FOR EVERYONE WHO PARTAKES ONLY OF
MILK IS NOT ACCUSTOMED TO
THE WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS:
pas gar o metechon (PAPMSN)
galaktos apeiros logou dikaiosunes:
(Psalms
119:123;
Romans 1:17,18;
10:5,6;
2 Corinthians 3:9;
2 Timothy 3:16)
Partakes (3348)
(metecho from metá = with, denoting association + écho
= have) has to do with taking hold of something that is not naturally one's
own kind. To have a part or share in something. To partake of something in
common with someone (eat, drink, enjoy)
The writer had used this verb in
Hebrews 2:14 (note)
in his explanation that humans by nature are flesh and blood but Christ was
not. Yet He willingly took hold of something which did not naturally belong
to Him (= metecho). He added to Himself our nature in order that He might
die in our place, and that we might take hold of the divine nature that did
not belong to us (cf. note
2 Peter 1:4)
In the present context metecho means to have a share of shares in the
possession of "milk" and
present tense
indicates it is their habitual practice.
Not accustomed (552)
(apeiros
from a = without + peíra = experience, trial related to peiro
= perforate, pierce thru to test durability of things or simply to pass
through) literally means without trial and thus without experience.
Apeiros pertains to the lack of
knowledge or capacity to do something - ignorant, unskillful, unacquainted with,
inexperienced in.
Apeiros is used in the
Septuagint (LXX)
translation of Numbers 14:23 (LXX) where it refers to “inexperienced
youths” who have not yet learned good and evil.
Here in Hebrews 5:13 (the only NT use) apeiros signifies ignorance of
and/or inability to partake of the
"deeper" Biblical doctrines.
This person
cannot digest them, any more than a physical infant can digest a steak. The
idea is that of being inexperienced, unprepared and incapable.
Their spiritual system (analogous to the physical body) had failed to grow
sufficiently to enable them to handle these teachings (specifically in
context the teaching about Melchizedek and his priesthood0 which were more
difficult. A child can get something out of looking at a picture book but
nothing out of looking at a textbook. The writer is teaching solid food
from the "textbook" of Melchizedek.
Milk (1051)
(gala) can mean literal milk but in this
context
is used figuratively
to refer to the Word of God.
Specifically here in Hebrews 5 gala
speaks of the rudiments of Christian doctrine by which babes in Christ are
nourished. The writer is referring to an exclusive diet of milk because even adults
still drink milk. They just don't drink milk exclusively as do newborn infants.
Newborn Christians are not ready for solid food, because they are not
yet able to "chew" it or to digest it. The writer of Hebrews is saying
that the readers however should have reached the point in their maturing
process that they need solid spiritual food to assure full spiritual health.
Yes, it is true what the Dairy Council preaches "Milk makes a body good",
but the writer is saying milk is for infants and children and is not to be
the sole intake of those who are fully grown. If all you are taking in is
the "milk" of God's word, the basic rudiments, you must still be a "baby".
Such a state is clearly one of the marks of spiritual immaturity.
Beloved, may I ask you - are you still on a "milk only" diet spiritually?
Are you still reading devotionals which have a few tidbits of Scripture? Are
you reading "Christian books" instead of The Book? Are you primarily
listening to tapes rather than your primary Teacher, the Spirit?
Milk is good but filet mignon is much better! Can I encourage you to consider
delving into the great adventure of
inductive Bible study,
whereby you are led to dig deeply into the "solid food" aspects of the
Scriptures, learning how to
observe the text,
how to read in
context,
how to look for
key words,
and how to recognize
terms of conclusion,
contrasts,
expressions of time
and
terms of comparison (such as similes metaphors).
Although there are numerous inductive studies, by far the best studies are
available at
Precept Ministries International
(click
for a list of their currently available inductive studies
- e.g., see
Hebrews Inductive Study)
Martin comments that...
The author has expected better things of his readers than they display. They
should have made more progress in the Christian life than they have. The
author is disturbed by their immaturity. Enough time has transpired in their
spiritual lives that by now they should qualify to be teachers. Instead they
need instruction. Milk is necessary and adequate for infants. No baby is
criticized for taking milk. But when a baby grows into an adult it is absurd
to envision it still feeding only on milk. Milk is insufficient for the
needs of an adult. With a twist of irony, the author rebukes these believers
for such an absurdity: they have had enough time in the faith to be adults
feeding on solid food; instead they are still feeding on milk...Solid
food...points to the priesthood of Christ, which is likened to the
priesthood of Melchizedek (cf. Heb 5:4-10 with the connective in Heb 5:11)
and the instruction of the high-priestly office of Christ that will be
provided in Hebrews 7:1-10:18 (Bruce, 108–9; Lane, 138–39).
