01/06/2022
Part 4
PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE BY CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY TO ALL IS THE BEDROCK OF PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE BY ALL SUNDRY:
" CONTEX OF "PEACE" IN OLD TESTAMENT AND NEW TESTAMENT OR "PEACE" IN BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY OR CHRISTIAN CONTEXT"
To discuss "Peace" from Old Testament and New Testament or Biblical "Peace" or Christian "Peace" contextually. We to remember that we started this discussion from "Part 1 on the topic: "Blasphemy" or law breakers and the punishment needed for offenders. Part 2 has to do with the issue of "Constituted Authority" and Part 3 dealt briefly with the of "Proper Administration of Justice" for "Peace" to reign supreme.
And will continue with the topic "Peace" as the final resort for the series of discussions or write ups from part 1-3.
It is only when there is an offender that the constituted authority both spiritual and temporal or civil authorities will administered proper justice against the offender and that will usher in "Peace" or "Peaceful Coexistence" in every society.
But we need to know what is "Peace" contextually from the Biblical or Christian perspective. With proper administration of justice to all creates the perfect environment for peace to thrive for all sundry. Then what is "Peace" from Biblical or Christian perspective as embedded in the Holy Bible?
In short, peace has a wider usage from the religious or cultural or moral and ethical usages. But what is the Holy Bible saying concerning this powerful word is a necessity for and to all? This what Vine's Expository Dictionary - Expository Dictionary Of Bible Words defines "Peace" thus:
"shalom" 7965 -
shalom is a fairly common term in the Old Testament. It convey the primary sense of "peace," including a number of related meanings, in approximately 250 places.
shalom indicates "peace," first of all as the tranquility of death, a state of restful calm, predicated of godly people (e.g., Gen.15:15; Exod.18:23; 1 Kgs.2:6; 2 Kgs. 22:20).
In a number of places, shalom means "peace" as the equivalent or close synonym for "prosperity" in a material sense (cf. Ps.72:3ff.; Isa. 54:13)....
In majority usage of this term, the translation "peace" expresses the sense of tranquility, or a state of calm without anxiety or stress (cf. Gen. 26:29; 44:17; Lev. 26:6; 2 Sam. 3:23; Ezra 9:12; Ps.122:7ff.; Mic. 5:5)....
shalom is also found in formulae such as the greeting "peace be..." (cf. Gen.43:23; Judg. 6:23; Isa. 57:19). (p. 719).
This is the summary picture of "Peace" that "Vine's Expository Dictionary" gave us from the Old Testament. But let us quote from the Biblical passage from the weeping Prophet Jeremiah who said:
"Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security" (Jeremiah 33:6 NIV).
The commentator from "FIRE BIBLE GLOBAL STUDY EDITION - NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION" blessed us with this excellent definition as we can read thus:
"DEFINITION OF PEACE. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. This term refers to far more than the absence of war, conflict or stress. Shalom's basic meaning is the positive presence of harmony (i.e., unity, cooperation, good relations), wholeness, good purpose, well-being and contentment in all areas of life. (1) Peace can refer to calm and smooth international relationships, such as a peace agreement between nations who had at one time been at war with each other (e.g., 1Sa 7:14; 1Ki 4:24; 1Ch 19:19). (2) It can also refer to the settled and secure feeling that a nation experiences during a time of social and economic prosperity (2Sa 3:21-23; 1Ch 22:9; Ps 122:6-7). (3) Experiencing peace can include unity include unity, cooperation and contentment in human relationships, both inside the home (Pr 17:1; 1Co 7:15) and outside the home (Ro 12:18; Heb 12:14; 1Pe 3:11). (4) It can refer to one's personal sense of wholeness and well-being, including freedom from anxiety and fear. This might be called peace within one's own soul (Ps 4:8; 119:165; cf. Job 3:26) and with God (Nu 6:26; Ro 5:1). (5) Even though the word "shalom" is not used in Ge 1-2, shalom describes the original created world that existed in perfect harmony and wholeness. When God created the heavens and the earth, he created a world at peace. The total well-being of creation is reflected in the statement: "God saw all that he had made, and it very good" (1:31)....
