Free Bible Commentary
“Hebrews 4:12-13”
Categories: Hebrews“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. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”
---End of Scripture verses---
The writer sets his focus upon “the word of God” to illustrate the power of “the Good News” that has been “preached to us” (verse 2), and the consequences of either accepting or rejecting God’s desires and demands, and His invitation to enter into His rest. The word of God “is living” because it emanates from “the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). The Bible is not a “dead letter” or a merely historical document containing facts and narratives. “For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). The word of God is alive and “enduring” and is always relevant and essential to humanity, no matter what needs they may have or era they may live in.
The word of God is “active” (effective, powerful). The inspired books of the Bible contain nothing less than “the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). The revelation that expresses God’s will always succeeds in the matters for which He designed it, and it always accomplishes the goals for which He sends it (Isaiah 55:11). God sent His word into the world imbued with the power to save souls for eternity (Romans 1:16), but also as His instrument of judgment and punishment. It is a lethal weapon that is “sharper than any two-edged sword.” The person who believes and obeys God’s word will be saved by it, but the one who defies and disobeys it will be condemned by it.
The word of God has the piercing and penetrating powers to expose even the deepest “thoughts and intentions” of our hearts. It is not enough to “appear” to be doing what is right on the outside in order to maintain a facade of faithfulness. God looks right into the human heart and knows our every notion and secret motive, for “there is no creature hiding from His sight.” “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). God sees us exactly for who we are at our innermost being. “All things are open and laid bare to” His “eyes”. We will all be required to stand before God in Judgment and give an account to Him for the way that we either received or rejected His word. This is what is meant by the term “of Him with whom we have to do.”
Please read Hebrews 4:14-16 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
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