(Martin, R.
P., & Davids, P. H. Dictionary of the Later New Testament and its
Developments . Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press)
Paul uses the metaphor of milk with a similar meaning in 1Corinthians
writing...
I
gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive
it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able. (1Cor 3:2) (Comment:
Solid food in this context refers to the hidden wisdom of God, which is
imparted by the Spirit to those who possess the mind of Christ - see 1 Cor
2:6-7; 12-16).
Peter uses milk in a different context to symbolize the word
of God in general, emphasizes that there is no spiritual growth without
intake of the pure milk of the Word...
like
newborn babies, long for
(aorist
imperative)
the pure milk of the word, (why do we need to take in milk?) so that by it
you may grow in respect to salvation (See note
1 Peter 2:2)
(Comment: So here milk does not represent the ABC's but the Word of
God which is desirable and by every world of which man lives as Jesus taught
- "But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD
ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.' Mt 4:4)
The word of righteousness -
This is the message about the righteousness of Christ which we have by faith
(1Cor 1:30 2Cor 5:21; see notes
Romans 3:21;
Romans 3:22;
Philippians
3:9
Titus 3:5) (past tense salvation ~
justification. See notes on
Three Tenses of Salvation) and the
righteousness we are now to live out by faith
(present tense salvation ~ sanctification ~ becoming holy as He is holy,
going from glory to glory, having our inner man renewed day by day, being
transformed by the renewing of our mind, growing in the grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ).
The word of righteousness is equivalent to the gospel of salvation
which is received by faith.
Paul explained that the Gospel (expounded on in the ENTIRE
book of Romans, the "Christian's Constitution"!) is the source of revelation
about God's righteousness writing that...
in it (the Gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to
faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." (See
note
Romans 1:17)
Writing to Timothy Paul outlined how a believer is to grow in
righteousness declaring that...
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof,
for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God
may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (See notes
2 Timothy 3:16;
3:17)
Vincent writes
The genitive of righteousness is combined in NT with way, God, gift,
instruments, servants, law, ministration, fruit and fruits, ministers, hope,
breastplate, crown, king, preacher. It is a mistake to attempt to give the
phrase here a concrete meaning. It signifies simply a word of normally right
character...Probably, however, in the foreground of the writer’s thought was
the word spoken by the Son (see note
Hebrews 1:2);
the salvation which at first was spoken by the Lord (see note
Hebrews 2:3)
Ray Stedman explains it this way...
They are not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. Commentators
differ as to whether righteousness here refers to conduct or imputed
worth. Hughes opts for the latter view, describing it as
“the teaching about righteousness which is fundamental to the Christian
faith, namely, the insistence on Christ as our righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30, 2
Cor. 5:21) as opposed to self-righteousness or works-righteousness”
(1977:191).
Ignorance
of having a righteous position in God’s eyes already through faith in Christ
has been the cause of much useless laboring to earn righteousness through
the centuries. It invariably produces a form of legalism which tries to earn
“brownie points” with God to gain his acceptance. The dullness which does
not understand the divine program that leads to right conduct manifests its
ignorance by being unable to “distinguish good from evil.” But those who, by
persistent obedience to the truth, are able to grasp such solid food will
give evidence of it in wise and wholesome conduct. They will identify evil
as evil, even when it looks good, and follow good because it is good, even
when it looks evil. (Stedman,
Ray: Hebrews IVP New Testament Commentary Series
or
Logos)
Steven Cole writes that the
word of righteousness
refers to...
the Scriptures, which are designed to produce God’s righteousness in those
who believe and obey. The author may be referring to the doctrine of imputed
righteousness, taught in Genesis 15:6, and repeated by Paul in Romans 3 & 4.
But also, those who are counted righteous by faith in Christ will also
progress in practical righteousness, learning what is pleasing to the Lord
(see note
Ephesians 5:10).
You may think that righteousness and good and evil are obvious, but that is
not so. These things need to be learned through practice and training. (Hebrews
5:11-6:3)
The KJV Bible Commentary explains the word of righteousness
this way...
They are unskillful (Gr apeiros), inexperienced in or unacquainted with the
word that instructs them in how to live a life of righteousness. (Dobson,
E G, Charles Feinberg, E Hindson, Woodrow Kroll, H L. Wilmington: KJV Bible
Commentary: Nelson
or
Logos)
FOR HE IS AN INFANT: nepios gar estin (3SPAI):
(Isaiah
28:9;
Matthew 11:25;
Mark 10:15;
Romans 2:20;
1 Corinthians 13:11;
14:20;
Ephesians 4:14;
1 Peter 2:2)
As someone has written
You are young only once, but you can stay immature indefinitely.
Steven Cole notes that...
