Jeremiah 23:29 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Full of life and efficacy, 1 Thessalonians 6:63 Hebrews 4:12; like a fire that warmeth, and healeth, and melteth, and consumeth the dross; and like a hammer that breaketh the flints, so my word breaketh hard hearts. Others think that the word is here compared to fire, and to a hammer, because of the certain effect that it should have upon those that would not obey it, to burn them up like fire, and break them in pieces like a hammer, and so think this text well expounded by the apostle, 2 Corinthians 2:16. Certain it is that God's word is like fire in both senses; no words of men have an effect and efficacy like God's words; nothing but that taketh hold upon the conscience, and hath such an effect upon the hearts of men; no words shall so certainly and infallibly be justified and made good.