Of whom, &c. The apostle here begins an important digression, wherein he reproves, admonishes, and exhorts the believing Hebrews; we Apostles and other ministers of the word; have many things to say And things of great importance, in order to your full illumination, and perfect acquaintance, with that Christianity which you profess; and hard to be uttered Interpreted or explained, as δυσερμηνευτος signifies; though not so much from the subject matter, as because ye are dull of hearing Careless as to giving attention, slothful in considering, and dull in apprehending the things of God. For when, for the time Since ye first professed Christianity; ye ought to be teachers Able to teach others less informed than yourselves; ye have need that one teach you again which be the nature of the first principles of the oracles of God Accordingly these are enumerated in the first verse of the ensuing chapter. And are become such as have need of milk The first and plainest doctrines. See on 1 Corinthians 3:2. For every one that useth milk That is, that neither desires nor can digest any thing else; (otherwise strong men use milk, but not that chiefly, much less that only;) is unskilful in the word of righteousness Makes it appear that he is unacquainted (through want of exercise and experience) with the sublimer truths of the gospel. Such are all they who desire and can digest nothing but the doctrine of justification and imputed righteousness. For he is a babe See on 1 Corinthians 14:20. The apostle compares these Hebrews to babes, not on account of their innocent simplicity and teachableness, qualities which Christ recommended to all his disciples; but on account of their weakness and ignorance; for which, considering the advantages they had so long enjoyed, they were deserving of censure. But strong meat The sublimer truths relating to a perfect acquaintance with, experience in, and the practice of, the whole gospel, chap. Hebrews 6:1; belongeth to them that are of full age Τελειων, the perfect, or perfectly instructed: see on 1 Corinthians 2:6, where the same expression seems to be used in the same sense; even those who, by reason of use Or habit, as εξιν signifies, implying strength of spiritual understanding, arising from maturity of spiritual age; have their senses exercised Though the word αισθητηρια, here used, properly signifies the outward senses, as the eyes, ears, &c.; yet it is evidently here put for the inward senses, the senses of the mind; to discern both good and evil Grown Christians, by exercising their spiritual faculties, become able to distinguish truth from error, in the various branches of Christian doctrines, having attained the full assurance of understanding in the mystery of God and of Christ, (Colossians 2:2,) as also to distinguish duty from sin, or moral and spiritual good from evil.
Related Commentaries of Hebrews 5:11
Hebrews 5:11-14
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age,c even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.