Hebrews 5 11

Hebrews 5:11 kjv

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

Hebrews 5:11 nkjv

of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

Hebrews 5:11 niv

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.

Hebrews 5:11 esv

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

Hebrews 5:11 nlt

There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen.

Hebrews 5 verses

Hebrews 5 11 Meaning

Hebrews 5:11 reveals the author's pastoral lament concerning the spiritual state of his audience. He states that he possesses profound truths to share, particularly about Jesus's Melchizedekian priesthood, which are intrinsically challenging to articulate, yet the primary difficulty lies not in the message itself but in the recipients. Their "dullness of hearing" indicates a self-induced spiritual lethargy and unresponsiveness, rendering them unready for deeper theological insights and advanced doctrine, much to the author's frustration and concern.

Hebrews 5 11 Context

Hebrews 5:11 immediately follows a rich theological exposition in Hebrews 5:1-10, where the author details Jesus Christ's qualifications and divine appointment as High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. This high priesthood is a foundational and complex concept, elevating Christ's sacrifice and intercession above the Levitical system, showcasing its eternality and superiority. Verse 11 introduces an abrupt but crucial pause, indicating the author's frustration. Instead of immediately elaborating further on the Melchizedekian order (which he resumes in Heb 7), he shifts to directly address the spiritual immaturity of his audience. This shift initiates a parenthetical warning (5:11-6:12) about the dangers of spiritual stagnation and apostasy, exhorting them to press on to maturity. Historically, the audience were likely Jewish Christians contemplating regression to Old Covenant practices or succumbing to weariness in their faith amidst potential persecution or societal pressure, highlighting their need for diligent spiritual growth to prevent drifting from truth.

Hebrews 5 11 Word analysis

• Of whom (περὶ οὗ - peri hou): This phrase points back to the immediate preceding subject: Jesus Christ as High Priest, particularly in His identity as "High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" (Heb 5:6, 10). It signifies that the author has much more to teach about this profound and crucial aspect of Christ's person and work.
• we have (ἔχομεν - echomen): Denotes possession or availability of knowledge and teaching. The author and, by extension, God's revelation, holds a vast reservoir of truth regarding Christ's unique priesthood, ready to be expounded. It also implies a responsibility to share this knowledge.
• much to say (πολὺν λόγον - polyn logon): Refers to a great amount of teaching, doctrine, or discourse. It signifies a depth and breadth of theological truth that the author is equipped and willing to deliver. This "much" suggests the profound nature and significance of the Melchizedekian priesthood and its implications for the New Covenant.
• and hard to explain (καὶ δυσερμήνευτος - kai dysermēneutos): The Greek term dysermēneutos means "difficult to interpret," "hard to explain," or "arduous to translate." It implies that the explanation itself, not necessarily the core truth, becomes challenging due to external factors, namely the audience's condition. The complexity of the subject, combining typological understanding of Melchizedek with the finished work of Christ, requires careful teaching and receptive listeners.
• since you have become (ἐπεὶ νωθροὶ γεγόνατε - epei nōthroi gegonate):
  • since (ἐπεὶ - epei): This conjunction introduces the cause or reason. The difficulty in explanation is directly attributed to the audience's state.
  • you have become (γεγόνατε - gegonate): This is a perfect tense of ginomai ("to become"), indicating a state that they have come into and now exist in. It implies a process of deterioration, a regression from a previous state of receptivity, rather than an inherent, unchangeable condition. They are responsible for their present state.
  • dull (νωθροὶ - nōthroi): A critical word, meaning sluggish, slow, inert, indolent, slothful, or lazy. In a spiritual context, it signifies mental and spiritual lethargy, a lack of spiritual vigor or zeal. It suggests a deliberate apathy or neglect, not merely an intellectual incapacity. This is a moral failure or a failure of the will to diligently pursue understanding.
• dull of hearing (ταῖς ἀκοαῖς - tais akoais, literally "as to your hearings"): This phrase clarifies where their dullness is evident. It refers to their spiritual ears, their capacity and willingness to comprehend spiritual truths, especially the deeper ones. It’s not physical deafness, but a spiritual inability or unwillingness to receive, process, and apply the teaching. They have allowed their spiritual sensitivity to become dulled through disuse or neglect.

• "much to say, and hard to explain": This phrase highlights the paradox: the author has an abundance of vital truth to share, but the difficulty lies in the listener's receptivity, not necessarily the intrinsic complexity of the subject alone. It speaks to the burden of teaching profound spiritual truths to an unprepared audience.
• "since you have become dull of hearing": This whole clause provides the explicit reason for the author's difficulty. Their spiritual sloth and unresponsiveness are the roadblocks. This points to the recipient's responsibility in the spiritual learning process. It also indicates a failure to progress, having remained infants in their faith (as described in the verses that follow).

Hebrews 5 11 Bonus section

The "dullness of hearing" (νωθροὶ ταῖς ἀκοαῖς) describes a spiritual malady characterized not by intellectual deficiency, but by a chosen passivity or indolence that leads to an inability to grasp profound spiritual truths. This condition is not static; the use of the perfect tense gegonate ("have become") emphasizes a state that they have arrived at through their own neglect. They were once potentially more receptive but allowed themselves to grow lethargic. This warning in Heb 5:11-6:12 functions as a strong wake-up call, emphasizing that the Christian life is one of progression and maturity, not comfortable stagnation. The author understands that teaching without receptive hearts is fruitless, hence the direct address and call to spiritual awakening before he resumes his detailed theological exposition in chapter 7. This also highlights the co-responsibility in discipleship: the teacher's diligence is essential, but equally vital is the student's receptive and active engagement with the Word.

Hebrews 5 11 Commentary

Hebrews 5:11 serves as a profound and direct pastoral admonition, a strategic pause in the book's complex theological argument. The author expresses his burden not due to the inherent difficulty of the doctrine of Christ's Melchizedekian priesthood, but due to his audience's self-inflicted spiritual malaise. The term "dull" (Gk. nōthroi) is a sharp indictment, describing a spiritual sluggishness or apathy that prevents them from engaging with deeper truths. This isn't a mere intellectual limitation but a moral failure—they ought to be mature but have chosen, through lack of diligence, to remain infants. This dullness of hearing means their spiritual "ears" are closed, either unwilling or unable to process the spiritual "solid food." The implication is that without an eager, open, and responsive spirit, profound truths, even when eloquently presented, will remain incomprehensible. The verse underscores the critical importance of spiritual diligence, attentiveness, and a hungry heart for growth, cautioning believers against the danger of spiritual stagnation and the profound cost of neglecting divine revelation.

Examples for practical usage:

• A preacher facing a congregation consistently ignoring calls for deeper commitment.
• A mature believer finding it hard to explain complex theological concepts to spiritually immature friends.
• The personal struggle of a Christian who, despite years in faith, still struggles with basic obedience or understanding foundational doctrines due to lack of effort.