Advanced Teaching Hindered by Immaturity
Hebrews 5:11-14
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5:11–14 The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the basic truths that undergird the Christian faith. These Jewish Christians were immature. The letter’s recipients were making slow progress on the path to spiritual maturity (v. 12). Some of them should have been teaching others, but they had not even applied the basics to their own lives. They were reluctant to move beyond age-old traditions, established doctrines, and discussion of the basics. They wouldn’t be able to understand the high-priestly role of Christ unless they moved out of their comfortable position, cut some of their Jewish ties, and stopped trying to blend in with their culture. Commitment to Christ moves people out of their comfort zones.
5:11 this May refer to the priesthood of Jesus or Melchizedek (see 7:1–9).
5:12 elementary truths of God The Greek term used here probably refers to the OT Scriptures in general or prophecy in particular (e.g., Acts 7:38; Rom 3:2; 1 Pet 4:11).
5:12 milk, not solid food A common metaphor for levels of teaching or instruction (e.g., 1 Cor 3:1–4)—the author calls his audience to Christian maturity. To grow from infant Christians to mature Christians, we must learn discernment. We must train our conscience, our senses, our mind, and our body to distinguish good from evil. Can you recognize temptation before it traps you? Can you tell the difference between a correct use of Scripture and a mistaken one?
5:13 message of righteousness This expression could refer to sound ethical teaching, general Christian teachings, the doctrine of righteousness through Christ, or Israel’s Scriptures.
5:13 infant The NT metaphorically employs the image of an infant in reference to those who need correction (1 Cor 3:1–3), highlighting the need to grow in Christian maturity (Gal 4:1–6; Eph 4:13–16).
5:14 Our capacity to feast on deeper knowledge of God (“solid food”) is determined by our spiritual growth. Too often we want God’s banquet before we are spiritually capable of digesting it. As you grow in the Lord and put into practice what you have learned, your capacity to understand will also grow.
5:14 mature The Greek word here, teleios, is used metaphorically for those who are morally and spiritually prepared (see 1 Cor 2:6). They are complete and whole, an extension of the meaning of teleios.
Maturity =Heb 6:1–3; 10:14; 12:1–2; 1 Cor 2:6; 3:1–3; 14:20; 2 Cor 13:9–11; Eph 4:11–16; Col 4:12; 1 Pet 2:1–3 = The author of Hebrews was concerned with the spiritual immaturity of his audience. He wanted to give them real spiritual meat, but they were acting like spiritual babies who needed basic nourishment rather than deeper teaching (5:13). They had not been listening to the word of God. They had been believers long enough to be teaching others (5:12), but a growing insensitivity had rendered them spiritually dull (5:11; cp. 1 Cor 3:1–3). They lacked the maturity to discern the basic difference between right and wrong (5:14).
The author challenged them to move on to maturity so he could present them with deeper truths of the faith (6:1–3). As elsewhere in the NT, maturity in Hebrews has to do with one’s ability to discern spiritual truth (1 Cor 2:6). Christians are exhorted to be mature in their thinking (1 Cor 14:20). The body of Christ is growing to maturity through the equipping of believers and by growing in the knowledge of the Son of God (Eph 4:11–16). The result is a united community of faith in which love and truth further build-up of the body of Christ.
Spiritual maturity is not an automatic result of time. It results from focused listening to the word of God and living out that word in fellowship with the community.
5:14 trained Mature believers train themselves by constant practice. They are to be trained in godliness (Heb 12:11; compare 1 Tim 4:7).
5:14 their faculties A metaphor for a person’s entire being: heart, mind, and soul (Jer 4:19; 4 Macc 2:22).
5:14 distinguishing of both good and evil Describes the mark of Christian maturity (compare 2 Pet 2:14; see Deut 1:39; Isa 7:16).
EDUCATION, Qualified Teachers—Not all church members are qualified to be teachers. Many are immature in the faith. They have not learned to live righteous lives or discuss mature questions. All Christians need to mature in the faith so they can distinguish good from evil. Maturity comes from constant study and practice of the faith. Each Christian with teaching gifts should exercise those gifts at the present stage of maturity while seeking constantly greater knowledge and maturity.
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