Hebrews 5:13

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. USETH, [ metechoon (G3348)] - 'partaketh of.' 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 "is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith" (Romans 1:17); "the ministration of righteousness" (2 Corinthians 3:9). This includes 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 Melchisedek - i:e., "King of righteousness" (cf....

13._For every one who uses milk, _or, _who partakes of milk, etc. _He means those who from tenderness or weakness as yet refuse solid doctrine; for otherwise he who is grown up is not averse to milk. But he reproves here an infancy in understanding, such as constrains God even to prattle with us. He then says, that babes are not fit to receive the _word of righteousness, _understanding by righteousness the perfection of which he will presently speak. (93) For the Apostle does not here, as I think, refer to the question, how we are justified before God, but takes the word in a simpler sense, as denoting that completeness of knowledge which leads to perfection, which office Paul ascribes to the Gospel in his epistle to the Colossians 1:28; as though he had said, that those who indulge themselves in their ignorance preclude themselves from a

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 the satisfaction which the soul receives, from a sense of Divine goodness, grace, and love to it in Christ....

Verse Hebrews 5:13. _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....

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; see the notes on Romans 1:17....

EXPOSITION THE PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST. The purpose of the first part of this chapter (Hebrews 5:1) is to corroborate the position arrived at in the conclusion of Hebrews 4:1., viz. that we _have _in Christ a true High Priest sufficient for all our needs. This is done by analyzing the conception of a high priest, and observing that Christ in all respects fulfils it. And thus the full exposition of Christ's heavenly priesthood above that of Aaron is prepared for. But this full exposition is still not entered on till after an exhortation (beginning at Hebrews 5:11), longer and more earnest than any former one, called for by the slownes

FOR EVERYONE THAT USETH MILK,.... And sits down contented with the first principles of the Gospel, such as are easily taken in and digested; or makes use of the ceremonial law, as a schoolmaster to teach him the Gospel: IS UNSKILFUL IN THE WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS; the Gospel, which is a doctrine of righteousness; not of works of righteousness done by men, and of justification by them, or of a man's own righteousness; but of the pure, perfect, and everlasting righteousness of Christ: and it is called so, because it is the means of stripping a man of his own righteousness; and of revealing the righteousness of Christ unto him; and of working faith in him to lay hold upon it; and of discovering the agreement there is between the righteousness of Christ, and the justice of God; and of teaching men to live soberly, righteously, and godly: and such are unskilful in it, who either have no knowle...

Hebrews 5:1. _For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee._ What a comfort this is to us, that we have a High Priest, through whom we can come to God, who is full of compassion toward us, and who, though he had no sinful infirmity about him, was subject to the infirmities to which flesh is heir!...

CHAPTER 5 _ 1. What the High Priest is and represents (Hebrews 5:1)_ 2. The fulfillment in Christ made High Priest (Hebrews 5:5) 3. The spiritual condition of the Hebrew-Christians (Hebrews 5:11) Hebrews 5:1 In developing the priesthood of Christ and showing how it excels the earthly priesthood and is more glorious than the priesthood of Judaism, the principles of priesthood of the levitical system are first stated. Upon this follows the comparison of the priesthood of Christ with that of Aaron. The transcendent priesthood of Christ is thus established by this contrast. These opening verses have nothing to

AT HOME WITH MAN AND GOD (Hebrews 5:1-10)...