Nearly every translation of Hebrews 4:12 tells us that, “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (esv). The phrase “the word of God” is widely understood to be referring here to the written word of God—the Scriptures. Therefore, the author is providing commentary on the living, powerful nature of that word. This is what is universally taught… and yet, it is totally wrong. Though the Bible is indeed God’s awesome, powerful, written word, the author of Hebrews is actually teaching us about something completely different.
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