V. 12.— For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 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. Here the Apostle intimates the impossibility of the unbelief of the heart escaping detection. Some by the Word of God understand Christ, who is the judge of all; but it rather seems to refer to the word, which he declares shall judge us. John 12:48. It is described as living and abiding for ever. 1 Peter 1:23. Thy word, saith the Psalmist, hath quickened me, Psalms 119:50; and Christ describes His words to be spirit and life. John 6:63. It is powerful, mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5. Where the word of a king is there is power, this is the word of the King of kings. It is sharper than a two-edged sword. It pierces even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, of the joints and marrow; a sword may be so sharp as to sever the joints and marrow, but the Word of God is of such ethereal temper as to sever even soul and spirit. Man is represented as composed of soul, body, and spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:23. The body was made of dust, a living soul was given to it in common with those animals in whom was the breath of life; but besides this man has an immortal spirit, which raises him above all the creatures, and by which in his first estate he was capable of knowing and holding intercourse with his Maker. Now the Word of God is living and powerful, and discerns and discovers the secrets of the heart. It is compared to a refiner’ s fire and fuller’ s soap.