D. Scott Meadows

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14).

Scripture abounds in metaphors. Physical maturity for spiritual maturity is the one used here. Infants on a milk-only diet are contrasted with older people eating solid food, but this is only a metaphor for the spiritual reality.

In Hebrews 5.11–14, a contrast is drawn between those in the church who are “dull of hearing” and others who are apt to teach. This makes teaching the first group more of a challenge. The ones being addressed historically were not new converts or their problem would have justified great patience. These Christians were like twenty-year-olds still nursing. They should have been spiritual teachers by this time in their walk with God, but their teacher understood he needed to keep going over the basics of Christian doctrine with them, that is, giving them “milk” instead of “strong meat” (i.e., solid food). The characterization is an implicit rebuke.

In this context, Hebrews 5.14 is a description of spiritual maturity held up as something to which all Christians should aspire. Wherever you might be in your spiritual growth, consider carefully what this verse says and implies about spiritual maturity.

A Distinguishing Trait Within the Church

Many believers compose a church but only some are here described as “them that are of full age” or “the mature” (CSB). The metaphor pertains to spiritual maturity, not physical. While older church members have had more time to become spiritually mature, their age itself is not the determining factor (Psa 119.99, 100; 1 Tim 4.12). The thing to note, however, is that in most any local church, some are spiritually mature while others are not.

Just as with physical human growth, spiritual maturity proceeds gradually and there is a wide range of maturity. Sixty-year-olds are physically more mature than those in their twenties, but both have reached adulthood. Elementary school children are more mature than newborns, but both are still minor children. What is hard to deny in the physical realm may be overlooked in the spiritual. The writer of Hebrews clearly noticed the difference between spiritual immaturity and maturity and raised it as an important consideration in his teaching ministry. This should stir each of us to self-examination and to appreciation for the more spiritually-mature members of our own church.

A Readiness for More Advanced Doctrine

“Milk” and “strong meat” are metaphors for foundational Christian doctrine and that which is more advanced. The milk is “the first principles of the oracles of God” (v. 12), “the principles of the doctrine of Christ,” “the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment” (6.1, 2). “Strong meat” is more teaching that goes beyond these basics. To learn these other things is to “go on unto perfection” (6.1) or “maturity” (NKJV).

The faithful pastoral teacher here clearly feels considerable frustration because he has many other things to teach the readers but they are not yet ready to hear them. “We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand” (5.11 CSB). This echoes Jesus. “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now” (John 16.12; cf. Mark 4.33; 1 Cor 3.1, 2). Surely just about every experienced pastor can relate to this when there is stunted spiritual growth in some beloved brethren of his pastoral charge.

An Exceptional Discernment

One of the traits of spiritual maturity is an ability, well-developed and reliable, to discern between true and false, orthodoxy and error, good and evil, right and wrong, according to God’s Word the Bible. Whereas the immature are “unskilful in the word of righteousness” (v. 13), that is, Holy Scripture, the mature are able “to discern good and evil” (v. 14), and with that discernment, they pursue authentic holiness. They have gained a great facility in being able to tell the difference between subtle, seductive lies and solid biblical truth. They are well-attuned to degrees of praiseworthiness when it comes to the good, the beautiful, and the true. They might be compared to wine experts whose palates recognize the finer qualities overlooked by most people. In spiritual things, such godly, discerning believers are a great asset to the whole church and its ministry.

A Fruit of Spiritual Experience

Mature discernment does not come quickly or easily. It is the fruit of diligent attention to the Word and much experience in one’s service to the Lord Jesus Christ. “By reason of use [they] have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil,” or, they “have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (ESV). Many Christians presume their own powers of discernment are great far too early, sometimes before they have even read through the Bible once, seriously applied themselves to learn about biblical theology and ethics, or engaged in much ministry of evangelism and discipleship. Few dare to offer their thoughts on brain surgery or nuclear physics but far too many are selfappointed expert theologians. They are like little children who boast they can do things beyond them without help. We all do well to heed the wise exhortation, “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips” (Prov 27.2). If you have become especially discerning, other mature Christians will recognize this about you.

A Desirable Ambition

The immature readers are exhorted, “Let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity” (6.1 CSB). Not only for our own benefit, but especially for the glory of God and the edification of others, we should greatly appreciate the spiritually mature and yearn to become like them. No matter how spiritually skilled we are, we have room to grow. Ω