Art Toombs Ministries
Online Bible Commentary
Knowing Good from Evil
Hebrews 5:11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 6:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (NKJV)
The Apostle Paul knew those Hebrews to whom he wrote this letter, and they knew him. He knew them well enough to issue five warnings in this letter that were relevant to their current condition. This passage begins the third warning. It is a warning against apostasy and turning away from Christ.
Paul begins by writing “of whom we have much to say” (v.11a). The reference here is the subject of the previous passage regarding the priesthood of Christ.
He continues with “and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing” (v. 11b). Paul must turn away from that teaching for the time being because the Hebrews are “dull of hearing”. He realizes that he has covered material that is heavy on theology, heavier than his readers are able to absorb at this time.
Paul continues with “For though by this time you ought to be teachers” (v. 12a). These Hebrews should be teaching others by this time, instead of having to still be taught by him. They have been so lax in their study of the scriptures that they have not grown.
Paul writes “you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God” (v. 12b). The Hebrews need to be taught “the first principles” of God's word all over again. Because they have neglected reading scripture for so long, they have forgotten much that had been taught to them.
Paul continues with “and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (v. 12c). They still need “milk”, and have not graduated to “solid food”. They are still needing to be fed, instead of feeding others.
Next, Paul writes “For everyone who partakes only of milk” (v. 13a). These infants in Christ are still living “only” on “milk”.
Paul continues with “is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe” (v. 13b). These Hebrew believers are “unskilled” in the scriptures. They are still babes in Christ. They cannot digest the new teachings that Paul wishes to cover because they lack the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
Next, Paul writes “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (v. 14). This “solid food” is only for the mature Christians, identified as those who have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. These baby Christians have not done the work needed to grow spiritually.
Paul often used examples of athletics in his writings. Here, he contends that these Hebrews lack a habit of exercise, spiritual exercise.
Just as we must exercise physically to stay in shape physically, we must exercise spiritually to stay in shape spiritually. We must read and study God’s word in order to grow spiritually.
Immature Christians do not know good from evil. Therefore, they are prone to fall for anything that comes along.
Most often that means anything that sounds like it reflects the love of God. After all, God is love, right?
Of course, mature Christians know that God is love, but they also know that there is much more to Him than just that. The lack of knowing that “much more” is what causes immature Christians to follow the evil ways of the world. They literally do not know good from evil.
Next, Paul writes “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection” (v. 6:1a). Paul encourages the Hebrews to grow spiritually, to leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.
Since Paul specifically identifies these teachings as being “of Christ”, he is referring to New Testament teachings, not Old Testament teachings. This interpretation would also fit the context of this passage, which is to grow infants in Christ to maturity in Christ, and not to convert Jews to Christians.
Paul completes this passage with “not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, (v. 1b) of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” (v. 2).
Here, Paul lists six “elementary principles”, doctrines of Christianity, which every Christian must learn in order to move on towards maturity in Christ.
These six doctrines are repentance of sin, belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, believer’s baptism, atonement for sin, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
In this passage, Paul is voicing the frustrations of every Christian teacher. Paul, the greatest Christian teacher, outside of Christ, must have often been frustrated with Christians who refused to grow in their faith.
It was the cause of most of his major problems in the ministry. It was the cause of false teaching, and false teachers who tried to destroy his ministry, and ultimately brought his execution.
It is frustrating to see so many Christians living poor examples of the Christian life. They truly do not know the difference between good and evil.
They live their lives according to the ways of the world. They give advice to people who trust them, but not godly advice.
They bring disrepute on Christianity, and on God. They do more harm, much more harm, than good. They do evil, because they do not make it a habit to read and study the Bible.
This passage was a warning from God. It also is a warning to today’s Christians. Take your faith seriously. All other religions do. Why should we do less?