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NASB | Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. |
Bible Question: EXPLAIN HEBREWS 4:12 |
Bible Answer: Greetings Elili514! Obviously the subject of Heb. 4:12 is the Word of God. What does the Word of God refer to in Heb. 4:12? One way of determining this is to look at how the author uses that particular word in the rest of his writtings, especially in the immediate context. In this case, Heb. 4:2 also uses the "the Word", though there it is translated as "the message". There, he says that the "Word" had no effect for it's listners, because they did not receive it by faith. What was the "Word" to which he refers? Look at verse 3. Here the author quotes the promise of Psalm 95:11. He then goes on to expound upon the fact that there is a "rest" which is still available to us, which must be received by faith. Those to whom the promise was originally given, rejected it and hardened their hearts. This brings us to Heb. 4:12. What does it mean? Simply this: God's Word, written or spoken, judges us. This judgement is based upon our response to it. The ones mentioned in verse 2 were disobedient and unfaithful to the Word which they heard and thus did not enter into rest. Our task, according to v. 11, is to make sure that we don't follow their example and to make sure that we receive His Word faithfully and obediently. I hope this helps! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |