For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.
Ver. 12. Quick and powerful] Gr. Lively and energetical; sc. in hearts that can treinble at God's judgments, as David did, Psalms 119:120. As for hypocrites, the word will ransack them, and give them a very glimpse of the judgment to come, as it did Felix, Herod, &c. God smiteth the earth with this rod of his mouth,Isaiah 11:4, he dashes them in the teeth, and maketh them spit blood, as it were; hewing them by his prophets, and slaying them by the words of his mouth, Hosea 6:5; Revelation 11:5 .
Soul and spirit] See Trapp on " 1Th 5:23 " It affecteth not only the lower parts of the soul, which are less pure, but the purest also, and most supreme; even the spirit of the mind, the bosom as well as the bottom of the soul.
And of the joints and marrow] The minima and intima, the least things and the most secret.
And is a discerner] Gr. A curious critic judging exactly, and telling tales of the hearers, disclosing the words that they speak in their very bedchambers, as2 Kings 6:12 .