The Scrolls is a weekly Bible study written by pastors and other leaders at Central Bible Church, based on that week’s sermon topic. Use The Scrolls as a personal Bible study tool, for family devotions, and for small group discussions. You can read part of it below. The downloadable PDF also includes discussion questions, more in-depth commentary, end notes, and a kids’ page designed for families to study the topic together. This lesson goes with the sermon "A Final Word of Peace."
In the creedal statement, “I am free from anxiety because things are right between God, myself, and others,” peace connotes the inner tranquility that comes from having a right relationship to God and others. Paul uses the term with a similar connotation in 2 Corinthians 2:12-13, “Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.” “To be at peace” or “to have peace” regarding a personal decision or one’s personal situation carries a similar connotation.
But the term is used much more often in the New Testament to refer not to an internal emotional state but rather to refer to an external conflict free relationship—either with God or with others. One commentator goes so far as to say, “Peace is not an internal emotional state of tranquility but rather refers to a political or social reality . . . In the social sphere it consists of the absence of discord and conflicts between citizens” (Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians, PNTC, 357).
For example, peace refers to a conflict free relationship with God in a number of passages. In Romans 5:1-2a, Paul writes: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” Believers are no longer at enmity with God, no longer alienated from him, but they have been reconciled to God. In Colossians 1:21-22, Paul writes: “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”
And for example, it refers to a conflict free relationship with others, both believers and unbelievers, in a number of passages. In 1 Corinthians 7:15 Paul writes: “God has called us to live in peace.” And in 1 Thessalonians 5:13, he writes: “Live in peace with each other.” It seems that peace is the glue that holds the body of Christ together. To the Ephesians he writes: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (4:3).
By far, Paul’s most frequent mention of peace is found in the salutations and closings of his letters. His salutations generally include the words “Grace and peace to you . . .” (cf. Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon). And in his closings, he often mentions peace (cf. 2Co 13:11; Gal 6:16; Eph 6:23; 2Th 3:16) in a benediction.
In Paul’s closing to 2 Thessalonians, he offers this wish-prayer. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.” On the meaning and scope of this prayer for peace, one commentator writes: “The last part of the phrase indicates the breadth of Paul’s concern. He has in view not simply an absence of conflict within the congregation (perhaps provoked by the problem of the ataktoi in 3:6-15) or (in light of the persecution and affliction they had experienced) between the congregation and the larger community (cf. 1:4). Peace, for Paul, also encompasses a state of well-being and wholeness characterized by reconciled relationships (cf. Rom. 5:1-11)—with God (cf. Rom. 5:1; 1 Thess. 1:9). With each other in the congregation (cf. 1 Thess. 3:12; 4:9), and finally with those outside the community, to the extent possible (cf. Rom. 12:18; 1 Thess. 3:12” (Michael W. Holmes, The NIV Application Commentary: 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 276).
Central Message of the Text:
Pray for the peace that transcends time and circumstances, which the Lord Jesus Christ, its source, wants to give you.
Family Talk:
It’s pretty clear that Paul didn’t have children. All you have to do is casually read through 2 Thessalonians 3:16 to figure this out, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.” This is clearly the writing of someone who never had to break up sibling warfare on a road trip, never dealt with a toddler meltdown in the middle of Walmart and never tried to get seven people ready for church on time and still be holy. Peace is every parent’s dream for their home and hope for their kids. What we wouldn’t do for three minutes of everyone getting along and playing well or, let’s face it, an uninterrupted bathroom moment. But peace isn’t something that comes from us. It’s a fruit of the Spirit given by our holy God. And peace isn’t dependent on our horizontal surroundings or circumstances but instead directly correlates to our vertical relationship with our loving Father. We can’t make peace happen or force it into being. Through surrender, hope and trust in a faithful God, we can find this elusive peace Paul talks about and let it flood over us at all times and in every way. If you’re feeling a desperate need for peace today, ask God through prayer. Double up your efforts with a memorized and often recited Bible verse. (Isaiah 26:3 or Philippians 4:6-7 are great!) Breathe and meditate on God’s faithfulness. Fast from something (say, video games) and replace that with time in God’s word. Consider bringing one of these spiritual disciplines to your family and see how God will transform your time together.