Hebrews 5:12 Cross References - AUV

¹² For certainly enough time has elapsed so that [by now] you ought to be teachers, [but instead] you are in need of having someone teach you again the basic principles of God’s message. You have become people who need “milk” and not “solid food.” [Note: The fundamental truths of Christianity are here figuratively spoken of as “milk,” while the more advanced teaching, such as Christ’s priesthood being like Melchizedek’s, is called “solid food”].

¹⁷ Jesus replied [to the crowd], “You perverse generation of faithless people! How long must I be with you [i.e., before you understand]? How long do I have to be patient with you? Bring the sick boy to me.”

¹⁹ Jesus said to them, “You generation of faithless people How long must I be with you [i.e., before you understand]? How long do I have to be patient with you? Bring the sick boy to me.”

³⁸ This is the man who was with our forefathers and with the assembly [of Hebrews] in the wilderness [after] the angel had spoken to him at Mt. Sinai. He [is the one] who received the living messages [from God at Mt. Sinai] and gave them to us.

² Much in every way! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the messages of God [i.e., their prophets received divine revelations].

¹ And I could not speak to you, brothers, as I would to spiritual people, but [I have to speak to you] as I would to worldly people, for you are immature children in [the fellowship of] Christ. ² For I fed you with milk, not with solid food [i.e., with basic fundamentals instead of more advanced teaching. See Heb. 5:12-13] because you were not able to absorb it, ³ for you are still worldly [minded]. And since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, is that not evidence that you are [still] worldly and living like [unspiritual] people?

¹⁹ However, in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so that I can instruct other people also, than to speak ten thousand words in a language [that people do not understand].

¹ Finally, my brothers, rejoice in [your relationship to] the Lord. It does not trouble me to write the same things to you again, because you will be safer if I do. [Note: These “same things” may refer to warnings against false teachers which Paul had either spoken to them or written about previously].

¹⁶ You should let the message of Christ live in you abundantly [i.e., as individuals and collectively]. Use [much] wisdom in teaching and warning one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with favor [i.e., with thankfulness] in your hearts toward God.

³ Older women, likewise, should be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine, teachers of what is good. ⁴ Then they can train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

¹³ For everyone who has to drink “milk” is inexperienced in the teaching about righteousness, for he is [still] a [spiritual] baby.

¹ So, we should leave the basic principles of Christ’s teaching and go on to maturity. [We should] not lay again a foundation of repentance [i.e., turning away] from deeds of death [i.e., acts that lead to spiritual death or that spring from a spiritually dead person], and of faith in God;

² [So], like newly born babies, you should desire the genuine, spiritual milk [i.e., God’s word. See Heb. 5:12-13], so that by it you may grow toward [final] salvation,

¹¹ If someone’s gift is speaking, he should [be sure to] say only what God wants him to. If a person’s gift is serving, he should do so by the strength provided by God [who supplies all such gifts]. This is so that, in using all gifts, God may be honored through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs honor and power forever and ever. May it be so.