CLEOEJACKSONIII.COM
  • My Home Page
  • My Life and Ministry
  • My Ongoing Thoughts
  • My Favorite Bible Verses
  • My Favorite Stories
  • My Favorite Jokes
  • My Favorite Quotations
  • My Favorite Web Links
  • My Contact Info
"Helping Others Communicate"

JUST THE RIGHT WORD

9/28/2015

 
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
.

Comments are closed.

    Cleo E. Jackson, III

    Occasionally I will add
    a few thoughts to my blog. If you find them inspirational, I will be
    honored.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010

    Categories

    All