Hebrews 5:12
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 32
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὀφείλοντες
ye ought
G3784
ὀφείλοντες
ye ought
Strong's:
G3784
Word #:
3 of 32
to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty
διὰ
when for
G1223
διὰ
when for
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
6 of 32
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χρόνον
the time
G5550
χρόνον
the time
Strong's:
G5550
Word #:
8 of 32
a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from g2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from g0165, which denotes a
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
9 of 32
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
χρείαν
need
G5532
χρείαν
need
Strong's:
G5532
Word #:
10 of 32
employment, i.e., an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution
ἔχοντες
have
G2192
ἔχοντες
have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
11 of 32
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τινὰ
which
G5101
τινὰ
which
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
15 of 32
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στοιχεῖα
principles
G4747
στοιχεῖα
principles
Strong's:
G4747
Word #:
17 of 32
something orderly in arrangement, i.e., (by implication) a serial (basal, fundamental, initial) constituent (literally), proposition (figuratively)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχῆς
be the first
G746
ἀρχῆς
be the first
Strong's:
G746
Word #:
19 of 32
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
23 of 32
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γεγόνατε
are become such as
G1096
γεγόνατε
are become such as
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
25 of 32
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
χρείαν
need
G5532
χρείαν
need
Strong's:
G5532
Word #:
26 of 32
employment, i.e., an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution
ἔχοντες
have
G2192
ἔχοντες
have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
27 of 32
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
29 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Hebrews 6:1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,Hebrews 5:13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.1 Peter 2:2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.2 Samuel 16:23And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.Ezra 7:10For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.Isaiah 55:1Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.Acts 7:38This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:Psalms 34:11Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.1 Corinthians 14:19Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Historical Context
The extended time since conversion ('for the time') suggests these were not new believers but those who should have matured. Their failure to grow was culpable negligence, not innocent ignorance.
Questions for Reflection
- What evidence of spiritual growth or stagnation do you see in your life?
- How can the church better equip believers to move from milk to solid food?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
By now they should be teachers, yet they need someone to teach them 'basic principles' (Greek 'stoicheia' - elementary truths). The milk/solid food metaphor indicates spiritual immaturity. Reformed theology emphasizes progressive sanctification - believers should grow in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18). Stagnation indicates spiritual illness, as saving faith produces growth. The 'oracles of God' likely refers to OT Scriptures pointing to Christ.