What Does Hebrews 5:12 Mean in the King James?
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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The shock is that enough time to teach can pass while you still need the first elements of God’s words taught again.
THE MEANING
Enough time has passed that you ought to teach, yet you still need someone to teach you the first elements of God’s utterances again. You remain with milk rather than solid food, and the verse holds the gap between expected growth and present capacity in view.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Elapsed time alone does not make you mature; even after a long interval, the foundations may still need to be taught again.
THE ROOT
στοιχεῖα
stoicheia
GROWS FROM
στοιχ-
stoich-
An ordered row or sequence; by extension, a basic element in that sequence.
“first principles” in this verse is stoicheia. The word can refer to elements and to the first letters of an alphabet, the initial units from which fuller understanding proceeds. The verse pictures you returning to the basic components of God’s utterances, not merely asking for more advanced teaching.
ALSO GROWS
stoicheō: To walk in line; to proceed in order.
στοιχέω
This related verb gives the word-family a sense of sequence: the verse describes a return to the first steps.
stoicheion: An element, basic constituent, or elementary principle.
στοιχεῖον
The singular form names one of the basic units that together make up the foundations being retaught.
στερεὰ
sterea
GROWS FROM
στερε-
stere-
Firm, solid.
“strong meat” in this verse is sterea. The Greek calls this solid food. Its firmness gives the contrast a concrete edge: you are not yet able to bear the more substantial nourishment the verse names.
ALSO GROWS
stereoō: To make firm; to strengthen.
στερεόω
The related verb connects firmness with becoming strengthened, echoing the growth the verse expects.
stereōma: Firmness; steadfastness.
στερέωμα
This noun describes a settled quality of firmness, resonating with the capacity to bear solid food.
λόγια
logia
GROWS FROM
λογ-
log-
Word, utterance, saying.
The word translated “oracles” belongs to the logos word-family and means divine utterances or sayings. The foundations being retaught are the first elements of what God says.
ALSO GROWS
logos: Word, message, account.
λόγος
This familiar form from the same family makes clear that the “oracles” are God’s utterances.
logikos: Belonging to the word or reason; rendered “of the word” in 1 Peter 2:2.
λογικός
This form modifies “milk” in 1 Peter 2:2, bringing the word-family and the nourishment image together.
THE PATTERN
Maturity appears as a growing capacity to receive instruction and nourishment.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:THE THREAD
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.Both verses use the same Greek word for milk, γάλα (gala), and contrast it with more substantial food. The shared image makes Hebrews’ point vivid: the hearer still cannot bear the next kind of nourishment.
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