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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
In the next place, lest hearing the words "after the same example," thou shouldest think that the punishment is the same, hear what he adds; "For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and pierceth 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." In these words he shows that He, the Word of God, wrought the former things also, and lives, and has not been quenched. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Just as then, he says, it was not war, not the sword that destroyed them, but the word of God—for they fell of their own accord—so it will be with us as well. For the same word that punished them will also punish us: it always lives and has not perished. And in yet another sense he said "living," so that you, upon hearing "word," would not consider it an empty utterance; he says "living," that is, substantial and effective, and upon whatever soul it falls, it inflicts blows. …
Oecumenius
"For the word of God is living." It gradually shows that Christ alone was the one who acted in what happened concerning the children of Israel. For it is living, he says, and will live forever. But lest they think that those who sin and provoke Christ are only frustrated by the earth as the ancients were, he adds a more terrible deed. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
He did not come "to bring peace on earth … but a sword," and Scripture calls the Word of God a "two-edged sword" because of the two Testaments.
Ambrose of Milan
For God says, 'I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God.' So when the fear of divine power returns to the perception of the soul, then we blush, then we desire to hide, then being placed in the thoughts of our sins, we are found in the midst of the tree of paradise where we sinned, desiring to hide, and thinking that God does not seek the hidden things. But the searcher of hearts and thoughts, penetrating even to the division of the soul, says, 'Adam, where are you?' ... …
Thomas Aquinas
Then (v. 12) he gives the reason for this advice, and especially in regard to the danger. But this reason is taken on the part of Christ in Whom there are two natures: one is the divine according to which he is the Word of the Father; the other is the human according to which He is the high priest offering Himself on the Cross. First, therefore, he gives the reason based on the divinity; secondly, the reason based on the humanity (v. 14). …
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