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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad14.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/hebrews/5-13.htm" title="Hebrews 5:13">◄</a> Hebrews 5:14 <a href="/hebrews/6-1.htm" title="Hebrews 6:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/hebrews/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/hebrews/5.htm">New International Version</a> But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. <a href="/nlt/hebrews/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. <a href="/esv/hebrews/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. <a href="/bsb/hebrews/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil. <a href="/blb/hebrews/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But solid food is for the mature, the ones by constant use having trained the senses for distinguishing both good and evil. <a href="/kjv/hebrews/5.htm">King James Bible</a> But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. <a href="/nkjv/hebrews/5.htm">New King James Version</a> But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. <a href="/nasb_/hebrews/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil. <a href="/nasb/hebrews/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. <a href="/nasb77/hebrews/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. <a href="/lsb/hebrews/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern both good and evil. <a href="/amp/hebrews/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But solid food is for the [spiritually] mature, whose senses are trained by practice to distinguish between what is morally good and what is evil. <a href="/csb/hebrews/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. <a href="/hcsb/hebrews/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. <a href="/asv/hebrews/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. <a href="/cev/hebrews/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Solid food is for mature people who have been trained to know right from wrong. <a href="/erv/hebrews/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. <a href="/gwt/hebrews/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> However, solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to know the difference between good and evil. <a href="/gnt/hebrews/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> Solid food, on the other hand, is for adults, who through practice are able to distinguish between good and evil. <a href="/isv/hebrews/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> But solid food is for mature people, whose minds are trained by practice to distinguish good from evil. <a href="/msb/hebrews/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil. <a href="/net/hebrews/5.htm">NET Bible</a> But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil. <a href="/nheb/hebrews/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. <a href="/wbt/hebrews/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But strong food belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. <a href="/wey/hebrews/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Such persons are mere babes. But solid food is for adults--that is, for those who through constant practice have their spiritual faculties carefully trained to distinguish good from evil. <a href="/web/hebrews/5.htm">World English Bible</a> But solid food is for those who are full grown, who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/hebrews/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and the strong food is of perfect men, who because of the use are having the senses exercised, to both the discernment of good and of evil. <a href="/blb/hebrews/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But solid food is for the mature, the ones by constant use having trained the senses for distinguishing both good and evil. <a href="/ylt/hebrews/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and of perfect men is the strong food, who because of the use are having the senses exercised, unto the discernment both of good and of evil. <a href="/slt/hebrews/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And firm food is of the perfected, of them by habit having the senses exercised for the separation of good and evil.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/hebrews/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But strong meat is for the perfect; for them who by custom have their senses exercised to the discerning of good and evil. <a href="/cpdv/hebrews/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But solid food is for those who are mature, for those who, by practice, have sharpened their mind, so as to discern good from evil. <a href="/nabre/hebrews/5.htm">New American Bible</a> But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties are trained by practice to discern good and evil. <a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But strong meat belongs to those who are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But solid food is for the mature, those whose senses are instructed to distinguish good and evil, because they practice. <div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/hebrews/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But strong food belongs to those who are of mature age, who, by use, have their internal senses exercised to the discerning of both good and evil. <a href="/godbey/hebrews/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> but solid food belongs to the perfect, those having their senses disciplined by use unto the discernment both of the good and the evil. <a href="/haweis/hebrews/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But solid nourishment is proper for grown men, even as many as by habit have their organs of perception exercised for the discernment both of good and evil.<CM> <a href="/mace/hebrews/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> such solid nourishment is only fit for such as are arriv'd at their full growth and strength, whose senses have been exercis'd in distinguishing what is good, and what is prejudicial. <a href="/wey/hebrews/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Such persons are mere babes. But solid food is for adults--that is, for those who through constant practice have their spiritual faculties carefully trained to distinguish good from evil. <a href="/worrell/hebrews/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> but solid food is for full-grown men, who by practice have their senses trained for the discernment both of good and evil. <a href="/worsley/hebrews/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> but firm food is for persons come to age, who by habit have their senses exercised to a discernment both of good and evil. <a href="/parallel/hebrews/5-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=779" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/hebrews/5.htm">Warning against Drifting Away</a> …13For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. 