What is Peace?

Hebrew = Shalom
Greek = Eirene

What's the
opposite of Peace?

Anxiety/Worry =
 Merimna
 

Be anxious =
Merimnao

How did we lose
peace with God?

The "big" answer? Romans 5:12 (note) "through one man sin entered into the world & death through sin & so death spread to all men, because all sinned"

Sin brought spiritual death (& later physical death) the ultimate "disturbance of our peace" oneness & harmony between God & man. Unconfessed sin always results in disturbed peace (Pr 28:13, Ps 32:1-6 = Spurgeon v3, v4, v5, v6, Pr 3:7-8)
 

How do we lose
the peace OF God?

Let's look at Israel's example in Judges 6 & what we learn about man & about God. Israel is a "picture" of our rebellious flesh, so as Paul teaches there is great value in observing Israel's actions & God's interactions with them. [Click]

What's the context of Judges?

Judges is a "good" bad example to remember & is summed up in Jdg 21:25 -note (cf Jdg 17:6 - note, Pr 29:18)
 

"In those days there was NO KING in Israel. EVERYONE did what was right in his OWN eyes." (cp Isa 53:6)

How did this happen to Israel who was to be holy as God is holy?

Short Sad Summary:
(See notes Judges 2:10; 11; 12; 13) After Joshua's death...
 

"A generation...arose who...did not know (1) Jehovah  (His Person) or the (2) work which He had done for Israel (His Power) & in  (see note Judges 3:7)  they "forgot the LORD their God".

THEN Israel...

"did evil in sight of Jehovah & served Baals (see note Judges 2:11), they "Provoked Jehovah to anger" (see note Judges 2:12)" & "they forsook Jehovah & served Baal & the Ashtaroth" (see note Judges 2:13)

IN SUM: Israel FORGOT God's PERSON and POWER, FORSOOK Him & begin to FEAR other gods who are no gods at all.  A new generation arose which forgot Him Who, as Jehovah‑jireh, had provided redemption from bondage in Egypt through the blood of the Passover Lamb, and with great and mighty wonders had led them out. They were no longer mindful of Him who, as Jehovah‑rophe, had healed their sicknesses and sorrows.

They suffered defeats because they turned their backs upon Him who, as Jehovah‑nissi, had been their banner of victory in trial and struggle. They would not sanctify themselves to Him who, as Jehovah‑M'Kaddesh, had sanctified them to His cause, but they corrupted themselves with idolatries and their abominations. Thus they lost their purity, peace, prosperity, and liberty.
 

Nathan Stone in Names of God writes "Israel could not appear to realize its destiny as a special & separate people, set apart to Jehovah's service & purpose in the midst of the [pagan] nations. They seemed unable to rise above a material conception and plane of living. To live, to multiply, to inherit the land ‑ this seemed to them a sufficient fulfillment of their function, an error common to this very day. It is not difficult to understand, then, the attraction of the grossly materialistic gods of the heathen for them. Without a sense of mission there was no common purpose of uniting as one people. Without spiritual vision they fell an easy prey to the appetites & lusts of the flesh. Every apostasy brought punishment & misery ‑ a chastening of Jehovah to awaken them to their spiritual calling....Every succeeding apostasy called for even severer chastening by means of the surrounding nations ‑ chastenings which not only deprived them of the fruits of their land and labors, but brought them into slavery. Without obedience to Jehovah they had no right to the land. His people must be more than mere tillers of the soil & dressers of vineyards (in any age); otherwise they should not enjoy the land. They tilled & planted, but they did not reap. As Jehovah had sown spiritual seed in their hearts, & they had allowed their idolatrous neighbors to trample & tear it out by the imitation of their corrupt idolatries, so now these same heathen embittered & endangered Israel's physical existence."

Lv 26 background for Jdg 6:1-24 Clear Instructions for Peace

Lev 26:1-6 Do "not make for yourselves idols -keep My Sabbaths & reverence My sanctuary (Why?) I am the LORD

What was the condition
& God's promise?

Lev 26:3 'IF you WALK in My statutes & KEEP My commandments so as to CARRY them out" (v4) THEN [PROSPERITY] I shall give you rains in their season so that the land will yield its produce [PEACE] (v5-6) will...live securely...I shall grant PEACE in the land so that you may lie down with no one making you tremble.
[POWER] (v7) will chase enemies

What is the immediate context of Judges 6?

