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.

Leading up to verse twelve, the author has been giving his readers a grave and sobering warning: be diligent to not fall away from God through a hardened heart of unbelief. In verse twelve, then, he begins vividly explaining what we face should we instead choose a lazy faith. The author is teaching us that one day, we will need to stand before our Maker to settle our account. And on that day it is not “the word of God” that will meet us, but “the reckoning of God.”

The Greek word usually translated here as “word” is indeed λόγος, logos, as one might expect. But while “word” is the primary translation of λόγος, logos that we find in the Bible, it is not the only translation, depending upon context. The most important example of this is found in the very next verse, Hebrews 4:13, where no one translates λόγος, logos as “word,” but rather “give account.”

Consider the following translations of λόγος, logos.

“And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account (λόγος, logos).” (esv)

“…to whom we must give account.” (niv)

“…to whom we must render an account.” (cjb)

“…to whom we must give account.” (tlv)

Clearly, “word” would be confusing and make no sense in this context (i.e., “to whom we must word”). And yet, “give account” is also somewhat of a cheat, since λόγος, logos is not a verb, but a noun. This is why the Messianic Jewish Literal Translation (MJLT) correctly renders verse 13 as, “with whom is our reckoning”—meaning, “the settlement of an account.” This, in turn, informs how we should understand λόγος, logos in the previous verse. There is not a single thing in the context that demands λόγος, logos be translated two different ways just one verse apart. On the contrary, translating it as “word” in verse 12 strains the overall context and meaning of both verses.

In this passage, it is not the Bible (“the word of God”) that the author of Hebrews is proclaiming to be “living, and active, and sharp above every two-edged sword” (verse 12), but rather God’s reckoning—the account-settling we will all need to make with the One “with whom is our reckoning” (verse 13). God’s reckoning is so severe that it pierces us like a razor-sharp blade, dividing apart even that which is indivisible—soul and spirit, joints and marrow. And as we stand before our holy God to make account for ourselves, God’s reckoning is even a “discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart” (verse 12). There is nothing in creation that escapes God’s sight, and everything is naked and open to His eyes (verse 13). “We should fear, then,” as the author says in Hebrews 4:1, because in God’s reckoning with us, we must stand and give an accounting before Him for everything we have ever thought, intended, lived for, or believed.

We need to correctly understand the author’s intended meaning of λόγος, logos in Hebrews 4:12, so that we can receive his mortally serious exhortation to be diligent to remain in the faith. The author is making this intense appeal—warning us about “the reckoning of God”—so that when that day comes, we will not be afraid. To that end, may we all heed his admonishment to not have a lazy faith, but an active one, which confidently believes in the person and salvation of the Messiah Yeshua.

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