Hebrews 4:12

The exhortation is enforced by reference to the character of the revelation which sets forth the rest of God. The message of God which promises the rest and urges to seek it, is no dead, formal precept, but is instinct with living energy.

The word of God [ο λ ο γ ο ς τ ο υ θ ε ο υ]. That which God speaks through any medium. The primary reference is to God's declarations concerning his rest. The fathers explained it of the personal Word as in the Fourth Gospel. But in the Epistle there is no approach to any definite use of logov with reference to Christ, not even in the description of his relation to God in ch. 1, where, if anywhere, it might have been expected. In ch. Hebrews 6:5 and Hebrews 11:3 we find rJhma. Everywhere in the Epistle Christ appears as the Son, not as the Word. In this passage, the following predicates, ejnerghv, tomwterov, kritikov, would hardly be applied to the Logos, and in ver. 14 he is styled Jesus the Son of God.

Quick and powerful [ζ ω ν κ α ι ε ν ε ρ γ η ς]. Note the emphatic position of zwn living. Living is the word of God, since it is the word of "the living God" (ch. 3 12). Living in its essence. For ejnerghv active, energizing, and kindred words, see on John 1:12; Philippians 3:21; Colossians 1:29; Philippians 1:6. Manifesting itself actively in the world and in men's hearts. Comp. 1 Peter 1:23.

Sharper than any two - edged sword [τ ο μ ω τ ε ρ ο ς υ π ε ρ π α σ α ν μ α χ α ι ρ α ν δ ι σ τ ο μ ο ν]. Tomwterov sharper from temnein to cut, N. T. o. o LXX The word of God has an incisive and penetrating quality. It lays bare self - delusions and moral sophisms. For the comparison of the word of God or of men to a sword, see Psalms 57:4; Psalms 59:7; Psalms 64:3; Ephesians 6:17. Philo calls his Logos oJ tomeuv the cutter, as cutting chaos into distinct things, and so creating a kosmos. JUper than, is literally, above. Pasan any, is every. Dismoton only here and Revelation 1:16; Revelation 2:12, lit. two - mouthed. In LXX always of a sword. See Jude 1:3 :16; Psalms 149:6; Proverbs 5:4; Sir. 21 3. In Class. of a cave with a twofold mouth (Soph. Philoct. 16); of double - branching roads (Soph. Oed. Col. 900); of rivers with two mouths (Polyb. Proverbs 10:5). Stoma mouth, of the edge of a sword, Luke 21:24; Hebrews 11:34. Often in LXX, as Genesis 34:26; Joshua Genesis 10:28; Genesis 10:33; Genesis 10:35; Genesis 10:37; Genesis 10:39; Jude 1:8. So occasionally in Class., as Homer, Il.