New King James Version
Hebrews 5:13
13For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
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 Living Translation (NLT)For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.
Context of Hebrews 5:13
11of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14But 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.
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 fail from seeking Your salvation And Your righteous word.
- Romans 1:17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
- Romans 10:5For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.”
- 2 Corinthians 3:9For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
- 2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
- Isaiah 28:9“Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts?
- Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.
- Mark 10:15Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
- Romans 2:20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law.
- 1 Corinthians 13:11When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
- 1 Corinthians 14:20Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
- Ephesians 4:14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
- 1 Peter 2:2as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries