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
ζῶν γὰρ ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἐνεργὴς καὶ τομώτερος ὑπὲρ πᾶσαν μάχαιραν δίστομον καὶ διϊκνούμενος ἄχρι μερισμοῦ ψυχῆς καὶ πνεύματος, ἁρμῶν τε καὶ μυελῶν, καὶ κριτικὸς ἐνθυμήσεων καὶ ἐννοιῶν καρδίας·
Greek NT
Vivus est enim sermo Dei, et efficax et penetrabilior omni gladio ancipiti : et pertingens usque ad divisionem animæ ac spiritus : compagum quoque ac medullarum, et discretor cogitationum et intentionum cordis.
Vulgate
For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
ASV
For the word of God is living and effectual and more piercing than any two edged sword; and reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow: and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Douay-Rheims
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In this verse
In the original Greek
24 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.
Textual variants
1 variant unit attested by manuscript witnesses and modern critical editions.
- καὶ — SBLGNT
- καὶ — Westcott-Hort, Tregelles, Reader's GNT (NA27)
- τε καὶ — Robinson-Pierpont
Themes
Doctrines that cite this verse
Historic Christian voices
18 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.
2. But what means, With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you or of man's day? (ἡμέρας) I judge myself unworthy, says he, of being judged by you. And why say I, by you? I will add, by (καὶ τὸ [τοῦ]) any one else. Howbeit, let no one condemn Paul of arrogance; t…
1. Paul, having treated of hope, and having said that We are His house, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end Hebrews 3:6; next shows that we ought to look forward with firmness, and he proves this from the Scriptures. But be attentive, because he has expressed this in a manner somewhat difficult and not readily to be comprehended. And t…
Chapter 21.—Utterances of the Prophet Isaiah Regarding the Resurrection of the Dead and the Retributive Judgment. The prophet Isaiah says, “The dead shall rise again, and all who were in the graves shall rise again; and all who are in the earth shall rejoice: for the dew which is from Thee is their health, and the earth of the wicked shall fall.”14131413 Isa. xxvi. 19. All the …
§4And it is this peculiar and singular power of Holy Scripture, arising from the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, which gives authority to the sacred orator, fills him with apostolic liberty of speech, and communicates force and power to his eloquence. For those who infuse into their efforts the spirit and strength of the Word of God, speak "not in word only but in power also, and …
§27Let Catholic exegetes then disclose and expound this spiritual significance, intended and ordained by God, with that care which the dignity of the divine word demands; but let them scrupulously refrain from proposing as the genuine meaning of Sacred Scripture other figurative senses. It may indeed be useful, especially in preaching, to illustrate, and present the matters of fai…
1. How Christians are the Spiritual Israel. That people which was called of old the people of God was divided into twelve tribes, and over and above the other tribes it had the levitical order, which itself again carried on the service of God in various priestly and levitical suborders. In the same manner, it appears to me that the whole people of Christ, when we regard it in t…
31. If Power is the sign of life, what do we learn from the impotence of idols, for good or evil, and the constraining power of Christ and of the Sign of the Cross? Death and the demonsare by this proved to have lost their sovereignty. Coincidence of the above argument from facts with that from the Personality of Christ. But they who disbelieve in the Resurrection afford a stro…
35. They then afresh, as if forgetting the proofs which have been already urged against them, 'pierce themselves through ' with these bonds of irreligion, and thus argue. But the word of truth confutes them as follows:— if they were disputing concerning any man, then let them exercise reason in this human way, both concerning His Word and His Son; but if of God who created man,…
72. But if the Word were a work, then certainly He as others had been made in Wisdom; nor would Scripture distinguish Him from the works, nor while it named them works, preach Him as Word and own Wisdom of God. But, as it is, distinguishing Him from the works, He shows that Wisdom is Framer of the works, and not a work. This distinction Paul also observes, writing to the Hebrew…
Is there knowledge in God? Does God understand Himself? Does He comprehend Himself? Is His understanding His substance? Does He understand other things besides Himself? Does He have a proper knowledge of them? Is the knowledge of God discursive? Is the knowledge of God the cause of things? Does God have knowledge of non-existing things? Does He have knowledge of evil? Does He h…
Was the Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, sanctified before her birth from the womb? Was she sanctified before animation? Was the fomes of sin entirely taken away from her in virtue of this sanctification? Was the result of this sanctification that she never sinned? In virtue of this sanctification, did she receive the fulness of grace? Was it proper to her to be thus sanctified? …
Abba Poemen said, "The nature of water is soft, that of stone is hard; but if a bottle is hung above the stone, allowing the water to fall drop by drop, it wears away the stone. So it is with the word of God; it is soft and our heart is hard, but the man who hears the word of God often, opens his heart to the fear of God."
God Who is good and altogether good and more than good, Who is goodness throughout, by reason of the exceeding riches of His goodness did not suffer Himself, that is His nature, only to be good, with no other to participate therein, but because of this He made first the spiritual and heavenly powers: next the visible and sensible universe: next man with his spiritual and sentie…
Gregory insists that the divine Word is not a spoken syllable that perishes in the air but a living, subsistent Person. The Word is the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature. The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. Such descriptions demand a Person, not a sound.
The cherubim placed at the east of Eden represent the two highest powers of God: His creative goodness and His sovereign authority. The flaming sword that turns in every direction is the Logos, which mediates between these powers. After the fall, the way back to the tree of life passes through the Logos — the Word that both guards the holy and provides the way of return for the…
Cross-references
- 1Chr 29:17 — I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy t
- 1Cor 1:18 — For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
- 1Cor 1:24 — But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
- 1Cor 14:24 — But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
- 1Cor 14:24 — But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
- 1John 5:7 — For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
- 1Kgs 8:39 — Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the childr
- 1Pet 1:23 — Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
- 1Pet 1:23 — Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
- 1Pet 2:4 — To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
- 1Sam 2:3 — Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
- 1Thess 2:13 — For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which e
- 1Thess 2:13 — For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which e
- 1Thess 5:23 — 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.
- 1Thess 5:23 — 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.
- 2Cor 2:17 — For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
- 2Cor 4:2 — But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscienc
- 2Cor 10:4 — (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
- 2Cor 10:5 — Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
- 2Tim 3:16 — All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
- Acts 2:37 — Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
- Acts 2:37 — Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
- Acts 4:31 — And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
- Acts 5:33 — When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
- Acts 8:22 — Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
- Col 3:16 — Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
- Eccl 12:11 — The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
- Eccl 12:11 — The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
- Eph 5:13 — But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
- Eph 6:17 — And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
- Eph 6:17 — And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
- Heb 13:7 — Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
- Hos 6:5 — Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
- Isa 11:4 — But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay
- Isa 30:28 — And his breath, as an overflowing stream, shall reach to the midst of the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of vanity: and there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people, causing them to err
- Isa 49:2 — And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
- Isa 49:2 — And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;
- Isa 55:11 — So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
- Isa 66:18 — For I know their works and their thoughts: it shall come, that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come, and see my glory.
- Jas 1:18 — Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.