“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The word "peacemakers" here isn't just about being peaceable; it means actively making peace, like building bridges between divided people. It's about fostering unity and reconciliation, reflecting God's own desire to bring harmony.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is delivering a sermon on a mountainside, laying out the core principles of his kingdom, which often turn worldly values upside down. He’s just spoken about the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, setting the stage for this beatitude. This teaching flows directly into the next, highlighting the potential cost of such a life of active peace-making.
What does it really mean to be a peacemaker? It’s more than just avoiding conflict; it’s about actively building bridges.
Jesus uses the word 'peacemakers' (eirene-poiioi) which literally means 'peace-makers' or 'those who fashion peace.' This isn't about being passively 'peaceable' (eirenikos) – someone who simply avoids trouble or goes along to get along.
Active Reconciliation
Peacemakers are those who actively work to bring about unity, especially when there's division. They don't just keep the peace; they make it. Think of it like a mediator or a bridge-builder. They step into conflict zones, not to take sides, but to help opposing parties find common ground.
The Gospel of Peace
This active peacemaking is rooted in the Gospel itself. The Bible calls Jesus the 'Prince of Peace' and the message of Christ the 'Gospel of peace' because it reconciles humanity to God and to each other. So, when we become peacemakers, we are reflecting God’s own heart and His redemptive work in the world.
Why does making peace earn us the title 'children of God'? It's about mirroring the One who is the ultimate source of peace.
The promise for peacemakers is profound: 'they shall be called sons of God.' This isn't just an honorary title; it's about reflecting the very nature of God.
God: The Father of Peace
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Our Heavenly Father is the supreme God of peace. All true peace originates from Him. Therefore, those who actively promote peace – whether between individuals, in families, or even in larger communities – are acting in a way that is deeply characteristic of God.
A Divine Reflection
When we work to resolve conflict, foster unity, and bring reconciliation, we are taking on the likeness of our divine Father. It’s a powerful testimony to our relationship with Him, showing that we are aligned with His purposes and heart. This is a privilege and an identity that sets peacemakers apart.
Understand the original words
eirēnopoios · Greek Noun
Those who actively work to reconcile people to one another and to God, promoting the wholeness and harmony characterized by biblical peace.
huioi theou · Greek Noun phrase
A title indicating a special relationship with God, characterized by adoption, inheritance, and reflecting the character of the Father.
This passage describes how Christ, through His blood on the cross, made peace, reconciling all things to God. It shows Jesus as the ultimate peacemaker, a role believers are called to emulate in their own spheres.
Romans 12:18This verse directly instructs believers to 'live peaceably with all,' echoing the heart of Jesus' teaching on peacemaking and showing it as a practical outworking of faith.
Ephesians 2:14-15Here, Christ is depicted as breaking down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles, creating one new humanity and thus making peace. This highlights that Christian peacemaking often involves bridging deep divides through His work.
Isaiah 57:19This Old Testament prophecy speaks of God proclaiming peace to those far and near, indicating that God Himself is the source and sustainer of true peace, which His 'children' would then reflect.
1 Peter 3:11This verse calls believers to 'seek peace and pursue it,' directly commanding them to actively engage in peacemaking, reinforcing the active nature of this beatitude.
vincentMatthew 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
The peacemakers (οἱ εἰρηνοποιοί)Should be held to its literal meaning, peace-makers; not as Wyc., peaceable men. The founders and promoters of peace are meant; who not only keep the peace, but seek to bring men into harmony with each other. Tynd. renders, the maintainers of peace.
wesleyMatthew 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
5:9 The peace makers - They that out of love to God and man do all possible good to all men. Peace in the Scripture sense implies all blessings temporal and eternal. They shall be called the children of God - Shall be acknowledged such by God and man. One would imagine a person of this amiable temper and behaviour would be the darling of mankind. But our Lord well knew it would not be so, as long as Satan…
The word "peacemakers" here isn't just about being peaceable; it means actively making peace, like building bridges between divided people. It's about fostering unity and reconciliation, reflecting God's own desire to bring harmony.
Jesus is delivering a sermon on a mountainside, laying out the core principles of his kingdom, which often turn worldly values upside down. He’s just spoken about the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, setting the stage for this beatitude. This teaching flows directly into the next, highlighting the potential cost of such a life of active peace-making.
Jesus is delivering a sermon on a mountainside, laying out the core principles of his kingdom, which often turn worldly values upside down. He’s just spoken about the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, setting the stage for this beatitude. This teaching flows directly into the next, highlighting the potential cost of such a life of active peace-making.
"“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." — The word "peacemakers" here isn't just about being peaceable; it means actively making peace, like building bridges between divided people. It's about fostering unity and reconciliation, reflecting…
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Last reviewed October 2026