peace, part 1

©2023 dan bulkley | ask@lifechurchco.com

what is peace?

Peace is a concept we are all familiar with, but it seems most find peace a very confusing notion. Is it a feeling? Is it a state of being? Is peace simply a lack of conflict? Is it tranquil circumstances? What really is peace?

section 1

We use the word peace much like we used the word love. It covers a large array of ideas, experiences, actions and circumstances. So, it is very understandable why our concepts of peace differ so much from one another and leave us confused as we search for it. Is it possible that our own concepts are different from the promise of peace Christ offers us john 14:27 ? We shall examine that through this study.

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john 14:27 niv

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.

my notes:

section 2

Two words are especially translated as peace from Scripture: Shalom (Hebrew, OT) and Eirenes (Greek, NT) isaiah 59:7-8  romans 3:17 . Shalom, Eirenes, i.e. Peace from God’s Word is used to address the general state of one’s welfare ii samuel 11:7 , the well-being of people jeremiah 38:4 . The principle of Biblical peace strays from our idea of tranquility and politeness as merely acting peaceful is not God’s idea of peace psalm 28:3  jeremiah 9:8 . Breaking peace is the violating of a mutual friendship psalm 7:4 ; literally the breaking of a covenantal relationship psalm 55:20 .

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isaiah 59:7-8 niv

Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways. The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.

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romans 3:17 niv

...the way of peace they do not know.

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ii samuel 11:7 nas

When Uriah came to him, David asked concerning the welfare of Joab and the people and the state of the war.

my notes:

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jeremiah 38:4 nas

Then the officials said to the king, "Now let this man be put to death, inasmuch as he is discouraging the men of war who are left in this city and all the people, by speaking such words to them; for this man is not seeking the well-being of this people but rather their harm."

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psalm 28:3 esv

Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.

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jeremiah 9:8 esv

Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully; with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.

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psalm 7:4 nkjv

If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, Or have plundered my enemy without cause...

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psalm 55:20 nas

He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has violated his covenant.

my notes:

section 3

Peace is living with each other for the mutual benefit of each other romans 14:19 , which can only be fully accomplished when both parties are FOR each other i corinthians 12:25  romans 12:16 . While peace should be sought after individually romans 12:18 , it really can’t be fully accomplished in a unilateral way i corinthians 7:15 ; peace is established in mutual faithfulness with each other and God malachi 2:10 .

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romans 14:19 nas

So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

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i corinthians 12:25 csb

so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other.

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romans 12:16 niv

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

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romans 12:18 niv

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

my notes:

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i corinthians 7:15 esv

But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.

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malachi 2:10 niv

Do we not all have one Father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our ancestors by being unfaithful to one another?

my notes:

section 4

When there is an established relationship of mutual benefitting, this is God’s peace which is experienced in CONFIDENCE and FREEDOM to draw near to God ephesians 3:12  hebrews 4:14-16  and come near each other in unity because of Jesus ephesians 2:14-19  philippians 2:1-5 , to live and die together ii corinthians 7:3-4 , and to be transparent with each other i corinthians 6:11-13 . This relational freedom and confidence ii corinthians 7:16  is established upon reconciliation in Christ colossians 1:20  which graciously gives us a peaceful relationship with God and each other ii corinthians 5:14-6:2  because we are looking out for each other’s true good instead of our own i corinthians 10:24  romans 15:1-3  philippians 2:4, 20-21 , just as God is looking out for our welfare jeremiah 29:11 , and as we should for His i corinthians 10:31  ephesians 5:10 .

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ephesians 3:12 niv

In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

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hebrews 4:14-16 esv

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

my notes:

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ephesians 2:14-19 esv

For He Himself is our peace, Who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God...

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philippians 2:1-5 csb

If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus...

my notes:

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ii corinthians 7:3-4 nas

I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together. Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

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ii corinthians 6:11-13 niv

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

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ii corinthians 7:16 esv

I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

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colossians 1:20 esv

and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of His cross.

my notes:

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ii corinthians 5:14-6:2 niv

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him Who died for them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, Who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For He says, "In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

my notes:

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i corinthians 10:24 niv

No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

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romans 15:1-3 niv

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please Himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on Me."

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philippians 2:4, 20-21 niv

not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

my notes:

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jeremiah 29:11 esv

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

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i corinthians 10:31 esv

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

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ephesians 5:10 nlt

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.

my notes:

section 5

This is why peace is closely associated in Scripture with the goodness (towb, OT, agathos, NT) of God’s graciousness jeremiah 33:9  matthew 7:17 . Goodness, graciousness, the looking out for another’s true good is intrinsically interwoven with the welfare of individuals lamentation 3:17  as who can really be at peace i thessalonians 3:8  with no regard for the true welfare of those one has relations with jeremiah 22:16 ?

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jeremiah 33:9 nas

It will be to Me a name of joy, praise and glory before all the nations of the earth which will hear of all the good that I do for them, and they will fear and tremble because of all the good and all the peace that I make for it.’

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matthew 7:17 niv

Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.

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lamentation 3:17 niv

I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.

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i thessalonians 3:8 niv

For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

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jeremiah 22:16 esv

He judged the cause of the poor and needy; then it was well. Is not this to know Me? declares the LORD.

my notes:

my notes: