We throw around words like love, joy, peace, and grace. They are abstract nouns, things we can’t touch, feel, or smell, and yet they hold a significant place in our lives. Let’s dig deep in this post and discuss what true peace is. As a firm believer that true peace comes only from God, our main focus will be “what is peace in the Bible?” and how can we apply this to our everyday life and situations.
If we are going to be truly honest and not look through life with rose-colored glasses, we must confess that life is difficult. Bad things happen- all the time. My own life is scarred by the poor choices of other people, destroyed relationships, health scares, and the death of my beautiful 8 year old Rebekah.
And I wonder why I battle with anxiety.
More honesty here. I shouldn’t battle with anything because we have something greater than sorrow and fear. We serve something more powerful than resentment and broken relationships.
What is the Spiritual Meaning of Peace?
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, peace is defined as:
- A state of tranquility or quiet such as freedom from civil disturbances and a state of security within a community provided by law or custom.
- Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions.
- Harmony in personal relationships.
- A state or period of mutual concord between governments. A pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity.
When we look into what peace means throughout scripture we will find that it has a broader meaning than we have in English. The Hebrew for peace is Shalom and is found 237 times in the Old Testament. Its root “slm” means “to be complete, sound, or whole”. According to the Bible dictionary, shalom is defined as:
- Wholeness of life or body
- Right relationship or harmony between two parties or people
- Prosperity, success, or fulfilment
- Victory over one’s enemies or absence of war
- Used in both greetings and farewells in a form of blessing on the one to whom it was spoken. (Such as 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.”)
What is Peace in the Bible?
God created a perfect world and man dwelled in perfect harmony with God. When Adam and Eve sinned they broke not only their perfect harmony with God, but also with each other. From that time until now, man has sought to reconcile things back to the way they once were. We have tried to achieve peace through social reform, political control, and compromise.
These are all useless as the only true peace comes from faith in Jesus Christ. God set the stage when He made a covenant of peace with the Children of Israel.
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” ’ “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:22-27)
A covenant is a binding agreement, a sincere and holy contract.
For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the Lord, who has mercy on you. (Isaiah 54:10)
They were promised peace if they followed God and kept His commandments.
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)
The Old Testament establishes the coming Messiah as the one that would bring peace. Many of the Jews of Jesus day were looking for a political peace, a freedom from Roman oppression. They were so focused on this aspect of peace that they missed the big picture. They missed their opportunity for true peace.
And He shall stand and feed His flock In the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God; And they shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth; And this One shall be peace. (Micah 5:4-5)
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Check out my posts on the meanings of the names given to Jesus in these verses. “Jesus as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God” and “Jesus as Prince of Peace”.
Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)
Peace Bible Study
If you wish to dig deeper into shalom with a peace Bible study check out these links.
- Hebrew Meaning of Shalom
- Spiritual Peace by Charles Spurgeon (this is the link to his content online, not the physical book)
- In Acceptance Lieth Peace by Hannah Hurnard
- 30 Days of Peace Bible Reading Plan
What Deos the Bible Say about Peace?
Knowing now that shalom embraces a much larger concept than peace in English, let’s turn our attention to specific verses on peace in scripture. What are you looking for as you study peace in the Bible? What are you hoping to find?
Whether you are looking for Bible verses about peace of mind, Bible verses about peace in hard times, or Bible verses about peace and comfort, my hope is that your heart is at rest and your faith deepened as you study this list of verses.
Bible Verses about Peace of Mind
Our minds are a battleground. It is a place in which satan can send his fiery darts and far too often we entertain them. Peace of mind is precious. It keeps us calm during the day and provides sleep at night.
Peace of mind is a “mental state of quiet and tranquility, a freedom from worry and anxiety.”
What is peace in the Bible? Exactly what the above definition reads! It is a quiet and tranquil mind, one free from fears and cares of this world. Remember we learned above that shalom means whole and sound.
How is that peace of mind achieved? Through faith and obedience to Christ!
Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ (Isaiah 12:2)
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6)
True peace of mind comes when we are focused on God.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)
Bible Verses about Peace in Hard Times
We will never escape hard times. Whether you are struggling financially, have lost a loved one, or are in the throngs of a bad relationship, your heart will be troubled, and seeking out the true source of peace is your only way to come out ahead. Maybe “come out ahead” is a poor expression to use here, but do you ever feel as if you are losing days living in a bad state of mind? We want more than survival mode!
During times of trials, it brings me great comfort to be reminded that God is in control and He has promised to never leave me.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
And my favorite:
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
Bible Verses about Peace and Comfort
I think one of the most comforting passages of scripture is Psalm 23. Sometimes I feel as if it is so well used that we pass by it without deeply drinking from its truths.
David, being a shepherd, truly felt as if God was the shepherd of his soul. The great Yahweh was leading him in truth, sheltering him and protecting him. God was providing safe places for him to grow and blessing him with the abundance of His goodness.
If you are tired and weary, needing a moment of peace and quiet, dwell on these words. Allow them to sink into your heavy heart and set you free.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
Now we can ask, “what is peace in the Bible and what does it mean for me?”. It is your turn to act on what scripture says about peace. We might at first believe that peace is passive, but that is not the case. Peace needs to be actively pursued and embraced and believed.
About the author
Peace is a very important topic to consider, and it is something that is often talked about but not always understood. In the Bible, peace is a key part of God’s plan for humanity. True peace comes from understanding and following God’s
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