New English Translation
Hebrews 5:13
13For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant.
Hebrews 5:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
- New International Version (NIV)Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
- English Standard Version (ESV)for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
Context of Hebrews 5:13
11On this topic we have much to say and it is difficult to explain, since you have become sluggish in hearing. 12For though you should in fact be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of God’s utterances. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. 14But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil.
Read all of Hebrews 5Hebrews 5:13 word by word
πᾶς γὰρ ὁ μετέχων γάλακτος ἄπειρος λόγου δικαιοσύνης· νήπιος γάρ ἐστιν·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- every oneπᾶςpas · allG3956
- that usethμετέχωmetechō · to shareG3348
- milkγάλαgala · milkG1051
- unskilfulἄπειροςapeiros · unacquaintedG552
- in the wordλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
- of righteousnessδικαιοσύνηdikaiosunē · righteousnessG1343
- he isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- a babeνήπιοςnēpios · childG3516
Cross-references for Hebrews 5:13
- Psalms 119:123My eyes grow tired as I wait for your deliverance, for your reliable promise to be fulfilled.
- Romans 1:17For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous by faith will live.”
- Romans 10:5For Moses writes about the righteousness that is by the law: “The one who does these things will live by them.”
- 2 Corinthians 3:9For if there was glory in the ministry that produced condemnation, how much more does the ministry that produces righteousness excel in glory!
- 2 Timothy 3:16Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
- Isaiah 28:9Who is the Lord trying to teach? To whom is he explaining a message? Those just weaned from milk! Those just taken from their mother’s breast!
- Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children.
- Mark 10:15I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
- Romans 2:20an educator of the senseless, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the essential features of knowledge and of the truth –
- 1 Corinthians 13:11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways.
- 1 Corinthians 14:20Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.
- Ephesians 4:14So we are no longer to be children, tossed back and forth by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching by the trickery of people who craftily carry out their deceitful schemes.
- 1 Peter 2:2And yearn like newborn infants for pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up to salvation,
Commentaries on Hebrews 5:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13For every one that useth milk - It is very likely that the apostle, by using this term, refers to the doctrines of the law, which were only the rudiments of religion, and were intended to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. The word of righteousness - · The doctrine of justification. I believe this to be the apostle's meaning. He that uses milk - rests in the ceremonies and observances of the law, is unskilful in the doctrine of…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13For every one that useth milk - Referring to the food of children. The apostle has in view here those Christians who resemble children in this respect, that they are not capable of receiving the stronger food adapted to those of mature age. Is unskilful - Inexperienced; who has not skill to perform anything. The word is properly applied to one who has not experience or skill, or who is ignorant. Here it does not mean that they were not true Christians…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. 11-14After starting to talk about the role of Jesus as high priest (Hebrews 5:1–10), the author addresses the audience with several encouragements (5:11–6:20). This change in the sermon or speech aimed to capture the listeners' attention.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. useth--Greek, "partaketh," that is, taketh as his portion. Even strong men partake of milk, but do not make milk their chief, much less their sole, diet. the word of righteousness--the Gospel wherein "the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith" (Ro 1:17), and which is called "the ministration of righteousness" (2Co 3:9). This includes the doctrine of justification and sanctification: the first principles, as well as the perfection, of…Read the comment
Topics related to Hebrews 5:13
In the dictionaries
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
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