What Does the King James Say?
The gospel writer Luke offers us the following fascinating bits of information about Jesus's birth not found in the other gospels! He tells us shepherds, tending their flocks in the fields surrounding Bethlehem, are informed by an angel that mankind's Savior has been born (Luke 2:10 - 11). They are also given a description of how to find the Lord (verse 12). It is then that we arrive at, in the KJV, angels pronouncing peace to the earth.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:13 - 14, KJV).
Peace to the Unrepentant?
The Greek word translated as "good will" in Luke 2:14 is eudokia (Strong's Concordance #G2107). It is a word that conveys satisfaction, acceptance, delight or pleasure toward something or someone.
Was the angelic host of Luke 2 declaring God's peace and delight toward those who steal, partake in illicit sex, murder, indulge in sorcery, love drunkenness or otherwise pursue what seems right to them (see 1Corinthians 6:9 - 10 and Galatians 5:19 - 21)? Were the angels praising God's approval of those who know he exists but still reject him, replacing acknowledging his existence with the vain imaginations of their own hearts (Romans 1:18 - 21)?
A Stark Contradiction
The King James Bible version of Luke 2:14 is inaccurate because what it conveys conflicts with the clear teachings of other Scriptures! Jesus, for example, taught that his appearance on earth would NOT bring immediate peace to humanity (see Matthew 10:34 - 36 and Luke 12:51 - 53).
The Apostle Paul, writing many years later, declared that God's wrath was upon all those who hide the truth from others.
Indeed, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven upon all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18, HBFV).
God's utter rejection of mankind's actions in the End Time will result in his harsh punishment of all those who refuse to repent (see Revelation 8, 9, 16 and 18).
Better Translations
Unlike the King James, most modern Bibles offer a more correct translation of what was spoken in Luke 2:14.
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (New International Version).
"Glory to God in the highest heaven," they sang, "and peace on earth for all those pleasing him." (The Living Bible).
"Give glory to God in heaven, and on earth let there be peace among the people who please God." (New Century Version).
The angels at Jesus' birth were proclaiming God's peace on those who please him by doing what is right and obeying him. People like Elizabeth, Zacharias (Luke 1:5 - 6), Mary, Joseph (Matthew 1:18 - 19), Simeon (Luke 2:25), Anna (verses 36 - 38) and others were among those to whom this peace was directed.
Conclusion
While peace on the earth will only come when Jesus returns with his angels, it can be personally experienced at any time. Those who repent of their sins, accept Jesus as their Savior, and become a Christian enter a peaceful relationship with God.
But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once far off are made near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace . . . (Ephesians 2:13 HBFV, see also Colossians 1:20).
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1 HBFV).
The peace of God continues and grows in the life of the believer who delights in learning and keeping God's laws (Psalm 119:165).