Hebrews 5:12

Translations

Modern

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!

Traditional

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Literal

For even by the time you ought to be teachers, you have need of one to teach you again what is the beginning of the elements of the oracles of God; and you have become those having need of milk, and not of solid food.

Latin

Etenim cum deberetis magistri esse propter tempus, rursum indigetis ut vos doceamini quæ sint elementa exordii sermonum Dei: et facti estis quibus lacte opus sit, non solido cibo.

Original

Greek

English

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!

Notes

Hebrews 5:12

Their lack of spiritual energy was surprising because they had been believers for so long. They should have been spiritual leaders teaching others from their knowledge and Christian experience.
the basic principles: The simplest parts of the Christian faith (see Hebrews 6:1 –3).
The imagery of milk and solid food was used to separate basic from advanced education, and immature from mature students.

Hebrews 5:11–6:3

This message addresses the spiritual laziness of the recipients.

Hebrews 5:11–6:20

After starting to talk about the role of Jesus as high priest (Hebrews 5:1 –10), the author addresses the audience with several encouragements (5:11–6:20). This change in the sermon or speech aimed to capture the listeners' attention.

Theme notes and profiles

Spiritual Maturity The Cities of Refuge

Related verses

Hebrews 6:1
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,
1 Corinthians 3:1–3
Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ.
1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,
Hebrews 5:13
For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.
Isaiah 28:9–10
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?
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to practice it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Isaiah 28:13
Then the word of the LORD to them will become: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there,” so that they will go stumbling backward and will be injured, ensnared, and captured.
Psalm 34:11
Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
Acts 7:38
He was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. And he received living words to pass on to us.
Isaiah 55:1
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost!

Hebrews 5:12

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