Hebrews
5:11-6:20 (Part 1)
We
have seen that interspersed throughout Hebrews is a series of passages often
referred to as “warning passages.” In my
opinion, these passages are directed toward Jewish Christians in the 1st
century who were considering abandoning Christianity and reverting back to
Judaism. Warren Wiersbe categorizes the
passages this way:
Drifting from the Word—2:1–4
(neglect)
Doubting the Word—3:7–4:13 (hard
heart)
Dullness toward the
Word—5:11–6:20 (sluggishness)
Despising the Word—10:26–39
(willfulness)
Defying the Word—12:14–29
(refusing to hear)
In
our journey through Hebrews we have come to the third of these passages. Hebrews 5:11-6:20 is a parenthetical
expression in the middle of a larger passage concerning the superiority of
Jesus as our high priest in Hebrews 5 – 9.
Notice the reference to Melchizedek in 5:10 and then again in 7:1. Everything in between those two verses
consists of the parenthetical expression and third major warning passage of the
book.
The
key question in dealing with this warning is determining to whom it is
addressed. John MacArthur argues that
the audience for this warning is unbelieving Jews who had heard the gospel,
understood the gospel, but rejected the gospel.
Others, and I fall in to this camp, hold that this warning is directed
toward Christian Jews who are not progressing in the faith and who are in
danger of falling away.
Verse
11
“him” – Either Melchizedek
(MacArthur) or Christ (Utley). May mean
both in the sense that the point the writer is making in this larger section is
that Christ
is a priest after the order of Melchizedek.
“we” – Literary plural
“dull” - Made up of two Greek words, one
meaning "no" and the other meaning "push"...literally
it means "no push or slow or sluggish"...in this passage the
writer uses the word in the sense of spiritual dullness or sluggishness...the
tense (perfect active indicative) indicates a settled state of being…this word
is used in the New Testament only here and in Hebrews 6:12 where the NASB
translates it as “sluggish”…
Joey Miller and Matthew McNelly concocted an ingenious
disguise before trying to break into an apartment. Well, we use the term "ingenious"
very loosely. Matthew and Joey spurned more traditional disguises like masks or
balaclavas, instead choosing to draw on their own faces with permanent markers. Here's the
thing about permanent marker. It's extremely difficult to erase. So when the
pair was pulled over by police after the bungled break-in, they were easily
recognizable. The stunt earned Joey and
Matthew the nickname "dumb and dumber". [http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/the-10-dumbest-criminals-in-the-world/story-fnixwvgh-1226708128173]
While it may not be as obvious
as that, the truth is that it is easy for us to become characterized by a spiritual
dullness.
“have
become” - Indicates they weren't always "dull of
hearing" but that they became that way over time...I doubt that
any Christian makes it his or her goal to be spiritually slow or
sluggish...when person first becomes a Christian there is an enthusiasm an
excitement about his or her Christian life...there is desire to learn more and
more and to grow as a disciple of Christ...but it is possible to drift into
spiritual lethargy without even realizing it is happening to us…(cf. Hebrews
2:1)…
Some
years ago I conducted a funeral service of man who died in a most unusual
way...he and some of his buddies were camping... were staying in large
recreational vehicle in isolated area...was hot time of year and were running
the air-conditioning system ...something wrong with exhaust and deadly carbon
monoxide fumes began seep into RV...gradually the fumes filled the vehicle and
the men died...they were found sitting at the dinner table...from all
appearances had no idea what was happening to them...
And tragically, over the years
I've seen that process or one similar to it repeated in the lives of many
Christians...people who start well...people who begin with enthusiasm and
commitment but who gradually and steadily drift away from God and His church...usually
blame their lack of involvement on some person or some situation, but truth is
most of those who fall away do so because they have gradually over time drifted
into spiritual dullness...no longer really care about the things of God...
In the verses that follow in
this chapter, the writer points out several negative things that spiritual
dullness does to us
Verse 12a – Spiritual
dullness makes us unproductive…
“time” – Chronos as opposed to chairos…refers to the linear passage to
time rather than a specific moment of opportunity…(cf. Colossians 4:5)…enough
time had elapsed where they had not excuse for not progressing in the faith…
“ought” –
Strong word denoting a moral obligation…a necessity that is imposed by duty or
law or obligation…describes is something that is a moral imperative, not open
to dispute…
“teachers…teach” –
Note the play on words. While by this
time they should have progressed to the point of teaching others, they were
still in need of being taught!
“elementary
principles” – stoichea…used
here, in Hebrews 6:1, and twice in Colossians …the word is translated numerous
ways…
NKJV – “first
principles”
NRSV – “the
basic elements”
TEV – “the
first lessons”
The primary idea
behind the phrase is the basics or, as we would say, the ABC’s of a
subject. They were so immature that they
needed to be taught the basics again!
“oracles
of God” - From
the Greek word used also in Romans 3:2, and Acts 7:38, and refers to divine
utterances. [1] Certainly would include the Old Testament but
would also include the testimony of the Apostles.
The
point of this statement in 12a is that by this time in their spiritual
pilgrimage they should have been teaching others, they were still in need of
being taught.
Verse 12b-13 – Spiritual dullness makes us immature…
“milk…solid
food” – A common New Testament figure of speech regarding
spiritual growth…(cf. 1 Cor. 3:2; 1 Peter 2:2)…
“word
of righteousness” - Probably, however, in the foreground of the writer’s
thought was the word spoken by the Son (ch. 1:2); the salvation which at first
was spoken by the Lord (ch. 2:3).*[2]
Verse 14 –
Spiritual dullness impairs our judgment…this verse points out that the
spiritually mature have the ability "to discern good and evil"
...however, the spiritually dull do not have this ability...
--a baby has very little
concept of what is good or bad for it...of what will hurt it and what will help
it...therefore, a baby will stick almost anything in its mouth, touch anything
it can reach, and go anywhere it can manage to crawl...
--the same principle is true
in the spiritual realm... immature Christians have great difficulty discerning
between right/wrong...truth/falsehood...what is helpful/ harmful...what should
be embraced/avoided...
Nothing so sweet and innocent and
cute as little baby...but when see a child or youth or adult who has not
progressed intellectually or emotionally or physically much beyond baby stage,
not attractive any longer...we find that sad and repulsive...
We need
constantly to be on guard against spiritual dullness. In chapter 6 the writer
tells us how to do that.
[1]
Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest's word studies
from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader (Heb 5:12). Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans.
[2]
Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in
the New Testament (Heb 5:13). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.
