Deeper Reflection
THE “PEACE” IN VERSE 16 REFERS TO RELATIONAL HARMONY in the immediate context, and broadly includes inner steadiness in the larger context of the letter. Some commentators understand the “peace” in terms of only the former. But the peace that Paul prays that the Lord of peace will give is “at all times in every way”. “The phrase [at all times in all ways] implies a multitude of troubles, and the letter has revealed a persecuted, doctrinally confused and socially troubled church. Thus the plea for peace should be understood as broadly as this phrase and the larger context demand.”³⁶The Thessalonians were suffering for the kingdom of God, and enduring persecutions and afflictions with steadfastness and faith in God (2 Thess 1:4-5). Surely, they needed peace from the Lord to strengthen their hearts. False teachings were going around that “the day of the Lord has come”, which caused these young believers to be “quickly shaken from your composure” and “disturbed” (2 Thess 2:1-2). How they needed the divine peace to stabilise their hearts.The Lord gives us peace “at all times” and “in every circumstance” (NASB). But having inner peace does not necessarily mean an absence of disturbing feelings. “Biblical peace is not often a general tranquillity but rather a rightness at the centre in the midst of much turmoil.”³⁷ Jesus was “very distressed and troubled” in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mk 14:33) – but in the most intimate relationship and communion with God. Where is the peace of God in Jesus here? The peace is “Thy will be done” (Matt 26:42).

---

³⁶ Jeffrey A. D. Weimar, 1-2 Thessalonians, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Baker Academic, 2014), 634 – citing D. M. Martin ³⁷ Dale Ralph Davis, 1 Samuel, Focus on the Bible (Christian Focus, 2000), 213