14<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/4731.htm" title="4731: sterea (Adj-NFS) -- Solid, firm, steadfast. From histemi; stiff, i.e. Solid, stable.">solid</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5160.htm" title="5160: trophē (N-NFS) -- Food, nourishment, maintenance. From trepho; nourishment; by implication, rations.">food</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/5046.htm" title="5046: teleiōn (Adj-GMP) -- From telos; complete; neuter completeness.">for the mature,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: dia (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1838.htm" title="1838: hexin (N-AFS) -- Condition, state, habit, use, especially: good condition of body or soul. From echo; habit, i.e. practice.">constant use</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echontōn (V-PPA-GMP) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">have</a> <a href="/greek/1128.htm" title="1128: gegymnasmena (V-RPM/P-ANP) -- To train by physical exercise; hence: train, in the widest sense. From gumnos; to practise naked, i.e. Train.">trained</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">their</a> <a href="/greek/145.htm" title="145: aisthētēria (N-ANP) -- Perceptive faculty. From a derivative of aisthanomai; properly, an organ of perception, i.e. judgment.">senses</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/1253.htm" title="1253: diakrisin (N-AFS) -- Distinguishing; hence: deciding, passing sentence on; the act of judgment, discernment. From diakrino; judicial estimation.">distinguish</a> <a href="/greek/5037.htm" title="5037: te (Conj) -- And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also."></a> <a href="/greek/2570.htm" title="2570: kalou (Adj-GNS) -- Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.">good</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">from</a> <a href="/greek/2556.htm" title="2556: kakou (Adj-GNS) -- Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious.">evil.</a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14-15</a> The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. / The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. <a href="/philippians/1-9.htm">Philippians 1:9-10</a> And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, / so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a> Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. <a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm">Ephesians 4:13-14</a> until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ. / Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. <a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">1 Peter 2:2</a> Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, <a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">1 Corinthians 3:1-2</a> Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. / I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, <a href="/colossians/1-9.htm">Colossians 1:9-10</a> For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, / so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a> Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-21.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:21</a> but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. <a href="/2_timothy/3-16.htm">2 Timothy 3:16-17</a> All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, / so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work. <a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">Proverbs 2:1-5</a> My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you, / if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, / if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, ... <a href="/proverbs/4-7.htm">Proverbs 4:7</a> Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding. <a href="/isaiah/7-15.htm">Isaiah 7:15</a> By the time He knows enough to reject evil and choose good, He will be eating curds and honey. <a href="/psalms/119-66.htm">Psalm 119:66</a> Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments. <a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Proverbs 9:10</a> The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.of full age.<a href="/matthew/5-48.htm">Matthew 5:48</a> Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.<a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">1 Corinthians 2:6</a> Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:<a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm">Ephesians 4:13</a> Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:use.<a href="/job/6-30.htm">Job 6:30</a> Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?<a href="/job/12-11.htm">Job 12:11</a> Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?<a href="/job/34-3.htm">Job 34:3</a> For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.to discern.<a href="/genesis/3-5.htm">Genesis 3:5</a> For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.<a href="/2_samuel/14-17.htm">2 Samuel 14:17</a> Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the LORD thy God will be with thee.<a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9,11</a> Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/5-3.htm">Account</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">Adults</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-6.htm">Age</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-14.htm">Babes</a> <a href="/romans/12-19.htm">Belongeth</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-21.htm">Carefully</a> <a href="/1_timothy/6-5.htm">Constant</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Discern</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-10.htm">Distinguish</a> <a href="/2_thessalonians/3-17.htm">Distinguishing</a> <a href="/hebrews/3-17.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/romans/5-21.htm">Exercised</a> <a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Faculties</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Food</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-12.htm">Full</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm">Fullgrown</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm">Full-Grown</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-6.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-11.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/colossians/2-19.htm">Growth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-7.htm">Habit</a> <a href="/colossians/1-28.htm">Mature</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/titus/1-10.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/titus/2-3.htm">Persons</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-4.htm">Practice</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-26.htm">Senses</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Solid</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-14.htm">Spiritual</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/titus/3-14.