What does 'Peace on Earth Goodwill Toward Men' mean?

Answer 1

peace on earth= peace on earth,...as in, give peace a chance

good will to all men = be good to one another

The question is based on a secular miss-translation of the following bible scripture:

"Glory to God, and on earth peace, toward men of good will" (Luke 2:14). It could also be worded: "Glory to God, and on earth, peace among men who please God" or "among men with whom God is pleased"

Therefore the correct answer is:

Peace on earth = peace between men and God

Good will toward men = God's peace between himself and men who accept his Son

The above answer is based on this argument:

"Peace on earth, goodwill to men"? The Latin has it, `et in terra pax hominibus, bonae voluntatis". Note the Latin genitive case in the words `bonae voltuntatis'. The phrase properly rendered is, "PEACE ON EARTH TO MEN OF GOOD WILL". The angels' words are not universalist, if you get my drift. by elcid1970

Maybe not - Check this out - I am not literate in Greek or Latin but it's an interesting view:

But the text was not originally written in Latin, it was written in Greek. The Greek is '�όξα �ν ��ί��οι� θεῷ καὶ ��ὶ γ�� εἰ�ήνη �ν �νθ�ώ�οι� ε�δοκία�. Epi ges: on earth eirene: peace en anthropois: to people (in the dative, for the preposition) eudokias: good will (accusative) The translation that makes the most sense is, in fact, "good will to men". If you had wanted to say "peace to men of good will", then "good will" would modify "men", and thus it would be in the dative to agree with anthropois. But it's not in the dative. It's in the accusative.

by solargecko

I know a little Greek and Latin so would add this:

Solargecko is right to say that Greek was the original language. However the word 'eudokias' (satisfaction, approval) is genitive not accusative, so has much the same force as the Latin (men of good will) giving us literally 'men of approval.'

I have also seen it said that the Greek word eudoxia(s)is a possible variant here, from 'eu' meaning 'good' and 'doxa' meaning 'sentiment'. This would give 'men of good sentiment'.

I would add that whereas the Latin says 'peace TO men of good will', the Greek literally says, 'peace IN/ AMONGST/ ON men of good will.' That gives us another shade of meaning.

by adibden

I opt for the answer that promotes peace and unity, not the one that is used to promote pridefulness and war. By the same reasoning that a man should be found innocent until proven guilty, so should mankind as individuals be treated with good will and respect until he proves undeserving, and even then, he should be restrained and rehabilitated, not destroyed. Men of Good Will should be helped and supported but even a man with the best intentions may harbor ill intent and evil deeds.

OLD~ Written about 80-100 A.D

'Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards Men' Gospel of Luke Luke 2:14

NEW~ Written in 1987

'Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards All Living Things'

Theory of Iceality on Environmental Arts

Answer 2

"Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward Men" is a phrase often associated with the Christmas season. It emphasizes the wish for peace and kindness among people. It reflects the idea of fostering harmony and benevolence towards others as a way to create a better world.