How To Grow As A Christian - Hebrews 5:11-14

From 5:11-6:20 the subject is slothfulness and apostasy. We are in danger of apostasy when we turn our thoughts and eyes from Christ, and remain stagnant or immature in our thinking or understanding of Biblical truth.

The first section dealing with apostasy concerns the responsibility of growing in Christ which prevents the entering in of error, deception or compromise. These Jews had apparently not grown in their relation to Christ and were still "baby" Christians who could possibly be swayed from the truth.

5:11 "Of whom we have many things to say and hard to be uttered" - What things need to be uttered: Christ as high priest, His continuing ministry, etc. But would be difficult for these immature believers, at this point in their lives. WHY?

"Seeing ye are dull of hearing"/ nwqroi gegonate taiV akoaiV / Lit. They had become sluggish, lifeless, drowsy, apathetic, slow in their hearing (they did not see the things of God as important).

"For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." Matt 13:15; Acts 28:27

*Sharpen your spiritual focus and perceptiveness. Be ready to obey the Word of God, and grow in your mind, emotions and will.

5:12 "For when for the time you ought to be teachers"/ didaskaloi / fitted to teach.

"You have need that one teach you...first principles..." - They had inadequate knowledge in the application of truth. Lit. They misunderstood what they thought they knew.

"First principles"/ stoiceia thV archV / Gen from legw meaning the literal sayings or words of God Himself!

"And are become such as have need of milk, and not strong meat"/ These milk drinkers needed a strong realization of the person and work of Christ. Milk pictures a lack of maturity and gives the idea of "no teeth" or no firm foundation upon which to build. They were not eating on their own!!

"Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts." Isaiah 28:9

"I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." 1 Cor 3:2

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" 1 Peter 2:2

"Strong meat"/ steriaV trofhV / Lit. Firm, stiff, hard, solid / that which strengthens and renders firm. They needed solid food to nourish, feed, provide and support them, to give them the necessary truth for growing in Christ. The deep principles were food and nutrients for the mind.

5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful (apeiroV) or inexperienced, and ignorant of the truths which will truly benefit their lives, and those around them. Christians who have and give milk will always have only milk to give to others. ***Consume the deep things of God, plumb the depths of Christ’s wisdom, learn the greatness of God and His Word, and your fruit will be other strong believers whose desire it is to be like Christ.

5:14 "full age" is teleioV or they were wanting nothing that was necessary to be complete, grown or mature.

"Senses"/ aisqhthria / to perceive, understand or internal perception

"Exercised"/ gegumnasmena / Pre Pass Ptc / naked, without clothing, in a tunic for work. It is an athletic term meaning to train for a gymnastic event by personal discipline. "Exercise thyself rather unto godliness" in I Tim. 4:7. Train yourself to be sensitive to God.

"To discern both good and evil"/ to make a distinction, to see one as superior to the other, examine or judge between two things and arrive at a wise choice.