Love for our neighbor, humility, and meekness will beget peaceableness. Wherever the first three are to be found, the last will also be found. It is this virtue which we now wish to consider. In Hebrew this is expressed by the word מנחה (menuchah), which means rest or quietness. A peacemaker is quiet and at peace within and without—personally, as well as in the presence of others. There is also the word שלום (shalom), which is a derivative of שלם (shalam). This means: to be prosperous, to have peace, to complete. A peacemaker has peace, is prosperous, and completes his task with ease. In Greek we have the words εἰρηνικός, εἰηνοποιός (eirenikos, eirenopoios). This word is derived from a root which means “to bind together,” for peace unites the hearts, and binds people together. The apostle therefore speaks of “the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3).
Peaceableness is a believer’s quiet and contented disposition of soul, inclining him toward, and causing him to strive for, the maintaining of a relationship with his neighbor characterized by sweet unity—doing so in the way of truth and godliness.
The subject of peaceableness is the soul of the believer, this being the exclusive residence of this virtue. Even though the unconverted may refrain from strife and discord, they do not have this peaceable disposition of heart. “And the way of peace have they not known” (Rom 3:17). Rather, it is the ornament of possessors of grace, Christians who have been reconciled by the blood of Christ, who is their peace (cf. Col 1:20; Eph 2:14). They, having received the Lord Jesus by faith unto the forgiveness of sins, are justified, and thus have peace with God (Rom 5:1), which peace passes all understanding, and keeps their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7). While thus enjoying peace with God in their conscience, it is as if all that is in the world is at peace with them, they are in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field are at peace with them (Job 5:23). They are thus disposed when they interact with people. Their heart goes out after them and their peaceable heart desires nothing but harmony, even when they are alone. Such a disposition is to be found, however, in none but believers, faith being the means whereby such a peaceable disposition is engendered (Rom 5:1). Since peace is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), no one possesses this unless they are partakers of the Holy Spirit.
The object of this virtue is our neighbor—all men. A peacemaker is continually at war with the devil, the world, and his corrupt flesh—with them he neither desires nor seeks to be at peace. The more he hates and opposes them, the better he likes it. However, toward men as men—as his neighbors—he has a peaceable heart and with them he endeavors to live in peace. First and foremost, the peacemaker lives in peace with the godly. He has a spiritual and very intimate relationship with them whereby their hearts are united in Christ, having the same Spirit and the same regenerate nature. “Have peace one with another” (Mark 9:50). One must, however, not limit himself to the godly. Rather, peaceableness extends to all men, as from his side the peacemaker does not give any reason for discord, and even if he has a just cause, he will overlook it, and will not allow it to disturb the peace. This is the essence of the apostle’s exhortation: “If it be possible [that is, if people can be persuaded to be at peace and if the peace can be preserved], as much as lieth in you [that is, that there be no fault from your side, but strive for this with all your might], live peaceably with all men” (Rom 12:18).
The essence of this virtue consists in an inclination, proceeding from inner quietness and contentment, to live in harmony with his neighbor. A peacemaker, living in the enjoyment of peace with God, has a heart free from strife, which, relative to his neighbor, is content and at peace. He does not harbor thoughts of having been wronged by his neighbor, of envy, or of any discontentment. Rather, he is at peace within—calm, quiet, and satisfied. When he thinks about his neighbor, his heart desires to dwell in harmony with him, and he interacts with him in a most pleasant manner. “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace” (Prov 3:17). Thus the essence of peace consists in hearts being knit together. It is therefore referred to as a bond: “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3). He is of one heart with others: “That ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind” (1 Cor 1:10). This occurred in the original church: “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul” (Acts 4:32).
A Fruit of Regeneration
Such a peaceable disposition does not issue forth from man’s nature, for the one man is as a wolf to the other. God changes that cruel and savage heart, however, and grants His children to be at peace with Him in Christ; this in turn engenders a peaceable heart toward one’s neighbor. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; they shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain” (Isa 11:6,9). The Lord would transform the barbarous heathen into such persons and thus the apostle enumerates peace as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is … peace” (Gal 5:22). The apostle therefore wishes the peace of God upon the congregation. “Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means” (2 Thess 3:16). Thus He is frequently called the God of peace, for He gives peace, and delights in those who are peacemakers (cf. Rom 15:33; 2 Cor 13:11).
The effect or fruit of peaceableness is a striving to interact with our neighbor in sweet harmony. It will not avail us to imagine that we have a peaceable heart, and to be enamored with such a disposition. To strive for a peaceable relationship with our neighbor without a peaceable heart is but the fruit of nature or hypocrisy. To imagine that we have a peaceable heart and yet not to strive for a peaceable relationship is but a deceiving of self. A peaceable heart cannot fail to manifest peaceableness, and our seeking for harmony by way of an amiable relationship will be commensurate with the strength of that virtue within. It is thus that we shall be able to tolerate those who are not peaceable, and compel them to be peaceable by way of a steadfast manifestation of our love for peace. We must thus convince everyone that we seek peace, and that from our side this peace cannot be disturbed, even though someone else from his side may do so. “Live in peace” (2 Cor 13:11).
(1) The word live implies activity. To remain in seclusion without having any fellowship with people; without saying either good or evil about anyone; to be able to accept that everyone prospers; and neither to quarrel, fight, nor be angry—all that does not constitute living in peace. To live in peace implies having fellowship with people in a pleasant and harmonious manner.
(2) The word live implies continual steadfastness. To occasionally conduct ourselves peacefully is not the same as living peacefully. Rather, this mandates a continual activity and a perseverance in this respect.
(3) The word live implies “a finding delight in.” A peacemaker is in his element when he is at peace; he is then as a fish in water. When he may be in a peaceable relationship with people, he is joyful—just as a healthy person delights himself and is of a joyful spirit. “Follow peace with all men” (Heb 12:14); “Seek peace, and pursue it” (Ps 34:14). It is easy to maintain peace when someone else encounters us in a pleasant and peaceable manner, and deals with us according to our wishes. This is not how matters are, however; people are motivated by self-love and they will wrong us in both word and deed. At one time we may encounter someone who is cross, and then again another who is angry, stirring up our corrupt nature to respond to our neighbor in like manner. The peacemaker overlooks this, however, responds in a good-natured manner, and gives in—even if this is to his own detriment and causes him to lose the esteem of the world. As one who rounds up and hunts wildlife, so he will seek peace and pursue it; and once he attains it, he considers himself to be victorious.