The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.
Continuing with my review of this useful and informative biblical tool, within the Orthodox tradition (my tradition is Reformed, but I appreciate this academic work).
Glossary from Reverend John W. Morris, Ph.D.
Peace
(Hebrew: shalom). (804) This is tranquillity, harmony with God, with self and other persons. (804). This is made (theologically, my add) possible through Jesus Christ. (804). It is then noted that this work of Christ, unites human beings to God and to humanity. (804). New Testament references provided.
Galatians 5 explains that a 'fruit' of the Spirit, includes peace. Ephesians 2 describes Jesus Christ as himself the peace of believers. Philippians 4 connects prayer and requests for peace with God in Christ.
Philippians 4:6-7 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all [a]comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Footnotes: Philippians 4:7 Lit mind
Theological considerations
Within the Ephesians 2: 13-18, the Orthodox Study Bible explains that Jesus Christ reverses the separation caused by the fall (Genesis 1-3, Romans, my add). This is internal human separation, between persons and also the external separation from humanity to God. This creates a 'unified humanity', the Church. (442). God raises this unified humanity to God. (442).
Interestingly, the text opines that the incarnation of Jesus Christ led to the creation of a unified humanity. (442). While the death and resurrection (atoning work and resurrection, my add) led to the raising of a unified humanity. (442).
The New Testament incarnation of Jesus Christ provides the groundwork for his divine atoning and resurrection work. Divine incarnation made the gospel work pragmatically, possible. God incarnate was and is, both the infinite God, to outlast finite sin, and a perfect human being to serve as the perfect sacrifice.
I can grant, in part, the point made by Orthodoxy. But, I still connect the applied gospel work of the death and atoning work of Jesus Christ and his applied resurrection, as that which primarily unites humanity to itself and God, in peace. The incarnation in itself would not suffice to bring humanity together in peace without his death and resurrection. This peace leads ultimately to the culminated Kingdom of God (Revelation 20-22).
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