Understanding εἰρηνοποιός (eirēnopoios) Strong’s G1518: The Divine Peacemakers Who Reflect God’s Reconciling Heart

Pronunciation Guide: eye-ray-no-poy-OS (emphasis on the “poy”)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1518: Εἰρηνοποιός (eirēnopoios) refers to a peacemaker—one who actively creates, establishes, and maintains peace. The term describes more than merely desiring peace or avoiding conflict; it signifies someone who intentionally works to bring reconciliation where division exists. In the biblical context, a peacemaker reflects the heart of God by bringing His shalom (complete well-being) into broken relationships and situations.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound noun formed from εἰρήνη (eirēnē, “peace”) and ποιέω (poieō, “to make/do”)
• Nominative masculine/feminine singular form
• Appears only once in the New Testament (Matthew 5:9)
• Used in didactic/teaching section (Sermon on the Mount)
• Primary meaning involves active peacemaking rather than passive peacekeeping

Εἰρηνοποιός Morphology:

• εἰρηνοποιός (nominative singular) – peacemaker
• εἰρηνοποιοῦ (genitive singular) – of a peacemaker
• εἰρηνοποιῷ (dative singular) – to/for a peacemaker
• εἰρηνοποιόν (accusative singular) – peacemaker (as direct object)
• εἰρηνοποιοί (nominative plural) – peacemakers

Origin & History

The compound word εἰρηνοποιός is relatively rare in classical Greek literature but builds on concepts deeply embedded in both Hellenistic and Jewish thought. The root word εἰρήνη (peace) in Greek literature typically referred to a state of national tranquility, freedom from war and conflict, or harmony in personal relationships. In Xenophon’s “Hellenica” (6.3.4), we find discussion of those who strive to establish peace (though using related verbal forms rather than this exact noun).

In the Septuagint (LXX), εἰρήνη translates the Hebrew שָׁלוֹם (shalom), which carries a much richer meaning than mere absence of conflict—encompassing wholeness, completeness, welfare, and prosperity. The Jewish concept of making peace (שָׁלוֹם עָשָׂה, shalom asah) appears in contexts like 1 Kings 22:44 and Isaiah 45:7, where it describes divine and royal activities of establishing well-being. By the time of Yeshua (Jesus), this compound word εἰρηνοποιός emerged as a powerful term describing those who actively produce this comprehensive peace in alignment with God’s redemptive purposes.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• One who establishes reconciliation between parties in conflict
• A creator or producer of harmonious relationships
• One who restores broken relationships to wholeness
• A person who mediates disputes and brings resolution
• Someone whose presence and action brings God’s shalom into any situation

Εἰρηνοποιός Translation Options:

• Peacemaker – The most common translation, emphasizing the active production of peace
• Peace-creator – Highlighting the generative aspect of bringing something new (peace) into existence
• Reconciler – Focusing on the relational restoration aspect of the term
• Shalom-bringer – Incorporating the Hebrew concept of complete well-being rather than mere absence of conflict
• Peace-worker – Emphasizing the ongoing labor involved in establishing and maintaining peace

Biblical Usage

Εἰρηνοποιός appears only once in the New Testament, in Matthew 5:9, where Yeshua pronounces a blessing on peacemakers in His Sermon on the Mount. The singular appearance of this word makes it particularly significant, as it represents a key characteristic of those who belong to God’s kingdom. While the exact noun form appears only in Matthew, the concept of making peace is found throughout Scripture.

The verbal cognate (εἰρηνοποιέω, eirēnopoieō) appears in Colossians 1:20, where it describes the reconciling work of the Messiah through the blood of His cross. This connection establishes an important theological link: human peacemakers reflect and participate in God’s own peacemaking activity through Yeshua. The concept also connects to Old Testament themes of shalom-making, as seen in passages like Psalm 34:14 and Isaiah 52:7.

• “Blessed are the peacemakers [εἰρηνοποιοί], for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9
• “and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace [εἰρηνοποιήσας – verbal form] through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:20
• “Pursue peace [εἰρήνην] with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
• “So then we pursue the things which make for peace [εἰρήνης] and the building up of one another.” Romans 14:19
• “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace [εἰρηνεύοντες – verbal form] with all men.” Romans 12:18
• “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace [εἰρηνεύετε – verbal form] with one another.” Mark 9:50

Cultural Insights

In first-century Jewish culture, the concept of peacemaking carried profound significance beyond what modern readers might initially understand. The Hebrew concept of שָׁלוֹם (shalom) that underlies εἰρηνοποιός encompassed not just the absence of conflict but the presence of complete well-being—spiritually, physically, socially, and mentally. The Jewish understanding of “making peace” (rodef shalom) was considered one of the highest virtues, echoed in rabbinic teachings like Pirkei Avot 1:12: “Be of the disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace.”

