Hebrews 5:13

Hebrews 5:13

For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

a. NLT: For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.

b. NIV: Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.

c. YLT: For every one who is partaking of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness -- for he is an infant,

d. Amplified Bible Classic: For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]!

e. Worrell Translation: For everyone who partakes of milk is inexperienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

f. Wuest Translation: For everyone whose sole diet is milk, is inexperienced in a message which is righteous in quality, for he is a [spiritually] inmmature person.

1. “For everyone that useth milk …”

a. For [Strong: 1063 gar gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. everyone [Strong: 3956 pas pas including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

c. [that] useth [Strong: 3348 metecho met-ekh'-o from 3326 and 2192; to share or participate; by implication, belong to, eat (or drink):--be partaker, pertain, take part, use.]     [Zodhiates: metecho; meta-with, denoting association; echo-have; To have together with others, to partake of, share in.]

d. milk [Strong: 1051 gala gal'-ah of uncertain affinity; milk (figuratively):--milk.]

1). The symbolism of eating and drinking the Scriptures to convey our obedience to the word is a common theme in the Bible. Peter uses it when speaking particularly of spiritual babies and milk. We also see the spiritual sense of taste implied here.

a). 1 Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

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

2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

b). 1 Timothy 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.

c). Isaiah 55:1, 2 Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

2). In light of these examples, what the writer of Hebrews is saying here and the context will bear this out. These older believers who ought to be mature enough to teach others, were still babies spiritually because all they feed on and walked in was milk. They were still very carnal believers and they walked in the flesh even though they ought not to be. It doesn’t matter how long a person has been a Christian, if you are carnal you are a spiritual baby.    .

a). 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 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.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

2. “…is unskillful in the word of righteousness…”

a. is unskillful [Strong: 552  apeiros ap'-i-ros from 1 (as a negative particle) and 3984; inexperienced, i.e. ignorant:--unskilful.] [Zodhiates: apeiros; a-negative; peira-experience. Zodhiates cites its use in the Septuagint]

1). Zechariah 11:15 Septuagint: And the Lord said to me, Take yet to thee shepherd’s implements belonging to an unskillful shepherd.

2). Zechariah 11:15 Stone Edition Law/Prophets/Writings: Again take for yourself the implements of a foolish shepherd.

3). KJV: And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

a). The “unskillful” under the circumstances of being spiritually lazy is actually a fool.

b. in the word [Strong: 3056 logos log'-os from 3004; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.]

c. of righteousness [Strong: 1343 dikaiosune dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay from 1342; equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:--righteousness.]

1). As for as “the word of righteousness” is concerned and the individuals who are ignorant or unskillful in it, I believe there is a direct link to the following verse.

a). 1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

b). Being skillful in the word of righteousness will produce a life that as we grow in our relationship with the Lord, it will be little by little less sinful.  

3. “…for he is a babe.”

a. for [Strong: 1063 gar gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. he is [Strong: 2076 esti es-tee' third person singular present indicative of 1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.]

c. babe [3516 * nepios][Strong:  not speaking, i.e. an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian:--babe, child (+ -ish).]

1). This is the same Greek word used in 1 Corinthians 3 describing carnal believers.

a). 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 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.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?