About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author isn't just saying the topic is complex; he's pointing out that the readers' inability to grasp it makes it hard to explain. Their "dullness of hearing" means they've become spiritually sluggish, hindering the author's ability to share deeper truths about Christ's priesthood.
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author had been discussing Christ's priesthood after the order of Melchizedek but finds himself needing to pause and address the spiritual immaturity of his readers. He wants to delve deeper into this profound truth but recognizes their inability to grasp it, noting that they've become sluggish in their spiritual understanding. This verse marks the beginning of a significant exhortation and warning section designed to shake them out of their complacency before returning to the main point about Christ's priesthood.
Ever felt like there's so much more to say, but the words just won't come out right? The writer of Hebrews felt that way too.
The author begins by expressing the deep frustration of having 'many things to say' about Christ's priesthood, but finding it 'hard to be uttered.' This isn't because the truth itself is hidden or impossible to grasp. Instead, the difficulty lies in the reception. It’s like trying to explain a complex scientific concept to someone who hasn't learned basic math – the foundational knowledge isn't there, making the advanced topic inaccessible.
The original Greek word for 'hard to be uttered' (or 'hard of interpretation') points to the difficulty of making something clear and understandable. The writer has profound truths about Christ’s superior priesthood, truths that would revolutionize their understanding of God. But these truths are like precious gems that can’t be displayed if the eyes of the listener are closed.
The writer doesn't just hint at a problem; they call it out directly. What does it mean to have 'dull of hearing'?
The core issue here is a spiritual lethargy, a 'dullness of hearing.' This isn't about physical inability to hear sound, but a blunted capacity to grasp spiritual realities. The readers aren't new believers; they've been around long enough to be teachers (Hebrews 5:12). Yet, they've become dull. This suggests a decline, a deterioration from a perhaps more eager spiritual state.
This dullness stems from spiritual laziness and neglect. Their minds have grown sluggish, their hearts perhaps resistant due to clinging to old traditions. It’s a state where profound truths about Christ’s unique and eternal priesthood are missed because their spiritual senses have become untrained, like muscles that weaken from disuse. This spiritual inertia prevents them from progressing beyond basic spiritual milk to the solid food of mature understanding.
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Understand the original words
nōthros · Greek Adjective
In a biblical context, this refers to a state of spiritual sluggishness, laziness, or apathy toward divine truth, often resulting in a lack of perception or responsiveness to God's word.
The author is writing to Jewish Christians who are familiar with the intricate Levitical system. They are struggling to fully appreciate the new, superior priesthood of Christ because they are still mentally bound to the old ways and have become sluggish in their spiritual understanding.
c. AD 30-33
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The central events of Christian faith, establishing Jesus as the Messiah and High Priest, the very topic the author of Hebrews is discussing.
c. AD 33-50
Early Church Growth and Expansion
The gospel spreads rapidly throughout the Roman Empire, attracting many Jewish believers who are still deeply attached to the practices of the Jerusalem Temple.
c. AD 50-60— this verse
Composition of the Epistle to the Hebrews
The author writes to Jewish Christians, likely in Rome or Italy, who are facing pressure to revert to Judaism and are struggling to grasp the superiority of Christ's priesthood.
c. AD 64-70
Growing Persecution and the Fall of Jerusalem
Increasing Roman persecution and the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in AD 70 would have heightened the urgency for believers to understand their new covenant in Christ.
This passage describes the spiritual dullness of the Israelites, echoing the author's complaint in Hebrews about readers who have become 'dull of hearing' and can no longer grasp spiritual truths.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3The author of Hebrews calls his readers 'babes' who need milk, similar to Paul's reprimand of the Corinthians for being spiritual infants who cannot handle solid food, highlighting a shared theme of spiritual immaturity.
1 Peter 2:2This verse speaks of a longing for pure spiritual milk, contrasting with the 'dullness' mentioned in Hebrews, illustrating the healthy appetite for truth that the author of Hebrews wishes his readers possessed.
Ephesians 4:14This passage warns against being tossed to and fro by the waves of false teaching, a danger that spiritual dullness makes one susceptible to, mirroring the author's concern for his readers' ability to discern deeper truths.
wesleyHebrews 5:11: "Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing."
5:11 Concerning whom - The apostle here begins an important digression, wherein he reproves, admonishes, and exhorts the Hebrews. We - Preachers of the gospel. Have many things to say, and hard to be explained - Though not so much from the subject - matter, as from your slothfulness in considering, and dulness in apprehending, the things of God.
pooleHebrews 5:11: "Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing."
The Spirit here digresseth from discoursing further of the priesthood of Christ, that he may fit these Hebrews to apprehend and improve it when he shall return to it, Hebrews 5:7 . He beginneth with a reproof, which takes up the remainder of the chapter, and enters on it artificially from the doctrine delivered of Christ’s priesthood, insinuating the difficulty of its reception by them. Of…
The author isn't just saying the topic is complex; he's pointing out that the readers' inability to grasp it makes it hard to explain. Their "dullness of hearing" means they've become spiritually sluggish, hindering the author's ability to share deeper truths about Christ's priesthood.
The author had been discussing Christ's priesthood after the order of Melchizedek but finds himself needing to pause and address the spiritual immaturity of his readers. He wants to delve deeper into this profound truth but recognizes their inability to grasp it, noting that they've become sluggish in their spiritual understanding. This verse marks the beginning of a significant exhortation and warning section designed to shake them out of their complacency before returning to the main point about Christ's priesthood.
The author had been discussing Christ's priesthood after the order of Melchizedek but finds himself needing to pause and address the spiritual immaturity of his readers. He wants to delve deeper into this profound truth but recognizes their inability to grasp it, noting that they've become sluggish in their spiritual understanding. This verse marks the beginning of a significant exhortation and warning section designed to shake them out of their complacency before returning to the main point about Christ's priesthood.
"About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing." — The author isn't just saying the topic is complex; he's pointing out that the readers' inability to grasp it makes it hard to explain. Their "dullness of hearing" means they've become spiritually s…
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Last reviewed October 2026