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-17.htm">Trained</a> <a href="/hebrews/4-11.htm">Use</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/6-6.htm">Account</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">Adults</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-5.htm">Age</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">Babes</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-13.htm">Belongeth</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-15.htm">Carefully</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-66.htm">Constant</a> <a href="/genesis/27-23.htm">Discern</a> <a href="/1_john/3-10.htm">Distinguish</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-7.htm">Distinguishing</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-8.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-11.htm">Exercised</a> <a href="/romans/6-13.htm">Faculties</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-10.htm">Food</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-1.htm">Full</a> <a href="/james/1-15.htm">Fullgrown</a> <a href="/james/1-15.htm">Full-Grown</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-4.htm">Good</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-24.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-1.htm">Growth</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-25.htm">Habit</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-1.htm">Mature</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-16.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-24.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-13.htm">Persons</a> <a href="/james/3-16.htm">Practice</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-1.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-18.htm">Senses</a> <a href="/revelation/21-18.htm">Solid</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">Spiritual</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-18.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-6.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-11.htm">Trained</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-8.htm">Use</a><div class="vheading2">Hebrews 5</div>1. <a href="/hebrews/5-1.htm">The honor of our Savior's priesthood.</a> 11. <a href="/hebrews/5-11.htm">Negligence in the knowledge thereof is reproved.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hebrews/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hebrews/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But solid food is for the mature This phrase contrasts spiritual maturity with immaturity, using the metaphor of solid food versus milk. In the context of Hebrews, the author is addressing believers who should have progressed in their faith but are still in need of basic teachings. Solid food represents deeper, more complex teachings of the faith, akin to the wisdom found in <a href="/proverbs/9.htm">Proverbs 9:1-6</a>, where wisdom is depicted as a feast. The mature are those who have moved beyond elementary teachings (<a href="/hebrews/6.htm">Hebrews 6:1</a>) and are able to understand and apply more profound spiritual truths. This maturity is a call to grow in understanding and discernment, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">1 Corinthians 2:6</a>, where Paul speaks of imparting wisdom to the mature.who by constant use This phrase emphasizes the importance of regular practice and application of spiritual truths. The Greek word for "use" implies a habitual practice, suggesting that maturity comes through consistent engagement with God's Word and its application in daily life. This is similar to the discipline described in <a href="/1_timothy/4-7.htm">1 Timothy 4:7-8</a>, where believers are encouraged to train themselves for godliness. The idea is that spiritual growth requires ongoing effort and dedication, much like physical training.have trained their senses The concept of training the senses indicates a process of developing discernment and spiritual insight. This training involves both the mind and the heart, aligning with <a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a>, which speaks of the renewal of the mind to discern God's will. The senses here can be understood as spiritual faculties that need to be exercised and honed through experience and practice, much like the training of the body in athletic endeavors (<a href="/1_corinthians/9-24.htm">1 Corinthians 9:24-27</a>).to distinguish good from evil This final phrase highlights the goal of spiritual maturity: the ability to discern moral and spiritual truths. This discernment is crucial for living a life that pleases God, as seen in <a href="/philippians/1-9.htm">Philippians 1:9-10</a>, where Paul prays for believers to have love that abounds in knowledge and depth of insight. The ability to distinguish good from evil is rooted in a deep understanding of God's Word, as seen in <a href="/psalms/119-105.htm">Psalm 119:105</a>, where God's Word is described as a lamp to the feet and a light to the path. This discernment is also a mark of wisdom, as described in <a href="/james/3-13.htm">James 3:13-18</a>, where true wisdom is characterized by purity, peace-loving, and righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_author_of_hebrews.htm">The Author of Hebrews</a> Traditionally attributed to Paul, though the exact authorship is uncertain. The author is addressing Jewish Christians who are familiar with the Old Testament. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jewish_christians.htm">Jewish Christians</a> The primary audience of the letter, who were experiencing pressure to revert to Judaism and needed encouragement to mature in their faith. 3. <a href="/topical/m/melchizedek.htm">Melchizedek</a> Mentioned in the broader context of <a href="/bsb/hebrews/5.htm">Hebrews 5</a>, as a type of Christ, representing a priesthood superior to the Levitical priesthood. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The ultimate high priest, whose priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek, offering a perfect sacrifice for sins. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_early_church.htm">The Early Church</a> The broader context of the letter addresses the early Christian community's need for spiritual growth and maturity.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_maturity_requires_effort.htm">Spiritual Maturity Requires Effort</a> Just as physical training requires discipline and consistency, spiritual maturity involves diligent study and application of God's Word. <a href="/topical/d/discernment_is_a_mark_of_maturity.htm">Discernment is a Mark of Maturity</a> Mature believers are characterized by their ability to discern between good and evil, a skill developed through constant practice and reliance on the Holy Spirit. