25 Bible Verses About Peace (KJV) for Troubled Hearts

Most of us want peace more than we can put into words. Peace in the house. Peace in the news. Peace in our own heads at the end of a long day.

The Bible means more by peace than "a quiet afternoon." It speaks of peace with God, the peace of God in the heart, peace in trouble, peace with other people, and a peace still to come. They come in that order. You cannot give away a peace you have never received.

Below are 25 King James verses about peace, grouped under those five headings, with a short note on each and a simple plan for this week.

What the Bible means by "peace"

In the Old Testament the word is shalom. The Blue Letter Bible lexicon gives its range as "completeness, soundness, welfare, peace," including safety, health, quiet and friendship, both between people and with God in covenant. The KJV translates it "peace" 175 times, and also "well," "welfare" and "health."

The lexicon also lists "prosperity," but that is not a promise of wealth. It means God's peace touches the whole of life, not only our feelings.

In the New Testament the word is eirene (pronounced i-ray'-nay). Strong's definition suggests it probably comes from a verb meaning "to join." Peace is what happens when things broken apart are joined again. One listed meaning is "the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ." Keep that picture of joining in mind as you read.

Peace with God through Christ

Before we can feel peaceful, we need to be at peace with the God we have sinned against.

1. Romans 5:1

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

Notice the tense: "we have." This is a settled standing, not a mood. To be justified is to be declared righteous by God because of Christ, received by faith. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Romans 5, puts it simply: "Justification takes away the guilt, and so makes way for peace." He calls Christ "the great peace-maker."

2. Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

"The chastisement of our peace" means the punishment that brings us peace. Centuries before the cross, Isaiah saw that peace with God would be costly, and that Someone else would bear the cost.

3. Colossians 1:20

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Colossians 1:20 (KJV)

Peace was "made," and it was made at a specific place: the cross. To reconcile is to bring estranged parties back together.

4. Ephesians 2:14

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Ephesians 2:14 (KJV)

Paul is writing about Jews and Gentiles, long divided. Christ does not just bring peace; "he is our peace." Joined to Him, people are joined to each other.

The peace of God in your heart

Peace with God is our standing. The peace of God is what that standing feels like when it settles into the heart.

5. John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27 (KJV)

Jesus said this the night before He died. The world's peace depends on circumstances. Christ's peace is His own gift, and it does not depend on how the week is going.

6. Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (KJV)

Picture "keep" as a guard on duty. This promise follows Paul's call to pray "with thanksgiving" instead of worrying (verse 6). We look at that verse closely in our Bible verses about anxiety.

7. Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

"Perfect peace" translates the Hebrew shalom written twice, the word doubled for emphasis (see the Hebrew here). A mind "stayed" on God leans its weight on Him.

8. Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Colossians 3:15 (KJV)

Picture peace as the umpire of the heart, deciding what stays and what goes. And we are called to it "in one body": it is shared, not solitary.

9. Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13 (KJV)

Peace comes "in believing," received by trusting God, and the Holy Spirit fills us with it. No wonder peace is listed among the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22.

10. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 (KJV)

"Always by all means" covers every season. And the source is personal: "the Lord of peace himself," whose presence the verse closes by praying for.

Peace in the middle of trouble

Biblical peace is not the absence of storms. It is God's presence in them.

11. John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 (KJV)

Jesus does not promise a trouble-free life. He names two places we live: "in the world" there is tribulation, "in me" there is peace. Both are true at once.

12. Psalm 4:8

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8 (KJV)

David wrote this while men turned his "glory into shame" (verse 2). His safety rested on "thou, LORD, only." Pray it as you turn out the light.

13. Psalm 29:11

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
Psalm 29:11 (KJV)

Psalm 29 describes a fierce storm, then ends here: the God who rules the storm gives His people strength and peace in it.

14. Isaiah 54:10

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
Isaiah 54:10 (KJV)

Mountains are the most permanent things we can see, yet God says they are less fixed than His "covenant of my peace."

For a hard season, read these alongside our studies of Be still, and know that I am God and Psalm 23.

