Hebrews 4

Hebrews 4:12-13

Conclusion to God’s Divine Calling: Warning in Failure to Heed the Gospel Call – Hebrews 4:12-13 serves as a conclusion to the opening exhortation to heed God’s divine calling given in Hebrews 2:1-4, warning readers not to neglect this heavenly calling. Hebrews 2:1-4 exhorts us to give heed to the things that we have heard, explaining that we shall not escape if we neglect this call to salvation, just as the children of Israel in the wilderness did not escape divine judgment (Hebrews 3:1 to Hebrews 4:11). Thus, Hebrews 4:12-13 reaches back and grabs Hebrews 2:1-4 as its antecedent, so to speak. The author explains in Hebrews 4:12-13 that the Gospel of Jesus Christ speaks to man’s heart, so that God will be able to judge all of mankind based upon their response to the proclamation of the Gospel (Hebrews 4:12-13). The Author’s Word Play with λόγος – The double use of the Greek word λόγος in Hebrews 4:12-13 is considered by some commentators to be a play on words by the author. λόγος is placed as the second word in Hebrews 4:12 and as the last word in Hebrews 4:13, so that these concluding remarks open and close this passage. In essence, the author tells us that the One who has spoken His Word will require that we answer with a word.[208] [208] David L. Allen, Hebrews, in The New American Commentary: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture, vol. 35, ed. E. Ray Clendenen (Nashville, Tennessee: B & H Publishing Group, 2010), 287.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. Hebrews 4:12 — “For the word of God is quick, and powerful” – Comments - Webster says the English word “quick” means, “Alive; living; animate.” The Word of God is living and eternal (1 Peter 1:23), and gives life to those who hear it. God’s Word is also powerful (ἐνεργής) in that it is actively at work on earth and effective in changing hearts and lives and in bringing mankind to repentance and salvation (Jeremiah 23:29). 1 Peter 1:23, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” Jeremiah 23:29, “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” Hebrews 4:12 — “and sharper than any twoedged sword” – Word Study on “sword” – The TDNT translates the Greek word μάχαιρα (G3162) used in Hebrews 4:12 as the sacrificial knife of the Jewish priest or the surgeon’s knife. David Allen says the word is best translated “scalpel” in Hebrews 4:12. Comments - The Word of God can serve two purposes. It brings health to our own spirits and it cuts down the enemy; thus, the description of the word as “two-edged.” Scripture References - Note similar verses: Isaiah 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;” Ephesians 6:17, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” Revelation 1:16, “And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.” Revelation 19:15, “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” Hebrews 4:12 — “piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit” – Comments - Even though the natural mind (soul) doesn’t see itself as sinful, the Word of God pierces into a wicked heart, showing the man his sinful heart as separate from the rational mind (the soul). This convicts man as a sinner in need of salvation. Hebrews 4:12 — “and of the joints and marrow” – Comments - The marrow refers to “the innermost part” of our makeup, which is analogous to the spirit of man. Hebrews 4:12 — “and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” – Comments - BDAG says the Greek word “discerner” (κριτικος) literally means, “able to judge,” meaning that the Word of God is “able to judge the thoughts and deliberations of the heart.” Note John 12:48. John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” We find another example of words judging the heart in 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, when prophecies judge men’s hearts, this time using the Greek verb ανακρινω. 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, “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: — And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.” Hebrews 4:12 — Comments - Within the immediate context of Heb 4:12, the Word of God that is mentioned in Psalms 95:7-8 warns God’s children not to harden their hearts in disobedience to His Word. Thus, the Word of God is defined as an instrument that penetrates man’s heart and knows its true motive in this passage. Regarding the issue of a deceptive heart and hidden motives, western civilization is built upon Judeo-Christian values of honesty and integrity. Such people grow up in a culture based upon integrity, honest and transparency of heart. However, Paul was not addressing a Jewish people who lived in such a culture. Rather, he was speaking to Christians who were in the midst of a corrupt culture of cleverness and deceit, where very little of what people say is the truth. The author uses the example of the children of Israel in the wilderness as an example of a people who were not sincere in serving the Lord under Moses. They may have demonstrated outward signs of service, but they found a number of occasions to rebel against Moses and God’s Word. Comments - The Word of God goes beyond a man’s outward actions and into a man’s inner soul. Thus, man can be judged by the Word of God (John 12:48) and he can be judged according to his works (Revelation 20:13), without these verses being in conflict. John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” Revelation 20:13,“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” Comments – The need to distinguish between the recreated heart of the born-again believer and his unrenewed mind will help these Hebrews understand why they were not walking in the fullness of their Christian life. The author is about to explain to them how the atonement of Jesus Christ paid for all of their sins and brought them into a right standing with God so that they now have free access to the throne of grace, no longer based upon their good works under the Mosaic Law, but based upon His mercy (Hebrews 4:16); for the blood of their Redeemer has been sprinkled once for all upon the mercy seat. There are people today who believer that mankind is a two-fold creature and not a three-fold creature. We are made in God’s image as a triune man: spirit, soul, and body. Those who believe the spirit and soul of man refer to the same inner make-up of man find themselves struggling with walking in the liberties of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Such a mindset causes Christians to focus upon being led by their minds and academic educations rather than tuning themselves into their distinct spirit-man and learning to be led by their spirit. Such a distinction becomes difficult for those who believe that the spirit and soul are the same. This person has difficulty distinguishing between the voice of his spirit, his inner man, and between his soulish, mental reasonings.

