And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding…
Summary: In this passage, Paul begins a promise with the words, “peace of God.” To understand the promise, we first have to understand the words.
When Paul speaks of the “peace of God,” he is not just spouting a platitude. He is talking about something very real and extremely important to Christian living.
In this passage, he points to a characteristic of this peace and what makes it special*: It “transcends” understanding.
What does “transcend” mean?
While it sounds meaningful, it is not a word we typically use in everyday conversation. A much more common word is “passes.” The translators could have written, “God’s peace passes all understanding,” but that doesn’t quite catch Paul’s meaning.
Many translations use the word “surpasses.” “Surpasses,” like “transcend,” expresses the idea that one thing is significantly superior to another in quality.
So, for example, let’s imagine that we are driving down the road at night, and as we round a corner, there is a police car with its radar gun out. If you are like me, “ticket tension” immediately kicks in, and I look at my speedometer. Am I going too fast?
If I happen to be going the speed limit, the ticket tension fades a little, and the farther down the road I get without red lights behind me, the more peace I feel. But this peace only applies to one situation, and only for a moment or two.
The peace of God is different.
The peace of God changes everything.
In the prior verse, Paul says:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (v 6)
The person who puts their faith in Jesus puts God above every other thing in their lives (Matthew 22:37-38). When we put ourselves first, we have plenty to worry about. When God is first in our lives, everything becomes part of his plan — even a speeding ticket!
The peace that follows, that flows out of our submission to God, doesn’t make sense. Our minds cannot comprehend why this works the way it does. That is why Paul says that the peace of God “transcends all understanding.”
If we look back through the Old Testament, we find clues to why this is. In one passage, God, speaking through Isaiah the prophet, says:
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)
God, through Jesus, created all things (John 1:3). God, through Jesus, sustains all things (Hebrews 1:3). To manage all things all the time requires an intelligence and power infinitely beyond the mind of man. This is why the peace of God transcends all understanding.
Application: Trust Jesus!
Food for Thought: How does trying to understand God’s peace limit the peace of God in our lives?
*It is interesting to note that Philippians 4:7 is the only place in the Bible (NIV) where the “peace of God” is mentioned.
How does trying to understand God’s peace limit the peace of God in our lives?
Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Psalms 46:10, Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Isaiah 55:8-9, For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Can a human cell understand the body, or an insect understand the gardener? God is our creator, He is and always will be far beyond our understanding, He does not expect his creation to understand their creator. He simply requires we receive the faith He gives to each, and come to Him for eternal life, which is His desire for us.
Ephesians 6:23, Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Living by and trusting in the faith given to us by our creator God, in all circumctances will bring peace into our lives, and be the unbreakable bond holding binding each to God for all eternity.
Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Isaiah 30:21, Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it.
Psalm 73:28, But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
Ron
Thank you!
Great analogies!! 🙂