If God's Word is alive and active and powerful, then, first, we should study it with respect for the words. Second, we should study it trusting in the sufficiency of the words - without itching for something else. Such a powerful Word is a sufficient Word. Peter tells us that God's "divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which, he has granted to us his precious and very great promises" (2. Peter 1:3-4). Everything ... all things we need for life and godliness are ours in Christ, who brings to completion every promise God has ever made, every word ever spoken.
The sufficiency of this Word, as it reveals the sufficiency of Christ, should keep us from being the kind of people with "itching ears", who "will not endure sound teaching" but who "will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths" (2. Tim. 4:3-4). Paul tells Timothy in that passage to "preach the word" and not be put off by people who want something else or something more.
Bible Study: Following the Ways of the Word, Kathleen Buswell Nielson, P&R Publishing, pg. 24.
Hi Persis,
ReplyDeleteIt was pointed out to me recently in some of my study that the Word that was spoken about in Hebrews (that is alive and active)is actually Jesus, not the written word. In context, it looks as if that is the case.
I wonder about this...any thoughts?
Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1), but the Bible is also the inspired, inerrant, infallible, Holy Spirit-breathed Word of God. The Bible is the only authoritative means through which God reveals Himself to us. In the Hebrews passage, I would take it as referring to the scriptures as illumined by the Holy Spirit which cuts through all the layers to reveal the hidden motives of our hearts.
DeleteSome would say that the Bible "contains" the word of God, but I believe the Bible is the Word of God.
Can you think of any scriptures that say that the written word IS the Word? I'm trying to sort this out in my own mind.
DeleteIn the Hebrews passage:
12 For 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. 13 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.
The rest of the chapter goes onto talk about Jesus as well. I honestly don't see any reference to the scriptures in the context of the chapter unless I am missing something.
Not to say that the scriptures aren't God breathed, Paul says so, but I don't know that they are ever called "The Word" anywhere. If there is a passage, please let me know, I don't want to be in error.
I am going to ask my pastor what the verses say in the original Greek.
DeleteMark 7:13. Matthew 15:16, John 10:35 where Jesus equates the Old Testament with the word of God.
The same Greek word, logos, in Heb 4:12 is used in Rev. 22:18-19 which refers to the "words of the book" which is also used by Paul in 2 Timothy 4:2 for "preach the Word".
Thanks Persis, I'll check these out.
DeleteAccording to Strongs, logos is defined firstly as something spoken. This is a bit confusing, because you point out where the word seems to be used as referring to the scriptures, but then again, Jesus is called "THE Word" in John and in Revelation.
DeleteMa,
DeleteThis is some info from my pastor:
"In their interpretation of verse 12a, some scholars assert that the phrase Word of God is a reference to Jesus. This view is difficult to maintain, even though such a reference exists in Revelation 19:13 (where the rider on the white horse is called the Word of God). The phrase Word of God occurs at least thirty-nine times in the New Testament and almost exclusively is the designation for the spoken or writen Word of God rather than the Son of God. In the introductory verses of the Epistle to the Hebrews, the writer clearly states that God spoke to the forefathers in the past, and in the present he spoke to us in his Son (Heb. 1:1-2). In Hebrews Jesus is called the Son of God, but never the Word of God." (Hebrews- Kistemaker).
Grudem also says when defining "Word of God", "A phrase that refers to several different things in the Bible, including Son of God, the decrees of God, God's words of personal address, God's words spoke through human lips, and God's words in written form, the Bible." (Systematic Theology, Glossary).
Thanks again Persis.
DeleteI'm not sure how it is difficult to make the connection between Jesus and in word in Hebrews 4, though. The whole context is about Him.
I guess I'll leave this for the theologians to sort out:)
I appreciate your wanting to dig and find out the biblical answer, Ma. This is good for me too because it's always good to know what you believe and why.
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