When it comes to peace, we tend to think first of all of the absence of war or discord. That is indeed the ground meaning of the Greek word, and in the NT it is indeed mentioned a few times in this closer meaning used (e.g. Luc.14:32, James 3:18).
Usually, however, it occurs in a phrase closely related to the Hebrew shālōm, which is primarily a 'complete or gifted condition' indicates, and only in second, derived agency, 'peace (versus war)'.
This is not to say that in the verbiage of the NT the contrast with war absent:
- This is how it goes in Hand.9:31 about peace (in the congregation) opposite prosecution;
- In Hand.7:26 about peace (between compatriots) opposite twist;
- And in Rom.5:1-10 about peace (with God) opposite enmity.
But it is true that the word is used in a way that is rising above.
The key to the concept of peace in the NT we find especially in two texts:
- At John 14:27, where Jesus says that the peace He gives is not as the world gives it;
- And in Phil.4:7, where Paul talks about the peace of God - i.e. those belongs to Him and from Him - those beyond all reason.
That is why God is called 'the God of peace' (e.g.. 1Tes.5:23), and becomes Jesus with a form of personification 'our peace' mentioned (see Eph.2:14).
This peace, which is a characteristic of the Kingdom of God (see Rom.14:17),
- close disorder out (see 1 Cor. 14:33),
- and unites where first there was a partition wall was (see Eph.2:14-15, and cf. Eph.4:3).
This peace is considered Gospel proclaimed since Jesus' coming (see Eph.2:17, and cf. Luc.2:15),
hence the expression 'gospel of peace' (see Eph.6:15).
The word eirēnē is used for both:
- the aspect of peace and security relative to the environment (e.g. Hand.9:31 about the congregation, and Hand.16:36 about individual persons),
- as for mutual peace (e.g.. Rom.14:17-19 in the kingdom of God, and 1 Cor. 7:15 in marriage),
- and for peace in the heart (e.g.. Col.3:15).
Peace is linked in a special sense to the Holy Spirit,
as evidenced, for example, by Rom.8:6 (cf. Rom.14:17),
and is therefore part of the ninefold 'fruit of the Spirit' (see Gal.5:22).
The faithful are called upon pursue peace (e.g.. 1Pet.3:11).
People wish each other 'peace' toe at a greeting (e.g.. John 20:19)
or a farewell (e.g.. Hand.15:33).
Similarly, we read that people healed by Jesus are sometimes sent away with the words: 'go in peace' (e.g.. Mar.5:34).
Unlike the somewhat watered-down formulation as it still exists in the Orient, in the NT one does get the impression of a greater depth (see especially Luc.10:5-6),
which is particularly present at the beginning of virtually all New Testament letters and in the Revelation to John,
Where we usually find the combination:
'grace be unto you and peace from God', etc. (e.g.. Tit.1:4, Op.1:4, and - otherwise - 2John.1:3; cf. charis 'grace').
With a little more variation in wording, we find the peace wish also to the end of some letters (e.g. 1Pet.5:14), or sometimes before (e.g. Rom.15:33 before personal greetings).
Word study from: Gijs van den Brink, Hans Bette and Raymond R. Hausoul, ed., "eirēnē," in e-Word Studies SBNT (Veenendaal: CvB, 2012), https://online.studiebijbel.nl
