(Vs. 12) Does "the Word of God" here mean the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ; or does the passage refer to the Bible and to the gospel? You will find John Owen, John Gill, and a host of others who say this is Christ, our Lord, Who is the Word. On the other side John Calvin and others all declare it is the Scriptures that Paul is calling the Word of God. Why can't it be both? Christ and the Scriptures must go together! As Christ reveals the Father, so this Book reveals Christ; they cannot be separated. Christ is the Truth; Christ is the Gospel. It is only because Christ is alive that His Word is alive and effectual (John 1:1-4; John 1:14; John 5:39; Luke 24:44-46; Acts 10:43).
1. The Word is ALIVE. The word "quick" is an old English word for alive. This is a living Book, the words of our living Redeemer (I Peter 1:23-25; James 1:18). The Word is the Living Seed.
2. The Word is POWERFUL. Our Lord and His Word are active and effectual. He spoke for the elect in the council and covenant of grace (Heb. 7:22). He spoke all things out of nothing in creation (Heb. 11:3; Gen. 1:6, 9). He spoke and revealed the Father (John 14:10). He spoke and the dead came forth (John 5:24-25).
3. The Word is SHARP as a two-edged sword. The Word is all edge; it has no blunt side. It is alive all over. You cannot come near the Word of God without its having some effect on you (II Cor. 2:14-16). Our Lord comes "not to send peace but a sword," and that sword begins in our own souls, wounding and killing. However, it kills nothing but that which ought to be killed –our pride, envy, lust, and sins.
4. The Word is PIERCING and can find its way anywhere. Although the soul and spirit are invisible and the joints and marrow are covered and hid, so penetrating is the Divine Word that it reaches the most hidden and secret things of men and women. It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Christ knows the heart and will make manifest all that is therein by His Word (Luke 16:15).
(Vs. 13) Christ, our Lord, is omniscient. There is no creature, angel or man, but what is known to Him and seen by Him (John 2:23-25). He knows unbelievers, He knows false professors, and He knows His sheep (John 10:14). There is not a thought, an imagination, a motive, a word, or a deed that He does not know. It is all uncovered and opened to Him with Whom we HAVE to do. Christ the incarnate Word and Christ the revealed and written Word will be dealt with by every creature. Believers have to do with Him NOW as our Prophet, Priest, and King. We have to do with His righteousness, His blood, and His intercession! Unbelievers WILL HAVE to do with Him in that great day (John 5:22; John 12:48-49).
(Vs. 14) Christ is called the GREAT High Priest because of the DEITY of His person, the EFFICACY of His sacrifice, and the PLACE in which He officiates--HEAVEN! (Heb. 9:11-12; Heb. 9:24.) He is also great in respect to the CONTINUATION of His priesthood. Insomuch as we have such a great High Priest and such a certain hope of eternal life in Him, let us hold fast our faith in Him. Let us hold fast our inward confidence, make use of the means of grace such as prayer, worship, study, and fellowship, and by words and deeds show forth His praise (Heb. 3:6; Heb. 3:14).
(Vs. 15) Though He is God and totally without any sin, He is able to sympathize with His people; for when He came to this earth, He was tempted and tried in all points as we are, yet He knew no sin. He understands our weaknesses and infirmities, our pains and tears, our temptations from Satan. This union with Christ not only brings His pity and sympathy but also His Divine assistance, support, and deliverance (I John 2:1).
(Vs. 16) "Let US" (all believers, all who love Christ and rest in His redemptive work) "come BOLDLY" (without fear of being turned away because of our sins and infirmities, without fear of condemnation) before "the THRONE OF GRACE" (because Christ obeyed the law and died for our sins, the throne of judgment and justice is now a throne of grace). Here we will find mercy and grace for every need (Heb. 10:19-24).