Knowing that Christ came as the Prince of Peace does not automatically bring peace to our lives. Experiencing peace with God requires that we be united with Christ by faith. The first step is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. This "belief" is more than just an intellectual agreement or acceptance. It is an active trust by which a person accepts Christ's sacrifice for sins and surrenders control of his or her life to Christ's leadership. A person who responds to Christ in this way is forgiven and justified (i.e., made right with God) through faith (Ro 3:21-28; 4:1-13; Gal 2:16;.... Along with faith, we must follow God's guidelines and obey his command in order to live in peace (Lev 26:3,6). The OT prophets declared over and over that there is no real peace for the wicked (Is 57:21; 59:8; Her 6:14; 8:11; Eze 13:10,16). In order that we may continually experience God's peace, he has given us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit develops the holy character and purposes of God in us, which include God's peace (Gal5:22; cf. To 14:17; Eph 4:3). With the Spirit's help,we must pray for peace (Ps 122:6-7; Jer 29:7; 2Ti 2:22; 1Pe 3:11) and do our best to live peace with others (Ro 12:18; 2Co 13:11; 1Th 5:13; Heb 12:14). (pp.1337-1338).
This is the wonderful, powerful, physical, spiritual, ethical, moral context of unending peace for humankind from the Biblical or Christian perspective from this wonderful and powerful commentary.
Matthew Henry commented on Jeremiah 33:6 thus:
"..... Peace stands here for all good; peace and truth are peace according to the promise and in pursuance of that: or peace and truth are peace and the true religion, peace and the true worship of God, in opposition to the many falsehood and deceit by which they had been led away from God. We may apply it more generally, and observe, (1) That peace and truth are the great subject-matter of divine revelation. These promises here lead us to the gospel of Christ, and in that God has revealed to us peace and truth, the method of true peace - truth to direct us, peace to make us easy. Grace and truth, and abundance of both, come by Jesus Christ. Peace and truth are the life of the soul, and Christ came that we might have that life, and might have it more abundantly. Christ rules by the power of truth (John 18:37) and by it he gives abundance of peace, Ps. 72:7; 85:10. (2) That the divine revelation of peace and truth brings health and cure to all those that by faith receive it: it heals the soul of the diseases it has contracted, as it is a means of sanctification, John 17:17. (pp. 487-488).
From all indications the context of "Peace" in Old Testament originated anywhere apart from God as the originator or the author of peace, centralized in Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6 and the Holy Spirit of God is there to guide, counsel us in the path of peace always.
Similarly, "Peace" in New Testament is not different from the context of "Peace" in Old Testament as "Vine's Expository Dictionary - Expository Dictionary Of Bible Words" stated thus:
"eirene" 7961 -
eirene is a close dynamic equivalent to the Hebrew term shalom (see above), meaning "peace" in virtually all of its ninety occurrences. As with shalom above, eirene is found in a number of varying contexts.
eirene indicates "peace" first of all as a blessing, greetings, or farewell salution to individuals, coming from human beings (cf. Matt.10:13; John 20:19ff.); from Christ (cf. Mark 5:33; John 20:19; Rev. 1:4);....
eirene also refers to "peace" as a state of tranquility, an absence of conflict among people. It is given as a blessing from God through the person of Christ (cf. Luke 2:14; Ro. 2:10; 15:13).....
The phrase "at peace" refers to the safety and security of property in Luke 11:21. Peace, with reference to the cessation of military conflict, is indicated in Luke 14:32; Acts 12:20.
As a specific blessing, or gift from Christ, peace is promised to his disciples and all his followers. This peace is unique in that it is everlasting and flawless, unlike any peace offered by the world (cf. John 14:27; 16:33). Similarly, the spiritual peace of reconciliation with God as a direct consequence of saving faith in Christ is affirmed in Acts 10:36; Rom. 5:1;8:6; Eph. 2:15." (p. 720).
The "Word Study Series, THE COMPLETE WORDSTUDY DICTIONARY. NEW TESTAMENT" States that:
"1515. eirene, gen. eirenes, from. noun. Peace.
