1514. eiréneuó
Lexical Summary
eiréneuó: To be at peace, to live in peace, to keep peace

Original Word: εἰρηνεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: eiréneuó
Pronunciation: ay-ray-NYOO-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (i-rane-yoo'-o)
KJV: be at (have, live in) peace, live peaceably
NASB: live in peace, peace
Word Origin: [from G1515 (εἰρήνη - peace)]

1. to be (act) peaceful

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 Origin
from 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: εἰρηνεύω

εἰρηνεύω; (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”).
2. 2 Corinthians 13:11: “Live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” Peace here is both the command and the promised presence of God, linking obedience with divine fellowship.
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:13: “Live in peace with one another.” Sandwiched between instructions on honoring leaders and admonishing the idle, the plea underscores peace as the glue of congregational life.

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.
• Worship: “Peace with one another” qualifies believers to offer gifts at the altar (Matthew 5:23-24). Regular self-examination before the Lord’s Supper furthers congregational harmony.
• Leadership: Pastors and elders model peace by gentle instruction (2 Timothy 2:24-25) and by mediating conflicts with impartiality (James 3:17-18).
• Mission: A peaceful community validates the gospel before a watching world (John 13:35), while peaceful relationships with outsiders remove stumbling blocks to faith (1 Peter 3:15-16).

Personal Application and Spiritual Formation

Believers cultivate peace through:

1. Prayerful dependence on the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
2. Deliberate reconciliation efforts—initiating dialogue, offering forgiveness, and bearing with weaknesses (Colossians 3:13).
3. Guarding speech, for “a gentle answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1).
4. Practicing contentment and trust in God’s providence, which disarms envy and rivalry (Philippians 4:6-7).

Related Concepts and Complementary Texts

• Peacemakers blessed (Matthew 5:9).
• Christ’s peace ruling hearts (Colossians 3:15).
• God of peace sanctifying wholly (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

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 eirēneúontes
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Englishman's Concordance
Mark 9:50 V-PMA-2P
GRK: 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
GRK: πάντων ἀνθρώπων εἰρηνεύοντες
NAS: as it depends on you, be at peace with all
KJV: you, live peaceably with
INT: all men being at peace

2 Corinthians 13:11 V-PMA-2P
GRK: αὐτὸ φρονεῖτε εἰρηνεύετε καὶ ὁ
NAS: be like-minded, live in peace; and the God
KJV: mind, live in peace; and
INT: same mind [be of] be at peace and the

1 Thessalonians 5:13 V-PMA-2P
GRK: ἔργον αὐτῶν εἰρηνεύετε ἐν ἑαυτοῖς
NAS: of their work. Live in peace with one another.
KJV: work's sake. [And] be at peace among
INT: work of them Be at peace among yourselves

Strong's Greek 1514
4 Occurrences


εἰρηνεύετε — 3 Occ.
εἰρηνεύοντες — 1 Occ.

1513b
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