When? After 40 yr of peace - this peace was based on external circumstances of no war but one wonders if most of Israel had a peace with & of God?

What? Israel did evil in sight of LORD

Result? God gave Israel > hands of Midian  & they prevailed against Israel & were like locusts (description) > innumerable & devastation as far as Gaza (map ~ the point is that entire promised land was ravaged). Compare God's prophetic warnings in (Dt 28:30, 33, 51)

How did Israel respond?

Hid in dens, caves, strongholds - repetition intensifies the depth of their fear (instead of running to hide in the cleft of the Rock of their salvation they ran to the rocks & clefts cf Dt 32:4,15,18)

What is the picture?
...the result?

...the reaction?

Fear, anxiety, terror = loss of peace Doing evil (sin) in the sight of God (Judges 6:1 [note]) will disturb peace

Result = Israel brought low (see Ps106:43 - Spurgeon's note)

Reaction = Israel cried out to LORD

Comment: "brought...low" is translated in Greek Septuagint by a word which means to "lead the life of a beggar"! Here were the children of the King in the land of plenty flowing with milk & honey & yet because of their stiff necked disobedience they were reduced to live like mere paupers. Israel is a picture of our flesh, so the question to all believers is - "Am I living  like a beggar?" or "Am I experiencing life "abundantly" (click definition) in Christ (Jn 10:10b)  which is God's will for all His children? God will not force us to obey Him for He desires that our obedience (which is a manifestation of our faith) come from a heart of love not legalism. (cf Jn 14:15).

What does Isa 57:20-21 teach about peace?

What are we to do when we are worried, troubled, distressed, afraid?
Click for supplementary notes

I rest beneath the Almighty’s shade,
My griefs expire, my troubles cease;
Thou, Lord, on Whom my soul is stayed,
Wilt keep me still in perfect peace.
- Charles Wesley

 

How do we
obtain God's peace?

"Grace & PEACE be multiplied to you in the KNOWLEDGE of God & of Jesus our Lord seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life & godliness, through the TRUE KNOWLEDGE of Him Who called us by His own glory & excellence." (see notes 2 Peter 1:2; 1:3) (Click note)

Peter (who experienced great disturbance of peace) teaches that God's peace comes from true, experiential (not just theoretical) knowledge of the Source of peace, God & Jesus our Lord

How did God
Answer Israel's cry?

(1) God Sent His Word via  prophet (see notes Judges 6:7-10, contrast Lam 2:14) and reminded them - He had brought the UP from Egypt, OUT from slavery & Delivered from hand of ALL oppressors & Dispossessed & gave them the land. But despite all God did for them, they did not obey (they did fear the Amorite gods) (cf summary notes Judges 2:1-3, 2:11-13; 17, 19). This was meant to be a "wake up" call.

2) THEN God sent "The Word" (see note Revelation 19:13) The Angel of the LORD > Gideon (see >100 Names of Christ )

Where did the
Angel find Gideon?

Threshing was generally on an elevated location & not in a winepress  - undoubtedly reflects Gideon's fear to stay out of view of marauding Midianites. Keep this context in mind as you see what the Angel of the LORD says to Gideon.

What are His commands & promises?

Judges 6:12 (note) Jehovah is w/ you O valiant warrior

So here we see: (1) God's presence promised (2) Gideon's potential prophesied

Judges 6:14 (note)  "Go in this your strength & deliver" (LXX= sozo = save) Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?"

Judges 6:16 (note) "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man."

(Another way to translate v16 is "I Am is with you")

Judges 6:23 (note) "PEACE to you, do not fear. You shall not die."

God recognizes in Gideon something that Gideon does not see himself. God sees our potential. He sees us for what we can become, as He works in our lives. He is in the business of taking "nobodies" (cf 1Sa 16:7)  & transforming them by His presence in their lives. He begins with us where we are be it in the winepress or on some mundane job, etc. He knows our weaknesses, our faults, our shortcomings but He does not say "If you get those things out of your life, then I'll be able to use you." He takes our inadequacy and transforms it by His adequacy (cf 2Co 12:9-10, see Spurgeon)

God sees beyond our fears & frailties. God does not save us & use us for what we are but for what by His grace we may become in Christ.

