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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:
Dear inhzsvc, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Thessalonians 5:23 NASB. Apparently, Paul is making a difference between body, soul, and spirit, and that this situation exists before we meet the Lord. The writer of Hebrews makes it seem that the Word divides them for a reason. I have a theory, but want to ask if anyone else thinks that man is a triune creature? Blessings in Jesus' name, charis |
Bible Answer: Dear Charis: Even before I submit this note, I can already hear the outraged cries of dissent from all the armchair theologians. Nevertheless I quote John MacArthur. After you all read it, please don't ask me to explain or defend what he writes. Ask John MacArthur to defend John MacArthur. As far the Bible, we don't need to defend it. It is a weapon, a sword. Whoever heard of defending one's weapon? The weapon defends you. . . . MacArthur's note at Heb 4:12. "*division of soul and spirit.* These terms do not describe two separate entities (any more than 'thoughts and intents' do) but are used as one might say 'heart and soul' to express fullness. Elsewhere these two terms are used interchangeably to describe man's immaterial self, his eternal inner person" (p. 1903, MacArthur Study Bible, Word Publishing, 1997). . . . MacArthur's note at 1 Thess 5:23. "*whole spirit, soul, and body.* This comprehensive reference makes the term 'completely' more emphatic. By using spirit and soul, Paul was not indicating that the immaterial part of man could be divided into two substances (compare Heb 4:12). The two words are used interchangeably throughout Scripture. There can be no division of these realities, but rather they are used as other texts use multiple terms for emphasis. Nor was Paul a believer in a 3-part human composition, but rather two parts: material and immaterial" (p. 1850, MacArthur Study Bible, Word Publishing, 1997). . . . Yours in Christ, JVH0212 . . . (Note: many, many Scriptures were cited by MacArthur in the above note on 1 Thess 5:23 -- too numerous for me to include in this posting. However, one can read and look up for oneself the Scripture references cited in the MacArthur Study Bible.) |