Understanding εἰρήνη (eirēnē) Strong’s G1515: The Divine Peace that Transcends Circumstances and Reflects God’s Shalom

Pronunciation Guide: ay-RAY-nay (with the stress on the second syllable)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1515: εἰρήνη (eirēnē) describes a state of tranquility, harmony, and well-being that comes from right relationship with God and others. It is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of wholeness, completeness, and divine order. This peace transcends circumstances and reflects the Hebrew concept of שָׁלוֹם (shalom), encompassing prosperity, safety, and spiritual contentment.

Etymology and Morphology

• Noun (feminine)
• From the verb εἴρω (eirō), meaning “to join, tie together”
• Indo-European root *ser- (“to join, bind together”)
• Predominantly used in narrative and epistolary literature
• Appears in benedictions, greetings, and theological teachings
• Often paired with χάρις (grace) in Pauline salutations

εἰρήνη Morphology:

• εἰρήνη (nominative singular) – peace
• εἰρήνης (genitive singular) – of peace
• εἰρήνῃ (dative singular) – in/with peace
• εἰρήνην (accusative singular) – peace (direct object)

Origin & History

εἰρήνη has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it primarily denoted a state of national tranquility and absence of war. Thucydides used it in contrast to πόλεμος (polemos, “war”) in his “History of the Peloponnesian War,” describing periods of peace between city-states. In Plato’s “Republic,” εἰρήνη represented an ideal social condition where justice prevailed.

The Septuagint (LXX) significantly expanded the word’s meaning by using it to translate the Hebrew שָׁלוֹם (shalom), which encompasses wholeness, completeness, well-being, and prosperity. This semantic enrichment transformed εἰρήνη from merely “absence of conflict” to a positive state of divine blessing and harmonious relationships. The early Church Fathers, particularly Irenaeus in “Against Heresies,” further developed εἰρήνη as a theological concept representing reconciliation with God through the Messiah and the inner tranquility that results from this restored relationship.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• A state of national tranquility; freedom from war and civil disturbance
• Harmonious relationships between individuals; concord, agreement
• Security, safety, and prosperity in all spheres of life
• Internal peace of mind and heart despite external circumstances
• Peace with God through reconciliation in the Messiah

εἰρήνη Translation Options:

• Peace – Captures the core meaning but may miss the fuller concept of wholeness
• Wholeness – Emphasizes the completeness aspect but underplays the relational dimension
• Harmony – Highlights the relational aspects but may miss the divine origin
• Well-being – Reflects the comprehensive nature but may secularize the concept
• Tranquility – Emphasizes the emotional state but may neglect the objective reality

Biblical Usage

εἰρήνη appears 92 times in the New Testament, often in theological contexts that expand its meaning beyond secular Greek usage. It frequently appears in greetings (Romans 1:7) and benedictions (Philippians 4:7), signifying God’s favor and blessing. The apostle Paul develops εἰρήνη as a central theological concept, presenting it as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and a result of justification by faith (Romans 5:1).

In Yeshua’s teachings, εἰρήνη is presented as a distinctive gift that He gives to His disciples, different from what the world offers (John 14:27). This divine peace is not dependent on circumstances but transcends them, guarding believers’ hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). It is both a present reality and an eschatological hope, pointing to the full restoration of all things.

• “And if the house is worthy, let your peace [εἰρήνη] come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.” Matthew 10:13
• “Peace I leave with you; My peace [εἰρήνη] 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.” John 14:27
• “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace [εἰρήνη] with God through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.” Romans 5:1
• “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace [εἰρήνη], patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” Galatians 5:22
• “And the peace [εἰρήνη] of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Messiah Yeshua.” Philippians 4:7
• “For He Himself is our peace [εἰρήνη], who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.” Ephesians 2:14
• “Now may the Lord of peace [εἰρήνη] Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the greeting “Shalom aleichem” (peace be upon you) was not merely a casual hello but a profound blessing invoking God’s presence and favor. When Yeshua instructed His disciples to pronounce peace upon homes they visited (Matthew 10:13), He was invoking this cultural practice with deeper spiritual significance. The disciples were not merely offering good wishes but extending God’s presence and blessing to receptive households.

