Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:14 (KJV)
Context
This verse is part of the account of the birth of Jesus Christ found in the Gospel of Luke. It occurs in the scene where the angels appear to the shepherds in the fields, announcing the birth of the Savior. In the preceding verses, an angel of the Lord appears to the shepherds and announces the good news of the birth of Christ. The shepherds receive this message and hurry to Bethlehem to find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.
Meaning
“Glory to God in the highest” signifies the exaltation and praise given to God. It acknowledges that God deserves all glory, honor, and praise. The birth of Jesus, the Son of God, is a momentous event that inspires the highest praise to God. It emphasizes the divine nature of Jesus’ birth and its significance in God’s redemptive plan.
“On earth peace” — the birth of Jesus brings the promise of peace on earth. Jesus came to reconcile humanity to God and to establish a new covenant. This peace refers to both inner peace through a restored relationship with God and the possibility of peace among people. It signifies the removal of enmity and the opportunity for reconciliation. The peace spoken of is not a general political peace, but a peace that comes from God’s good will toward men, realized through the work of Christ.
“Good will toward men” expresses God’s benevolent intentions and goodwill toward humanity. It emphasizes God’s love, mercy, and grace extended to all people through the gift of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ birth demonstrates God’s desire for humanity’s well-being, salvation, and eternal life. Other translations render this phrase as “peace to those with whom he is pleased” or “peace among those with whom he is pleased,” indicating that the peace is given to those who receive God’s favor. The angel’s announcement to the shepherds (Luke 2:8-14) establishes that this good will is directed toward all people, as the angel declared “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
Biblical connections
The verse serves as a doxology, ascribing glory to God for the gift of His Son, and it marks the arrival of the long-awaited Savior, who brings peace. The response of the shepherds (Luke 2:15-20) demonstrates the proper human response to this revelation: to go, see, and glorify God for what they had heard and seen.
Application
As believers, we can draw important lessons from this verse. We should give glory to God for His work in our lives and acknowledge His sovereignty. We can experience the peace that Jesus brings by embracing Him as our Savior and cultivating a close relationship with Him. Furthermore, we are encouraged to imitate God’s good will and extend love, compassion, and goodwill toward others.
Reflection
Luke 2:14 captures the essence of the joyous announcement made by the angels at the birth of Jesus. It invites us to give glory to God, embrace the peace that Jesus brings, and live out God’s goodwill in our relationships with others.
