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Peace

David G

Three quotes about ‘peace’, one from a dictionary, one from God’s Bible and the last one from some Bible study notes.

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary (Merriam-Webster 2023) says that ‘peace’ is a noun with the following meanings:

  1. a state of tranquillity or quiet: such as

    1. freedom from civil disturbance

    2. a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom

  2. freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

  3. harmony in personal relations

    1. a state or period of mutual concord between governments

    2. a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity

  5. used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell

Jesus’ words from the book of John in God’s Bible:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV)

And finally, from the NIV Study Notes commenting on the verse quoted above:

“Peace… my peace. A common Hebrew greeting, which Jesus uses here in an unusual way. The term speaks, in effect, of the salvation that Christ’s redemptive work will achieve for his disciples — total well-being and inner rest of spirit, in fellowship with God. All true peace is his gift, which the repetition emphasises. I do not give… as the world gives. In its greetings of peace the world can only express a longing or wish. But Jesus’ peace is real and present.” (NIV Study Bible 2008)

What peace is there in our world today? We may long for it but so very many of the interactions between members of humankind at all levels display a distinct lack of peace. And then there’s that hard to define thing called inner peace. It’s really hard to find. Especially with so much going on around us in an unrelenting assault on our senses. Even if some of those things are comparatively good.

Compare all this with the offer Jesus makes. Inner peace. Now. Elsewhere in God’s Bible the promise is made that ultimately there’ll be perfect peace that covers the whole earth.

It’s got to be worth checking the Bible out!

References:

“Peace” Merriam-Webster 2023 https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peace (2 January 2023)

The NIV Study Bible, Zondervan, Michigan