Particularly striking is how countercultural Yeshua’s blessing on peacemakers would have been in the context of Roman-occupied Judea. Many Jews were anticipating a Messiah who would bring peace through military conquest of Rome, establishing שָׁלוֹם through the defeat of enemies. Instead, Yeshua blessed those who made peace through reconciliation and restoration, indicating a radical reorientation of how God’s kingdom would come. This pronouncement challenged both the violent resistance of zealots and the passive acceptance of the status quo, introducing a third way of active, transformative peacemaking that reflected God’s character and purposes.

Theological Significance

The theological depth of εἰρηνοποιός is revealed in the divine identity Yeshua assigns to peacemakers: “they shall be called sons of God.” This language of divine sonship indicates that peacemaking is not merely a moral virtue but a family resemblance—those who make peace demonstrate their spiritual lineage by reflecting the character of God Himself. Throughout Scripture, יהוה (Yahweh) is portrayed as the ultimate Peacemaker, bringing reconciliation where sin has caused alienation.

The crowning theological significance comes in understanding that God’s ultimate act of peacemaking occurred through Yeshua’s work on the cross. As Ephesians 2:14-16 declares, the Messiah “Himself is our peace,” who broke down dividing walls of hostility and reconciled humanity to God. This divine peacemaking cost the blood of God’s Son; thus, when believers engage in peacemaking, they participate in the ongoing ministry of reconciliation initiated by God Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). The blessing pronounced on peacemakers is not merely a promise of future reward but recognition of present spiritual identity—in making peace, believers demonstrate their authentic relationship with the God of Peace.

Personal Application

To embrace the calling of εἰρηνοποιός in our lives requires more than conflict avoidance or maintaining superficial harmony. True peacemaking involves the courageous work of addressing root causes of division, speaking truth in love, facilitating genuine reconciliation, and sometimes enduring discomfort for the sake of deeper healing. Each believer is called to assess: Where has God positioned me to be an agent of His reconciling love? This might be in family relationships, church communities, workplaces, or broader social contexts where divisions exist.

The promise that peacemakers “shall be called sons of God” offers profound encouragement for this challenging work. When we encounter resistance or experience the cost of peacemaking, we can remember that this ministry identifies us with our heavenly Father and His Son, who endured the ultimate cost to make peace between God and humanity. As we faithfully work for true shalom in our spheres of influence, we experience the reality of divine sonship—not earning God’s favor through our efforts, but expressing the new nature He has already given us through the Messiah.

Related Words

• εἰρήνη (eirēnē) – peace, tranquility, harmony; the Hebrew concept of shalom (complete well-being). This is the root noun from which εἰρηνοποιός is formed, representing the product that peacemakers create. See G1515
• καταλλάσσω (katallassō) – to reconcile, exchange hostility for friendship; focuses on the restoration of relationship between estranged parties, especially between God and humanity. See G2644
• διαλλάσσω (diallassō) – to be reconciled with someone, to change from enmity to friendship; emphasizes mutual reconciliation between equals. See G1259
• πραΰς (praus) – gentle, humble, meek; describes the character quality that enables effective peacemaking through strength under control. See G4239
• υἱοθεσία (huiothesia) – adoption as sons; connects to the promise that peacemakers “shall be called sons of God,” highlighting the familial relationship peacemakers have with the Father. See G5206

Did you Know?

• Did you know that in ancient Greek culture, professional mediators called “proxenoi” would sometimes serve as diplomatic peacemakers between city-states in conflict? While not exactly the same as εἰρηνοποιός, these individuals show how the concept of third-party peacemaking was valued in the Hellenistic world that formed part of the cultural background to the New Testament.
• Did you know that the rabbinic concept of “rodef shalom” (pursuer of peace) was exemplified by Aaron, Moses’s brother? Jewish tradition holds that when two people were in conflict, Aaron would go to each separately and tell them how the other person was sorry and wanted reconciliation—often bringing about peace without either party losing face. This cultural background enriches our understanding of what Yeshua meant by blessing the εἰρηνοποιοί.
• Did you know that the Greek word εἰρήνη (the first component of εἰρηνοποιός) is etymologically connected to the verb “eirō” meaning “to join”? This suggests that peace, as understood in the Greek mind, was fundamentally about joining together what was separated—making the compound term εἰρηνοποιός a powerful image of someone who actively works to join together what has been divided.

Remember This

Εἰρηνοποιός embodies not merely the absence of conflict but the active presence of God’s reconciling power—those who make peace are not just practicing a virtue but revealing their true identity as children of the ultimate Peacemaker.