Hebrews 5:11
About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The writer isn't just saying the topic is complex; he's directly blaming the readers' spiritual sluggishness for making it "hard to interpret." Their inability to grasp deeper truths isn't a lack of explanation from him, but a deterioration in their capacity to hear and understand, indicating they've grown "dull" rather than advancing in their faith.
The author was about to dive into a deep explanation of Christ's priesthood in the order of Melchizedek, building on the previous verses. However, he pauses to express frustration that his readers have become spiritually lazy and slow to understand these profound truths, making it difficult for him to teach them effectively. He will address this spiritual immaturity before returning to the main topic.
Ever feel like you have so much to share but struggle to find the right words? The writer of Hebrews felt this keenly.
The author begins this section with a sigh. He has profound truths about Christ's priesthood, particularly in relation to Melchizedek, that he longs to explain. The original Greek suggests the topic itself is 'hard of interpretation' – not necessarily complex in nature, but difficult to make clear to his audience. This isn't a failing of the message, but a challenge in its delivery when the listeners aren't prepared to receive it.
A Wealth of Wisdom
The phrase 'many things to say' points to a rich, abundant understanding the author possesses. He's not lacking material; he's facing an obstacle in communicating it effectively. This highlights the responsibility of the teacher to find ways to bridge the gap between profound truth and receptive hearts.
Our ability to hear and understand can change over time. Here, the writer points to a concerning shift in his readers.
The core problem isn't the author's ability to speak, but the readers' capacity to hear. The term used for 'dull of hearing' is powerful. It suggests a sluggishness, a lack of sharpness, a blunting of their spiritual senses. This wasn't necessarily a sudden onset, but a deterioration – 'ye have become dull of hearing.'
The Cost of Apathy
This spiritual dullness is often a result of neglect or indifference. When we stop actively engaging with spiritual truths, our ability to perceive them weakens. This hinders not only our personal growth but also our ability to comprehend the deeper mysteries God wants to reveal, like the unique priesthood of Christ.
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 of Hebrews is addressing a community of Jewish Christians who, after years of following Christ, have become spiritually sluggish. Their initial enthusiasm has waned, making it difficult for the author to delve into the deeper theological truths about Christ's priesthood, which is presented as far superior to the Levitical system they are familiar with.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry and Crucifixion
Jesus Christ completes his earthly ministry, is crucified, and is resurrected, establishing a new covenant. This event is the foundation of the Christian faith and the subject of the letter to the Hebrews.
c. AD 30-50
Early Spread of Christianity
The Gospel spreads rapidly throughout Judea and the wider Roman Empire, with new believers often meeting in house churches.
c. AD 50-60
The Ministry of the Apostles
Apostles like Paul travel, preach, and write letters to churches, guiding them in doctrine and practice. The author of Hebrews is writing to a community likely established during this period.
c. AD 65-69— this verse
Writing of the Epistle to the Hebrews
The author of Hebrews writes to Jewish Christians, likely in Rome or Judea, who are facing pressure to revert to Judaism. The letter emphasizes Jesus' superiority over the Old Covenant system.
Jesus quotes Isaiah, lamenting that the people's hearts have become dull and their ears are hard of hearing, directly paralleling the writer's concern about his audience's spiritual sluggishness.
1 Corinthians 3:1-2The Apostle Paul also addresses immature believers who are like 'babes in Christ,' unable to handle solid food, much like the readers of Hebrews who are too 'dull of hearing' for deeper truths.
Ephesians 4:14This passage warns against being tossed by waves and blown by the wind of false teaching, a danger that dull and immature hearers are particularly susceptible to, reinforcing the writer's concern in Hebrews.
Jeremiah 5:21This Old Testament prophet declares God's frustration with a people who have eyes but do not see, and ears but do not hear, echoing the spiritual unresponsiveness the writer of Hebrews is encountering.
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 writer isn't just saying the topic is complex; he's directly blaming the readers' spiritual sluggishness for making it "hard to interpret." Their inability to grasp deeper truths isn't a lack of explanation from him, but a deterioration in their capacity to hear and understand, indicating they've grown "dull" rather than advancing in their faith.
The author was about to dive into a deep explanation of Christ's priesthood in the order of Melchizedek, building on the previous verses. However, he pauses to express frustration that his readers have become spiritually lazy and slow to understand these profound truths, making it difficult for him to teach them effectively. He will address this spiritual immaturity before returning to the main topic.
The author was about to dive into a deep explanation of Christ's priesthood in the order of Melchizedek, building on the previous verses. However, he pauses to express frustration that his readers have become spiritually lazy and slow to understand these profound truths, making it difficult for him to teach them effectively. He will address this spiritual immaturity before returning to the main topic.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Hebrews 5:11 is available in the Sola app.
AD 70
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Roman army destroys Jerusalem and the Second Temple, a catastrophic event for Jewish life and worship. This event would have profoundly impacted the Jewish Christian community the author addresses.
"About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing." — The writer isn't just saying the topic is complex; he's directly blaming the readers' spiritual sluggishness for making it "hard to interpret." Their inability to grasp deeper truths isn't a lack of…
