What does “word of God” mean in Hebrews 4:12?
Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)
12 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.
I commonly hear people say that the "word of God" in this verse is the Bible/doctrine/gospel. But that doesn't make much sense for two reasons:
The verses before and after are talking about Christ I don't know of anywhere else that says the word can discern thoughts
But at the same time, its hard to me to accept that its talking about Christ because I'm not familiar with any other places in the Bible that use similar language when talking about Christ (besides Him being called the Word). And notice "word" is not capitalized.
So who/what is Hewbrews 4:12 referring to?
Your instincts would be considered correct in Sensus Plenior.
He sustains the world (1:3), He sets up a priesthood (7:21), He will shake the world (12:25-27).
Since Christ is the Righteous judge, He will be the one to discern between the passing thoughts and the intent of the heart.
Before the incarnation he was still the Word. The Hebrew word Torah is a nice one since it means "the complete revelation of God" and is not particular about the form. When we say that he is the Torah on earth and in heaven, distinctions of method of communication disappear.
Though at first glance it may appear that Heb 13:7 doesn't fit, an English translation is difficult there. See how v8 just dangles. I think a case can be made that v 8 is attached as " word of God (Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.)". Paul is notorious for extremely long run-on sentences which are sometimes ambiguous to parse. (Sensus Plenior appears to confirm Paul as the source)
Other places which refer to him as the word are those which refer to him as the bread or the water, since each of those refer to him as the word as well.
