Through the story of Gideon in Judges, God reveals his name “The Lord is Peace.” The Hebrew word for peace is shalom, which expresses the hope that the person is well in every sense of the word – whole, content, and in harmony with themselves and God. God is the source of peace, and we can experience the peace we long for in him.
Paul encourages the believers in Philippi because of their partnership in the gospel, the spread of the gospel during Paul’s imprisonment, and the hope Paul has for the future.