For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Parallel translations
- WEB For everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.
- BSB For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.
- NKJV For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
- NASB For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.
- NLT For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Anyone living only on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness and remains spiritually an infant. Lack of growth leaves believers immature and undiscerning.
Overview
The writer uses the image of an infant to describe Christians who never advance beyond basic teaching. Such immaturity leaves them unable to handle the deeper 'word of righteousness.' The point urges progress in understanding and practical godliness, not contentment with spiritual infancy.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- 1 Pet 2:2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
- 1 Cor 14:20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
- 2 Tim 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
- Eph 4:14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
- Isa 28:9Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
- 1 Cor 3:1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
- 1 Cor 13:11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
- 2 Cor 3:9For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
- Ps 119:123Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
- Matt 11:25At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
- Rom 10:5–6For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
- Rom 1:17–18For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
- Mark 10:15Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
- Rom 2:20An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Hebrews is sustained worship of Christ: better than angels, Moses, and the priests; the great High Priest after Melchizedek who by one sacrifice perfects forever those he saves.
How Hebrews 5:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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