Bible verses about peace: 16 passages for a restless heart

You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.

In Hebrew, perfect peace is simply shalom shalom, the word said twice for emphasis. It belongs to the mind that keeps leaning on God, not to the mind that has everything solved.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

This follows straight after the famous do not be anxious lines. Having handed worry to God, Paul tells you what to put in its place, and the God of peace comes with the practice.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.

The word translated rule was used for an umpire at the games. Let the peace of Christ make the call when your heart is pulled two ways.

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.

Jesus says this on the night before his arrest. The world gives peace when things go well; he gives it while things are about to go very badly.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Peace with God is not a mood but a settled standing. It rests on what Christ has done, so it does not rise and fall with how you feel today.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility

Paul was writing about Jews and Gentiles, groups divided by centuries of hostility. Peace here is a person, and he makes enemies into one family.

‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’

The blessing God gave Aaron to speak over Israel ends on the word peace. Two tiny silver scrolls found in Jerusalem, among the oldest known pieces of biblical text, carry these words.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah announced this child to a nation walking in darkness under the threat of Assyria (Isaiah 9:2). Prince of Peace is the last and fullest of the four names.

If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Paul adds if it is possible, and as far as it depends on you. Some peace is not in your control. Your part is the part you can do.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Peacemakers, not peacekeepers. Keeping the peace can mean avoiding a problem; making peace means walking into it to mend what is broken.

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Peter quotes this line in his first letter (1 Peter 3:11). Pursue is the language of a chase. Peace between people rarely arrives on its own; someone has to go after it.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

James lists what wisdom from God looks like in an argument: peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield. The harvest comes slowly, from seeds sown in peace.

I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”

Jesus promises trouble and peace in the same breath. The peace is found in him, not in the absence of tribulation.

The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace.

Psalm 29 describes a thunderstorm, with the voice of the LORD sounding seven times over sea and forest. It ends not with noise but with strength and peace for his people.

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Written to a young church under persecution (2 Thessalonians 1:4). At all times and in every way leaves no situation out.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!”

The angels announce peace to shepherds on a night shift. The King James reads good will toward men, following a different set of Greek manuscripts; both point to peace as a gift from God.