Bible Dictionaries
Peace, Peaceable, Peaceably

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

"occurs in each of the books of the NT, save 1John and save in Acts 7:26 ['(at) one again'] it is translated "peace" in the RV. It describes (a) harmonious relationships between men, Matthew 10:34; Romans 14:19; (b) between nations, Luke 14:32; Acts 12:20; Revelation 6:4; (c) friendliness, Acts 15:33; 1 Corinthians 16:11; Hebrews 11:31; (d) freedom from molestation, Luke 11:21; 19:42; Acts 9:31 (RV, 'peace,' AV, 'rest'); 16:36; (e) order, in the State, Acts 24:2 (RV, 'peace,' AV, 'quietness'); in the churches, 1 Corinthians 14:33; (f) the harmonized relationships between God and man, accomplished through the gospel, Acts 10:36; Ephesians 2:17; (g) the sense of rest and contentment consequent thereon, Matthew 10:13; Mark 5:34; Luke 1:79; 2:29; John 14:27; Romans 1:7; 3:17; 8:6; in certain passages this idea is not distinguishable from the last, Romans 5:1 ." * [* From Notes on Thessalonians by Hogg and Vine, p. 154.]

"The God of peace" is a title used in Romans 15:33; 16:20; Philippians 4:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20; cp. 1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Corinthians 13:11 . The corresponding Heb. word shalom primarily signifies "wholeness:" see its use in Joshua 8:31 , "unhewn;" Ruth 2:12 , "full;" Nehemiah 6:15 , "finished;" Isaiah 42:19 , marg., "made perfect." Hence there is a close connection between the title in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and the word holokleros, "entire," in that verse. In the Sept. shalom is often rendered by soteria, "salvation, e.g., Genesis 26:31; 41:16; hence the "peace-offering" is called the "salvation offering." Cp. Luke 7:50; 8:48 . In 2 Thessalonians 3:16 , the title "the Lord of peace" is best understood as referring to the Lord Jesus. In Acts 7:26 , "would have set them at one" is, lit., "was reconciling them (conative imperfect tense, expressing an earnest effort) into peace."

primarily, "to bring to peace, reconcile," denotes in the NT, "to keep peace or to be at peace:" in Mark 9:50 , RV, the Lord bids the disciples "be at peace" with one another, gently rebuking their ambitious desires; in Romans 12:18 (RV, "be at peace," AV, "live peaceably") the limitation "if it be possible, as much as in you lieth," seems due to the phrase "with all men," but is not intended to excuse any evasion of the obligation imposed by the command; in 2 Corinthians 13:11 it is rendered "live in peace," a general exhortation to believers; in 1 Thessalonians 5:13 , "be at peace (among yourselves)."

"to make peace" (eirene, and poieo, "to make"), is used in Colossians 1:20 . In the Sept., Proverbs 10:10 .

akin to A, denotes "peaceful." It is used (a) of the fruit of righteousness, Hebrews 12:11 , "peaceable" (or "peaceful") because it is produced in communion with God the Father, through His chastening; (b) of "the wisdom that is from above," James 3:17 .

Note: In 1 Timothy 2:2 , AV, hesuchios, "quiet," is translated "peaceable" (RV, "quiet").