Blessed are the peacemakers: living at peace with others

Those who have received peace are sent to make it.

15. Matthew 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9 (KJV)

The Greek word, eirenopoios, is used only here in the New Testament. The lexicon defines it as "a peacemaker," one who is "pacific, loving peace." Peacemakers resemble their Father.

16. Romans 12:18

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 12:18 (KJV)

Note the qualifiers: "if it be possible" and "as much as lieth in you." You are responsible for your part, not the other person's response. Living peaceably never means pretending wrong is right or staying in danger.

17. Hebrews 12:14

Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Hebrews 12:14 (KJV)

"Follow" means pursue. Peace and holiness are paired here. Biblical peace is never peace at the price of truth.

18. Psalm 34:14

Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Psalm 34:14 (KJV)

Peace rarely arrives by accident. Sometimes we must go after it: the phone call, the apology, the first step.

19. James 3:18

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
James 3:18 (KJV)

Peacemakers are sowers. The harvest may be slow, but righteousness grows in ground sown with peace.

Making peace often means forgiving; see what the Bible says about forgiveness.

The Prince of Peace and the peace to come

All the peace we taste now points forward to a day when it will be complete.

20. Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

Christians have long read this as a prophecy of Jesus. The "Prince of Peace" is a King whose reign is peace. The next verse adds, "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end" (Isaiah 9:7).

21. Luke 2:14

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:14 (KJV)

The angels sang this over the fields of Bethlehem. Heaven's announcement of Christ's birth was, in part, an announcement of peace.

22. Isaiah 2:4

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Isaiah 2:4 (KJV)

Weapons become farming tools, and war is forgotten. Every time we pray "Thy kingdom come" we ask for this (see The Lord's Prayer explained). Even to exiles God spoke "thoughts of peace, and not of evil" (Jeremiah 29:11).

The blessing of peace

The last three verses are the priestly blessing God gave Aaron and his sons to speak over Israel. It ends with shalom.

23–25. Numbers 6:24–26

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Numbers 6:24–26 (KJV)

Each line moves closer: God blesses and keeps, His face shines in favour, He turns His countenance toward us, and the final gift is peace.

How to pursue peace this week

Five small steps for the next seven days:

Settle the first question. If you are not sure you have peace with God, read Romans 5:1–11 slowly and talk to Him honestly about it.
Pray one verse each evening. Before sleep, pray Psalm 4:8 in your own words: "Lord, I lie down in peace, because You keep me safe."
Let peace be the umpire. Before a decision or a reaction, ask, "Does this fit the peace of Christ?" (Colossians 3:15).
Make one peace move. In one strained relationship, do the part that "lieth in you" (Romans 12:18): send the message, apologise, or pray for them by name.
Bless someone. Speak or write Numbers 6:24–26 over a child, a friend or someone who is struggling.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What is the most powerful Bible verse about peace?

Many readers turn first to John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you," or Isaiah 26:3. For the foundation of all biblical peace, read Romans 5:1.

What is the difference between peace with God and the peace of God?

Peace with God is our standing before Him: we are no longer His enemies because Christ has reconciled us (Romans 5:1). The peace of God is the calm He gives to the heart and mind as we trust Him (Philippians 4:7). The first is the foundation; the second grows out of it.

What does shalom mean in the Bible?

Shalom is the Hebrew word usually translated "peace." According to the Blue Letter Bible lexicon, it carries the ideas of completeness, soundness, welfare and peace, including safety, health and friendship with God and others. It describes wholeness of life, not simply the absence of conflict.

Why is Jesus called the Prince of Peace?

The title comes from Isaiah 9:6, a prophecy Christians read as fulfilled in Jesus. He makes peace between God and sinners through His cross, gives His own peace to His followers, and will one day rule a kingdom where war is no more (Isaiah 2:4; 9:7).

Does the Bible say we must be at peace with everyone?

Romans 12:18 says, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Do your part honestly and humbly; you cannot control another person's response, and peace never requires staying somewhere unsafe.