Hebrews 5:14

Authorized King James Version

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But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Original Language Analysis

τελείων of full age G5046
τελείων of full age
Strong's: G5046
Word #: 1 of 20
complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with g3588) completeness
δέ But G1161
δέ But
Strong's: G1161
Word #: 2 of 20
but, and, etc
ἐστιν belongeth to them that are G2076
ἐστιν belongeth to them that are
Strong's: G2076
Word #: 3 of 20
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στερεὰ strong G4731
στερεὰ strong
Strong's: G4731
Word #: 5 of 20
stiff, i.e., solid, stable (literally or figuratively)
τροφή meat G5160
τροφή meat
Strong's: G5160
Word #: 6 of 20
nourishment (literally or figuratively); by implication, rations (wages)
τῶν G3588
τῶν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διὰ even those who by reason G1223
διὰ even those who by reason
Strong's: G1223
Word #: 8 of 20
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὴν G3588
τὴν
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 9 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἕξιν of use G1838
ἕξιν of use
Strong's: G1838
Word #: 10 of 20
habit, i.e., (by implication) practice
τὰ G3588
τὰ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἰσθητήρια their senses G145
αἰσθητήρια their senses
Strong's: G145
Word #: 12 of 20
properly, an organ of perception, i.e., (figuratively) judgment
γεγυμνασμένα exercised G1128
γεγυμνασμένα exercised
Strong's: G1128
Word #: 13 of 20
to practise naked (in the games), i.e., train (figuratively)
ἐχόντων have G2192
ἐχόντων have
Strong's: G2192
Word #: 14 of 20
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
πρὸς to G4314
πρὸς to
Strong's: G4314
Word #: 15 of 20
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
διάκρισιν discern G1253
διάκρισιν discern
Strong's: G1253
Word #: 16 of 20
judicial estimation
καλοῦ good G2570
καλοῦ good
Strong's: G2570
Word #: 17 of 20
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
τε both G5037
τε both
Strong's: G5037
Word #: 18 of 20
both or also (properly, as correlation of g2532)
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 19 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κακοῦ evil G2556
κακοῦ evil
Strong's: G2556
Word #: 20 of 20
worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious

Analysis & Commentary

Solid food is for the 'mature' (Greek 'teleiōn' - complete/mature) who through practice have trained their 'senses' (Greek 'aisthētēria' - faculties) to discern good and evil. This emphasizes experiential learning - doctrine must be practiced to be truly learned. Reformed theology values both orthodoxy (right belief) and orthopraxy (right practice). The ability to discern requires exercising judgment repeatedly until it becomes habitual.

Historical Context

Jewish tradition emphasized training in discernment, especially regarding clean/unclean. The author applies this training principle to spiritual/moral discernment in the Christian life.

Questions for Reflection

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