Matthew Poole and continuators on John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you , my peace I give unto you : not as the world giveth, give I unto you . Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid .

Peace be with you, or to you, was the Iewish common salutation, 1 Sam. 25.6. under that general name, they comprehend all manner of good: With this good wish they both saluted their friends when they met them, and took their farewell of them when they left them. Christ being now about to take his leave for a time of his Disciples, wisheth them Peace; nay, he doth not onely wish it to them, but he leaves it to them, he giveth it them as a legacy, and that in another kind of peace, and in another manner than was common

He therefore calls it his Peace revealed in the Gospel, Eph. 6.15. purchased with his blood, Rom. 5.1. brought to the Soul by his Spirit, by which we are sealed to the day of Redemption: Christs peace is either Union, or Reconciliation with God, or the copy of it, which is a quiet of conscience, and assurance of his love: Or an union with men by Brotherly love, so often commended and pressed by Christ.

Nor doth Christ give this peace as the men of the World giveth peace, who often wish peace earnestly, never considering what it is they say; often, falsly, formally wishing peace, when they are about to strike those to whom they wish it, under the fifth rib, and when they are most serious with it, but cannot give it: Christ leaves it to his Disciples for a legacy, giveth it to them as a gift; if they want it, it is their own fault; therefore

as in the first verse, so here again, he saith, Let not your heart be troubled; and adds, neither let it be afraid. Fear is one of those passions which most usually and potently doth disturb the hearts and minds of men; but there was no reason it should have this ill influence on Christs Disciples, because he had left them Peace for his legacy, and the gifts of God are without [illegible: 1 letter]epentance; and if God be for us, saith the Apostle, who, or what can be against us?