Greek
εἰρήνη
eirēnē
Peace, harmony, wholeness
The Greek word for peace — used in the NT for both inner peace (Philippians 4:7) and relational/cosmic peace. Eirene translates the Hebrew 'shalom.' Christ is our peace (Ephesians 2:14); his peace is given to believers (John 14:27).
Eirene (εἰρήνη) is the Greek word for peace. In Classical Greek it meant the absence of war or strife. In the Septuagint (Greek OT), eirene translates the Hebrew 'shalom' (שׁלוֹם) and inherits its richer meaning of wholeness, completeness, harmony, prosperity, and right relationships. In the NT, eirene is used both narrowly (peace between persons) and broadly (the comprehensive well-being God gives in Christ). The English 'irenic' (peaceable) and the woman's name 'Irene' come from this root.
Eirene appears about 92 times in the NT. (1) The Christian salutation. Most of Paul's letters open with 'Grace [charis] to you and peace [eirene] from God our Father.' Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; etc. This is the gospel summary — grace given, peace received. (2) Peace with God. Romans 5:1 — 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' This is the foundational peace — reconciliation with God. (3) Peace from God. Philippians 4:7 — 'And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.' Inner peace that surpasses comprehension. (4) Peace with others. Hebrews 12:14 — 'Follow peace with all men.' Romans 12:18 — 'If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.' (5) Christ is our peace. Ephesians 2:14 — 'For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.' Christ reconciles Jew and Gentile in one body. (6) The gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15 — 'And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.' Romans 10:15 — 'How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace.' (7) Peace as fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 — among the Spirit's fruit is 'peace.' (8) The God of peace. Romans 15:33; 16:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23 — God himself is the 'God of peace.' Peace is part of his character. (9) Christ's farewell gift. John 14:27 — 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth.' The peace Christ gives is qualitatively different from worldly peace.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness.”
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
Receive Christ's peace — both peace WITH God (Romans 5:1) and peace FROM God (Philippians 4:7). Pursue peace with all (Hebrews 12:14). Be a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9). The God of peace makes peace through Christ; his children walk in that peace.
Eirene (εἰρήνη) is the Greek word for peace — used in the NT for inner peace (Philippians 4:7), peace with God (Romans 5:1), peace with others (Romans 12:18), and the comprehensive well-being God gives. It translates the Hebrew shalom and inherits its rich meaning of wholeness, harmony, and right relationships. Christ is our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
Same essential meaning — different languages. Shalom is Hebrew; eirene is Greek. The Septuagint regularly translates shalom with eirene. Both mean peace as wholeness, completeness, harmony, prosperity, and right relationships. NT use of eirene draws on the rich Hebrew background of shalom. The biblical concept is fuller than English 'peace' suggests.
Through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 — 'Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' Christ's cross removed the enmity caused by sin. Receive him by faith; the peace is granted. This is the foundational peace — relational reconciliation with God. From this flows peace from God (inner peace) and peace with others.
John 14:27 — 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth.' Worldly peace depends on circumstances (no conflict, comfort, success). Christ's peace transcends circumstances — Paul had it in prison (Philippians 4:7). World peace is fragile; Christ's peace is rooted in God's character and is unshakable. World peace is conditional; Christ's peace is given as gift.