Particularly in a civil sense, the opposite of war and dissension (Luke 14:32; Acts 12:20; Rev. 6:4). Among individuals, peace, harmony (Matt. 10:34; Luke 12:51; Acts 7:26; Rom. 14:19). In Heb. 7:2, "King of peace," means a peaceful king. Metaphorically peace of mind, tranquility, arising from reconciliation with God and a sense of a divine favor (Rom.5:1;15:13; Phil. 4:7 [cf. Is. 53:5]).....
(Ill) Peace, meaning health, welfare, prosperity, every kind of good. In Luke 1:79, "the way of peace" means the way of happiness; 2:14; 10:6, "son of peace" means son of happiness, i.e., one worthy of it;19:42; Rom. 8:6; Eph.615, "gospel of peace" means gospel of bliss, i.e., which leads to bliss; 2Thess. 3:16...[cf. Sept.: Is. 9:6, "the Prince of Peace"]).... As used in formulas of salutation, either at meeting at meeting or parting, see aspazomai (782), to embrace, to greet....
(lV) In the OT the equivalent word shalom (7965, OT) meant wholeness, soundness, hence health, well-being, prosperity; more particularly, peace as opposed to war (Judg.4:17; 1Sam.7:14; Eccl.3:8...
(V) God is said to be a God of peace, not as one who needs peace, but one who dispenses peace. He expects peace of His people, meaning the absence of confusion (Rom. 14:17; 1Cor. 7:15; 14:33; Eph. 4:3; Heb. 12:14; Ps.34:14; 35:20; Zech.8:16). He rewards those who practice this peace (James 3:18 [cf. Matt. 5:9]), but those who disregard it are punished (Rom. 3:17 [cf. Is.58:8,9])....
(Vll) Characteristic of the NT is the view of peace as the present possession of the believer. In a single case it is used by Paul of that future blessedness which is to be expected by the righteous and the Parousia or Second Coming (Rom. 2:10), but in general it denotes the state of the Christian in this present life...." (pp.519-520).
Jesus Christ said this concerning "Peacemakers" as we can read this:
"Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9).
William Baclay in his "THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE" GOSPEL OF MATTHEW Volume 1. Commented thus:
".....(i) First, there is the word peace. In Greek the word is eirene, and in Hebrew it is shalom. In Hebrew peace is never only a negative state; it never means only the absence of trouble; in Hebrew peace always means everything which makes for a man's highest good. In the east when one man says to another, salaam - which is the same word - 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.
(ii) Second, it must carefully be noted what the beatitude is saying. The blessing is on the peace-makers, not necessarily on the peace-makers. It very often happens that if a man loves peace in the wrong way, he succeeds in making trouble and not peace. We may, for instance, allow a threatening and dangerous situation to develop, and our defence is that for peace's sake we do not want to take any action. There is many a person who thinks that he is loving peace, when in fact he is pilling up trouble for the future, because he refuses to face the situation and to take the action which the situation demands. The peace which the Bible calls blessed does not come from the evasion of issues; it comes from facing them, dealing with them, and conquering them....
(III) To Authorized Version says that the peace-makers shall be called the children of God; the Greek more literally is that the peace-makers will be called the sons (huioi) of God. This is a typical Hebrew way of expression. Hebrew is not rich in adjectives, and often when Hebrew wishes to describe something, it uses, not an adjective, but the phrase son of... plus an abstract noun. Hence a man may be called a son of peace instead of a peaceful man...... Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be doing a God-like work. The man who makes peace is engaged on the very work which the God of peace is doing (Romans 15:33; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20).
The meaning of this beatitude has been sought along three main lines.
(I) It has been suggested that, since shalom means everything which makes for a man's highest good, this beatitude means: Blessed are those who make this world a better place for all men to live in.....
(ii) Most of the early scholars of the Church took this beatitude in a purely spiritual sense, and held that it meant: Blessed is the man who makes peace in his own heart and in his own soul.....
(III) But there is another meaning for this word peace, and it is a meaning on which the Jewish Rabbis loved to dwell and it is almost certainly the meaning which Jesus had in his mind. The Jewish Rabbis held that the highest task which a man can perform is to establish right relationships between man and man. That is what Jesus means. There are people who are always storm centres of trouble and bitterness and strife. Wherever they are they are either involved in quarrels between others. They are trouble-makers. There are people like that in almost every society and every Church, and such people are doing the devil's own work. On the other hand - thank God - there are people in whose presence bitterness cannot live, people who bridge the gulf, and heal the breaches, and sweeten the bitterness. Such people are doing a God-like work, for it is the great purpose of God to bring peace between men and Himself, and between man and man. The man who divides men is doing the devil's work; the man who unites men is doing a God's work" (pp.103-105).
