Gtcotr/ws100417
Galatians 5
22 But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace <1515>, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
See
that <1515> underlined after the word peace in verse 22? Don’t let it
bother you too much, I’ll get to it in a moment. But for now, let’s read a few
more familiar scriptures concerning peace.
Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in
the highest, And on earth peace <1515>, goodwill toward men!”
John 14:27 “Peace <1515>
I leave with you, My peace <1515> I give to you; not as the world
gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid.
John 16:33 “These things I
have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace <1515>. In the
world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world.”
Romans 5:1 Therefore, having
been justified by faith, we have peace <1515> with God through our
Lord Jesus Christ,
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally
minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace <1515>.
Romans 14:17 for the kingdom
of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace <1515>
and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:19 Therefore let us
pursue the things which make for peace <1515> and the
things by which one may edify another.
There
are 6 potential variations or shades of meaning associated with the definition
and New Testament use of the word “peace” in these verses. Let’s look at what
the <1515> may indicate in these scriptures.
From the OLB Greek/English
Lexicon:
1515 εἰρήνη eirene i-ray’-nay
AV-peace 89, one 1, rest 1, quietness 1; 92
1) a state
of national tranquillity
1a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war
2) peace
between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
3)
security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and
harmony
make and keep things safe and prosperous)
4) of the
Messiah’s peace
4a) the way that leads to peace (salvation)
5) of
Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its
salvation
through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and
content
with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is
6) the blessed state of devout and upright men after death
This
is what it means to have peace and this is what peace can do for you, your
family, your future and the world. Peace is one of the greatest blessings a
person can possess and the fact that peace can be grown in our lives in
whatever quantities we desire is an amazing gift from God. That’s like being
given the key to Fort Knox or to the Bureau of Printing and Engraving or the
Denver Mint. You can have as much as you are willing to grow.
Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself
is our peace <1515>, who has made both one, and has broken down
the middle wall of separation,
Philippians 4:7 and the peace
<1515> of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may
the Lord of peace <1515> Himself give you peace <1515>
always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
