Bible Gem 2081 – Putting The Key Passage Under The Spotlight (Hebrews 4:12-13)

For the Word of God is living, and powerfully working, and sharper than every two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of both soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge of the thoughts and intentions of the heart; and there is no creature unrevealed before Him; but all things are naked and laid open to His eyes, with whom is our account. [LITV] (1)

Heb 4:12-13

for the Word of God is living, and working, and sharper—beyond every two-edged sword—and piercing as far as [the] division of soul and spirit, of joints and also marrows, and a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart; and there is not a created thing hidden before Him, but all things [are] naked and open to His eyes—with whom is our reckoning. [LSV] (1)

Heb 4:12-13

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. [NLT] (5)

Heb 4:12-13

The word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of men’s hearts. There is nothing that can be hid from God. Everything in all creation is exposed and lies open before his eyes; and it is to him that we must all give an account of ourselves. [TEV] (6)

Heb 4:12-13

I told you in the previous Gem that the various versions package this key passage differently. The two Literal translations turn these two verses into just one sentence on the basis of the Greek text. The NLT divides the key verses into 5 sentences while the TEV uses 6 sentences for the passage. It makes me think I should put these two key verses into propositional analysis format so you can see how it matches the Greek text. But I am also aware that some of you find propositional analysis confusing, so I will be guided by you my readers. For now look at these four different packages of Hebrews 4:12-13 and ponder them.

When analysing these two verses I will follow the English of the NLT and list for you the key elements in this text with the accompanying Greek text.

1. [ὁ λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ] the word of God  
2. [Ζῶν] “alive”, “living”
3. [ἐνεργὴς] “powerful”, “active”, “energized”
4. [τομώτερος ὑπὲρ] “sharper than”, “sharper beyond”
5. [πᾶσαν μάχαιραν δίστομον] “sharpest two-edged sword” “every sword double-edged”
6. [διϊκνούμενος ἄχρι μερισμοῦ] “cutting between” “passing through to the point of dividing”
7. [ψυχῆς] soul  
8. [πνεύματος] spirit 
9. [ἁρμῶν] joint 
10. [μυελῶν] marrow
11. [κριτικὸς]  (It) “exposes”, “exposing” 
12. [ἐνθυμήσεων καὶ ἐννοιῶν καρδίας] our innermost thoughts and desires, ‘thoughts and desire of the heart”
13. [οὐκ ἔστιν κτίσις] “Nothing in all creation” “there is no creature”
14. [ἀφανὴς ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ] “hidden from God” “unmanifest” “not laid bare”
15. [πάντα] “Everything” “all things”  
16. [γυμνὰ] “naked” 
17. [τετραχηλισμένα] “exposed” 
18. [τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ] before his eyes “to the eyes of Him”
19. [πρὸς ὃν ἡμῖν ὁ λόγος] “He is the one to whom we are accountable” “before the One we the account (word)”

Rather than the propositions laid out in Greek / English text which may confuse you, I decided to give you each juicy morsel for you to piece together. That way those of you who love to dabble with your lexicon or your Greek-English dictionary can dig to your heart’s delight before I deal with each segment one by one. I may conclude by putting the pieces together again using propositional analysis. But I will do that if enough of you request it. If you are new to Gems and don’t yet know what Propositional Analysis is, simply type the term into the “search this website” slot and you will have a number of Gems to read giving you the explanation.

Have fun!

“It is written”; no debate, no discussion. Jesus started with the Word, that must be our starting point.

Shelley Salthouse

Nothing is easier than saying words. Nothing is harder than living them, day after day.

Arthur Gordon

Pay attention to all words and details. Nothing has been wasted in the bible text. Every word is important.

Dr Basil Brown

Stop Trying To Apply The Word To Your Life And Begin Applying Your Life To The Word.

Robb Thompson