Word of God

The utterances of God, especially as revealed in Scripture. This may take the form of commands or promises. The term can also refer to Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word of God.

The word of God revealed as law

God has made his commands and requirements known

Psalm 147:19 See also Exodus 20:1–17, Exodus 24:3, Exodus 34:27–28; Deuteronomy 5:5; Isaiah 2:3 parallel Micah 4:2; Matthew 15:6 parallel Mark 7:13

He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and judgments to Israel.

God's law is to be obeyed

Deuteronomy 30:14 See also Joshua 23:6; Psalm 119:4; Luke 8:21, Luke 11:28; James 1:22–23

But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may obey it.

Examples of disobedience and its consequences

Numbers 15:31; 1 Samuel 15:23–26; 2 Samuel 12:9; 1 Chronicles 10:13; 2 Chronicles 34:21; Isaiah 5:24; Jeremiah 8:9

The word of God as prophecy

The prophets spoke the words of God

Jeremiah 1:9; 1 Samuel 3:1; Jeremiah 25:3 God's prophetic word came to Israel with varying frequency. See also 1 Kings 17:24; 2 Kings 24:2; 2 Chronicles 36:12, 2 Chronicles 36:15; Isaiah 16:13, Isaiah 24:3; Jeremiah 7:1, Jeremiah 14:1; Amos 8:11–12; Malachi 1:1

Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce.

“From the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah until this very day— twenty-three years— the word of the LORD has come to me, and I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not listened.

Prophetic introductory formulae

``The word of the LORD came to ...'': Genesis 15:1; 1 Samuel 15:10; 2 Samuel 24:11; 1 Kings 6:11; 2 Kings 20:4 parallel Isaiah 38:4; Jeremiah 16:1; Ezekiel 6:1; Jonah 1:1; Zechariah 1:1; 1 Kings 22:19; 2 Kings 20:16 parallel Isaiah 39:5; Isaiah 1:10; Jeremiah 2:4; Hosea 4:1; 2 Samuel 7:5 parallel 1 Chronicles 17:4; 2 Kings 1:6; Isaiah 37:6; Jeremiah 2:5; Ezekiel 2:4; Amos 1:3; Haggai 2:11

Prophetic predictions fulfilled

1 Kings 12:15 See also 1 Kings 15:29, 1 Kings 16:12, 1 Kings 16:34, 1 Kings 22:38; 2 Kings 1:17, 2 Kings 9:36, 2 Kings 10:17, 2 Kings 14:25, 2 Kings 15:12, 2 Kings 23:16; 2 Chronicles 36:21–22

So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from the LORD, to fulfill the word He had spoken to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah the Shilonite.

The word ``against'' a people, indicating judgment

Isaiah 9:8, Isaiah 37:22; Jeremiah 25:30; Amos 3:1; Zephaniah 2:5; Zechariah 9:1

True prophecy is inspired by God

2 Peter 1:20–21 See also Nehemiah 9:30; Jeremiah 23:16, Jeremiah 23:25–26, Jeremiah 23:30; Ezekiel 13:1–3; Micah 3:8

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

A true prophet hears from God

2 Kings 3:12; Jeremiah 5:13, Jeremiah 23:18, Jeremiah 27:18

The prophetic word is to be heeded

Exodus 9:20–21; Jeremiah 6:10, Jeremiah 25:3; Zechariah 7:12

The word of God as Scripture

Scripture is the written word of God

Daniel 9:2 See also Romans 3:2, Romans 15:4

in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the sacred books, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.

Jesus Christ as the incarnate Word of God

Jesus Christ is God in the flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Jesus Christ speaks the Father's words

John 8:40 See also Matthew 22:16 parallels Mark 12:14, Luke 20:21; John 7:18

But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing.

Jesus Christ's words have sovereign power

Matthew 8:8 parallel Luke 7:7; Matthew 8:16; Hebrews 1:3

The gospel as the word of God

It was preached by Jesus Christ

Mark 2:2 See also Matthew 13:19–23 parallels Mark 4:14–20, Luke 8:11–15; Mark 4:33; Luke 4:43 parallel Mark 1:38; Luke 5:1

they gathered in such large numbers that there was no more room, not even outside the door, as Jesus spoke the word to them.

It was preached by the first Christians

1 Thessalonians 2:13 See also Mark 16:20; Acts 6:2, Acts 8:4, Acts 11:1 to the Gentiles; Acts 13:5 to the Jews; Acts 15:35–36, Acts 17:13; 1 Corinthians 14:36; 2 Corinthians 2:17, 2 Corinthians 4:2; Philippians 1:14; Colossians 1:25; 2 Timothy 4:2

And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is also now at work in you who believe.

It leads to numerical and spiritual growth within the church

Acts 6:7, Acts 12:24, Acts 13:49, Acts 19:20; Colossians 1:5–6; 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Paul stresses that the preached word is not merely a verbal message but a dynamic power which achieves things.

It must be preached

Romans 10:14; 2 Timothy 4:2

Descriptions of God's word

It is true: Psalm 33:4; John 17:17; 2 Samuel 22:31 parallel Psalm 18:30; Proverbs 30:5; 1 Kings 8:56; 2 Kings 10:10; Psalm 103:20 It is obeyed by angels.; Psalm 119:89, Psalm 119:152; Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:25; Psalm 119:103 It is sweet and delightful; Psalm 138:2 It is exalted above all things; Isaiah 45:23 It is irrevocable; Ephesians 6:17 It is the sword of the Spirit; 2 Timothy 2:9 It is not chained; Hebrews 4:12 It is living and active; 1 Peter 1:23 It is living and enduring.

Comparisons of the word of God with everyday things

Food: Deuteronomy 8:3; Job 23:12; Psalm 119:103; Jeremiah 15:16; Ezekiel 2:8, Ezekiel 3:1; 1 Peter 2:2; Psalm 119:105 light; Jeremiah 5:14, Jeremiah 20:9, Jeremiah 23:29; Jeremiah 23:29 a hammer; Hebrews 4:12 a two-edged sword

The word of God has power

It is active

Isaiah 55:11 The Hebrew for “word” can also mean “action” or “deed”. This indicates that God's word is active.

so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

It brings about creation

Psalm 33:6 See also 2 Peter 3:5

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth.

It governs and maintains the created order

Hebrews 1:3 See also Psalm 147:18

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

It gives life

Deuteronomy 8:3 See also Isaiah 55:2–3; Matthew 4:4 parallel Luke 4:4

He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

It consecrates secular things

1 Timothy 4:5 “the word of God and prayer” probably means “scriptural prayer”; i.e., on the basis of scriptural teaching the believer offers thanksgiving and prayer.

It restrains from evil

Psalm 17:4, Psalm 119:11

It heals and rescues

Psalm 107:20

It has power to save

James 1:21 See also 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 1:23

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.