Hebrews 4:12 ~ For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
“For” ties this verse back to the warning we received in verse 11. We rest in the salvation of God, the sanctification of the Spirit, and the glorification we will receive because of Christ. But we are to also rest in the completed message of the Word of God. Some might believe that what is meant by “the word of God ” here is the Lord Jesus Himself, but it is actually referring to the written Word of God.
The Bible speaks of itself in many different places using various figures of speech to describe itself. It is called a seed in Luke 8:11, a fire in Jeremiah 23:29, a hammer in the same verse, and a sword in our Scripture today. In Ephesians Chapter 6 it is also called the Sword of the Spirit. Whatever name it carries we must believe in the completed Canon of Scripture. If we do not, we will fall prey to every wind of false doctrine that comes our way.
The message in these verses is that there must be a consistency with God’s Word so that there is consistency with God Himself. If there is no consistency with the Word of God, there is no consistency with God Himself. This is where all false religion finds its strength; the Canonical Bible is not enough. Again, those who do not rest in the assurance that the Word of God contains the completed message of God to man, are open to every false doctrine and false worship that comes their way. The Word of God is not an ineffective, lifeless, idle promise; it is alive, and it is powerful.
The Word of God is “quick” which means that it is living and never shall die. It is “powerful” which comes from the Greek word “energes” meaning “energizing.” It is a living and an energizing Word. It brings to life that which is dead or near death and energizes or re-energizes it. It is good for the sinner as well as for the saint who may be weary or out of the way.
It is “sharper than any twoedged sword” for it will cut in every direction and it will penetrate. When the Word is used to rebuke sin, the one who is wielding the Sword will be convicted as well as the one who it is directed towards. When the preacher preaches the Word, it will cut towards the congregation, and it will cut towards him. He cannot preach anything that does not apply to him as well as to his listeners. It cuts both ways. Many times, the Spirit will preach the message to me before I can deliver it to the people.
We must receive the Word, as not just another word, but for what it is; it is the Word of God (1 Ths 2:13). Paul said, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor 2:4). The Word is given to us to bring us to the saving knowledge of Christ, to strengthen and guide us so that we may enjoy our Christian life, and to bring us into an ever-closer relationship with God our Father. The purpose for the Word of God is to influence our life. Someone said, “The Word of God will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Word of God.” We must spend more time in the Word of God embracing it for the fact that it is THE WORD OF GOD.
The Word of God is “piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit.” Only the Word of God can differentiate between the soul and the spirit of man. It is the only thing that can separate the two. When you speak of the soul of man you will find that the spirit is a part of it. In some Bible passages we can see the spirit and soul are synonymous with each other while in other passages they are separate from each other. The Word of God is a spiritual sword that divides the desires of man from the desires of God. We trust His Word and rest from our desires and surrender to rest in the desires of God. It is the Word that will divide the soul and the spirit from one another and do a work that will transform the person into the very image of Christ. You can trust and rest in God’s Word.
The Word of God is complete, consistent, alive, and powerful. You can trust, rest, and live in confidence in its unchanging message to give you spiritual success in its provisions, protections, and power.
Dr. Todd Taylor