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_solid_doctrine.htm">The Role of Solid Doctrine</a> Solid food, or deeper doctrinal understanding, is essential for growth. Believers should seek to move beyond elementary teachings to a more profound comprehension of their faith. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community.htm">The Importance of Community</a> Spiritual growth is often fostered within the context of a faith community, where believers can encourage and challenge one another. <a href="/topical/a/application_of_knowledge.htm">Application of Knowledge</a> Knowledge of Scripture should lead to practical application in daily life, influencing decisions and actions in accordance with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hebrews_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 5</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'god_resists_the_proud'_mean.htm">What is Spiritual Milk?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_common_sense.htm">What defines common sense?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_spiritual_maturity.htm">What defines spiritual maturity?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_spiritual_milk.htm">What is Spiritual Milk?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) Strong meat.--"Solid food belongs to full-grown men." If they occupied themselves with the rudiments alone, their spiritual senses could not be trained by use (or, habit) in distinguishing between good and evil, truth and falsehood, in the various systems of teaching which men offered as the doctrine of Christ.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 14. - But solid food is for them that are of full age (τελείων, equivalent to "perfect;" but in the sense of maturity of age or growth, in contrast with νήπιοι; as in <a href="/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">1 Corinthians 14:20</a>; cf. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">1 Corinthians 2:6</a>; <a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm">Ephesians 4:13</a>; <a href="/philippians/3-15.htm">Philippians 3:15</a>), those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil. Here the comparison is carried out with peculiar aptness. Τὰ αἰσθητήρια in the illustration are the organs of sense. In the infant the digestive organs, in the first place, exercised in the beginning on milk, acquire through that exercise the power of assimilating more solid and more complex food, while at the same time its sensitive organs generally, also through exercise, become consciously discriminative of "good and evil" (cf. <a href="/isaiah/7-15.htm">Isaiah 7:15, 16</a>, where "to know to refuse the evil and choose the good" denotes, as if proverbially, the age after early childhood). So, in the spiritual sphere, the mental faculties, exercised at first on simple truths, should acquire by practice the power of apprehending and distinguishing' between higher and more recondite ones. It was because the Hebrew Christians had failed thus to bring out their faculties that they were open to the charge of being still in a state of infancy. <a href="/commentaries/hebrews/5-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δέ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. solid στερεὰ (sterea) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4731.htm">Strong's 4731: </a> Solid, firm, steadfast. From histemi; stiff, i.e. Solid, stable. food τροφή (trophē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5160.htm">Strong's 5160: </a> Food, nourishment, maintenance. From trepho; nourishment; by implication, rations. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. [for the] mature, τελείων (teleiōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5046.htm">Strong's 5046: </a> From telos; complete; neuter completeness. who τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. by διὰ (dia) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. constant use ἕξιν (hexin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1838.htm">Strong's 1838: </a> Condition, state, habit, use, especially: good condition of body or soul. From echo; habit, i.e. practice. have ἐχόντων (echontōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. trained γεγυμνασμένα (gegymnasmena) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1128.htm">Strong's 1128: </a> To train by physical exercise; hence: train, in the widest sense. From gumnos; to practise naked, i.e. Train. [their] τὰ (ta) Article - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. sensibilities αἰσθητήρια (aisthētēria) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_145.htm">Strong's 145: </a> Perceptive faculty. From a derivative of aisthanomai; properly, an organ of perception, i.e. judgment. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. distinguish διάκρισιν (diakrisin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1253.htm">Strong's 1253: </a> Distinguishing; hence: deciding, passing sentence on; the act of judgment, discernment. From diakrino; judicial estimation. good καλοῦ (kalou) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2570.htm">Strong's 2570: </a> Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous. [from] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. evil. κακοῦ (kakou) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2556.htm">Strong's 2556: </a> Bad, evil, in the widest sense. Apparently a primary word; worthless, i.e. depraved, or injurious. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/5-14.htm">Hebrews 5:14 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/hebrews/5-14.htm">Hebrews 5:14 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/hebrews/5-14.htm">Hebrews 5:14 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/hebrews/5-14.htm">Hebrews 5:14 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/hebrews/5-14.htm">Hebrews 5:14 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/5-14.htm">Hebrews 5:14 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/5-14.htm">Hebrews 5:14 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/5-14.htm">Hebrews 5:14 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/5-14.htm">Hebrews 5:14 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/hebrews/5-14.htm">Hebrews 5:14 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-14.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for those who (Heb. He. Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hebrews/5-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 5:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 5:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hebrews/6-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 6:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 6:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>