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What does Hebrews 4:12 mean?
by Butterfly » Sun Aug 02, 2020 3:30 pm
How is it that"...the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart." He 4:12 NHEB
- Butterfly
Re: What does Hebrews 4:12 mean?
by jimwalton » Sun Aug 02, 2020 3:58 pm
"The word of God." Strictly speaking, it is not only the Bible, but all of God's revelation: himself in the natural world (Rom. 1.20); himself in the person of Jesus (Jn. 1.1, 14; Heb. 1.2) and all that he said, did, and stood for; the Bible, the prophetic word that is still preached and proclaimed, and God's revelation of himself through any medium. Everything God says and does (Heb. 4.13) in all creation interest this category. Every piece of the puzzle plays into our relationship to him and our accountability before him.
"is living." When he says it's alive, he means it's vibrant and full of vitality. But even more, in the case of God, who is life, his word actually imbues life. We were dead in our trespasses and sins, and the presence of God actually makes us alive in every real way.
"and active." Deism is impossible. God is engaged, active, intervening, and involved in history and life.
"Sharper." From Marvin Vincent: "The word of God has an incisive and penetrating quality. It lays bears self-delusions in moral sophisms. It manifests itself actively in the world and in men's hearts."
"than any double-edged sword." His word is not a weapon. Hebrews 4:12 describes it metaphorically as a sword, not because it's a weapon, but because it's incisive, penetrating, exposing, and discerning.
"it penetrates." God's truth is really deep. It cuts through façades, charades, hypocrisy, deceit, and the walls people build in their lives. No barrier can stand against the powerful truths of God's revelation.
"even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow." Rhetorical accumulation of terms to describe the whole nature of humanity.
"it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." There is no escaping the all-seeing eye of God and the truth of His revelation. Though some people may deny it, argue against it, and rebel against it, it will prevail. No "weapon" formed against it will prosper. Ultimately the truth of God's revelation will be used to assess and judge all things. Is the plumbline of history and humanity, of truth and reality.
"is living." When he says it's alive, he means it's vibrant and full of vitality. But even more, in the case of God, who is life, his word actually imbues life. We were dead in our trespasses and sins, and the presence of God actually makes us alive in every real way.
"and active." Deism is impossible. God is engaged, active, intervening, and involved in history and life.
"Sharper." From Marvin Vincent: "The word of God has an incisive and penetrating quality. It lays bears self-delusions in moral sophisms. It manifests itself actively in the world and in men's hearts."
"than any double-edged sword." His word is not a weapon. Hebrews 4:12 describes it metaphorically as a sword, not because it's a weapon, but because it's incisive, penetrating, exposing, and discerning.
"it penetrates." God's truth is really deep. It cuts through façades, charades, hypocrisy, deceit, and the walls people build in their lives. No barrier can stand against the powerful truths of God's revelation.
"even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow." Rhetorical accumulation of terms to describe the whole nature of humanity.
"it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." There is no escaping the all-seeing eye of God and the truth of His revelation. Though some people may deny it, argue against it, and rebel against it, it will prevail. No "weapon" formed against it will prosper. Ultimately the truth of God's revelation will be used to assess and judge all things. Is the plumbline of history and humanity, of truth and reality.
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Re: What does Hebrews 4:12 mean?
by Butterfly » Wed Oct 28, 2020 5:55 pm
Thank you for such a thoughtful and we'll researched reply. That is really helpful!
Last bumped by Anonymous on Wed Oct 28, 2020 5:55 pm.
- Butterfly
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