Hebrews 4:12 … The living Word of God (05/15/17)
“Indeed, the Word of God is living and active; sharper than any two-edged sword; piercing until It divides Soul from Spirit, joints from marrow. It is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the Heart.” ~ unknown (Hebrews 4:12)
If the book of Hebrews is read “mystically” (i.e. both metaphysically & metaphorically), it rivals the Gospel of John as the best representation of The Way of Christ in the entire New Testament (outside of the words of Jesus himself, of course).
Of course, if it is not, then it doesn’t …
Indeed, this particular verse claims that “the Word of God is living and active” – a sentiment in harmony with Jesus’ belief that the Word of God is essentially perfect, selfless, unconditional Love (Matthew 5:48), and a sentiment also in harmony with Hebrews’ own view — namely, that the Gospel provided in the New Testament fully trumps the Law provided in the Old Testament (see Hebrews 8:8-13).
It is worthwhile to note as well that Jesus fully agreed with this particular take on the “living and active” nature of the Scriptures (see Matthew 5:17-18 – where “fulfilled” is actually the Greek “pleroo,” a word which meant not “to follow blindly” or “ to support”, but rather “to hone” or “to make complete” … see also Matthew 7:15-20 – where Jesus explained that the validity of Scripture &/or the prophets spouting the same was to be determined by “their Fruits” … and see also Matthew 22:37-40 – where Jesus essentially takes the ten “do not” Commandments of the Old Testament based in fear & judgment and transforms them into his lone two “Do” Commandments founded in Grace & Love) …
Note as well that it is the Word of God that is analogized with the “sword” here – just as Jesus made the same analogy when he mentioned a “sword” in the Gospels; not a sword of violence but a Sword of Truth (see Matthew 10:34 – also Matthew 26:52-55, Luke 22:36-38 & Isaiah 49:2) …
Also, the phrase “dividing Soul from Spirit” (the Greek “psyches,” meaning “the breath of Life of the individual” – Strong’s #5590, and the Greek “pneumatos,” meaning “the all-encompassing Spirit” – see Strong’s #4151) is quite unusual, and seems to be a reference to the difference Jesus denotes between “the Son of Man” (the ego-founded ability we all have to choose between fear & Love – see Matthew 16:24-28) and “the Son of God” (the innately Divine conscience residing within each & every sentient Heart – see John 14:20) within each & every human being …
Finally, please note in closing that “the intentions of the Heart” are mentioned, alluding to the fact that it is not what we do that is salvational, but rather why (i.e. both the “for whom” – namely, for others — and the why of the “for whom” – namely, for their benefit) we do what we do that is the deciding factor (see Matthew 10:8, Luke 6:35-36, John 13:15-17 et al).
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