Hebrews 5:11

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

Hebrews 5:11 (KJV)

Context

This verse appears in a larger passage in the book of Hebrews where the author addresses Jewish Christians, explaining deep theological truths about the priesthood of Jesus Christ and His role as High Priest. In the preceding verses, Jesus is introduced as a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, and the author expresses a desire to go deeper into this teaching. However, in verse 11, the author pauses, saying he has many things to say, but they are hard to be uttered because the readers have become dull of hearing.

The difficulty is not primarily in the subject matter itself, though the truths about Christ are indeed profound and mysterious. The author assigns the reason for his restraint to the spiritual condition of his hearers. Dullness of hearing describes a sluggishness or slowness in spiritual understanding and receptivity. This is not a mere natural weakness but a sinful infirmity. The fault is generally in the hearers, not in the difficulty of the things themselves or in the messenger. Dull hearers make the preaching of the gospel difficult. Even some who have faith can be dull hearers, weak in understanding, slow to believe, and failing to retain spiritual things.

Meaning

The phrase “hard to be uttered” implies that the author desires to share more profound spiritual insights, but the readers’ lack of spiritual growth hinders this. The author wants to delve into the deeper aspects of the Christian faith, but due to their dullness of hearing, he finds it challenging to communicate these truths effectively. The “many things” he wishes to say concern Melchizedek, Christ, and His priesthood, which he elaborates on in the following chapters, particularly Hebrews 7. Christ is a large and inexhaustible subject, and the author delights to dwell on it, but the hearers’ condition hinders the communication of these deeper truths.

This verse sets up the following passage, Hebrews 5:12-14, where the author rebukes them for needing to be taught again the first principles of the oracles of God when they ought to be teachers. Instead of being mature enough to teach others, they still require basic instruction in the fundamental principles of God’s Word. The author uses the analogy of milk and solid food to illustrate the readers’ spiritual immaturity. Just as babies need milk as their primary source of nourishment, the readers are like spiritual infants who can only handle basic teachings. They have not progressed to the point where they can grasp the deeper, more profound truths about Christ and His priesthood.

Application

This passage serves as both an exhortation and a warning. The readers are urged to progress in their spiritual journey, to move beyond the elementary teachings and mature in their understanding of God’s Word. By doing so, they will become equipped to teach others and discern good from evil. Hebrews 5:11 highlights the readers’ spiritual immaturity and their need to progress beyond the basic teachings of Christianity. It serves as a call to grow in faith and knowledge, enabling believers to delve into the deeper truths of God’s Word and develop the ability to teach others and discern between good and evil.