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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/hebrews/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/hebrews/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hebrews/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hebrews/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For everyone partaking of milk <i>is</i> unskilled in <i>the</i> word of righteousness, for he is an infant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hebrews/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For every one that useth milk <i>is</i> unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hebrews/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For everyone who partakes <i>only</i> of milk <i>is</i> unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hebrews/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For everyone who partakes <i>only</i> of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hebrews/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hebrews/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For everyone who partakes <i>only</i> of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hebrews/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For everyone who partakes <i>only</i> of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hebrews/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For everyone who lives on milk is [doctrinally inexperienced and] unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a <i>spiritual</i> infant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hebrews/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hebrews/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hebrews/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hebrews/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />People who live on milk are like babies who don't really know what is right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hebrews/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hebrews/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />All those who live on milk lack the experience to talk about what is right. They are still babies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/hebrews/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Anyone who has to drink milk is still a child, without any experience in the matter of right and wrong. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hebrews/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />For everyone who lives on milk is still a baby and does not yet know the difference between right and wrong.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hebrews/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hebrews/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hebrews/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hebrews/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For every one that useth milk, is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />By people who live on milk I mean those who are imperfectly acquainted with the teaching concerning righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hebrews/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hebrews/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for everyone who is partaking of milk [is] unskilled in the word of righteousness—for he is an infant,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/hebrews/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For everyone partaking of milk <i>is</i> unskilled in <i>the</i> word of righteousness, for he is an infant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hebrews/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for every one who is partaking of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness -- for he is an infant,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hebrews/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For every one partaking of milk is inexperienced in the word of justice: for he is a child.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hebrews/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For every one that is a partaker of milk, is unskillful in the word of justice: for he is a little child. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hebrews/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For anyone who is still feeding on milk is still unskillful in the Word of Justice; for he is like an infant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hebrews/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Everyone who lives on milk lacks experience of the word of righteousness, for he is a child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hebrews/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hebrews/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For every man whose food is milk, is unfamiliar with the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/hebrews/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But every person whose food is milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, because he is an infant.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/hebrews/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For every one that partakes of milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/hebrews/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />For every one partaking of milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/hebrews/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For every one who useth milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness: for he is an infant.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/hebrews/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />now he that is disciplined like a child, is not prepared for the doctrine of justification:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/hebrews/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />By people who live on milk I mean those who are imperfectly acquainted with the teaching concerning righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/hebrews/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />for every one who partakes of milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/hebrews/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />For every one that wanteth milk, is unacquainted with the doctrine of justification; for he is an infant:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hebrews/5-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x-IAXXp5zcA?start=771" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/hebrews/5.htm">Warning against Drifting Away</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pas (Adj-NMS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">everyone</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- 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/3348.htm" title="3348: metechōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- From meta and echo; to share or participate; by implication, belong to, eat.">lives on</a> <a href="/greek/1051.htm" title="1051: galaktos (N-GNS) -- Milk. Of uncertain affinity; milk.">milk</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></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 still</a> <a href="/greek/3516.htm" title="3516: nēpios (Adj-NMS) -- From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian.">an infant,</a> <a href="/greek/552.htm" title="552: apeiros (Adj-NMS) -- Inexperienced, unskillful, ignorant. Inexperienced, i.e. Ignorant.">inexperienced</a> <a href="/greek/3056.htm" title="3056: logou (N-GMS) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">in the message</a> <a href="/greek/1343.htm" title="1343: dikaiosynēs (N-GFS) -- From dikaios; equity; specially justification.">of righteousness.