What are Gideon's responses?

Judges 6:13 (note) "O my lord, IF the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt ?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian."

Had God abandoned them? Do you ever feel like Gideon?

Note Gideon's ignorance of...
(1) Who He is speaking with - he calls Him "lord" or adon = title used to convey respect 

(2) God's ways. Remember that "peace" is multiplied in a true knowledge (see 2 Peter 1:2 -see note), not in ignorance which helps understand why Gideon is fearful & does not have peace independent of the circumstances.

Judges 6:15 (note)  "O Lord (Gideon still does not recognize Who the Angel is) how shall I deliver Israel ? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, & I am the youngest in my father's house."

Note Gideon's myopic vision - he looks at the visible not at Jehovah's omnipotence. Aren't we all a little like Gideon, with a tendency to look at the impossibility of the task, forgetting to look at the potency of our sovereign God. Stated another way, when we like Gideon question our suitability for any God-given task, we are actually questioning God's choice of us & His ability to use us as He chooses. When God sends us, He has already assured us that he will be with us & give us the power to accomplish the assignment.

Judges 6:17 (note) "If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who speak with me.'

Gideon's eyes begin to open to recognize the LORD Who agrees to show him a sign.

God meets us where we are.

Judges 6:22 (note) When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the LORD (note), he said, "Alas, O Lord GOD ! For now * I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face." 23 The LORD said to him, "Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die."

Gideon feared for his life in God's presence. He may have known of God's warning to Moses in Ex 33:20 "no man can see Me & live!" In any event Gideon displays a reasonable response of sinful man in the presence of holy God, an attitude that is all too lacking in modern man. But again God meets his need by speaking peace to him.

Judges 6:24 (note) Then Gideon built an altar there to Jehovah & named it the LORD IS PEACE. (Jehovah Shalom) (LXX = Eirene Kuriou)

This act would memorialize this event in Gideon's mind for there would be times in the near future when he needed to remember that Jehovah Shalom was with him to give him peace & wholeness even in the most distressing, impossible circumstances.

When confronted with the storms of life, do you recall the times in your life when God said "Peace to you"?

Who is prophesied
in Isaiah 9:6?

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us & the government will rest on His shoulders & His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace" (Note)

Keep in mind the
OT "altar"
foreshadows the
NT "cross"

JEHOVAH SHALOM
IS OUR
LORD JESUS CHRIST

He is the Prince of Peace promised in the Old Testament (Isa. 9:6). Before His birth Zacharias announced Him as the Dayspring ("Sunrise" NASB) from on high who had visited His people "to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Lu 1:78, 79), while at His birth a multitude of the heavenly host sang "peace on earth" (Lu 2:14). Jesus also preached & promised peace. To a woman He had healed He said "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."  (Lu 7:50) & to another "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." (Lu 8:48) How He wept over Jerusalem which would reject Him, saying: "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace ! But now they have been hidden from your eyes." (Luke 19:42). His first words to His fearful disciples after rising from the dead are, "Peace be with you." (Jn 20:19,21)

The burden of Peter's first message to the Gentiles was "the preaching (of) peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)" (Acts 10:36). Paul adds that Jesus "came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh" (see note Eph 2:17). He accomplished that peace for us. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," (Ro 5:1[note]). "...While we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son (Ro 5:10 [note]), for "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself," (2 Cor 5:19) continues Paul, "through Him (Jesus) to reconcile all things to Himself, having made PEACE through the blood of His Cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Col 1:20 [note]). By His own precious blood He broke down the barrier of sin that stood between us and God and opened for us that new and living way into the holiest of all (Heb 10:19-23). And we who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ may enter there with boldness in the full assurance of a perfect reconciliation and peace. But the measure or degree of our sanctification to Him and our continued trust in Him (manifest by our obedience) is the measure of our peace in Him (Read that sentence again for it is the key to the unbroken peace OF God). "The peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." says the apostle (Php 4:7 [note]), but he suggests in Php 4:6 (note) that it depends on the measure of our trust, and in Php 4:9 (note)  on the measure of our obedience ("Practice [continuously] these things").

In Colossians 3:15 (note) Paul tells us we are to "Let the peace of Christ rule (act like an umpire calling "peace" or "no peace") in your hearts".

For to be spiritually minded or have one's "mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Ro 8:6 [note]), and many believers are often more or less focused on fleshly desires, which is to lack that peace. Peace is one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22 [note]), 'the Spirit Who sanctifies us" (2Th 2:13, 1 Pe 1:2 [note]). Paul prays that "the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely & may your spirit & soul & body be preserved complete, (in His peace) without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1Th 5:23 [note]). Through Jesus our Jehovah Shalom, we have peace WITH God. He is also to us the peace OF God. There is no hope of peace apart from Him either for individuals or nations. First comes righteousness (including a walk of obedience or holiness) then comes peace. To this eternal maxim both Old and New Testaments give clear witness. For example, "the work of righteousness (doing what is right, obeying, living a holy life) will be peace, & the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever" (Isa 32: 17). The the only righteousness acceptable to God is the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ and those upon whom He bestows it through their faith (manifest by obedience) in Him. Those who are not thus righteous do not know the "PATH OF PEACE" (see notes Ro 3:11, 17). That mysterious type of Christ, Melchizedek, is first "king of righteousness, & then also king of Salem, which is king of peace" (Heb 7:2 [note]). It is "Glory to God in the highest, & (then) on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." (Luke 2:14). First righteousness, then peace.

Col 1:19 (note) For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him (Christ), 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made PEACE through the blood of His Cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach

Eph 2:14 (note) For He Himself (Christ) is our PEACE, who made both groups (Jew & Gentile) into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, (click here for discussion of this wall) 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing PEACE, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, (Gentiles) & PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; (Jews)

Wayne Barber's sermons on... Eph 2:11-15: Christ Author of our Peace; Eph 2:15-18: Christ Author of Peace -2

Click sermon by Ray Stedman

How is His peace characterized?

Jn 14:27 PEACE I leave with you; My PEACE I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (See comment)

Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always

Jn 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have PEACE. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

What is key to
God's inner peace
according to  Lev 26:1-6?

"'IF you walk in My statutes & keep My commandments so as to carry them out..."

Obedience is the key to His blessing, His peace & His presence. Leviticus was the Old Covenant but now the law is written on our hearts and we have the Holy Spirit Who enables us to walk in His statutes under grace not under law.

Compare the blessing in

Jn 14:21."He who has My commandments & keeps them is the one who loves Me & he who loves Me will be loved by My Father & I will love him & will disclose (manifest, come into view, appear) Myself to him."

Who will disclose Himself to the one who is obedient? Jesus, our Jehovah Shalom & in His presence we will experience His peace which surpasses understanding.

In Judges 6:6 (note) what did Israel do when they lost their peace?

Cried out to Jehovah BUT NOT because of their SIN against Jehovah but because of Midian (see notes Jdg 6:6; 6:7) God still heard & responded! (= Mercy - not giving us what we deserve)

When we are in distress an appropriate response is to "cry out" to Jehovah Shalom.

What must we do to obtain peace from Jehovah Shalom?

Romans 5:1 (note) Therefore, having been justified (declared righteous) BY FAITH, we have PEACE with God through our LORD JESUS CHRIST - our JEHOVAH SHALOM

The "secret" of genuine peace WITH God is found in trusting Christ, not just the first time but every day for the "rest" (pun intended) of our life, this latter trust manifesting itself in obedience and the ongoing sense of the peace OF God. (See Devotional Real Peace)

What's the promise
in Ps 119:165?.

Great peace have those who love (continually, LXX: agapao) God's law & nothing causes them to stumble (LXX : skandalon) (Spurgeon's note)

What's the promise
& condition in Isaiah 26:3?

The STEADFAST (undeviating) of mind Thou will keep in PERFECT PEACE (shalom shalom), because he TRUSTS in Thee. 4 "Trust in the LORD forever, for in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock (KJV marginal note translates it as "the Rock of ages").