The concept of εἰρήνη/shalom in Jewish thought was deeply connected to the messianic hope. The prophets foretold a coming “Prince of Peace” (שַׂר־שָׁלוֹם, Sar-Shalom) who would establish universal peace (Isaiah 9:6-7). This messianic peace would not be merely political but would encompass right relationship with God, harmonious social relations, and the restoration of all creation. When Paul declares that “He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14), he is identifying Yeshua as the fulfillment of this messianic expectation.

Theological Significance

εἰρήνη represents a cornerstone of biblical soteriology, revealing God’s heart to restore harmony to a broken world. The Messiah’s work on the cross established peace between God and humanity, reconciling us to the Father (Colossians 1:19-20). This divine peace is not earned through human effort but received as a gift through faith, demonstrating God’s grace and the sufficiency of Yeshua’s atoning work.

εἰρήνη also reveals God’s character as the “God of peace” (ὁ θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης) who desires wholeness and harmony for His creation. This peace extends beyond individual salvation to encompass reconciliation between divided groups (Ephesians 2:14-18) and the eventual restoration of all creation (Romans 8:18-22). The eschatological dimension of εἰρήνη points to God’s ultimate purpose to establish His kingdom of peace, where all discord, suffering, and brokenness will be healed. This grand vision of cosmic peace testifies to God’s omnipotence in bringing perfect harmony out of chaos and division.

Personal Application

Understanding εἰρήνη challenges us to experience peace not as a fleeting emotion but as a profound reality rooted in our relationship with God. When facing anxiety, conflict, or turmoil, we can practice “peace-thinking” by shifting our focus from circumstances to our identity in the Messiah. Philippians 4:6-7 offers a practical pathway: replacing anxiety with prayer and thanksgiving, which activates God’s peace as a guard for our hearts and minds.

As bearers of God’s εἰρήνη, we are called to be peacemakers in a fractured world. This involves actively seeking reconciliation in broken relationships, standing against injustice, and creating spaces of shalom where God’s wholeness can be experienced. The transformative power of εἰρήνη enables us to respond to conflict not with retaliation but with the supernatural peace that reflects God’s character and testifies to His presence in our lives.

Related Words

• γαλήνη (galēnē) – calm, especially of the sea; represents a peaceful state of nature rather than a spiritual condition or relationship. See G1055
• ἡσυχία (hēsychia) – quietness, stillness; emphasizes the absence of disturbance or noise rather than positive well-being. See G2271
• ὁμόνοια (homonoia) – unity of mind, concord; focuses on harmonious thinking and agreement rather than the comprehensive wholeness of εἰρήνη. See G3675
• καταλλαγή (katallagē) – reconciliation; represents the process leading to peace rather than the state itself. See G2643
• σωτηρία (sōtēria) – salvation, deliverance; encompasses rescue from various dangers, while εἰρήνη focuses on the positive state resulting from such deliverance. See G4991

Did you Know?

• Did you know that in ancient Greek diplomatic language, εἰρήνη was often used to describe peace treaties between warring nations? The famous “Peace of Nicias” in 421 BCE (described by Thucydides) temporarily halted the Peloponnesian War. When Paul speaks of Yeshua making peace between Jews and Gentiles in Ephesians 2:14-16, he’s using language that would evoke these historical peace treaties, suggesting a divine diplomacy that far surpasses human efforts at reconciliation.
• Did you know that the Hebrew concept of שָׁלוֹם (shalom) that stands behind εἰρήνη extends to physical well-being and prosperity? In ancient Jewish culture, to ask about someone’s shalom meant inquiring about their health, family, livelihood, and spiritual state. This holistic understanding illuminates passages like 3 John 1:2, where the prayer for prosperity and health is connected to the soul’s well-being—a comprehensive vision of peace that encompasses every aspect of human experience.
• Did you know that εἰρήνη became a powerful counter-cultural concept in the early church? While the Roman Empire prided itself on the “Pax Romana” (Roman Peace)—a peace maintained through military conquest and domination—early believers proclaimed a different kind of peace through Yeshua. This divine εἰρήνη was not imposed by force but received through faith, not dependent on political circumstances but transcending them. Early Christian communities, living under Roman oppression, experienced this supernatural peace as a testimony to God’s greater kingdom.

Remember This

εἰρήνη is not merely freedom from conflict but the active presence of God’s wholeness, making us complete in the Messiah and empowering us to bring divine harmony to a broken world.