Letter to the Hebrews Volume 35

 The Unique Mighty Power that is the Word of God Part 1

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. KJV

Because of this very visual age or era we now live in, we recognize that many people younger than the age of 40 prefer watching a story line in a film or movie rather than reading about it in a book. Reading has almost become obsolete, but there are still many people who find and take pleasure in the excitement, emotion, and escape some fictional and even true stories bring to life between the pages. Many people might find it quite unbelievable that the most read book in all of history has been and still is today the Bible. Despite the devil doing all that he can to destroy this book for centuries and centuries it still thrives right up to this very moment in human history. Unlike the many fine books of poetry or mystery or love stories or crime novels or any other genre, the Bible is unique for one reason and that is, its author is God the Holy Spirit who wrote every Word (found in the 66 seperate books that make up the Bible) through several different men, as it is written here through the Apostle Paul speaking directly to this very point with these words, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Timothy 3:16) (KJV). In this verse 2 Timothy 3:16, the little English phrase 'is given by inspiration of God' is translated by the Greek word theopneustos (used this one time only in the New Testament) which means divinely breathed in.

So, we now see the author of the Book of Hebrews (whose words are also divinely breathed in) saying this concerning the Word of God, "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." (Hebrews 4:12) (KJV). The other books written throughout human history can be read and enjoyed, but these books and the words on their pages cannot read the reader, however, that is exactly what the Word of God does to every person that opens up its pages and begins to read line by line and precept upon precept. How is this possible one might ask? Well, the little English phrase 'is quick' translated by the Greek word zaō a primary verb meaning life, to live, or alive in this verse gives us the answer, that is, the Word of God has within it the life of God. The English word 'powerful' is translated by the Greek word energēs meaning active, operative: - effectual, powerful, that is, the spiritual life giving power of the One True Living God who made all things (seen or unseen) with the Words spoken by Him, as it is written here, "For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:" (Colossians 1:16) (KJV). Here is what Dr. John Gill has to say of the Word of God being 'quick' and 'powerful', "As it may be better rendered, 'living'; He has life in Himself as God, He is the living God; He is the living Redeemer and Mediator, and He lives for ever as Man; He is the author and giver of life, natural, spiritual, and eternal: and He is powerful, as He appears to be in the creation and sustaining of all things; in His miracles and ministrations; in the work of man's redemption; in the preservation of His people, and in His advocacy and intercession:"

The English word 'sharper' used here in comparison with a physical and tangible knife blade is translated by the Greek word tomōteros (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning to cut; as if by a single stroke. The English word 'piercing' is translated by the Greek word diikneomai (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning to reach through, that is, penetrate: - pierce. Just like a very sharp knife can cut through, say deer flesh when one has killed a deer and begins the gutting, skinning, and quartering of the animal, so is the Word of God sharp to cut through self delusions and those unfounded human reasonings. The sharpness of the Word of God destroys the deliberately invalid arguments displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone because it is the truth the whole truth and the only truth. For example, many human beings say that the fetus inside the Mother's womb is not a human being (all pro-choice people have to believe this), but here is what the Word of God says, "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5) (KJV). The Word of God destroys the entire lie of the Pro-choice movement. It is a lie from the very pit of hell.

The English phrase 'the dividing asunder' is translated by the Greek word merismos meaning simply a separation. The author here makes a comparison of the division of bone joints and the marrow inside of the bone to the soul and spirit that also are united together but are separate just like the bone is from the marrow, as it is written here speaking of the uniqeness of soul from spirit, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23) (KJV). We human beings are spirit, soul, living inside a human body. In other words, the Word of God cuts and pierces so deep that it can split apart the soul from the spirit and discern the thoughts and intents of the heart or the inner man or inner woman. The little English phrase 'is a discerner' is translated by the Greek word kritikos (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning decisive ('critical'), that is, discriminative: - discerner. The English word 'thoughts' is translated by the Greek word enthumēsis meaning deliberation: - device, thought. The English word 'intents' is translated by the Greek word ennoia meaning thoughtfulness, that is, moral understanding: - intent, mind. The English word 'heart' is translated by the Greek word kardia meaning (as used here) (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind). Here is what Robertson's Word Picture had to say of this discerning of the thoughts and intents of the heart, "Skilled in judging, as the surgeon has to be and able to decide on the instant what to do. So God's word like his eye sees the secret lurking doubt and unbelief  'of the thoughts and intents of the heart' (enthumēseōn kai ennoiōn kardias). The surgeon carries a bright and powerful light for every dark crevice and a sharp knife for the removal of all the pus revealed by the light. It is a powerful picture here drawn."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…