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Hebrews 5:12

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Hebrews 5:12

Verse 12 of 14

Scripture focus

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.

Hebrews 5:12 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Hebrews 5:12

Theological / Devotional

For the time. Rather, “on account of the time [elapsed].”

Ought to be teachers. These were not new converts, or this statement could not be true. But they had apparently not progressed as far and as rapidly as it was their privilege to do.

Teach you again. They had been taught before, but they had forgotten their lessons and needed to be taught again. The same condition exists today. Old and young waste time on that which is not essential, fail to improve their opportunities, and need to learn again the first principles of Christianity. This is a lamentable condition.

Principles. Gr. stoicheia, “elements [of learning],” “fundamental principles” (see on Gal. 4:3; Col. 2:8).

Oracles. Gr. logia (see on Acts 7:38; Rom. 3:2).

Milk ... strong meat. By these are indicated the fundamental principles of the gospel and the advanced principles. For this figure see on 1 Cor. 3:1,2. God wants all to grow up into the full stature of manhood in Christ, and “henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (see on Eph. 4:14).

By SdaBc