ROMANS 12:18

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all people.”

When I was in college, I had a part-time ministry position at a small Baptist church where I served as music and youth director. This little church was my first ministry role and one I will never forget. They were so good to me as an eighteen-year-old young man. I will never forget one of the choir’s favorite anthems that they loved to sing at least once a quarter – “Nothing is Impossible.” I can still sing that chorus by heart.

Paul raises the issue of the possibility of being at peace with all people in verse 18. He writes, “If possible.” That’s exactly what the Greek says. The conjunction “if” is a conditional word. It does not denote certainty. Certain things have to occur for the following action to occur. The word “possible” is dynatós which means “able, power, or possible.” I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 19:26, “‘with God all things are possible.’”

APPLICATION

So, what is Paul pointing out as a conditional possibility? That we should “be at peace with all people.” The Greek word translated here as “be at peace” is eirēneúō which is only used three other times in the New Testament (we’ll see those below). It comes from eirḗnē, (peace). HELPS Word-studies says it is “living in the condition of God’s peace (gift of wholeness, integrity of being).”

In Mark 9:50 when Jesus was talking to his disciples and giving them some serious warnings, He ends it by saying, “‘and be at peace with one another.’” I bet Jesus had to do a lot of refereeing among those twelve, don’t you? We know Peter could be a hothead and one was a zealot known for his passion. But Jesus also knew they could learn to be at peace with one another.

Later in 2 Corinthians 13:11 Paul writes, “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice, mend your ways, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” We can only be at peace with others if we have the God of peace in our lives. Just look at the attempts at peace in the world. There will never be world peace until all men bow to Jesus.

Paul tells the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 5:13b. “Live in peace with one another.” It didn’t matter who he was writing to, Paul knew they all needed this directive. He knew everyone deals with this issue. It hasn’t changed, has it? We still need to lean on the God of peace to produce that peace through us. We have to do all we can to make peace with others. That’s our part. God handles the rest.

Father, I do desire to be at peace with all men. Help me do that daily.

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