It was from this latter expression that Augustus Toplady got the idea for one of the greatest hymns in the English language, Rock of Ages. Seeking shelter in a cleft in a rocky crag during a violent thunderstorm he experienced peace, safety, & shelter from the storm just as believers do today when they learn to run into the Strong Tower of Jehovah Shalom.

Steadfast mind (click for brief discussion of "steadfast") = means to lean on God in total confidence & security & TRUST is the ultimate expression of that confidence. The Object of that trust is Jehovah (Who gives Shalom Shalom)  (See Devotional) (Play and ponder the words of the hymn "Peace, Perfect Peace" based on Isa 26:3. See devotional).

Peace Perfect Peace
(play hymn)
Peace, perfect peace – in this dark world of sin? The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.

Peace, perfect peace – by thronging duties pressed?
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.

Peace, perfect peace– w sorrows surging round?
On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is found.

Peace, perfect peace – w loved ones far away?
In Jesus’ keeping we are safe, and they.

Peace, perfect peace – our future all unknown? Jesus we know, and He is on the throne

How does Paul tell us
we can experience peace
in Php4:6-9?

Philippians 4:6 (note) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (4:7 note)  And the PEACE of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Jehovah Shalom) 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of PEACE (Jehovah Shalom) will be with you. (Php 4:8-9 note)

Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen Ro15:33

Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all ! 2Th 3:16

From Paul's prayers (above) for peace what common denominator brings peace?

The presence of Jehovah Shalom --the "God of peace be with you" the "Lord of peace...be with you"

RESOURCES ON "PEACE"

Peace is Ultimately
a Person

If you are not experiencing the peace of Christ because of stress, this booklet from Radio Bible Class may be just what your Great Physician has prescribed to facilitate

Surviving the Storms of Stress

How Can A Parent Find Peace Of Mind? booklet takes "a look at what our heavenly Father has said about what it takes for troubled parents to find peace of mind."

When we keep our MIND focused on the Lord of Peace, He gives us His peace of MIND for as a man thinks in his heart so he is.

Torrey's Topics  "Spiritual Peace" &  Peace": both link to NASB references which are subdivided into several categories to facilitate learning how God's Word characterizes peace.

Jehovah Shalom
in the Trinity

God the Father

“God of peace” (Heb 13:20)

God the Son

“Prince of peace” (Isaiah 9:6)

God the Spirit

“Spirit...of peace” (Eph 4:3).

The Puritan Thomas Watson wrote that...

The godly man, when he dies, “enters into peace” (Isa 57:2); but while he lives, peace must enter into him.

“Safety consists not in the absence of danger but in the presence of God.”

Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always.

Since the beginning of recorded history, the entire world has been at peace less than 8% of the time! Of 3530 years of recorded history, only 286 years saw peace. Moreover, in excess of 8000 peace treaties were made & broken. During this period there were 14,351 wars, large & small, in which 3.64 billion people were killed.

The Source of Peace

Peace with God (Ro 5:1 note)
God of peace (Ro 15:33,

16:20, Php 4:9, 1Th 5:23, Heb 13:20)
The peace of God (Phil 4:7 note)
The Lord of peace (2Th 3:16)

In 1555, Nicholas Ridley was burned at the stake because of his witness for Christ. On the night before Ridley's execution, his brother offered to remain with him in the prison chamber to be of assistance and comfort. Nicholas declined the offer and replied that he meant to go to bed and sleep as quietly as ever he did in his life. Because he knew the peace of God, he could rest in the strength of the everlasting arms of his Lord to meet his need. So can we!

Two kinds
of Peace

1. Experiential (Phil 4:7 note)—day by day experience of the believer, can be forfeited.

2. Judicial (Ro 5:1 note)—The war with God is over.

A person can experience # (2) & not #(1). Example of WWII Japanese who hid for years in jungles, long after peace was established between the warring nations.

Matthew Henry wrote that...

Peace is such a precious jewel, that I would give anything for it but truth.

Grace and Peace by J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M.

