Hebrews 5 13

Hebrews 5:13 kjv

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Hebrews 5:13 nkjv

For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

Hebrews 5:13 niv

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.

Hebrews 5:13 esv

for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.

Hebrews 5:13 nlt

For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right.

Hebrews 5 verses

Hebrews 5 13 Meaning

Hebrews 5:13 explains that individuals who only partake of spiritual "milk" are inexperienced or unskilful in discerning and applying the "word of righteousness" because they remain in a state of spiritual infancy. This verse describes believers who are still reliant on the most basic truths of the faith, unable to engage with or comprehend deeper spiritual doctrines necessary for maturity and discernment. Their spiritual diet restricts their understanding of God's standards and His complete truth as revealed in Christ.

Hebrews 5 13 Context

Hebrews 5:13 stands as a significant parenthetical warning and exhortation within the broader discourse of the Epistle to the Hebrews. Immediately preceding this verse, the author has begun to explain the high priesthood of Jesus according to the order of Melchizedek (Heb 5:10). However, the author abruptly pauses this explanation in verse 11, lamenting that "ye are dull of hearing." Verse 13, therefore, underscores the spiritual immaturity of the audience, explaining why they are dull of hearing: they have not progressed beyond rudimentary doctrines, preventing them from grasping more profound theological truths about Christ's unique priesthood. This spiritual infancy implies an inability to distinguish advanced teaching ("strong meat") and apply it to their lives for spiritual discernment. The historical context reveals that the recipients were Jewish believers, likely facing pressure or persecution, tempted to revert to Old Covenant practices. Their spiritual immaturity made them susceptible to misunderstanding Christ's finished work and the superiority of the New Covenant, prompting the author's strong admonition to move towards maturity.

Hebrews 5 13 Word analysis

• For every one that useth milk: This phrase originates from the Greek pas ho galaktos metechōn (πᾶς ὁ γάλακτος μετέχων).
  • pas (πᾶς): "every one," denotes universality, indicating that this condition is common among the identified group.
  • galaktos (γάλακτος): "of milk," referring to physical milk but used metaphorically for elementary spiritual teachings. This "milk" represents the foundational truths of Christianity—repentance, faith, baptism, resurrection, judgment (Heb 6:1-2). It signifies the diet of a spiritual infant who needs basic sustenance, unable to process complex nourishment.
  • metechōn (μετέχων): "that useth," "partaking of," "sharing in." It implies participation, suggesting a primary or exclusive reliance on these elementary teachings as one's main spiritual food, rather than a brief introductory stage.
  This phrase paints a picture of spiritual stagnation, where believers continue to depend on fundamental truths instead of progressing.
• is unskilful: The Greek word is apeiros (ἄπειρος).
  • apeiros (ἄπειρος): Literally means "inexperienced," "unacquainted with," "ignorant of." It implies a lack of practical experience or proficiency in handling deeper spiritual matters. It's not a moral accusation of sin, but a descriptive statement of their undeveloped capacity for spiritual discernment and theological understanding. Their reliance on milk prevents them from developing the spiritual "muscles" needed to handle more profound truths.
  This word highlights a practical deficiency, not intellectual incapacity but a lack of cultivated spiritual aptitude.
• in the word of righteousness: This translates from the Greek logou dikaiosynēs (λόγου δικαιοσύνης).
  • logou (λόγου): "of word," refers to discourse, teaching, doctrine, or revelation. It signifies a body of truth or a specific message. Here, it denotes advanced Christian teaching, a complete message or comprehensive understanding of God's revealed will.
  • dikaiosynēs (δικαιοσύνης): "of righteousness." In the biblical context, "righteousness" often refers to God's standard of justice, His righteous character, His acts of setting things right, or the just requirements of His law. Here, "word of righteousness" encompasses deeper biblical truths concerning God's holiness, His saving justice through Christ, the believer's imputed and practical righteousness, and the ethical implications of the Gospel. It refers to a fuller revelation of God's moral requirements and the pathway to true living found in Christ, which enables one to discern between good and evil, truth and error. It is the comprehensive and practical outworking of God's truth that guides righteous living.
  Together, "word of righteousness" signifies the profound and robust truths of God's Word that reveal His nature, His justice, and His way of salvation and living righteously. It contrasts sharply with "milk," representing mature, solid spiritual food.
• for he is a babe: The Greek term is nēpios (νήπιος).
  • nēpios (νήπιος): "babe," "infant," "child." This term emphasizes profound spiritual immaturity. A babe is characterized by dependency, limited understanding, inability to process complex information, and a need for constant care. Spiritually, this means being susceptible to error, unable to teach others, and lacking discernment in complex theological or ethical situations. The term is a stark descriptor of arrested spiritual development, where believers remain at an initial stage of faith.
  This reinforces the reason for being "unskilful": their developmental stage itself limits their capacity for deeper truths.

• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness": This phrase draws a direct correlation between exclusive reliance on foundational teachings and an inability to grasp profound divine truths. It highlights a common problem within the community, where sustained consumption of basic "milk" leads to a lack of experience (unskilful) in handling the complex spiritual nourishment found in the "word of righteousness." The implication is that true growth requires transitioning from simple principles to deeper applications of God's truth that guide righteous living and theological discernment.
  • "for he is a babe": This clause serves as the explanation for the previous statement. The "babe" imagery vividly explains the underlying cause of their spiritual unskillfulness. Just as a physical infant cannot consume solid food or comprehend complex ideas, so too can a spiritual "babe" not grasp the advanced teachings concerning God's righteousness, justice, and the superior work of Christ. It underscores a fundamental inability arising from an arrested spiritual development, necessitating movement toward maturity.

Hebrews 5 13 Bonus section

The concept of "the word of righteousness" (logos dikaiosynes) is foundational to understanding this verse. It encompasses not just forensic righteousness (being declared righteous before God), but also practical righteousness—living a life aligned with God's will and character. This requires not just knowing elementary doctrines, but growing in discernment to apply God's word in all areas of life, separating truth from error, and understanding God's righteous standards in an increasingly complex world. This kind of maturity enables a believer to handle the "strong meat" (Heb 5:14), which refers to teachings that demand greater understanding and deeper reflection on the character and ways of God. Remaining a "babe" prevents the full appropriation of Christ's finished work and the development of the spiritual senses needed for full participation in the body of Christ. The author’s sharp words are meant to rouse the audience from their spiritual slumber, emphasizing the urgency of growth towards spiritual maturity for their stability and fruitfulness in faith.

Hebrews 5 13 Commentary

Hebrews 5:13 provides a severe assessment of the spiritual condition of its audience: they have remained as spiritual infants. This state of spiritual immaturity, characterized by continued reliance on basic teachings (milk), has rendered them unskilful in discerning and applying the "word of righteousness"—the deeper truths concerning God's justice, His character, and the implications of His revealed will for a righteous life. The author laments their stunted growth, which prevents them from moving into a deeper understanding of Christ's high priesthood, especially the intricacies of the Melchizedekian order, which is the very "solid food" they should be consuming. This immaturity is not merely intellectual, but impacts their practical spiritual discernment, leaving them unprepared to stand firm in challenging times.

Examples:

• A believer who only understands salvation by grace but cannot articulate or apply biblical teachings on sanctification, suffering, or spiritual warfare.
• Someone who can quote a few popular verses but struggles to integrate biblical principles into complex ethical dilemmas in daily life or lacks the spiritual discernment to recognize theological errors.
• A church community that focuses solely on evangelism to the exclusion of discipleship, leading to many "babes" who are easily swayed by novel doctrines.