εἰρήνη

peace, peace of mind

Definition

Eirēnē primarily means 'peace,' encompassing both the absence of conflict and the presence of wholeness, safety, and well-being. In the New Testament, it often denotes a state of reconciliation with God and the resulting inner tranquility, as seen when Jesus tells a healed woman, 'Go in peace' (Mark 5:34, Luke 8:48). It also refers to interpersonal harmony and the cessation of hostility, as in the blessing 'peace to this house' (Luke 10:5). In a profound theological sense, it describes the comprehensive salvation and reconciliation brought by Christ, who is 'our peace' (Ephesians 2:14), and the eschatological peace of God's kingdom proclaimed at his birth (Luke 2:14).

Biblical Usage

Eirēnē is used throughout the New Testament, with significant concentration in the Pauline epistles, where it is a key component of greetings and benedictions (e.g., Romans 1:7, 1 Corinthians 1:3). It describes personal salvation and wholeness (Romans 5:1), relational harmony within the church (Ephesians 4:3), and the cosmic reconciliation achieved by Christ (Colossians 1:20). In the Gospels, it is used in greetings (Matthew 10:13), farewells (Luke 7:50), and declarations of healing and salvation. Jesus also clarifies he brings not superficial peace but a sword of division (Matthew 10:34), highlighting the transformative conflict that accompanies true peace.

Etymology

Derived from the classical Greek word εἰρήνη (eirēnē), which originally meant the opposite of war, a state of national tranquility and civic order. In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), it was used to translate the rich Hebrew concept of שָׁלוֹם (shalom), which broadened its meaning to include holistic well-being, prosperity, safety, and right relationship with God. This Hebraic influence is foundational for its New Testament usage.

Semantic Range

Eirēnē is a central theological term for the gospel message. It signifies the restored relationship between God and humanity through Christ's work (justification by faith, Romans 5:1). It is not merely a subjective feeling but an objective state of reconciliation that produces communal unity (the church as one body, Ephesians 2:14-17) and is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Understanding its Hebraic depth (shalom) reveals that biblical peace is holistic, encompassing spiritual, relational, and even physical wholeness, far beyond the modern idea of simply the absence of noise or conflict.

In the Greco-Roman world, 'peace' (Pax Romana) was often a political term imposed by military victory. In Jewish thought, drawn from the Hebrew 'shalom,' it was a comprehensive blessing from God involving right relationships, health, prosperity, and covenant faithfulness. A common Jewish greeting and farewell was 'peace' (shalom/eirēnē), carrying this full weight of divine blessing. The New Testament writers, especially Paul, infused this Jewish covenantal concept into the proclamation of the gospel of Christ.

εἰρηνεύω (eirēneuō, G1514) — the verb 'to keep or make peace,' focusing on the action. ὁμονοία (homonoia, G3675) — 'concord, unanimity,' emphasizing unity of mind, less comprehensive than eirēnē. ἀνάπαυσις (anapausis, G372) — 'rest, relief,' focusing on cessation of labor or distress, a component of peace.

Word Details

Scripture References