Facing the Future: A Prescription for Peace (John 14) by Bob Deffinbaugh

Peace Like a River by Richard Strauss

CLICK MORE NOTES ON JEHOVAH SHALOM

Shalom means much more than the cessation of violence & hostility. There is considerable difference between  peace and a truce. Former President Herbert Hoover understood this truth as show by his statement that "Peace is not made at the Council table or by treaties, but in the hearts of men." There is no single English word that can truly convey the richness of the meaning of shalom. The general meaning behind the root sh-l-m is of completion & fulfillment & thus of entering into a state of wholeness & unity (oneness) signified by a restored relationship, especially wholeness of the relationship between a person and God.  Shalom signifies a sense of well-being & harmony both within and without, health, happiness, quietness of soul, preservation, prosperity, tranquility, security, safety and includes all that makes life worthwhile. Shalom also conveys the sense of being at peace with God and involves more than forgiveness of sin, in that fullness of life, prosperity, and peace with men is the expected result of shalom. In narrative books shalom typically is used to describe an absence of hostility or strife. In the psalms and the prophets it goes beyond this, so that in at least 2/3 of the biblical references shalom indicates a total fulfillment that comes when individuals experience God’s presence.

Shalom is used as a greeting and also as a way of inquiring after someone’s state of being & to want the very best for him in life. To be at peace is to be happy, to be whole, to be right with God, fellow humans, and creation. Peace is the opposite of the rivalry, instability, and division brought by envy and ambition. Shalom is still used today in Israel in greeting & thus wishing one another well, saying in essence "may all things be prosperous with you." Someone has well said that "Peace in the Jewish sense is the symphony of life made meaningful through a right relationship with God." (New Geneva study Bible: Thomas Nelson: Nashville) Shalom always means everything which makes for a man’s highest good.. In the east when one man says shalom to another, he does not mean that he wishes for the other man only the absence of evil things; he wishes for him the presence of all good things. In the Bible peace means not only freedom from all trouble; it means enjoyment of all good.

The Greeks greeted one another with "Grace!" but the Jewish NT writers went one step further in addressing one of the deepest needs of every man by adding "peace" in many of their introductions, substituting "eirene" (see below) for "shalom" (17x). One commentator has said that the combination of "grace & peace" is in one sense "in miniature, the gospel for the whole world." (MacDonald, W. Believer's Bible Commentary). The essence of the gospel is "grace, therefore peace". Through the gospel we are all brought under His grace and therefore have peace with Him & peace within. The gospel is not so much about “not fighting” but about wholeness of life (shalom) as God intended it.

R. C. Sproul comments...

Shalom...first of all means an interlude of safety from the ravages of warfare. The insecurity that comes from war made its mark on these (Hebrew) people. They looked for the day when the swords would be beaten into plowshares (Micah 4:3). The Old Testament concept of peace ascends into a theological vision. It is a vision of a new relationship between God and us, and with each other: a relationship of friendship. In sin we are estranged from God (Ge 3:8-10, see notes on Romans 5:12), but in Christ we have peace with God....The fruit of peace with God is peace with others (see note Galatians 5:22)....Too often we desire to be the recipients of joy and peace. We wait for it to come to us through other people and circumstances. However, Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” (see note Mt 5:9) suggesting we should initiate peace. Anticipate how you can actively bring peace and joy to a situation, relationship, or task. (Sproul, R.: Before the face of God )

It is surely no accident that God named His holy city "Jerusalem". The meaning of "Jerusalem" is somewhat debated, especially the first part ("jerus-") which many feel means ‘foundation’. There is more agreement on the second part of the name as a cognate of the word "shalom". Thus Jerusalem is variously translated in modern evangelical references as "city of peace", “possession of peace,” “foundation of peace” "founded peaceful" , and "city of wholeness".  How wonderful that believers shall one day dwell in the "New Jerusalem" (Rev 3:12, 21:2)  eternally at peace and oneness with our great God and Father through Jesus Christ our Lord..

The Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology has a nice summary of shalom:

"The biblical concept of peace...rests heavily on the Hebrew root "sh-l-m", which means “to be complete” or “to be sound.” The verb conveys both a dynamic and a static meaning—“to be complete or whole” or “to live well.” The noun had many nuances, but can be grouped into four categories:

(1) shalom as wholeness of life or body (i.e., health);

(2) shalom as right relationship or harmony between two parties or people, often established by a covenant (see “covenant of peace” in Num. 25:12–13; Isa 54:10; Ezek. 34:25–26) and, when related to Yahweh, the covenant was renewed or maintained with a “peace offering”;

(3) shalom as prosperity, success, or fulfillment (Lev 26:3–9); and

(4) shalom as victory over one’s enemies or absence of war. Shalom was used in both greetings and farewells. It was meant to act as a blessing on the one to whom it was spoken: “May your life be filled with health, prosperity, and victory.” As an adjective, it expressed completeness and safety. In the New Testament, the Greek word eirene is the word most often translated by the word “peace.” Although there is some overlap in their meanings, the Hebrew word shalom is broader in its usage, and, in fact, has greatly influenced the New Testaments use of eirene."

Nathan Stone in his work Names of God (recommended) has some great insights on Peace or Shalom:

"This word is one of the most significant in the Old Testament, its various shades of meaning harmonizing with the doctrine of the atonement as the basis of peace with God. It is translated sometimes as "whole," as in Dt 27:6: "Thou shalt build the altar of Jehovah thy God of whole ["uncut" in NASB] stones." As "finished" the same word is used in Da 5:26: "God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it ["put an end" NASB]." So Solomon "finished" the temple (I Ki 9:25). As "full" it is used in Ge 15:16: "The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. ["complete" in NASB]" It is used in the sense of making good a loss and is translated as "make good" in Exodus 21:34; 22:5, 6, and in other similar passages in the laws of Israel relating to losses inflicted by carelessness. Thus also it is translated as restitution or repay. In the physical and material sense of wholeness or completeness it is translated as "welfare" and "well." In Ge 43:27 Joseph inquires concerning the welfare of his brothers, and using the same word again in the same verse asks if their father is well.. So Joab in 2Sa 20:9, before dealing the treacherous and fatal blow, asks Amasa, "Art thou in health [NASB "well"] my brother?" It is quite frequently used as "render" and "pay" or "perform" in the sense of fulfilling or completing obligations. This is particularly true of vows rendered to the Lord. "pay thy vows unto the most High," says the psalmist (Ps 50:14). "When thou shalt vow a vow unto Jehovah thy God, thou shalt not be slack to pay it: for Jehovah thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee" (Dt. 23:21). On the contrary, "the wicked borroweth and payeth not again" (Ps. 37:21). It is translated "requite" and "recompense" in a few instances. As the One who deals justly and makes right, Jehovah says in Dt 32:35, "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense [shillem]." (Stone, Nathan: Names of God. Moody)

About twenty times shalom is translated "perfect." "Give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart," David asks of Jehovah (1 Chr 29:19). And Solomon echoes this in his own exhortation to the people when the house of the Lord was perfected (shalem): "Let your heart therefore be perfect [shalem] [NASB "wholly devoted"] with Jehovah our God" (1 Ki 8:61); that is, let it be in wholeness or in harmony with God. And this is the basic idea underlying all the various translations of this one Hebrew word‑a harmony of relationship or a reconciliation based upon the completion of a transaction, the payment of a debt, the giving of satisfaction. Therefore this word is most often and most appropriately translated "peace" some 170 times. It expressed the deepest desire and need of the human heart. It represented the greatest measure of contentment and satisfaction in life. Of King ',Solomon it was said that in his reign Judah and Israel I dwelt safely (that is, in confidence and peace), every 'man under his vine and under his fig tree (1 Kings 4:25). It was to be characteristic of the reign of Messiah, the righteous Branch of David, of whom Solomon was typical, that Judah and Israel should dwell safely in peace (Jer. 23:6, cf v17). One of the great names of Messiah was to be "Prince of Peace" (Isa 9:6), and Jeru­salem, Messiah's city, means city of peace or possession of peace. Peace was the most common form of greeting as it is to this day in Bible and even other lands. Finally, it is also, obviously, the word used in "peace offering." The peace offering was one of the blood sacrifices of which the shed blood was the atonement on which reconciliation and peace were based (Lev 3; 7:11‑21). In the peace offering this restoration of fellowship between God and man, broken by sin, but now atoned for by the shed blood, was indicated by the fact that both God and man, priest and people, partook of the offering. The various shades of meaning contained in this word all indicate that every blessing, temporal and spiritual, is included in restoring man to that peace with God which was lost by the fall."