Isaiah 32:17 - Exposition

The work of righteousness shall be peace . Peace—a true peace, not a false one ( Jeremiah 6:14 )—shall be the result of the reign of righteousness. War, quarrels, enmity, hostile feelings, are all of them the fruit of unrighteousness. In the kingdom of the Messiah, just so far forth as it is thoroughly established, "the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace" ( James 3:18 ). The effect of righteousness ; literally, the service of righteousness, which perhaps means here "the wages of righteousness." Quietness and assurance ; or, quietness and confidence (comp. Isaiah 30:15 ). The final happiness of the blessed in Christ's kingdom is always spoken of as a state of "rest and quietness" (see Psalms 95:11 ; Job 3:17 ; Jeremiah 6:16 ; Matthew 11:28 ; Hebrews 4:9-11 , etc.). The "confidence" felt would be an assured confidence, not a rash and foolish one, like that of the women of Isaiah 32:10 , Isaiah 32:11 .