Lexical Summary eiréneuó: To be at peace, to live in peace, to keep peace Original Word: εἰρηνεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance have peace, live peaceably. From eirene; to be (act) peaceful -- be at (have, live in) peace, live peaceably. see GREEK eirene HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1514 eirēneúō (from 1515 /eirḗnē, "peace") – living in the condition of God's peace (gift of wholeness, integrity of being). See 1515 (eirēnē). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eiréné Definition to bring to peace, to be at peace NASB Translation live in peace (2), peace (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1514: εἰρηνεύωεἰρηνεύω; (εἰρήνη); 1. to make peace: 1 Macc. 6:60; Dio Cassius, 77 12, etc. 2. to cultivate or keep peace, i. e. harmony; to be at peace, live in peace: 2 Corinthians 13:11; ἐν ἀλλήλοις, Mark 9:50; ἐν ἑαυτοῖς (T Tr αὐτοῖς), 1 Thessalonians 5:13; μετά τίνος, Romans 12:18; (Plato, Theact., p. 180 b. Dio Cassius, 42, 15, etc.; the Sept.). Topical Lexicon Summary of New Testament Usage The verb εἰρηνεύω appears four times in the Greek New Testament, each instance urging believers to “be at peace.” The contexts span the teaching of Jesus (Mark 9:50) and three Pauline exhortations (Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:13). In every case the form functions imperatively, calling the hearers to cultivate a state of harmony rather than merely enjoy an inward feeling. The command presupposes that peace is both a divine gift and a human responsibility to be enacted within the community and extended outward to the world. Connection to Old Testament Peace Behind εἰρηνεύω lies the Hebrew concept of שָׁלוֹם (shalom), which encompasses wholeness, well-being, and covenant faithfulness. The Septuagint often renders shalom with εἰρήνη, and in a few key places employs εἰρηνεύω to translate verbs such as “make peace” (e.g., Isaiah 27:5). The New Testament writers thereby tap into a rich biblical narrative in which peace originates with God, is promised through the Messiah (Isaiah 9:6), and will characterize the consummated kingdom (Isaiah 11:6-9). Christological Fulfillment of Peace Jesus Christ is portrayed as the supreme Peacemaker, reconciling sinners to God and to one another through the cross (Ephesians 2:14-17). His call in Mark 9:50—“Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another”—links purity (“salt”) with relational harmony, demonstrating that peace is an essential fruit of authentic discipleship. The church’s pursuit of peace therefore flows from, and testifies to, the finished work of Christ. Apostolic Imperatives to Christian Communities 1. Romans 12:18: “If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.” The imperative recognizes human limitations (“if it is possible”) yet removes excuses by placing responsibility on the believer (“on your part”). The apostolic pattern shows peace as integral to orthopraxy: it guards unity, facilitates discipline, and undergirds evangelistic witness. Historical Background and Greco-Roman Context In the first-century Mediterranean world, “peace” (pax, εἰρήνη) was a celebrated civic ideal, commonly associated with the Roman emperor’s rule. The Christian proclamation reoriented this cultural value by grounding true peace not in imperial power but in divine reconciliation. By commanding believers to εἰρηνεύω, the apostles presented a countercultural ethic: peace is pursued through humility, forgiveness, and sacrificial love rather than coercion. Implications for Church Life and Pastoral Ministry • Church Discipline: The imperative to live in peace frames corrective processes (Matthew 18:15-17) as restorative, aiming at reconciliation, not mere rule enforcement. Personal Application and Spiritual Formation Believers cultivate peace through: 1. Prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Related Concepts and Complementary Texts • Peacemakers blessed (Matthew 5:9). Together these passages reinforce εἰρηνεύω as both command and promise—calling Christians to active, relational harmony grounded in the reconciling work of God in Christ. Forms and Transliterations ειρηνεύειν ειρηνευετε ειρηνεύετε εἰρηνεύετε ειρηνεύοντα ειρηνευοντες ειρηνεύοντες εἰρηνεύοντες ειρήνευσα ειρήνευσε ειρηνεύσει ειρήνευσεν ειρηνεύσουσί eireneuete eireneúete eirēneuete eirēneúete eireneuontes eireneúontes eirēneuontes eirēneúontesLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Mark 9:50 V-PMA-2PGRK: ἅλα καὶ εἰρηνεύετε ἐν ἀλλήλοις NAS: in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. KJV: yourselves, and have peace one with INT: salt and be at peace with one another Romans 12:18 V-PPA-NMP 2 Corinthians 13:11 V-PMA-2P 1 Thessalonians 5:13 V-PMA-2P Strong's Greek 1514 |