Peacemaker vs Peacekeeper: What’s the Biblical Difference?

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 5:9 NKJV

In a world often marked by division and conflict, the terms “peacekeeper” and “peacemaker” are frequently used interchangeably, yet they carry distinct biblical meanings. While both roles are centered around the pursuit of peace and unity, Scripture highlights important differences in their nature and approach. In the following article, we will address the differences between the two, which can offer valuable insights into how we are called to live out God’s true peace in our lives with the people around us.

Peacekeepers

Peacekeepers are recognized as those who uphold peace by actively preventing, averting, or alltogether avoiding conflict. They effectively manage tensions by ensuring harmony or preserving the status quo, rather than merely addressing superficial issues. In this context, their primary objective is to prevent escalation by neglecting to resolve deeper-rooted problems.

Sometimes, it is essential to assertively calm a situation. If we are sharing the gospel to someone and they are being aggressive in their response, we may ask them their name and use it in the conversation. We may even buy them lunch and talk it out over a meal. However, the real issue arises when this approach shifts into avoidance instead of taking on the vital transformative work that fosters genuine peace. It becomes a problem when we take the person out to lunch and never talk about what provoked the aggression to begin with.

This is what happens much of the time with “friendship evangelism,” as we build friendships with those around us to create an open door to share the gospel. But what usually takes place is we don’t want to potentially end the relationship by telling them they are going to hell unless they repent of their sin and put their trust in Christ as the only way of salvation. Prolonging this behavior ultimately leads to capitulation and sacrifices the truth for the sake of fleeting harmony.

Even though “peacekeeper” is not located in the Bible, we have some very good examples of what this concept looks like in individuals.

Aaron

One of the prime examples of a peacekeeper was Moses’ brother, Aaron. God met Moses in the burning bush to give him specific instruction how to free His people from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 3:1-4:17). Moses felt illequipped for the task, but God equipped him for every excuse Moses had and even sent his brother, Aaron to speak for him (Exodus 4:14-17; 7:1-7). They were a great team, but things went tragic when they were seperated.

As Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights as God was fashioning the tablets of stone with His law, the Ten Commandments, Aaron tried to control the people.

When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.” And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.

Exodus 32:1-6 ESV

Aaron was second in command of the Israelites and they were his responsibility while Moses was gone (Exodus 24:13-14). He was to restrain the people, no matter how many there were. When Moses came down from the mountain after the Lord directed him to go, he confronted Aaron. His excuse to Moses:

And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?” So Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord become hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. “For they said to me, ‘Make us gods that shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ “And I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out.” Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies),

Exodus 32:21-25 NKJV

Aaron was keeping the peace (so he thought) in the camp and it cost them over 3,000 men (Exodus 32:25-29) and brought plagues to God’s people. Sometimes the price for keeping peace is higher than actually confronting and making peace.

We saw this same wicked peacekeeping heart in king Saul when he disobeyed the commandment of the Lord when he allowed king Agag to live, let the people keep whatever they wanted, because he feared the people (1 Samuel 15). Saul may have kept peace with the people, but he lost the kingdom when God rejected him as king.

Peacemakers

A peacemaker on the other hand is precisely what the term implies: an individual dedicated to forging peace through active engagement. This person unwaveringly pursues reconciliation, justice, and authentic peace, transcending mere temporary calm. Peacemakers adeptly confront the root causes of conflict and champion healing and restoration, frequently taking the initiative in challenging scenarios where truth must be boldly asserted and justice relentlessly sought.

Everywhere in the Bible the word, “peacemakers” is used, it’s in the plural form. That’s key. In order for true peace to exist, all parties must be in agreement and strive to foster peace. It cannot reside with just one.

Moses

Although his brother Aaron failed miserably by attempting to keep peace in the camp and 3,000 men fell, not to mention severely severing relationship with the LORD, Moses took it upon himself to bridge the gap between the LORD and His people and be a peacemaker.

First, Moses went to the men of the camp and not only blamed the men for not leading, but commanded and directed them, which was exactly what Aaron should have done and said to the people: “Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD that He may bestow on you a blessing this day, for every man has opposed his son and his brother.” (Exodus 32:29).

Next, Moses went to the LORD in prayer after doing what the LORD told him to do from the beginning. “You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make attonement for your sin.” (Exodus 32:30-32). He pleads for mercy on behalf of the people and for their forgiveness. God ultimately considered Moses and renewed the covenant with His people, made a new set of tablets, and returned Moses to lead them.

Moses would continually step in and be the mediator between God and His chosen people. Time and time they rebelled, and time and time again Moses was there to bring them to repentance and restoration with their Creator.

Other peacemakers found in the Bible are:

1. King Solomon (1 Kings 3:16-28) – When two women came to Solomon, each claiming to be the mother of a baby, Solomon used wisdom to bring about peace and resolve the dispute by offering a solution that revealed the true mother, demonstrating his peacemaking ability.
2. David (1 Samuel 25:32-33) – When Abigail, the wife of Nabal, intervened to prevent David from avenging the insult Nabal had given him, she became a peacemaker. She reminded David that God would take care of the situation, and David blessed her for her wise and peaceful intervention.
3. Esther (Esther 4:15-17) – Esther acted as a peacemaker between the Jewish people and the Persian King Xerxes. She risked her life to approach the king and plead for the lives of her people, ultimately bringing peace and deliverance to the Jews in a time of great danger.

Summing Up

Peacekeeper	Peacemaker
Avoids conflict	Engages conflict with wisdom
Seeks temporary harmony	Seeks true reconciliation
May compromise truth	Speaks truth in love
Maintains the status quo	Works toward real peace
Example: Aaron trying to keep the peace in the camp by keeping the people happy.	Example: Moses becoming a mediator between God and His sinful people

Even though there are times when we need to be peacekeepers and seek temporary harmony, that should never be prolonged to the point of not creating lasting eternal peace with those for whom Christ died.

God, the supreme Peacemaker, has powerfully reconciled us to Himself through the blood of His own Son—Jesus Christ. He has entrusted us as His ambassadors with the essential ministry of reconciliation. As we represent Christ, it is as if God is fervently pleading through us for others to be reconciled to Him. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). This is the very essence of a bold and obedient soul-winning Christian—to confidently lead others to God through Christ.