Hebrews 5:13-14
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The verse highlights that being "unskilled" in the "word of righteousness" isn't about not knowing anything at all, but rather lacking the deep experience and discernment that comes from engaging with more mature truths. It's the difference between knowing the alphabet and truly understanding a complex language, revealing a lack of spiritual growth rather than total ignorance.
for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is gently rebuking his readers for their spiritual immaturity, noting that after so much time, they still need basic instruction rather than being ready to teach. He uses the metaphor of milk versus solid food, explaining that anyone who can only handle "milk" (basic teachings) is like a spiritual infant, unskilled in the deeper truths of God's word. This immaturity prevents them from progressing in their understanding of Christ's priesthood, which is the main point he wants to discuss.
Ever feel like you're stuck in the spiritual shallow end? This verse calls out a common problem: relying on the basics when you're ready for more.
The author of Hebrews is addressing believers who are lagging in their spiritual growth. They've been following Jesus for some time, yet they still need the most elementary teachings, like babies needing milk. The 'milk' here represents the foundational principles of God's word – things like repentance, faith, baptism, and forgiveness.
This isn't about never needing the basics. Even mature believers can revisit foundational truths. The issue is when milk becomes the sole diet. When someone consistently avoids or can't handle 'strong meat' – the deeper, more challenging doctrines like the nature of Christ's priesthood, the full implications of His sacrifice, or the practical application of God's will – it reveals a lack of spiritual maturity.
What exactly is the 'word of righteousness' these spiritual babies are unskilled in? It's more than just knowing rules; it's about knowing God's perfect standard and His provision for it.
The phrase 'word of righteousness' (logos dikaiosunes) points to the complete message of the gospel, which reveals God's own righteousness and how believers can be made righteous through Christ. It encompasses both God's perfect standard and the divine provision for meeting that standard.
Being 'unskilled' or 'inexperienced' (apeiros) in this word means not having a deep, practical understanding or ability to apply these truths. It’s like a chef who knows the names of ingredients but can't cook a meal. These believers haven't grappled with the profound implications of Christ's sacrifice, His ongoing intercession, or the transformative power of God’s work in their lives.
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This isn't just about intellectual knowledge; it's about a lack of seasoned experience and discernment that comes from wrestling with and living out the deeper truths of faith.
The writer doesn't hold back: spiritual infancy is a serious issue. What are the real consequences of staying stuck on spiritual milk?
Calling believers 'babes' (nepioi) isn't just a gentle reminder; it's a serious indictment of their spiritual state. It highlights a profound inability to discern, grow, and truly live out the Christian life.
Why is this so critical? Because immaturity leaves believers vulnerable. They lack the seasoned understanding (discernment) needed to navigate false teachings or the complexities of living for God in a challenging world. They are easily swayed and lack the stability and strength that comes from a deep, experiential knowledge of Christ.
The author's warning implies that this stagnation is not neutral; it hinders their ability to fulfill their calling, to teach others, and to experience the fullness of God's grace. It's a call to move beyond the elementary stages and embrace the challenging, yet rewarding, journey of spiritual maturity.
Understand the original words
apeiros · Greek Adjective
Possessing no practical experience or lack of expertise; in a spiritual sense, it denotes being unpracticed in applying the gospel to one's life.
logos dikaiosynēs · Greek Noun phrase
Refers to the message of the gospel or the totality of God's revealed will regarding salvation and holy living.
nēpios · Greek Noun
Spiritually, one who is immature, naive, or underdeveloped in their understanding and application of divine truth.
teleios · Greek Adjective
Those who have attained spiritual adulthood, characterized by stability, depth of understanding, and the ability to apply complex truths.
aisthētērion · Greek Noun
The spiritual ability to perceive, judge, and distinguish between truth and error, or good and evil, developed through obedience and experience in God's word.
This passage uses the same milk and solid food metaphor to describe spiritual immaturity, highlighting that some believers remain like infants unable to digest deeper truths because they are not yet spiritually mature.
Ephesians 4:14This verse speaks about not being tossed about by every wind of doctrine, which directly relates to the lack of skill and experience in discerning truth that Hebrews 5:13 describes in those who only feed on 'milk'.
Romans 1:17This verse introduces the concept of 'righteousness from God' revealed in the gospel, which is the 'word of righteousness' that the spiritually immature are 'unskilled' in, as they have not yet grown to understand these deeper aspects of God's revelation.
1 Peter 2:2This passage encourages believers to 'long for the pure spiritual milk' so that they may grow in salvation, contrasting with Hebrews 5:13 where 'partaking of milk' signifies a lack of growth and skill.
wesleyHebrews 5:13: "For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe."
5:13 Every one that useth milk - That neither desires, nor can digest, anything else: otherwise strong men use milk; but not milk chiefly, and much less that only. Is unexperienced in the word of righteousness - The sublimer truths of the gospel. Such are all who desire and can digest nothing but the doctrine of justification and imputed righteousness.
ellicottHebrews 5:13: "For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe."
(13) The change of expression from having need of milk to partaking of milk (that is, making it the solo food) is significant. Those who are addressed had lost interest in the deeper truths of Christianity, those truths which alone expressed and explained its proper nature. Their temptation apparently was towards mingling a rudimentary Christian doctrine with the teaching of the synagogue.…
The verse highlights that being "unskilled" in the "word of righteousness" isn't about not knowing anything at all, but rather lacking the deep experience and discernment that comes from engaging with more mature truths. It's the difference between knowing the alphabet and truly understanding a complex language, revealing a lack of spiritual growth rather than total ignorance.
The author is gently rebuking his readers for their spiritual immaturity, noting that after so much time, they still need basic instruction rather than being ready to teach. He uses the metaphor of milk versus solid food, explaining that anyone who can only handle "milk" (basic teachings) is like a spiritual infant, unskilled in the deeper truths of God's word. This immaturity prevents them from progressing in their understanding of Christ's priesthood, which is the main point he wants to discuss.
The author is gently rebuking his readers for their spiritual immaturity, noting that after so much time, they still need basic instruction rather than being ready to teach. He uses the metaphor of milk versus solid food, explaining that anyone who can only handle "milk" (basic teachings) is like a spiritual infant, unskilled in the deeper truths of God's word. This immaturity prevents them from progressing in their understanding of Christ's priesthood, which is the main point he wants to discuss.
"for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." — The verse highlights that being "unskilled" in the "word of righteousness" isn't about not knowing anything at all, but rather lacking the deep experience and discernment that comes from engaging w…
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Last reviewed October 2026