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">14</span>But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">1 Corinthians 3:1-2</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">1 Peter 2:2</a></span><br />Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-14.htm">Ephesians 4:14</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/14-20.htm">1 Corinthians 14:20</a></span><br />Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/1-9.htm">Philippians 1:9-10</a></span><br />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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/3-7.htm">2 Timothy 3:7</a></span><br />who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/1-28.htm">Colossians 1:28</a></span><br />We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">1 Corinthians 2:6</a></span><br />Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-18.htm">2 Peter 3:18</a></span><br />But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-9.htm">Isaiah 28:9</a></span><br />Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To infants just weaned from milk? To babies removed from the breast?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-22.htm">Jeremiah 4:22</a></span><br />“For My people are fools; they have not known Me. They are foolish children, without understanding. They are skilled in doing evil, but they know not how to do good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/9-6.htm">Proverbs 9:6</a></span><br />Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-4.htm">Proverbs 1:4</a></span><br />To impart prudence to the simple and knowledge and discretion to the young,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Isaiah 5:13</a></span><br />Therefore My people will go into exile for their lack of understanding; their dignitaries are starving and their masses are parched with thirst.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.</p><p class="hdg">is unskilful.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-123.htm">Psalm 119:123</a></b></br> Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/1-17.htm">Romans 1:17,18</a></b></br> For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/10-5.htm">Romans 10:5,6</a></b></br> For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them… </p><p class="hdg">he.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/28-9.htm">Isaiah 28:9</a></b></br> Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? <i>them that are</i> weaned from the milk, <i>and</i> drawn from the breasts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a></b></br> At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/10-15.htm">Mark 10:15</a></b></br> Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/2-12.htm">Accustomed</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-15.htm">Acquainted</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-15.htm">Babe</a> <a href="/john/16-21.htm">Baby</a> <a href="/philemon/1-10.htm">Child</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-8.htm">Experienced</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">Infant</a> <a href="/titus/2-12.htm">Live</a> <a href="/philemon/1-10.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Milk</a> <a href="/2_john/1-11.htm">Partakes</a> <a href="/2_john/1-11.htm">Partaketh</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-6.htm">Partaking</a> <a href="/hebrews/1-9.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/titus/2-15.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-6.htm">Unskilled</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-8.htm">Useth</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/21-29.htm">Accustomed</a> <a href="/genesis/25-27.htm">Acquainted</a> <a href="/exodus/2-6.htm">Babe</a> <a href="/exodus/1-17.htm">Baby</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Child</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-36.htm">Experienced</a> <a href="/numbers/11-12.htm">Infant</a> <a href="/hebrews/10-38.htm">Live</a> <a href="/1_john/2-7.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">Milk</a> <a href="/2_john/1-11.htm">Partakes</a> <a href="/2_john/1-11.htm">Partaketh</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-10.htm">Partaking</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-2.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-1.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/exodus/6-12.htm">Unskilled</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-10.htm">Useth</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-1.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Hebrews 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/5-1.htm">The honor of our Savior's priesthood.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hebrews/5-11.htm">Negligence in the knowledge thereof is reproved.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>For everyone who lives on milk</b><br>This phrase uses the metaphor of milk to represent basic teachings of the Christian faith. In the cultural context of the early church, milk was a common symbol for elementary instruction, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/3-2.htm">1 Corinthians 3:2</a> and <a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">1 Peter 2:2</a>. The audience of Hebrews, likely Jewish Christians, would understand this imagery as a call to move beyond the foundational teachings of Judaism and early Christian doctrine to deeper spiritual maturity.<p><b>is still an infant</b><br>The term "infant" signifies spiritual immaturity. In the Greco-Roman world, infancy was associated with a lack of understanding and experience. This metaphor highlights the need for growth in faith and knowledge, urging believers to progress beyond the initial stages of their spiritual journey. The writer of Hebrews is encouraging the audience to mature in their faith, similar to how Paul addresses the Corinthians about their spiritual infancy.<p><b>inexperienced in the message of righteousness</b><br>The "message of righteousness" refers to the deeper truths of the Christian faith, including the understanding of Christ's priesthood and the believer's sanctification. In the Jewish tradition, righteousness was closely tied to adherence to the Law. However, the New Testament redefines righteousness through faith in Christ, as seen in <a href="/romans/1-17.htm">Romans 1:17</a>. The audience is being challenged to deepen their comprehension of this new covenant righteousness, moving from a basic understanding to a more profound grasp of their identity and calling in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/author_of_hebrews.htm">Author of Hebrews</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed to Paul, though the exact authorship is uncertain. The author writes to Jewish Christians, encouraging them to mature in their faith.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jewish_christians.htm">Jewish Christians</a></b><br>The primary audience of the letter, who were familiar with Jewish traditions and were being encouraged to deepen their understanding of Christ.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/infants_in_faith.htm">Infants in Faith</a></b><br>A metaphorical reference to believers who have not yet matured in their understanding and practice of Christian teachings.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/message_of_righteousness.htm">Message of Righteousness</a></b><br>Refers to the deeper teachings of the Christian faith, which require spiritual maturity to fully comprehend and apply.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/milk.htm">Milk</a></b><br>Symbolizes basic teachings of Christianity, suitable for new believers but insufficient for mature spiritual growth.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_maturity.htm">Spiritual Maturity</a></b><br>Believers are called to grow beyond the basics of the faith and seek a deeper understanding of God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_righteousness.htm">Discernment in Righteousness</a></b><br>Maturity involves being able to discern and apply the message of righteousness in daily life, which requires practice and experience.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_teaching.htm">The Role of Teaching</a></b><br>Mature believers should be able to teach others, helping them to grow in their faith and understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_stagnation.htm">The Danger of Stagnation</a></b><br>Remaining in a state of spiritual infancy can lead to vulnerability to false teachings and a lack of spiritual growth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pursuit_of_solid_food.htm">Pursuit of Solid Food</a></b><br>Believers should actively pursue deeper teachings and not be content with only the foundational elements of the faith.