Free Bible Commentary
“Hebrews 5:11-14”
Categories: Hebrews“Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”
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The Hebrew writer has “much to say” (verse 11) additionally about Jesus as our “High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek” (verse 10), and he will pick that discussion back up in chapter seven. For now he issues a stern rebuke to the Hebrew Christians for not growing to spiritual maturity. Because Jesus our High Priest has been “made perfect” (verse 9), we should strive for spiritual “perfection” as well, and not “shrink back” during times of persecution and tribulation (Hebrews 10:39).
If we want to grow past spiritual infancy we must become “accustomed to the word of righteousness” (verse 13). In Hebrews 4:14-16 the author emphasized the importance of coming to the throne of grace in prayer in order to “receive mercy and find grace in time of need.” But prayer is only one, necessary, powerful weapon in our spiritual armor. We must “train” ourselves (verse 14) in the effective use of the sharp, living, powerful word of God (Hebrews 4:12) if we hope to persevere under the strain of Satan’s onslaughts, and actually wield our spiritual sword in the offensive.
The word of God is our spiritual food that provides nourishment, health and growth to that eternal part of us that has been created in the Lord’s image. These Hebrew Christians were failing the testing of their faith, in large part, because they were suffering from spiritual starvation. We need the “milk” of the word to grow from spiritual infancy to adolescence, and then “solid food” in order to grow to adulthood and maintain spiritual strength and health. We draw immeasurable strength from God’s word when we feast upon its bountiful provender.
There comes a time in the life of every healthy Christian that he/she should acquire the knowledge and skill to teach someone else “the elementary principles of the oracles of God” (verse 13). If we know the ABC’s of the faith, and have learned what we need to do to obey the Gospel and be saved, we should be able to impart that information on to others. Babies are cute, loveable and sweet. Let’s get out there and help God give life to some babes in Christ by implanting the seed of the word, and let’s nourish them spiritually on the milk of the word.
Please read Hebrews 6:1-8 for tomorrow.
May God bless you richly in His grace, mercy, love and comfort.
- Louie Taylor
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