What is the difference between the “written word” and the “Living Word”?

[james415]

I understand the “written word” to be the Laws of the Old Covenant.
They are the “Letter” that leads to death.

I understand the “Living Word” to be the Laws of the New Covenant.
They are the “Law of the Spirit”, written in our heart and mind and lead to life.

I would like to hear other people’s opinions on this subject.

[Zecryphon]

I understand the written word to be the Scriptures. It is literally God's written revelation to us about Himself, His written word.


I understand the Living Word to be Jesus. I believe this mainly because of John 1:1 (ESV)

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

[New_Wineskin]

I understand the “written word” to be the Laws of the Old Covenant.
They are the “Letter” that leads to death.

I understand the “Living Word” to be the Laws of the New Covenant.
They are the “Law of the Spirit”, written in our heart and mind and lead to life.

I would like to hear other people’s opinions on this subject.

Well , that is a good question . People keep calling the Scriptures "the written word" . Yet , the Scriptures do not have that phrase . They are not the "word of God" nor can they be . The Scriptures are plural - word of God is singular - they don't match .

Now as far as the Word of God or Word of the Lord , it is simply what He says ( present tense ) .

In reality , the Scriptures call many things the word of God but they state which one . In the newer writings , the term "word of God" is almost exclusively ( if not exclusively ) the Gospel ( not to confused with writings *called* "gospels" ) . The only exception that I have seen so far is when a passage declares Jesus to be the Word of God . Yet , it too refers to the Gospel . This may be inline with what *you* are calling "the Living Word" or "Law of the Spirit" or "New Covenant" . :)

[david01]

I'm with Zecryphon on this one. The Word of God is three things, actually - His revelation through His creation (see Romans 2), His revelation in the Bible (which is complete unto itself and not to be divided and ignored as many untaught do), and, most importantly, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who fulfills all things and never contradicts His Word.

[james415]

In reality , the Scriptures call many things the word of God but they state which one ... . :)

Thanks for your reply. I agree that the term “word”, in scripture, is used in more than one way.

My post, however, is about the meaning of “written word” and “Living Word” in a more strict sense; in the sense of how it is used to refer to the set of Old and New Covenant Commandments or Laws. A distinction is being made in scripture, in my opinion, between the two sets of laws; the laws that are written and the laws that are active and living in us.

The Old Covenant Laws that bring death are referred to in 2 Corinthians 3:7 as “engraved in letters on stone”. They are “written words”.

The New Covenant Law that brings life was actually given from the beginning. It is Christ, “The Word”, spoken of in John 1:1-3. Hebrews 4:12 says the word of God is living and active. 1 John 2:14 says the word of God lives in them. 2 Corinthians 3:3 says the laws are written on tablets of human hearts. This, I assume, must be where the term “Living Word”, I hear used so often, comes from.

2 Corinthians 3:7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was,

John1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living 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.

1 John 2:14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

2 Corinthians 3:3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

[New_Wineskin]

Thanks for your reply. I agree that the term “word”, in scripture, is used in more than one way.

My post, however, is about the meaning of “written word” and “Living Word” in a more strict sense; in the sense of how it is used to refer to the set of Old and New Covenant Commandments or Laws. A distinction is being made in scripture, in my opinion, between the two sets of laws; the laws that are written and the laws that are active and living in us.


Well , the term "written word" really isn't in the Scriptures to describe them . And , "Living words" has been used in the Scriptures to define the Mosaic covenant as well as the Gospel .

Even so , there is no real difference between the two , The Mosaic Covenant didn't work unless it was by faith - same as the gospel . Without faith , neither do any good .




The Old Covenant Laws that bring death are referred to in 2 Corinthians 3:7 as “engraved in letters on stone”. They are “written words”.

The New Covenant Law that brings life was actually given from the beginning. It is Christ, “The Word”, spoken of in John 1:1-3. Hebrews 4:12 says the word of God is living and active. 1 John 2:14 says the word of God lives in them. 2 Corinthians 3:3 says the laws are written on tablets of human hearts. This, I assume, must be where the term “Living Word”, I hear used so often, comes from.

2 Corinthians 3:7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was,

John1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living 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.

1 John 2:14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

2 Corinthians 3:3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.


What you are saying means "the gospel" to me .

Perhaps , you are not understanding that I am agreeing with you .

[james415]

Perhaps , you are not understanding that I am agreeing with you .

Sorry.
I misunderstood you.

[Spiritofprophecy]

Greetings in the Name of Jesus:

If opinion is what you seek: I have opinion as all have opinions as we all have noses.

The spirit tells me: that All words of God are of God; Old and new.

The spirit tells me that the word is what Jews followed and the law. And when Jesus died on Cross; the separation of God and man was breached; where now the words and God and man are one, for those of faith in Jesus.

The day shall come when man shall no longer heed the law, but shall write my words upon their hearts, and the words shall dwell within man, and man shall live the word.

st. John 1;1& 14. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God, ... and the word became flesh. And Jesus is the word, and it can now dwell in the hearts of men, and become the Living word in us.

I pray my words do not offend any: and may God bless C.F. and all who use it.

[UncleClint]

The Greek word "logos" is used in both applications.

The word itself was not sufficient to convey the meaning you wish it to. The knowledge of God and the context might be though.