peace to others.

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, Live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

We are to strive for peace with others.

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

We are to seek and pursue peace with others.

If we want a life we’ll love and good days then we have to become a people of peace. We have to work to find peace in all situations and work to maintain it.

Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace and work to maintain it. 1 Peter 3:11

We are to be peacemakers.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

God is peace and one thing that shows that we are His children is the ability to pursue and maintain peace. We reveal His character when we bring peace into situations. When we bring the God of peace into conflicts we are truly His sons and daughters.

Peacemakers reap righteousness

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18

peace has fruit and its fruit is righteousness.

We will never sow peace in situations and not reap a harvest. We are promised that the harvest for peacemakers is righteousness in God.

Therefore, have peace with God, with yourself, and with everyone around you. Be identified as a son or daughter of God because you carry the peace of God.