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hebrews_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hebrews 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'god_resists_the_proud'_mean.htm">What is Spiritual Milk?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_criticize_believers_for_staying_on_'milk'.htm">In 1 Corinthians 3:2, how can believers be criticized for remaining on “milk” if spiritual maturity is often claimed yet rarely demonstrated in real-world behavior? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'put_away_childish_things'_mean.htm">What does "put away childish things" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'weak_in_the_faith'_mean.htm">What does "weak in the faith" mean?</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>(13) The change of expression from <span class= "ital">having need of milk</span> to <span class= "ital">partaking of milk</span> (that is, making it the <span class= "ital">solo</span> food) is significant. Those who are addressed had lost interest in the deeper truths of Christianity, those truths which alone expressed and explained its proper nature. Their temptation apparently was towards mingling a rudimentary Christian doctrine with the teaching of the synagogue. Yielding to this they would lose all real Knowledge of the very elements of Christian truth, and with this all true knowledge of the Old Testament itself. The connection between this verse and the last may probably be, <span class= "ital">Ye have come to need milk, for</span>--<span class= "ital">making it by choice your sole food</span>--<span class= "ital">ye stand self-confessed as babes.</span><p><span class= "bld">Unskilful.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">without experience.</span> The "word of righteousness" evidently must signify complete, properly-developed Christian teaching. The only question is, Why is this particular designation chosen? In the Epistle to the Romans such a description would be natural (see especially <a href="/romans/1-17.htm" title="For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.">Romans 1:17</a>; <a href="/romans/9-31.htm" title="But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.">Romans 9:31</a>); but "righteousness" is not the direct and manifest subject of this Epistle. Still, the expressions of which the writer makes use in <a href="/hebrews/10-38.htm" title="Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.">Hebrews 10:38</a>; <a href="/hebrews/11-7.htm" title="By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.">Hebrews 11:7</a>, together with the general similarity between his teaching and St. Paul's, go very far towards explaining his choice of this special expression as descriptive of the religion of Christ. In like manner another phrase, "law of liberty," is characteristic of St. James.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For every one that partaketh of milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.</span> Reason for saying that they are such as have need of <span class="accented">milk</span>; <span class="accented">for</span> milk is the nourishment of infants, and he that is an infant in respect of spiritual growth is <span class="greek">ἄπειρος λόγου</span> <span class="greek">δικαιοσύνης</span>: not of necessity unacquainted with it altogether, but still not versed in it; he is but a tyro. "Word of righteousness" may be taken as a general term to denote what we might call religious lore; referring here especially to the gospel, which is eminently the revelation of the "righteousness of God" (<a href="/romans/1-17.htm">Romans 1:17</a>; cf. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-9.htm">2 Corinthians 3:9</a>, <span class="greek">ἡ διακονία τῆς δικαιοσύνης</span>: and 2 Cor 11:15, <span class="greek">διάκονοι δικαιοσύνης</span>); but not excluding a more general conception. There is no need to suppose an exclusive reference to the more perfect doctrine in opposition to the elements, since, of the whole subject of religious knowledge, the <span class="greek">νήπιος</span> may be said to be <span class="greek">ἄπειρος</span> in the sense of being without the matured skill that experience gives. Hence, too, we are certainly not justified in finding in the phrase a specific allusion to the Pauline doctrine of justification by faith only, which is not suggested by the context or by what follows. Still less may we (with Delitzsch) so ignore the notable significance of <span class="greek">δικαιοσύνη</span> as to reduce the expression to a synonym for "rightly framed, that is sound and orthodox discourse." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hebrews/5-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Everyone</span><br /><span class="grk">πᾶς</span> <span class="translit">(pas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="grk">ὁ</span> <span class="translit">(ho)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lives on</span><br /><span class="grk">μετέχων</span> <span class="translit">(metechōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3348.htm">Strong's 3348: </a> </span><span class="str2">From meta and echo; to share or participate; by implication, belong to, eat.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">milk</span><br /><span class="grk">γάλακτος</span> <span class="translit">(galaktos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1051.htm">Strong's 1051: </a> </span><span class="str2">Milk. Of uncertain affinity; milk.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is [still]</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστιν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an infant,</span><br /><span class="grk">νήπιος</span> <span class="translit">(nēpios)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3516.htm">Strong's 3516: </a> </span><span class="str2">From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">inexperienced</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄπειρος</span> <span class="translit">(apeiros)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_552.htm">Strong's 552: </a> </span><span class="str2">Inexperienced, unskillful, ignorant. Inexperienced, i.e. Ignorant.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in [the] message</span><br /><span class="grk">λόγου</span> <span class="translit">(logou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> </span><span class="str2">From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of righteousness.</span><br /><span class="grk">δικαιοσύνης</span> <span class="translit">(dikaiosynēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1343.htm">Strong's 1343: </a> </span><span class="str2">From dikaios; equity; specially justification.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hebrews/5-13.htm">Hebrews 5:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hebrews/5-13.htm">Hebrews 5:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hebrews/5-13.htm">Hebrews 5:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hebrews/5-13.htm">Hebrews 5:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hebrews/5-13.htm">Hebrews 5:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hebrews/5-13.htm">Hebrews 5:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/5-13.htm">Hebrews 5:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hebrews/5-13.htm">Hebrews 5:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hebrews/5-13.htm">Hebrews 5:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hebrews/5-13.htm">Hebrews 5:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hebrews/5-13.htm">NT Letters: Hebrews 5:13 For everyone who lives on milk (Heb. He. Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hebrews/5-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 5:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 5:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hebrews/5-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 5:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 5:14" /></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>