Definition and Scope:
Social peace refers to the harmonious and tranquil relationships within a community or society. It encompasses the absence of conflict, the presence of justice, and the promotion of mutual respect and understanding among individuals and groups. In the biblical context, social peace is deeply rooted in the principles of love, justice, and righteousness as ordained by God.

Biblical Foundation:
The Bible presents social peace as an ideal state that reflects God's kingdom on earth. It is a manifestation of God's will for humanity, where individuals live in harmony with one another, guided by divine principles.

Old Testament Insights:
The Old Testament frequently addresses the concept of social peace, often linking it to justice and righteousness. In Isaiah 32:17, the prophet declares, "The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever." This verse highlights the intrinsic connection between righteousness and peace, suggesting that true social peace is a product of just and righteous living.

The Psalms also emphasize the importance of peace within communities. Psalm 133:1 states, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!" This verse underscores the beauty and desirability of peaceful coexistence among people.

New Testament Teachings:
The New Testament further develops the theme of social peace, particularly through the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, blesses the peacemakers, saying, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9). This beatitude elevates the role of individuals who actively pursue peace, aligning them with God's family.

The apostle Paul frequently addresses social peace in his epistles. In Romans 12:18, he exhorts believers, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone." This instruction emphasizes the responsibility of Christians to strive for peace in their interactions with others, as far as it depends on them.

Role of the Church:
The early church is depicted as a community striving for social peace, characterized by unity and mutual support. Acts 2:44-47 describes the early believers as being "together and having everything in common," highlighting their commitment to communal harmony and shared resources.

The church is called to be a model of social peace, demonstrating the reconciling power of the Gospel. Ephesians 2:14-16 speaks of Christ as our peace, who "has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility." This passage illustrates the breaking down of barriers between different groups, fostering unity and peace through Christ.

Practical Implications:
Social peace requires active engagement in promoting justice, reconciliation, and love within communities. Believers are encouraged to be agents of peace, addressing social injustices and fostering environments where all individuals can thrive. The pursuit of social peace involves both personal conduct and collective action, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in society.

Challenges to Social Peace:
Despite the biblical call for social peace, various challenges persist, including conflict, injustice, and division. The presence of sin in the world often disrupts peace, necessitating ongoing efforts by believers to address these issues through prayer, advocacy, and the application of biblical principles.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not provide a utopian vision of social peace, it offers a framework for pursuing peace grounded in God's righteousness and love. Believers are called to embody this peace in their lives, contributing to the broader goal of societal harmony and reflecting the peace of God's kingdom on earth.Genesis 45:24
So he sent his brothers away, and they departed: and he said to them, See that you fall not out by the way.
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Leviticus 26:6
And I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
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Job 5:23,24
For you shall be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.
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Psalm 34:14
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
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Psalm 120:6,7
My soul has long dwelled with him that hates peace.
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Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!
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Proverbs 12:20
Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
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Proverbs 15:17
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
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Proverbs 16:7
When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
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Proverbs 17:1,14
Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.
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Proverbs 20:3
It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
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Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.
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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 pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
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Isaiah 45:7
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
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Jeremiah 29:7
And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray to the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall you have peace.
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Hosea 2:18
And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.
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Zechariah 8:19
Thus said the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.
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Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
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Matthew 10:21,22,34-36
And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
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Mark 9:50
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltiness, with which will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
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Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
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Acts 7:26-29
And the next day he showed himself to them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, you are brothers; why do you wrong one to another?
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Acts 17:7-9
Whom Jason has received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
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Romans 12:18
If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.
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Romans 14:19
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things with which one may edify another.
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1 Corinthians 14:33
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
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2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brothers, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
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Ephesians 4:3
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
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1 Thessalonians 5:13
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
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1 Timothy 2:2
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
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2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
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Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
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James 3:17,18
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
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1 Peter 3:10,11
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
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Of the Social Life, Which, Though Most Desirable, is Frequently ...
... proper destiny, if the life of the saints were not a social life? ... love which Terence
also recounts""slights, suspicions, quarrels, war to-day, peace to-morrow ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 5 of the social life.htm

The Realization of Perfect Peace
... The peace which results from social comfort, passing gratification, or worldly victory
is transitory in its nature, and is burnt up in the heat of fiery trial. ...
/.../allen/the way of peace/the realization of perfect peace.htm

The Mother of Xerxes.
... things are exceptions, since, in any extended and general view of the subject, a
much greater amount of social organization, industry, and peace is necessary ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter i the mother of.htm

What Produces Peace, and what Discord, Between the Heavenly and ...
... this faith it lives righteously when it refers to the attainment of that peace every
good action towards God and man; for the life of the city is a social life ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 17 what produces peace and.htm

Call to Social Worship.
... To serve our God unite, And, mindful of the social call, Partake the social rite. ...
their prayers above, In one oblation bend, And God, the God of peace and love ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/906 call to social.htm

On Opening a Place for Social Prayer.
... John Newton 8,6,8,6. On opening a place for social prayer. O LORD, our languid souls
inspire,. ... Within there walls let holy peace,. And love, and concord dwell; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 43 on opening a.htm

The Social Test of Religion
... social wealth, a conservative clog, and a real hindrance of social progress. Live
religion gives proof of its value by the sense of freedom, peace, and elation ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter ix the social test.htm

How those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to ...
... birds of one and the same kind desert not one another in their social flight, and ...
But, on the other hand, those that are at peace are to be admonished to take ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxii how those that.htm

Peace in the Soul
... Let me begin by speaking of Peace in the Soul. That is where religion begins,
in the heart of a person. Its flowers and fruits are social. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/van dyke/what peace means/i peace in the soul.htm

The Springs of Social Life.
... of individual power and peculiarity, but they are the Springs of Social Life. ... bosoms,
all the while, there are flowing inexhaustible springs of peace, and who ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse v the springs of.htm

What does the Bible say about finding peace of mind? | GotQuestions.org

What is the peace of God, and how can I experience it? | GotQuestions.org

What is the peace that passes all understanding? | GotQuestions.org

Peace: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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