εἰρήνη (eirēnē)
eirēnē
peace
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 85 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word eirēnē translates as peace, but its root meaning is to join or bind together. This etymology reveals that biblical peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of wholeness and harmony. In the New Testament, it appears in 85 verses, frequently describing a state where relationships are restored and security is established.
Its usage ranges from political stability to deep spiritual assurance. Jesus speaks of physical safety when he tells his followers they can leave in peace (Mark 5:34), while Paul describes the church as a community growing in harmony (Acts 9:31). Most significantly, it denotes the reconciled relationship between God and humanity, where hostility is removed through Christ’s work (Ephesians 2:14).
Translators often render eirēnē simply as "peace," yet this single term carries the weight ofshalom from the Hebrew Scriptures. It encompasses safety, prosperity, and right relationship with God. When letters open with grace and peace, they invoke a comprehensive blessing of well-being that covers both spiritual standing and daily life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eirēnē carries a depth that goes far beyond the simple absence of conflict. Its root meaning points to joining or binding together, suggesting that biblical peace is actually a state of wholeness and harmony. When Jesus speaks of peace, He is offering a restored relationship where hostility is removed and security is established. This is not just a feeling, but a tangible reality where relationships are healed and lives are made whole.
In your daily walk, this means that true peace comes from being connected to Christ. It is the assurance that you are held together by God’s love, even when circumstances feel chaotic. The greeting 'Peace be to you' in Scripture is not a polite formality; it is an invocation of comprehensive well-being. It covers both your spiritual standing before God and your experience in daily life, inviting you into a community where harmony prevails.
As you navigate challenges, remember that this peace is a gift given by Jesus Himself. It does not operate by the world’s standards but flows from His victory over trouble. You can rest in the knowledge that He has overcome the world, and in Him, you have access to a stability that anchors your heart against fear.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 85 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- peace48×
- Peace9×
- peace,8×
- peace.7×
- of peace7×
- of peace,5×
- [and] peace4×
- peace [be]1×
- of peace;1×
- of peace.1×
- Peace [be]1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εἰρήνη36×
- εἰρήνην18×
- εἰρήνης11×
- εἰρήνης,5×
- εἰρήνῃ4×
- εἰρήνην.¶4×
- εἰρήνῃ,3×
- εἰρήνην,3×
- εἰρήνης.¶2×
- εἰρήνη,2×
- εἰρήνῃ.¶1×
- εἰρήνης·1×
Key Verses
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John 14:27
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
Jesus distinguishes His gift of peace from worldly comfort, offering it directly to calm troubled hearts.
-
Luke 24:36
As they said these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”
The risen Christ uses this greeting to establish His presence and dispel the disciples' fear after the resurrection.
-
Acts 9:31
So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
This verse shows how peace functions as the foundation for the church’s growth and spiritual building in Judea and Galilee.
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Mark 5:34
He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”
Jesus links the woman’s healing directly to her faith, sending her away with a blessing of wholeness.