‘Tis the season for peace on earth and good will towards men. (Luke 2:14)   Eirene is Greek for peace, peace of mind, quietness, rest, one.  (biblehub.com)  Eirene was the goddess of peace in ancient Greece.  For some reason Irene was the sixth most popular name in 2006 for girls in Spain (Wikipedia).

Does Luke 2:14 remind you of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’.  On one of my exams in Greek class long ago, my professor put a passage for us to translate into English.  Our class was probably half Christians and half Philosophy majors.  I started translating it only to realize that it was the passage used in ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’, Luke 2:8-14.  I almost felt like I had an unfair advantage, because I practically knew it already.

The KJV is “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”  But if you look at the ESV or NASB, it changes it’s meaning a little.  The ESV is “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with who he is pleased!”  The NIV says “peace to those on whom his favor rests”.  So maybe this good will toward men is not necessarily a good will toward all men, but toward those with whom he is pleased.  Hmmm.

Eirene occurs in the New Testament 92 times according to Strong’s.  It is found in every book of the New Testament except for 1 John.

Verses:

Matthew 10:34 KJV  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Mark 5:34 NIV  He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Luke 19:38 ESV  Saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

John 14:27 NASB  “Peace I leave with you; My peace 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 16:33 NIV  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 20:19-21 ESV  On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”  when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.  Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.  Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Acts 10:36 NASB  The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all).

Romans 5:1 KJV  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:6 NIV  The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 16:20 ESV  The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

1 Corinthians 14:33 NASB  For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV  Finally, brothers, rejoice.  Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Galatians 5:22 KJV  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Ephesians 6:14-15 NIV  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Philippians 4:7 NASB  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:15 ESV  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.  And be thankful.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 NIV  May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:22 KJV  Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Hebrews 11:31 NASB  By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

Hebrews 12:14 ESV  Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

James 3:18 NASB  And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Revelation 6:4 NIV  Then another horse came out, a fiery red one.  Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other.  To him was given a large sword.

The G/K number for eirene is 1645.

The Strong’s number for eirene is 1515.