The author of the book of Hebrews wrote that:
"Make peace your aim - and do it all together - and aim at that holiness without which no one can see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14).
And William Baclay comment on this passage or verse that:
(ii) Second, the writer to the Hebrews turns to the aims which must ever be before the Christian man. (a) He must aim at peace. In Hebrew thought and language peace was no negative thing; It was intensely positive. It was not simply freedom from trouble. It was two things. First, it was everything which makes for a man's highest good; it meant the highest welfare that a man could enjoy; it meant that in which manhood finds it's highest peak. As the Hebrews saw it, that supreme walfare and that highest good we're to be found in obedience to God..... It means a state when hatred is banished, and when each man seeks nothing but his neighbours's good; it means the bond of love, forgiveness and service which ought to bind men together. The writer to the Hebrews says: "seek to live together as Christian men ought to live, in the real unity which comes from living in Christ." The peace which is to be sought is the peace which comes from obedience to God's will, which raises a man's life to its highest realization, and which enables him to live in and to produce right relationships between his fellow men" THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS, THE DAILY STUDY BIBLE. (pp.205-206).
In addition to the above commentary by William Baclay; another great commentator of all times in person of Matthew Henry in his popular commentary "MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY VOLUME 5 MATTHEW TO JOHN also commented excellently like this:
"Vll. The peace-makers are happy, v.9. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, and then peaceable; the blessed ones are pure toward God, and peaceable toward men; for with reference to both, conscience must be kept void of offence. The peace-makers are those who have, 1. A peaceable disposition: as, to make a lie, is to be given and addicted to lying, so, to make peace, is to have a strong and hearty affection to peace. I am for peace, Ps. 120:7. It is to love, and desire and delight in peace; to be put in it as in our element, and to study to be quiet. 2. A peaceable conversation; industriously,as far as we can, to preserve the peace that it be not broken, and to recover it when it is broken; to hearken to proposals of peace ourselves, and to be ready to make them to others; where distance is among brethren and neighbours, to do all we can to accommodate it, and to be repairers of the breaches. The making of peace is sometimes a thankless office, and it is the lot of him who parts a fray, to have blows on boy sides; yet it is a good office, and we must be forward to it. Some think that is intended especially as a lesson for ministers, who should do all they can to reconcile those who are at variance, and to promote Christian love love among those under their charge.
Now (1.) Such persons are blessed; for they have the satisfaction of enjoying themselves, by keeping the peace, and of being truly serviceable to others, by disposing them to peace. They are working together with Christ, who came into the world to slay all enmities, and to proclaim peace on earth. (2.) They shall be called the children of God; it will be an evidence to themselves that they are so; God will own them as such, and herein they will resemble him. He is the God of peace; the Son of God is the Prince of peace; of Spirit of adoption is a Spirit of peace. Since God has declared himself reconcilable to us all, he will not own those for his children who are implacable in their enmity to one another; for if the peacemakers are blessed, woe to the peace-breakers! Now by this it appears, that Christ never intended to have his religion propagated by fire and sword, or penal laws, or to acknowledge bigotry, or intemperate zeal, as the mark of his disciples. The children of this world love to fish in troubled waters, but the children of God are the peace-makers, the quiet in the land" (p.42).
In conclusion to all my friends and readers of this write up this is what Jesus Christ said to all Christians universally that:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27 NIV). And in addition to the above Jesus Christ's words in regards to the situation a Christian will face in this world as we can read:
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NIV).
While support his Lord Jesus Christ by concluding that:
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:
If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:18-21 NIV).
The Followers of Jesus Christ are to do whatever that is possible by cultivating the habit of living peacefully with non Christians.
God bless you all and be ready to live in peace and harmony with everyone.
Shalom! Shalom!!! Shalom!!!
PASTOR YOHANNA Y D BURU
