📖 Biblical Definition
Greek eirene, peace, the NT continuation of OT shalom. Like its Hebrew counterpart, eirene carries the substantive sense of wholeness, well-being, and fullness of life under God's covenant blessing — not the mere absence of conflict that the English word peace often suggests. The NT theology of eirene is rich: the Lord Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and is Himself our peace (Ephesians 2:14, he is our peace, who hath made both one); His death on the cross makes peace between God and sinners (Romans 5:1, therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ) and between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14-17); the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17); the fruit of the Spirit includes peace (Galatians 5:22); the peace of God passes all understanding and keeps the believer's heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7); the Lord Jesus left His peace to His disciples (John 14:27, peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you). The Reformed-confessional reading distinguishes (1) the peace of God (the substantive divine peace as objective reality) from (2) peace with God (the believer's reconciled standing in Christ) from (3) peace with one another (the relational peace among the brethren in the church) and finally from (4) the peace of conscience (the believer's subjective experience of God's reconciling work). All four are NT eirene realities; the believer's full enjoyment of biblical peace integrates all four.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Greek eirene (G1515), peace; NT continuation of OT shalom; substantive wholeness under covenant blessing; Christ Himself our peace (Ephesians 2:14).
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EIRENE, Greek noun (G1515; peace, quietness, rest, wholeness) NT continuation of OT shalom; substantive wholeness and well-being under God's covenant blessing, not mere absence of conflict. Christ is our peace (Ephesians 2:14); His cross makes peace with God (Romans 5:1) and between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14-17). Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy (Romans 14:17). Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Peace of God passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Reformed distinction: peace of God; peace with God; peace with one another; peace of conscience — all NT eirene realities.
📖 Key Scripture
Romans 5:1 — "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
John 14:27 — "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."
Ephesians 2:14 — "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us."
Philippians 4:7 — "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
No major postmodern redefinition. The principal contemporary mishandling is the cheap-peace counterfeit that omits the reconciling work of Christ and offers tranquility without the gospel.
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Eirene as a Greek term does not undergo lexical corruption. The principal contemporary mishandling is the cheap-peace counterfeit: peace offered as therapeutic tranquility apart from the substantive reconciling work of Christ. The Lord Jesus marked the distinction directly: peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you (John 14:27). The world's peace is volatile circumstantial tranquility; Christ's peace is the substantive reconciliation worked by His death and resurrection, applied by the Spirit, and enjoyed by the believer through faith. The patriarchal-Reformed reader holds the integrated NT eirene: peace with God through justification, peace of God through prayer and the Spirit, peace with the brethren in church fellowship, peace of conscience in assurance.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
G1515; NT continuation of OT shalom; substantive wholeness under covenant blessing.
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['Greek', 'G1515', 'eirene', 'peace, quietness, rest, wholeness']
['Hebrew', 'H7965', 'shalom', 'OT equivalent']
['Latin', '—', 'pax', 'peace (Latin equivalent)']
Usage
"Eirene: peace; substantive wholeness under God's covenant."
"Christ Himself our peace (Ephesians 2:14)."
"Peace of God passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7)."