A Narrow Definition
Some people try to say that the Bible is not the word of God, but merely CONTAINS the word of God. In order to back this narrow definition up, they use a limited number of passages, such as where the phrase “word of God” or “word of the Lord” refers to a quote of what God said, to people like Abram, Shemaiah and Nathan.
And it came to pass the same night, that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, … (1 Chronicles 17:3 KJV)
A quote is the narrowest definition of the phrase “word of God” and is certainly the way that phrase is used in some contexts. In other contexts, it is obvious that a much broader definition of the phrase is being used as we shall see.
The Written Word of God
Notice that what Moses said and recorded in writing is also called the word of God. The word of God is still often nullified by vain human traditions.
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ … Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that. (Mark 7:10, 13 NIV)
In His defence for calling Himself the Son of God, Jesus referred to the “word of God” as synonymous with Scripture.
If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken) (John 10:35 NASB)
The Taught Word of God
When confronted with the needs of certain widows in the church, the apostles saw that it was a job for others, and that they should focus on teaching the “word of God.” This use of the phrase “word of God” is broader than merely repeating a list of quotes from God.
So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. (Acts 6:2 NLT)
The Gospel Message
The “word of God” is also the Gospel message, which continues to spread around the world. After a confrontation with Simon the Sorcerer, who thought he could buy God’s free gift with money, Peter and John continued speaking the word of the Lord. Proclaiming the word of the Lord is also referred to as “preaching the gospel.”
After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. (Acts 8:25 NIV)
Referring to the permanence of life in Christ, and the temporary nature of physical life, Peter calls the word of the Lord which remains forever, the Good News, the Gospel.
As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:24-25 NLT; Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:6-8)
The Heard Word of God
When asked about His physical family nearby, Jesus replied, referring to the “word of God” or “God’s word” as something that was heard and obeyed or put into practice.
But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:21 NASB)
The Word Judges
Christians are sometimes accused of using the Bible like a club. The Bible has a much more penetrating description, calling the word of God a sword that should be used with surgical skill. The word of God diagnoses the heart. It discerns or gives insight into our own hearts, so that we may repent and be blessed. Those who hardheartedly refuse to be cut to their inner consciences by the sword of the word of God, don’t know what wonderful blessings they are rejecting.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NIV)
The Preached Word of God
What did God inspire Jeremiah to write about right preaching?
Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of hosts: “Because you have spoken this word, behold, I am making my words in your mouth a fire, and this people wood, and the fire shall consume them. (Jeremiah 5:14 ESV)
Sometimes the preached word of God is like a consuming fire and our hearts burn like kindling. But, if the preaching in our churches is only a watered-down, feel-good pablum, we may never have experienced anything like this. The word of God is to be spoken with boldness.
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31 ESV)
When we have substituted our words for the words of God, what would God have to say about that? Would He say something similar to what He spoke to unfaithful priests through the prophet Malachi? How often do preachers redefine what the Bible calls evil as good today?
Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment? (Malachi 2:17 KJV)
It’s really nothing new to be ridiculed and mocked. Faithful preachers have faced worse. The apostles prayed for boldness in the face of threats from the Roman government, Gentiles and the people of Israel.
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. (Acts 4:29 NIV)
The Call of God
The call of John the Baptist to his ministry was described as the “word of God” coming to him.
Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. (Luke 3:2 KJV)
Jesus the Word
Of course, the word of God is also a Person, God the Son.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1, 14 NASB)
Summary
The Word of God can be a quote from God, the written Word of God, the taught Word of God, the Gospel message, the heard Word of God, the preached Word of God, the call of God and Jesus the Word. It all depends on context.
