In chapter four, verse twelve, of the New Testament Book of Hebrews, the writer states: “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
The New International Version uses the phrase “living and active”, while the King James Version renders it “quick and powerful”. In the original language, the phrase is “zoe … kai energes”. “Kai” means “and”. “Zoe” means life, as opposed to being dead, as in zoology, the study of living animals.
But the word I want to focus on is the word variously translated as “active” or “powerful”. The Koine Greek term is “energes”. Its original meaning is “that which is potent, effective, or productive of due result”. And yes, it is the word from which we get English terms like “energy”, “energetic”, and “energize”.
James Hewett makes the following observation on Hebrews 4:12:
“The Epistle to the Hebrews is difficult to translate because so much of its content concerns the Jewish culture and religious rituals that are totally foreign to the Agra people who live in the northern Philippines.
However, some parts of the epistle really make sense to them, like the verse in Hebrews 4:12, ‘The Word of God is living and potent.’
Depending upon the context, the Agra word ‘madagat’ can mean stinging, venomous, or potent. A poisonous snake is ‘madagat’, but so are some medicines that can heal. My translation assistant explained his understanding of how the Word of God is potent: ‘It depends upon how we approach it.’”*
His point here is that this is what all the word of God does for us. Yes, it lays bare our souls. If we are in need of correction or reproof, the Word of God can certainly bring this about. At the same time, if we are in need of medicine, if our soul is sick or hurting, then the Word of God also can provide needed care and nurture as well.
Thank God that His Word is always relevant, in any and every context. And because of this, it is indeed active and powerful!
*STORY SOURCE: James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 1988), p. 44. Dr. Hewett was for years the Senior Pastor of Presbyterian churches in Walnut Creek, California, and Saratoga, California. He was also formerly the editor and publisher of Parables Etc. and The Pastors Story File, two monthly newsletters of illustrations for speakers. The above book is a collection of communicative materials resulting from his many decades of ministry.
Also available online at: https://books.google.com/books?id=5qK67OYyW-AC&pg=PA44&lpg=PA44&dq=james+hewett+hebrews+4:12+translators&sou
rce=bl&ots=aprcydQ7mH&sig=stghzOzv3Q8dJ9Jz-R3LoP-Dj78&hl=en&sa=
X&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAGoVChMI5avk8v6ZyAIVhBs-Ch3m7g4D#v=onepage
&q=james%20hewett%20hebrews%204%3A12%20translators&f=false.
The New International Version uses the phrase “living and active”, while the King James Version renders it “quick and powerful”. In the original language, the phrase is “zoe … kai energes”. “Kai” means “and”. “Zoe” means life, as opposed to being dead, as in zoology, the study of living animals.
But the word I want to focus on is the word variously translated as “active” or “powerful”. The Koine Greek term is “energes”. Its original meaning is “that which is potent, effective, or productive of due result”. And yes, it is the word from which we get English terms like “energy”, “energetic”, and “energize”.
James Hewett makes the following observation on Hebrews 4:12:
“The Epistle to the Hebrews is difficult to translate because so much of its content concerns the Jewish culture and religious rituals that are totally foreign to the Agra people who live in the northern Philippines.
However, some parts of the epistle really make sense to them, like the verse in Hebrews 4:12, ‘The Word of God is living and potent.’
Depending upon the context, the Agra word ‘madagat’ can mean stinging, venomous, or potent. A poisonous snake is ‘madagat’, but so are some medicines that can heal. My translation assistant explained his understanding of how the Word of God is potent: ‘It depends upon how we approach it.’”*
His point here is that this is what all the word of God does for us. Yes, it lays bare our souls. If we are in need of correction or reproof, the Word of God can certainly bring this about. At the same time, if we are in need of medicine, if our soul is sick or hurting, then the Word of God also can provide needed care and nurture as well.
Thank God that His Word is always relevant, in any and every context. And because of this, it is indeed active and powerful!
*STORY SOURCE: James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, 1988), p. 44. Dr. Hewett was for years the Senior Pastor of Presbyterian churches in Walnut Creek, California, and Saratoga, California. He was also formerly the editor and publisher of Parables Etc. and The Pastors Story File, two monthly newsletters of illustrations for speakers. The above book is a collection of communicative materials resulting from his many decades of ministry.
Also available online at: https://books.google.com/books?id=5qK67OYyW-AC&pg=PA44&lpg=PA44&dq=james+hewett+hebrews+4:12+translators&sou
rce=bl&ots=aprcydQ7mH&sig=stghzOzv3Q8dJ9Jz-R3LoP-Dj78&hl=en&sa=
X&ved=0CB8Q6AEwAGoVChMI5avk8v6ZyAIVhBs-Ch3m7g4D#v=onepage
&q=james%20hewett%20hebrews%204%3A12%20translators&f=false.