Hebrews 4:12-13
“For the Word of God is full of life and power, penetrating deeper than the sharpest two-edged sword, severing soul from spirit, to the very innermost parts of one’s being, and is able to detect the secret motives of the heart. Neither is there any created thing that can escape God’s scrutiny, but everything is completely exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we will one day give account.” (paraphrased)
v. 12
As the second warning concludes, the writer makes us aware of the dynamics of God’s Word. He proceeds to describe what the Lord says, whether written or spoken, scrutinizes the secret desires and intentions of every heart. While grass withers and flowers fade, the Word of God will stand forever (I Pet. 1:24). The prophets, Moses, Aaron, and Joshua have all passed away, but the oracles of God remain.
God’s Word is alive, active, and efficient. The term “powerful” is energes, from whence we derive our word energy. The words of human beings may be dynamic, but in comparison they are powerless. Because whatever He proclaims is an extension of Himself, it efficiently accomplishes what it is designed to do. We are born again through the living Word of God (I Pet. 1:23). It maintains its power and force when it comes to us – whether through His Spirit or the printed page. It comforts, cleanses, chastens, convicts, and corrects us. Jesus said His teachings are Spirit and life (Jn. 6:63). His remarks are not enigmas simply to be pondered: they demand a response.
God’s Word, like a double-edged sword, slices deeper than the sharpest blade. “Piercing” pictures a surgeon’s knife, dissecting and laying open the innermost recesses of the heart. It probes like a doctor who has the patient’s best interests in mind. The Word opens us up to discover and remove that which is diseased. Although a Biblical text may be painful as it pierces, what it exposes can be healed by our Great Physician (Mk. 2:17).
God’s Word divides soul and spirit. Psyche (soul) is that which animates and gives life to the physical body. Pneuma (spirit) pertains to the spiritual aspect of an individual. Only the Bible can sort out issues hidden deep within us.
God’s Word separates joints from marrow. The author uses the analogy of body parts to represent the hidden places of the heart. Bone joints and marrow are so closely connected, they cannot actually be severed. The writer implies this is humanly impossible. He uses a poetical form of expression to show how the Word penetrates deep into the subconscious, as the sharpest knife might cut through bone and marrow. The thought here is not the actual separation of the two, but rather how Scripture exposes our intrinsic secrets.
God’s Word discerns and uncovers – testing thoughts and intentions. In the Greek, the word “discern” is kritikos from which we derive our word “critic”. This term means to divide or separate. Kritikos differentiates between what one believes is true and what God knows is true. Kritikos is also used in the sense of a judge who sifts evidence to obtain the truth. No one can escape the infallible, impartial verdict of God’s statutes. They search us, analyzing both motives and actions.
Thoughts refer to ones emotions, whereas intents refer to the intellect. His Word exposes, explores, and evaluates both. While no psychologist can fathom how the conscious and subconscious effectively function, the Bible lays bare our thoughts, desires, and emotions. It remains unchanged and unchangeable. Heaven and earth will pass away, but what is divinely decreed will not (Matt. 5:18).
v. 13
Because God’s Word uncovers everything, it is logical that He is aware of everything. All created things are perpetually within the Creator’s view. It is utterly impossible for anything to be hidden from Him. Adam and Eve tried and failed to run from God (Gen. 3:10). The Lord asks, “Can any man hide in a secret place that I cannot find him?” (Jer. 23:24).
“Open” is trachelizo, from which we derive the word tracheotomy. The concept here is the bending back of the neck in preparation for the slaying of a sacrificial victim. This complements the figure of the sword in the previous verse and serves as a link with the passage that follows regarding Christ’s priestly ministry. As High Priest, everything is openly exposed to His scrutiny. We must offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1). All intelligent life is exposed to the view of the One whose Word is a two-edged sword (Rev. 19:15).
The One with whom “we have to do” means God will call us to account for both our thoughts and actions. Because Jesus searches our hearts, His judgment is inescapable (Rev. 2:23). We may conceal various things from human beings, but not from God. While we may avert eye contact with others, one day we will be compelled to face the Lord. In this second warning, we are strongly cautioned to be attentive to this fact.
QUESTIONS: SECOND WARNING: DON’T DOUBT (Part 4)
Hebrew 4:12-13
1. List three way in which the Word of God is better than a two-edged sword.
2. What does Paul call the Word of God in Ephesians 6:17?
3. According to Revelation 19:15, to what is God’s Word compared?
4. List several things that make God’s Word profitable. (II Tim. 3:16-17)
5. What term is used to describe God’s Word in Psalm 12:6?
6. How are Jesus’ words described in Luke 4:22?
7. From Psalm 119, list the various terms used to describe God’s Word.
v. 1 ______________________________________
v. 4 ______________________________________
v. 5 ______________________________________
v. 6 ______________________________________
8. According to John 14:23, what is the proof that we truly love Jesus?
9. Discuss with your mate your favorite passage of Scripture. Why is this passage so precious to you?