Hebrews 4:12 Note

a [word of God] The Scriptures. See Twenty-one Names of the Bible.

 

b [quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword]

 

 

Seven Facts about the Word of God

 

1. Quick. Greek: zao (GSN-<G2198>), to live; to be full of vigor; be strong; powerful; active. Translated "quick" (Heb. 4:12; Acts 10:42; 2Tim. 4:1; 1Pet. 4:5); "lively" (Acts 7:38; 1Pet. 1:3; 2:5; and "to live" and "be alive" 112 Times. Not the same as zoe (GSN-<G2222>), living (Rev. 4:6, note)

 

2. Powerful. Greek: energes (GSN-<G1756>). Also translated "effectual" (1Cor. 16:9; Phm. 1:6)

 

3. Sharper than any two-edged sword

 

4. Piercing even to divide asunder of soul and spirit

 

5. Dividing the joints and marrow

 

6. Discerning the thoughts

 

7. Discerning the intents of the heart

 

 

c [twoedged] Greek: distomos (GSN-<G1366>). Here; Rev. 1:16; 2:12.

 

d [sword] Greek: machaira (GSN-<G3162>), sword, 29 times (Heb. 4:12; 11:34,37; Eph. 6:17; Mt. 10:34; 26:47-55; Mk. 14:43-48; Lk. 21:24; 22:36-52; Jn. 18:10-11; Acts 12:2; 16:27; Rom. 8:35; 13:4; Rev. 6:4; 13:10,14).

 

 

Twelve Symbols of the Word of God

 

1. A hammer to convict (Jer. 23:29)

 

2. A fire to refine (Jer. 23:29)

 

3. A mirror to reflect (Jas. 1:23)

 

4. Seed to multiply (1Pet. 1:23)

 

5. A laver to cleanse (Eph. 5:26)

 

6. A lamp to guide (Ps. 119:105)

 

7. Rain and snow to refresh (Isa. 55:10)

 

8. A sword to cut (Heb. 4:12; Eph. 6:17)

 

9. A bow for revenge (Hab. 3:9)

 

10. Gold to enrich (Ps. 19:7-10)

 

11. Power to create faith (Rom. 10:17) and eternal life (1Pet. 1:23)

 

12. Food to nourish:

 

(1) Milk for babes (1Pet. 2:2)

 

(2) Bread for the hungry (Mt. 4:4)

 

(3) Meat for people (Heb. 5:11-14)

 

(4) Honey for dessert (Ps. 19:10)

 

 

e [dividing asunder of soul and spirit] Piercing through the body and laying open the innermost recesses of the soul (feelings, passions, desires, appetites) and mind (thoughts and intents of the innermost being).

Dake's Annotated Reference Bible.

 

 Hebrews 4:11 speaks of laboring to enter into this rest. Here, the writer spoke about the Word because laboring in the Word is one of the greatest things we can do to enter into that rest (1 Timothy 5:17).

The word “quick” means alive or living. The Greek word ENERGES, from which “powerful” was translated, means “active, operative” (Strong’s Concordance). The New International Version translated this as “For the word of God is living and active.”

The Strong’s Concordance definition for TOMOTEROS, from which “sharper” was translated, says, “comparative of a derivative of the primary temno (to cut; more comprehensive or decisive than 2875, as if by a single stroke; whereas that implies repeated blows, like hacking); more keen.” This word is stressing the ability of God’s Word to cut through the hardest heart in a single stroke.

Only the extreme sharpness of God’s Word can separate between soul and spirit. The soul and spirit compose the heart (see my note 3 at Matthew 12:34), and they function as one. Only under the intense scrutiny of the Word of God can we distinguish between them.

The relationship between soul and spirit is like the relationship between joints and marrow. The marrow of the bone is where blood (the life-giving force) is produced. But all the bones of the body are joined together by joints. Without joints, the body would not be able to function the way it does.

Likewise, our born-again spirits are the life-giving part of us. But our spirits are connected to our bodies by our souls. The life that is in our born-again spirits cannot reach our bodies except through our souls. Therefore, the renewing of our minds is essential to release the life that is in our spirits (Romans 12:2).