New Living Translation
Hebrews 5:13
13For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.
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
11There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
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 strain to see your rescue, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.
- Romans 1:17This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
- Romans 10:5For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands.
- 2 Corinthians 3:9If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God!
- 2 Timothy 3:16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
- Isaiah 28:9“Who does the Lord think we are?” they ask. “Why does he speak to us like this? Are we little children, just recently weaned?
- Matthew 11:25At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike.
- Mark 10:15I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”
- Romans 2:20You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
- 1 Corinthians 13:11When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.
- 1 Corinthians 14:20Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.
- Ephesians 4:14Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
- 1 Peter 2:2Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,
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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