How is the word of God a double-edged sword?

The Roman soldier’s gladius was a double-edged sword used for stabbing and slashing. It was highly effective in its day. The metaphor describing God’s word as a double-edged sword is made several times in Scripture. Some references are explicit, others implied, but all together they show something about God’s word that’s poignant.

how Scripture answers "How is the word of God a double-edged sword?"

God’s word is just like a double-edged sword^1,2,3,13 in that it convicts the believer while at the same time condemning the unbeliever^{2,5,6,7,10,11,12}. It penetrates the soul^4,8,11 and is the only means by which God’s will is known⁶. The word of God, or “sword of the Spirit”¹, subsequently becomes the Christian’s sole offensive, proactive weapon for confronting sin and evil^1,4.

the answer above is built on and footnoted with the following scripture-blocks

5

Revelation 19:15

From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

What does it say?

From his mouth comes a sharp sword which will strike down the nations, ruling them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God.

What is the context?

John sees one called “Faithful and True” (vs 11) and “The Word of God” (vs 13) sitting on a white horse. He is the one that “judges and makes war” with the unrighteous. “And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh.” (vs 21)

How does it apply here?

One that appears to be Jesus uses His mouth (His words) as a sword to slay all those opposed to Him.

6

Isaiah 66:16

For by fire will the Lord enter into judgment, and by his sword, with all flesh; and those slain by the Lord shall be many.

What does it say?

By fire and his sword, the Lord will enter into judgment on all mankind, and those slain by the Lord will be many.

What is the context?

The closing words of Isaiah the prophet. The “judgement” here could be the final judgement. But there are also many indications in the immediate context that Isaiah is referring to the oft prophesied “latter days” with statements (e.g. clues) such as:

“gather all nations and tongues” (vs 18),
“I will set a sign among them” (vs 19),
“they shall declare my glory among the nations (vs 19),
“some of them also I will take for priests” (vs 21 xref 1 Peter 2:9).

All of these statements would be descriptors of first century times.

How does it apply here?

Judgement, whether here final judgment or the judgment that came with Jesus’ appearance, will by the sword (His words).

7

Isaiah 27:1

In that day the Lord with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea.

What does it say?

In that day the Lord will punish the serpent (e.g. Leviathan) and slay the dragon that is in the sea with his hard, great and strong sword.

What is the context?

After several oracles/judgements on specific nations such as Cush, Egypt, Moab, Tyre, etc. in the preceding chapters 15-23, Isaiah seems to turn to a broader declaration of judgement on all mankind in chapter 24. This begins a particular concentration of “in/on that day” declarations that are dispersed through chapters 24-27. Often, but not always, these declarations are describing circumstances that are fulfilled in the first century and the coming of Christ and His kingdom.

How does it apply here?

Isaiah prophesying a day that God slays Satan with His Word – “a day” either/both when Christ came in the flesh (John 1) or when He comes in final judgement.

8

Acts 2:37-39

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brothers, what shall we do? And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.

What does it say?

When they heard these words, they were pierced in the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles what they should do [to be saved]. Peter told them that they each should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins, and they would then receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This “gift” was the promise made for all that the Lord calls to himself, even those far off.

What is the context?

Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost where he recalled several prophetic statements from Joel and David (vss 16-36). By divine inspiration, Peter interpreted these statements to apply their fulfillment to Jesus and the ushering in of the “last days.”

On believing his message (that Jesus was the Christ), they asked what they needed to do to be saved. More were continuing to be saved and they began meeting together as the Lord’s church (

How does it apply here?

The hearers of the gospel on the day of Pentecost were “cut to heart”².

9

Psalms 149:6-9

Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all His godly ones. Praise the Lord!

What does it say?

Let high praises of God be on their lips, with two-edged swords in their hands in order to enact the judgment and punishment that’s written for the nations and all people, binding their kings with chains and their elite with shackles made of iron.

What is the context?

A short song of praise to God.

How does it apply here?

It is possibly or even likely, used in the metaphorical sense given the “swords in their hands” are to “execute on them the judgment written”. Similar to other, more explicit, prophetic passages^5,6,7.

10

Hebrews 3:14-15

For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’

What does it say?

We have come to share in Christ, but only if we hold fast to the end our original confession of faith. Just as it is written in Scripture, ‘Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’

What is the context?

Letter to Jewish Christians that is calling on them to “hold fast” in spite of persecution. The main argument is the “better” things that exist for them through Christ Jesus. Chapter three deals specifically with Jesus’ superiority to Moses himself (vss 1-6) and goes on to compare the followers of Moses to those of Jesus.

The writer here repeats a quote made earlier (vs 7) from Psalms 95:7-11. The writer goes on to explain (interpret) those who rebelled (vss 16-19) as those that followed Moses from Egypt but “provoked” God and “sinned”, thereby dying in the wilderness (vss 16-17). As a result, they did not “enter his rest” since they were “disobedient”(vs 18), which is the same as “unbelief” (vs 19).

How does it apply here?

Hearing God’s word can “harden” one’s heart, causing one to rebel against Him.

11

Luke 2:34-35

And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.

What does it say?

Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his [Jesus’] mother that He is designated for the rise and fall of many of Israel, and as a sign that will be opposed as a sword pierces through souls, revealing the hidden thoughts of the heart.

What is the context?

The infant Jesus is being presented at the temple to observe what was written in the Law of Moses (vss 22-24). They encounter Simeon who was a devout Hebrew who had been promised that he would see “the consolation of Israel” (vs 25) before his death.

How does it apply here?

Simeon testifys about Jesus and the “sword” that would pierce hearts (exact sentiment of Hebrews²).

12

Matthew 10:34-36

Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to peace but a sword! For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

What does it say?

Don’t think that I [Jesus] came to bring peace on earth. I didn’t come to bring peace, but conflict (“a sword”). My coming pits even family members against each other! The resulting conflict will be personal, even within one’s household.

What is the context?

Chapter 10 is Matthew’s account of Jesus sending out the twelve to teach. He has given them “authority over unclean spirits so they could cast them out and heal every kind of disease and sickness” (vs 1). However, he has warned them that they will be “like sheep surrounded by wolves” (vs 16) and that “Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against parents and have them put to death” (vs 21).

Mark’s account (6:7-13) and Luke’s account (9:1-6) are much shorter.

How does it apply here?

Jesus’ words were a “sword” in the sense they divided people between those that believed and those that didn’t.

!! scripture-block context extra important here !!

In this context, it’s clear that the apostles would be persecuted because of the words they spoke (e.g. Jesus’ words).

13

Revelation 2:12

And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.

What does it say?

He held seven stars in his right hand, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword and his face was shining like the sun in full radiance.

What is the context?

The opening of John’s vision where Jesus is addressing the seven churches. In two of these seven letters, the reference to the two-edged sword is made again: 2:12 – “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.” and 2:16 “Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.”

How does it apply here?

Jesus’ words are like a two-edged sword. Later in verse 16 he warns if they don’t repent, “I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.”

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