Hebrews 5:12-14: Why Do Many Stay Stuck With a Half-Learned Christ?
- Edward D. Andrews
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Rebuke That Many Avoid
Hebrews confronts believers who had time in the faith but refused maturity. The writer says, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles… and you have come to need milk, not solid food” (Hebrews 5:12). This is not a personality critique; it is a spiritual diagnosis. A half-learned Christ persists where people resist disciplined learning and obedient practice. They remain dependent on simplified messages because they will not develop discernment. The writer links immaturity to dullness of hearing (Hebrews 5:11), which is moral resistance, not lack of IQ.
Milk Christianity and Its Hidden Pride
“Milk” is not wrong for beginners. It becomes sinful when it is chosen as a lifelong diet. The text exposes a subtle pride: the immature person insists on comfort-level teaching while avoiding the demands of deeper obedience. Yet Scripture ties growth to steady exposure to God’s Word and to the humility that receives correction (James 1:21-25). People often claim they want “deeper teaching,” but the Bible defines depth differently: depth is not novelty; it is skillful obedience flowing from truth. “Solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have trained their powers of discernment” (Hebrews 5:14). The key phrase is “through use.” Practice is not optional.
Discernment Comes Through Obedience to Scripture
Hebrews 5:14 teaches that discernment is trained by habitual application of truth. The believer learns to distinguish good and evil, not by emotion, but by Scripture’s categories applied in real life. This aligns with Psalm 119’s repeated theme: understanding comes through obeying God’s commandments. Jesus also ties clarity to obedience: “If anyone wants to do His will, he will know” (John 7:17). Spiritual confusion thrives where disobedience is protected. Maturity grows where the Word is believed, obeyed, and allowed to correct. This is why the Spirit-inspired Scriptures are sufficient to equip the believer (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The Danger of Remaining Half-Learned
Staying immature is not neutral. Hebrews later warns that drifting leads to hardening (Hebrews 2:1; Hebrews 3:12-13). A half-learned Christ cannot anchor the soul when pressure rises. The believer needs robust doctrine: Christ’s priesthood, His atoning sacrifice, His present authority, and His future Kingdom. Without this, people become vulnerable to false teaching and moral compromise (Ephesians 4:14). The writer of Hebrews does not offer flattery; he demands progress because perseverance requires maturity.
The Path Forward: Repent, Learn, Practice, Teach
The remedy in Hebrews is not shame as an identity; it is repentance that returns to disciplined learning. God commands growth: “Let us press on to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1). This pressing includes regular intake of Scripture, careful thinking, prayer shaped by the Word, and practical obedience in daily decisions. As maturity develops, believers become capable of teaching others, not merely repeating slogans, but explaining truth with accuracy and living it with integrity. This is how the church becomes strong: not through celebrity personalities, but through ordinary holy ones trained by Scripture to love Christ and obey Him.
About the Author
EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).
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