11 of whom (A)we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become (B)dull of hearing.

Spiritual Immaturity

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [a]oracles of God; and you have come to need (C)milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is (D)a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [b]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [c]use have their senses exercised (E)to discern both good and evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:12 sayings, Scriptures
  2. Hebrews 5:14 mature
  3. Hebrews 5:14 practice

Advanced Teaching Hindered by Immaturity

11 Concerning this[a] we have much to say and it is difficult to explain[b], since you have become sluggish in hearing. 12 For indeed, although you[c] ought to be teachers by this time[d], you have need of someone to teach you again the beginning elements of the oracles of God, and you have need of[e] milk, not[f] solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes of milk is unacquainted with the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have trained their faculties for the distinguishing of both good and evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Hebrews 5:11 Literally “which”
  2. Hebrews 5:11 Literally “great for us the message and hard to explain to say”
  3. Hebrews 5:12 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the participle (“ought”) which is understood as concessive
  4. Hebrews 5:12 Literally “because of the time”
  5. Hebrews 5:12 Literally “you are having need of”
  6. Hebrews 5:12 Some manuscripts have “and not”