Hebrews 5:14

Hebrews 5:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
• New International Version (NIV)But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
• English Standard Version (ESV)But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Context of Hebrews 5:14

12Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! 13For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 5:14 word by word

τελείων δέ ἐστιν ἡ στερεὰ τροφὴ τῶν διὰ τὴν ἕξιν τὰ αἰσθητήρια γεγυμνασμένα ἐχόντων πρὸς διάκρισιν καλοῦ τε καὶ κακοῦ.¶Read the interlinear

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• solidστερεόςstereos · strongG4731
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• foodτροφήtrophē · foodG5160
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• matureτέλειοςteleios · perfectG5046
• byδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• constant useἕξιςhexis · habit/practiceG1838
• haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• trainedγυμνάζωgumnazō · to trainG1128
• sensesαἰσθητήριονaisthētērion · senseG145
• toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• distinguishδιάκρισιςdiakrisis · discernmentG1253
• distinguishτεte · and/bothG5037
• goodκαλόςkalos · goodG2570
• ·καίkai · andG2532
• evilκακόςkakos · evil/harm: evilG2556

Cross-references for Hebrews 5:14

• Matthew 5:48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
• 1 Corinthians 2:6Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
• Ephesians 4:13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.
• Philippians 3:15All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well.
• James 3:2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
• Job 6:30Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?
• Job 12:11Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes its food?
• Job 34:3For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.
• Psalms 119:103How sweet are Your words to my taste— sweeter than honey in my mouth!
• Matthew 6:22The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.
• Ephesians 1:18I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,
• Genesis 3:5“For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
• 2 Samuel 14:17And now your servant says, ‘May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is able to discern good and evil, just like the angel of God. May the LORD your God be with you.’”
• 1 Kings 3:9Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
• Isaiah 7:15By the time He knows enough to reject evil and choose good, He will be eating curds and honey.
• Romans 14:1Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.

Commentaries on Hebrews 5:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14But strong meat - The high and sublime doctrines of Christianity; the atonement, justification by faith, the gift of the Holy Ghost, the fullness of Christ dwelling in the souls of men, triumph in and over death, the resurrection of the body, the glorification of both body and soul in the realms of blessedness, and an endless union with Christ in the throne of his glory. This is the strong food which the genuine Christian understands, receives, digests…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14Strong meat - Solid food pertains to those of maturer years. So it is with the higher doctrines of Christianity. They can be understood and appreciated only by those who are advanced in Christian experience. Of full age - Margin, “Perfect.” The expression refers to those who are grown up. Who by reason of use - Margin, Or, “an habit,” or, “perfection.” Coverdale and Tyndale render it, “through custom.” The Greek word means “habit, practice.” The meaning…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-14Verses 11-14 Dull hearers make the preaching of the gospel difficult, and even those who have some faith may be dull hearers, and slow to believe. Much is looked for from those to whom much is given. To be unskilful, denotes want of experience in the things of the gospel. Christian experience is a spiritual sense, taste, or relish of the goodness, sweetness, and excellence of the truths of the gospel. And no tongue can express the satisfaction which the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14Knowing the difference between right and wrong shows spiritual maturity.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. strong meat--"solid food." them ... of full age--literally, "perfect": akin to "perfection" (He 6:1). by reason of use--Greek, "habit." senses--organs of sense. exercised--similarly connected with "righteousness" in He 12:11. to discern both good and evil--as a child no longer an infant (Is 7:16): so able to distinguish between sound and unsound doctrine. The mere child puts into its mouth things hurtful and things nutritious, without discrimination…Read the comment

Topics related to Hebrews 5:14

• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Belong
• Meat
• Priest
• Strong
• Age; Old Age
• Catechist; Catechumen
• Christ, Offices of
• Congregation
• Discern
• Discernings of Spirits

Commentaries on Hebrews 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings