The Problem of Immaturity

¹¹ We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand. ¹² Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food.^{(A) 13} Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.^(B)

Warning against Falling Away

6 Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God,^{(C) 2} teaching about ritual washings,^[a] laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.^{(D) 3} And we will do this if God permits.

⁴ For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, who shared in the Holy Spirit,^{(E) 5} who tasted God’s good word and the powers of the coming age, ⁶ and who have fallen away. This is because,^[b] to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding him up to contempt.^{(F) 7} For the ground that drinks the rain that often falls on it and that produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God. ⁸ But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and at the end will be burned.^(G)

⁹ Even though we are speaking this way, dearly loved friends, in your case we are confident of things that are better and that pertain to salvation. ¹⁰ For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love^[c] you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints—and by continuing to serve them.^{(H) 11} Now we desire each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of your hope until the end, ¹² so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.^(I)

Wisdom’s Worth

Reaching Forward to God’s Goal

¹² Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold^(A) of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not^[a] consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind^(B) and reaching forward to what is ahead, ¹⁴ I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly^[b] call in Christ Jesus.^{(C) 15} Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal^(D) this also to you. ¹⁶ In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained.