The concept of living "peacefully" is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's desire for harmony among His creation. The term "peacefully" is often associated with the broader biblical theme of peace, which encompasses not only the absence of conflict but also the presence of wholeness, well-being, and divine order.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "shalom" is frequently used to describe peace. It signifies completeness, welfare, and tranquility. Living peacefully is seen as a blessing from God, a state of life that aligns with His covenant promises. For instance, in Leviticus 26:6, God promises Israel, "I will give peace in the land, and you will lie down with no one to make you afraid." This peace is contingent upon Israel's obedience to God's commandments.

The wisdom literature, particularly the Psalms and Proverbs, often highlights the virtues of living peacefully. Psalm 34:14 exhorts believers to "Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." This pursuit of peace is not passive but requires active engagement in righteous living and reconciliation.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "eirene" is used to convey peace. The teachings of Jesus and the apostles emphasize living peacefully as a hallmark of Christian discipleship. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). This beatitude underscores the importance of actively fostering peace as a reflection of God's character.

The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of living peacefully in his epistles. In Romans 12:18, he advises, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone." This instruction acknowledges the challenges of maintaining peace but encourages believers to strive for it as much as it depends on them. Similarly, in 1 Thessalonians 4:11, Paul urges the church to "aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you."

Theological Implications

Living peacefully is not merely a social or ethical ideal but is deeply theological. It reflects the peace that Christ has established through His death and resurrection. Ephesians 2:14 states, "For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility." This peace is both vertical, reconciling humanity with God, and horizontal, reconciling individuals with one another.

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, is promised to guard the hearts and minds of believers in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). This divine peace enables Christians to live peacefully even amidst external turmoil and conflict.

Practical Application

Living peacefully involves cultivating a spirit of gentleness, forgiveness, and reconciliation. It requires believers to embody the fruit of the Spirit, which includes peace (Galatians 5:22). Christians are called to be ambassadors of peace, reflecting the reconciling work of Christ in their relationships and communities.

The pursuit of peace also involves prayer and reliance on God's strength. As believers seek to live peacefully, they are encouraged to cast their anxieties on God, trusting in His provision and care (1 Peter 5:7).

In summary, living peacefully is a multifaceted biblical principle that encompasses personal conduct, community relationships, and spiritual alignment with God's purposes. It is both a gift from God and a responsibility for His people, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in the world.4496. menuchah -- resting place, rest
... Or mnuchah {men-oo-khaw'}; feminine of Manowach; repose or (adverbially) peacefully;
figuratively, consolation (specifically, matrimony); hence (concretely) an ...
/hebrew/4496.htm - 6k

7965. shalom -- completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
... terms (1), friends* (2), greet (1), greet* (5), greeted* (1), health (1), how (1),
Peace (2), peace (153), peaceably (1), peaceful (2), peacefully (3), perfect ...
/hebrew/7965.htm - 6k

Letter xv. --Trials to be Endured Peacefully.
... ARIDITIES, WEAKNESSES AND WEARINESS. Letter XV."Trials to be Endured Peacefully.
To the same person. Trials to be endured peacefully. 1st. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter xv trials to be endured.htm

Conclusion.
... this: "This pain is almost like death," or, "it's like taking one's life." Have
you not stood beside the infant's crib and watched it go peacefully to sleep? ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/conclusion.htm

But, Having Considered and Handled all These Points...
... place of the tabernacle of His habitation." [1514] First, that he did not conceal
what he felt; then, that he set it forth so gently and peacefully, in that he ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 17 22 but.htm

Letter i. --About Vanity and Infidelities.
... alone. You have, then, in this matter, only two things to do. Firstly to examine
peacefully this frightful interior ugliness. Secondly ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter i about vanity and infidelities.htm

Letter xvii. --Remorse and Rebellion.
... Only try not to give rise to them yourself; but should this, unfortunately, happen,
then humble yourself peacefully and without vexation, which would be a ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xvii remorse and rebellion.htm

Temptations and Trials.
... Should these sufferings and temptations become redoubled after communion, instead
of preventing the fruit of it, if endured peacefully and with humble ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/v temptations and trials.htm

Goodness Wrought and Goodness Laid Up
... that contrast may suggest to us how quietly and peacefully we may look forward to
all the unknown future; and hold up to it so as to enable us to scan its ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/goodness wrought and goodness laid.htm

Why Does the New Testament Contain Four Gospels and not one Only?
... as naturally in the Catholic Church spread over three continents different books
for a time divided this prestige, and then settled down peacefully together.". ...
/.../harnack/the origin of the new testament/ 3 why does the.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... to the world. Through him, therefore, the Master saved those living creatures
that entered peacefully into the ark. ?10 Abraham, who ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
... new life. In Enoch we see a type of those of God's people who will go
home peacefully before the last closing struggle. Ere the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 36 1890/noahs faith fear obedience and.htm

Peacefully (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Peacefully (5 Occurrences). ... On Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.}
Upon God alone doth my soul rest peacefully; from him is my salvation. ...
/p/peacefully.htm - 7k

Peaceful (19 Occurrences)

/p/peaceful.htm - 12k

Peace-loving (2 Occurrences)
Peace-loving. Peacefully, Peace-loving. Peacemaker . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Peacefully, Peace-loving. Peacemaker . Reference Bible.
/p/peace-loving.htm - 7k

Second (2060 Occurrences)
... thus making his third visit (2 Corinthians 12:14; 2 Corinthians 13:1), and so far
fulfilled his original purpose that he spent the winter peacefully in Corinth ...
/s/second.htm - 96k

Pharaoh (245 Occurrences)
... Some think the balance of evidence to be in favour of the former, whose reign it
is known began peacefully, but came to a sudden and disastrous end. ...
/p/pharaoh.htm - 60k

Hittites (39 Occurrences)
... In 702 BC Sennacherib passed peacefully through the "land of the Chatti" on his
way to Sidon: for in 717 BC Sargon had destroyed Carchemish, and had taken many ...
/h/hittites.htm - 55k

Corinthians (3 Occurrences)
... thus making his third visit (2 Corinthians 12:14; 2 Corinthians 13:1), and so far
fulfilled his original purpose that he spent the winter peacefully in Corinth ...
/c/corinthians.htm - 77k

Epistle (13 Occurrences)
... thus making his third visit (2 Corinthians 12:14; 2 Corinthians 13:1), and so far
fulfilled his original purpose that he spent the winter peacefully in Corinth ...
/e/epistle.htm - 101k

Why can't religions coexist peacefully? | GotQuestions.org

How did the apostle John die? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about anarchy/anarchism? | GotQuestions.org

Peacefully: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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