Heb 5:11-14

(Redirected from Heb 5:12)

Questions

Discernment and meat: Why do those who get "meat" require discernment between both good and evil? Is this something that is necessary because of the teachings? Does meat consist of an admixture of the two that must be critically evaluated? Or is this simply an indication of a greater spiritual maturity? Why exactly is maturity necessary for the teachings that follow?

Word: The Greek term translated here as "word" is logos. It is a term with a very rich meaning, including "discussion" and "reasoning."

Strong meat: In modern English, the Greek phrase stereos trophe, translated here as "strong meat," is usually translated as "solid food." The word trophe can refer to any type of food that gives nourishment, not just animal flesh.

Have need of milk: This passage, along with the beginning of chapter 6 (See Heb 6:1 et seq) is tricky to interpret. The author seems to be saying that his audience requires remedial Gospel instruction, that they are not ready for "meat" because they still have need of "milk." Yet as we shall see in chapter 6, the author does not content himself with mere "milk."

Differing levels: From a Latter-day Saint perspective, the fact that the author talks about differing levels of gospel knowledge in the context of the temple is striking. Aside from the secret of how one vocalized the tetragramaton, which was only spoken in the Holy of Holies, it is not clear that the tabernacle or the other temples of Israel were associated with esoteric knowledge, with "meat." The temples of the Restoration, however, most emphatically are, with their teachings hedged about with oaths of secrecy. It is also interesting that the author associates the "meat" unfit for those still requiring "milk" with priesthood, in particular learning about the symbolism of the higher priesthood of Melchezidek.

Unskilful in the word: This passage gives us the characteristics of those who are ready for "meat," namely they are "those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." We also have the description of those that use milk as "unskilful in the word of righteousness." The Greek term translated here as "word" is logos. It is a term with a very rich meaning, including "discussion" and "reasoning." Hence, "unskilful in the word of righteousness" could also mean something like "unskilful in the reasoning of righteosness." Hence, with both meat and milk we have reference to what might be called critical faculties. This interpretation is undermined slightly by v. 12's reference to the audience as those who "ought to be teachers." Hence, the logos of v. 13 might be teaching.

Discernment: An interesting question arises of why those who get meat require discernment between both good and evil. Is this something that is necessary because of the teachings? Does meat consist of an admixture of the two that must be critically evaluated? Or is this simply an indication of a greater spiritual maturity? Why exactly is maturity necessary for the teachings that follow?