Birth of Jesus- V. 14 main text "And on Earth Peace, goodwill toward men"
An angelic vision announced the birth and its significance to an unexpected and even despised group of people—shepherds. All the people refers to the Jews, the people of Israel. Not until v 32 do we get the world-wide significance of the birth of Jesus. The old wording of the announcement ‘good will toward men’ rests on inferior MSS, and the traditional translation ‘men of good will’ is mistaken. The point is rather that through the birth of the Messiah God extends his favour to people who have done nothing to deserve it; and he graciously grants them peace. Peace expresses the nature of salvation as the restoration of good relations between God and sinful people and the consequent reception of his blessings.
After calming the shepherds’ fears, the angel declares what God is doing. Humanity has nothing to fear when God moves in grace.
As if the announcement were not enough, the heavenly choir strikes up in praise to God, giving him honor for what is taking place. The angels’ refrain serves as a commentary on the flow of events. Glory should be given to God in the most exalted of ways, while on earth one should see that this child means peace for those “on whom his favor rests.” The picture of being a person of God’s favor was a Jewish way of saying that someone was numbered among God’s chosen people, much like the “God-fearers” of 1:50–53. This remark makes it clear that salvation and its fullness are not automatic for everyone. Only those who respond to God’s grace and follow the path lit by the rising sun will experience the peace into which that path leads (1:78–79). Jesus comes for all, but not all respond to and benefit from his coming.