Hebrews 5 · Verse 13

Hebrews 5:13

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
Hebrews 5:13, King James Version

Hebrews 5:13 in other translations

BSBFor everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.
WEBFor everyone who lives on milk is not experienced in the word of righteousness, for he is a baby.
ASVFor every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe.
YLTfor every one who is partaking of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness--for he is an infant,
DARBYFor every one that partakes of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe;
BBEFor everyone who takes milk is without experience of the word of righteousness: he is a child.
WebsterFor every one that useth milk, is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

What does Hebrews 5:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13. useth--Greek, "partaketh," that is, taketh as his portion. Even strong men partake of milk, but do not make milk their chief, much less their sole, diet. the word of righteousness--the Gospel wherein "the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith" (Ro 1:17), and which is called "the ministration of righteousness" (2Co 3:9). This includes the doctrine of justification and sanctification: the first principles, as well as the perfection, of the doctrine of Christ: the nature of the offices and person of Christ as the true Melchisedec, that is, "King of righteousness" (compare Mt 3:15).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 13. For every one that useth milk. Referring to the food of children. The apostle has in view here those Christians who resemble children in this respect, that they are not capable of receiving the stronger food adapted to those of mature age.

Is unskilful. Inexperienced; who has not skill to perform anything. The word Is properly applied to one who has not experience or skill, or who is ignorant. Here it does not mean that they were not true Christians, but that they had not the experience or skill requisite to enable them to understand the higher mysteries of the Christian religion.

In the word of righteousness. The doctrine respecting the way in which men become righteous, or the way of salvation by the Redeemer. Rom 1:17.

For he is a babe. That is, in religious matters. He understands the great system only as a child may. It is common to speak of "babes in knowledge," as denoting a state of ignorance.

(1) "is unskilful" "hath no experience"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 For every one that useth milk - It is very likely that the apostle, by using this term, refers to the doctrines of the law, which were only the rudiments of religion, and were intended to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. The word of righteousness - Αογος δικαιοσυνης· The doctrine of justification. I believe this to be the apostle's meaning. He that uses milk - rests in the ceremonies and observances of the law, is unskilful in the doctrine of justification; for this requires faith in the sacrificial death of the promised Messiah.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Hebrews 5:11-14

Dull hearers make the preaching of the gospel difficult, and even those who have some faith may be dull hearers, and slow to believe. Much is looked for from those to whom much is given. To be unskilful, denotes want of experience in the things of the gospel. Christian experience is a spiritual sense, taste, or relish of the goodness, sweetness, and excellence of the truths of the gospel. And no tongue can express…

Read the full comment on Hebrews 5:11-14 →

Hebrews 5:13 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

πᾶςpasEveryoneG3956
γὰρgarforG1063
ὁhowhoG3588
μετέχωνmetechōnis partaking [only]G3348
γάλακτοςgalaktosof milkG1051
ἄπειροςapeiros[is] inexperiencedG552
λόγουlogouin [the] wordG3056
δικαιοσύνης·dikaiosunēsof righteousness;G1343
νήπιοςnēpiosan infantG3516
γάρgarforG1063
ἐστιν·estinhe is;G1510

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Hebrews 5:13

  • 1 Peter 2:2

    As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

  • 1 Corinthians 14:20

    Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

  • 2 Timothy 3:16

    All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

  • Ephesians 4:14

    That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

  • Isaiah 28:9

    Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:1

    And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:11

    When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:9

    For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.

  • Psalms 119:123

    Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

  • Matthew 11:25

    At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.

  • Romans 10:5-6

    For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

  • Romans 1:17-18

    For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
is unskilful. Gr. hath no experience. the word.
Ps 119:123; Ro 1:17,18; 10:5,6; 2Co 3:9; 2Ti 3:16
he.
Isa 28:9; Mt 11:25; Mr 10:15; Ro 2:20; 1Co 13:11; 14:20; Eph 4:14
1Pe 2:2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 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.

  • Hebrews 5:13

    For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

  • Hebrews 5:14

    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.

Read all of Hebrews 5

Hebrews 5:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Que cualquiera que participa de la leche, es inhábil para la palabra de la justicia, porque es niño;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		car quiconque use de lait est inexpérimenté dans la parole de la justice, car il est un petit enfant;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Denn jeder, der noch Milch genießt, ist unerfahren im Worte der Gerechtigkeit, denn er ist ein Unmündiger;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Omnis enim, qui lactis est particeps, expers est sermonis justitiæ: parvulus enim est.