“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. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 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.” (Hebrews 5:12-14)

The King James translation uses the term “strong meat.” “Solid food” (NKJV) is probably more in line with the way we now speak. The Scriptures use the figure of dietary requirements; a baby needs milk, an adult eats solid food. The digestive system of a baby is not fully developed, whereas an adult has matured physically. Because the metaphor of milk and meat deals with intake, we correspond this with taking in God’s word. Often we associate this with easy things to learn in the Bible in contrast with things hard to understand. However, meat and milk are not so much found in a degree of mental appreciation. As if to say, “I now understand this difficult passage, therefore I’m partaking of meat.” They are found more in the degree of what we are able to accept as a matter of practice, the responsibility we can bear. For example, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) This strength has to do with being able to be full or to be hungry, to abound or to suffer need. Think of this, we are exhorted to follow the example of serving God acceptably when the cupboards are bare; no griping or shouting, cursing or blaming, but praying and serving even in distress. Meat is found by taking in the “I can do all things through Christ . . .”. This is not as much a matter of wrapping our mind around a concept as it is wrapping our will around it.

Hebrews 5:12-14 is nested in a book written to strengthen the Hebrew brethren. The Lord wanted them to successfully make the transition from one God-given covenant to another. It would be a meaty thing to move from a service of God, richly enhanced by many observable practices and objects. There was a codified priesthood, and incense. There were tablets of stone, holy places, ceremonies, sacrifices, holy days, the pitching of tabernacles, the cutting of branches, etc. (These were described as “. . .the copy and shadow of the heavenly things.” (Hebrews 8:5). They had to recognize reality; the old world was fading away. It was meat to accept a new way of life. It was the difference between lingering in the shadow and walking in the light. The babe in Christ would tend to see a spiritual necessity in practicing old patterns, whereas one who had matured would approach these things as non-binding customs, prizing the spiritual truth they symbolized. His life would be fulfilled in “the heavenly things.” He would walk in the reality of God. “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:19-25). No doubt there were and are concepts to learn, but of greater importance is the fulfilling of a new way of life, coming to “full age.” Here one would have been able to teach his brethren and those among the Gentiles. He would teach the service of a life apart from religious symbolism.

Christians of other nations would also have similar issues to face. The Gentile believer would have to disengage from his previous notions of religion, even more so if he had not been influenced by the truth taught in the synagogue. (“For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” ) Such an individual would have to unlearn a lot of things. As a babe he might be inclined to associate certain ideas about God with his native understanding. His way of life would be weak for a time. It would take awhile for those born again to familiarize themselves with a world where there is no earthly temple for the presence of God to reside. All other religious accompaniments which were once respected would have to be seen in a different light. They would have to be set aside; clergy, statues, special garments, rituals, incense, holy days, objects of devotion; the tinsels of a pagan world. The Thessalonian brethren were eating this type of strong meat according to this testimony found in I Thessalonians 1:8,9; “Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. . .” They were exercising their senses “to discern both good and evil.”

Failure to eat solid food when we are able is destructive. “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” (I Corinthians 3:1-3). Here the Corinthian brethren were rebuked for their failure to grow. It was understandable for them to have envy, strife, and division. They were like babies spitting up the milk. A further rebuke in the same vein; “Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.” (I Corinthians14:20). In this case, the meaty thing would have been for them to be wise in God’s word. They needed to gain understanding of His good will, rather than reveling in their miracle languages. What could there be but malice when the lessons of love slip because of self-indulgence?

When a babe is a babe indeed, there is much rejoicing. But when we become older there are certain elements of babyhood that need to go: “It’s mine, I want it.” “Leave me alone.” “You can’t make me.” As time moves along what was once cute becomes childish. Can you imagine expecting a compliment because you went to the bathroom by yourself? We have to move on. There is a spiritual maturity which God expects of us. The truth of Christ’s sacrifice needs to grow beyond “I’m forgiven” to “I forgive you for Christ’s sake;” “He bore my sins on Calvary” to “I will bear this wrong for the sake of your soul and mine.” We are given time to acquaint ourselves with our new life, but it is needful to take this mantel; “Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.” (Philippians 2:17). For to serve others in the name of the Lord requires strength from a hearty meal. The following shows the fulfillment of strong and healthy children of God, partakers of solid food: “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).

We can compare our need for solid food with Abraham’s burden. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8). Abraham started drinking God’s milk by receiving the truth of Him, believing and obeying. But then to go out not knowing his destination, this took some chewing. Our basic understanding and obedience to the Lord can be accomplished as it should; with the easiness of God’s good hand desiring to reach every soul. However, learning to step out and walk, to shoulder further responsibility, stand in the gap, turn the other cheek, and bear the burden with good will and charity, this is solid food.