Yet, this distinction is critical in order for the author of Hebrews to tell these Hebrew converts “to enter boldly into the inner sanctuary through the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19) and to “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:22). Such boldness and confidence cannot be realized in the life of a believer without an understanding of the atonement of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7-9) in our spirit man apart from our soulish reasons that focus upon guilt because of failures in the Christian life. Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:13 — “but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him” – Comments - In Hebrews 4:12, God’s Holy Scriptures lays our hearts open. Hebrews 4:13 — “with whom we have to do” - Comments - Wuest translates this phrase as, “with whom is our reckoning.”[209] The NIV reads, “to whom we must give an account.” Literally, “to (with) whom for us (is) a reckoning (an account).” The Greek word λογος refers to “an account” in Hebrews 4:13 and Hebrews 13:17, while in the rest of the epistle of Hebrews it is translated in the KJV as “a word” (9 times), “say” (1 time), “doctrine” (1 time) (Hebrews 2:2; Hebrews 4:2; Hebrews 4:12; Hebrews 5:11; Hebrews 5:13; Hebrews 6:1; Hebrews 7:28; Hebrews 12:19; Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:22). Luke uses λογος in a similar way in Luke 16:2. [209] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies From the Greek New Testament for the English Reader, vol. 2 (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, c1973, 1977), 90.The pronoun “we” refers specifically to believers. Christians will give an account of their lives unto the Lord whom they have served. Scripture References - Note similar verses on the topic of man’s impending judgment: Matthew 12:36-37, “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Matthew 25:19, “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.” 2 Corinthians 5:10-11, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” Also: Job 26:6, “Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.” (Job speaking) Psalms 90:8, “Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.”

Hebrews 4:14-5

Justification: Jesus Christ is the High Priest of Our Confession – In Hebrews 4:14 to Hebrews 5:14 we find the third literary section. This passage contains the second exhortation in the epistle of Hebrews, exhorting us to hold fast to our confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by coming boldly to God’s throne in order to find grace and mercy to persevere; for the Jesus Christ our Great High Priest maintains our position of justification before God. Those who reject the Gospel will receive damnation, as stated in the conclusion of the previous section (Hebrews 4:12-13), but those who accept it will find access to God’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14-16). The author will then briefly mention the faithfulness of Jesus Christ as our Great High Priest (Hebrews 5:1-10) and conclude this section with a rebuke for their lack of spiritual growth (Hebrews 5:11-14). Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. 2nd Exhortation: Hold Fast Confession of Faith in Christ — Hebrews 4:14-162. 2nd Doctrinal Discourse: The Priesthood of Jesus — Hebrews 5:1-101. The High Priest Must Be a Man — Hebrews 5:1-32. The High Priest Must Be Ordained by God — Hebrews 5:4-103. Conclusion: Warning for Failure to Grow in Maturity — Hebrews 5:11-14 The Theme of the Believer’s Perseverance in the Faith - Hebrews 4:14 to Hebrews 5:14 exhorts us to maintain the confession of our faith in Jesus Christ. However, this passage of Scripture regarding our faith in Jesus is described from the perspective of our need to persevere in the faith in order to obtain this redemption. Thus, the theme of the believer’s perseverance in the faith is emphasized.

In contrast, the lengthy discourse in the epistle of Romans, which emphasizes Church doctrine, discusses our secure position of justification through faith in Jesus Christ once we believe the message of the Gospel. However, in Hebrews 3:7 to Hebrews 4:11 we are told that our justification is dependent upon our willingness to persevere in faith and not turn back in rebellion, as did the children of Israel in the wilderness.