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 teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food. 13Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature — for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• strongστερεόςstereos · strongG4731
• meatτροφήtrophē · foodG5160
• belongethεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• to them that are of full ageτέλειοςteleios · perfectG5046
• those whoἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• by reason ofδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• useὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• useἕξιςhexis · habit/practiceG1838
• their sensesαἰσθητήριονaisthētērion · senseG145
• exercisedγυμνάζωgumnazō · to trainG1128
• toπρόςpros · to/withG4314
• discernδιάκρισιςdiakrisis · discernmentG1253
• bothτεte · and/bothG5037
• goodκαλόςkalos · goodG2570
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• evilκακόςkakos · evil/harm: evilG2556

Cross-references for Hebrews 5:14

• Matthew 5:48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
• 1 Corinthians 2:6We do, however, speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a 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 God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.
• Philippians 3:15Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you.
• James 3:2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.
• Job 6:30Is there injustice on my tongue or can my palate not taste disaster?
• Job 12:11Doesn’t the ear test words as the palate tastes food?
• Job 34:3Doesn’t the ear test words as the palate tastes food?
• Psalms 119:103How sweet your word is to my taste — sweeter than honey in my mouth.
• Matthew 6:22“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.
• Ephesians 1:18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
• Genesis 3:5“In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
• 2 Samuel 14:17Your servant thought: May the word of my lord the king bring relief, for my lord the king is able to discern the good and the bad like the angel of God. May the Lord your God be with you.”
• 1 Kings 3:9So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?”
• Isaiah 7:15By the time he learns to reject what is bad and choose what is good, he will be eating curds and honey.
• Romans 14:1Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about disputed matters.

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