If there is spiritual life, there will be spiritual growth of some sort, but
growth rates vary. Some become Christians and instantly drop the sins that
have plagued their lives for years and never fall back. Others struggle to
get rid of those sins for decades. I have a pastor friend who got saved in
his early forties. He was a night club entertainer, addicted to alcohol,
tobacco, and drugs. He instantly dropped all of those habits and began to
follow Christ. But I know others who have struggled with those habits for
years after making a profession of faith. They make a break from them, but
then keep falling back into them. (Hebrews
5:11-6:3)
He is an infant - The writer is saying in Hebrews 5:11-14 that
only solid food will effect the desired result of progressing
beyond “first principles” (see note
Hebrews 6:1ff)
toward spiritual maturity and moral discernment.
Is (estin) is in the
present tense
which indicates that the person he describes is still in their "spiritual
diapers" and needs to have their "spiritual food" mashed up and fed to them
by spoon!
Infant (babe)
(3516) (nepios from negative nê = no + epo =
speak) means one not able to talk. It is also describes one not able
to chew (e.g., spiritual "steak") if they are still on the bottle and only
taking in milk.
Paul uses nepios in similar way as the writer of Hebrews...
As a result, we are no longer to be children (nepios), tossed here
and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the
trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (See note
Ephesians 4:14)
As an aside note Paul does say that we are to infants or babes in one thing...
Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be babes,
but in your thinking be mature. (1Cor 14:20)
J Vernon McGee puts it plainly...
He doesn’t know the Word of God. I don’t want to step on your toes, my
friend, but I’d love to be helpful to you. You cannot grow apart from the
Word of God. I don’t care how active you are in the church. You may be an
officer. You may be on every committee in the church. You may be a leading
deacon or elder. I don’t care who you are, or what you are; if you are not
studying the Word of God, and if you don’t know how to handle it, you are a
little baby. It is tragic to occupy a church office when you are just a
little baby. You ought to come on and grow up. It is tragic that there are
people who have been members of the church and have been saved for years,
and they are still going around saying, “Goo, goo, goo.” They have nothing
to contribute but little baby talk. All they want is to be burped
periodically. (McGee,
J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson
or
Logos)
Here is a simple illustration - A new Christian was reading through
the Gospels. After she finished, she told a friend she wanted to read a book
on church history. When her friend asked why, the woman replied,
"I'm curious. I've been wondering when Christians started to become so
unlike Christ." (Which of us is not convicted!)
When you walk with Christ,
you'll be out of step with the world.
The world will try to pressure us
To fit into its mold,
But with God's help we can resist
If to His truth we hold. --Sper
The author assaults his friends with a somewhat silly image of adult babies who are
still nursing. Put on your "sanctified imagination" for a moment. If this
next Sunday service God were to dress each of those who attended in the garb
that their spiritual maturity dictated what would the assembly resemble?
Perhaps we would not even need a separate nursery! Imagine the absurdity of full-grown men and women
sitting in the pews in
diapers sucking their thumbs and unable to eat solid food!
Remember that if your not growing in Christ-likeness and spiritual maturity,
you are not simply maintaining the status quo so to speak. There
is simply no such thing as a static Christian. We either move forward or
fall back. We are either climbing or falling. We are either winning or
losing. Static, status quo Christianity is a delusion! Imagine yourself on a
bicycle right now. Do you see yourself as pedaling forward? Are the pedals
even moving? If not what happens to a cyclist, especially when the riding
gets difficult on a hill?
><>><>><>
Babies Need Weaning - I find few things more delectable than three or
four of my wife's freshly baked chocolate-chip cookies, hot from the oven
but cool enough to pick up and introduce to my longing taste buds. What
really makes this treat complete is a large glass of ice-cold milk. That
milk and those cookies are made for each other.
Now, I'm not considered a baby because I still drink milk. But if that's all
I took in for nourishment, you would ask, and rightly so, "What's wrong?
Shouldn't you have been on solid foods long ago?"
Transfer this scenario to our Christian lives, as the writer did in today's
Scripture. There comes a point in our experience when we must move on from
the basic salvation truths (Heb. 5:12)--not that we should ever lose our
taste for them. Milk is always good and nourishing. We must never lose our
appreciation for God's forgiveness and our new life in Christ.
God wants us to learn the Word through study, prayer, meditation, obedience,
and testing. We must know spiritual principles so that we can apply them,
speak with confidence about our faith, and stand up under adversity.
The milk of the Word will always taste good, but the Bible's solid food
makes us strong. How's your diet? —Dennis J. De Haan (Our
Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by
permission. All rights reserved)
The Bible is a pantry
Where I can always find
The food I need from day to day
For heart and soul and mind. --Anon.
Spiritual growth requires the meat of God's Word.
