Hebrews 5:11

11 We have much to say about this subject, but it is hard to explain, because you have become sluggish in understanding.

Hebrews 5:11 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 5:11

Of whom we have many things to say
Either of Melchizedek, or of Christ, or of his priesthood or of all of these; since the apostle does largely treat of them in the following chapters: he says many things concerning Melchizedek in the seventh chapter, and many things of Christ, and his priesthood, in those that follow; Christ is a large and inexhaustible subject in the Gospel ministry, and what a Gospel minister delights to dwell on; and it is a fund and stock from whence he is furnished with things of the greatest usefulness, and of the utmost importance:

and hard to be uttered;
as were many things respecting Melchizedek, mentioned in ( Hebrews 7:3 ) and also concerning Christ, and his priesthood: abstruse and difficult things are to be looked into, considered, searched after, and insisted on: the whole Scripture is profitable, and the whole counsel of God is to be declared, and things hard to be explained should be attempted; this is the way to an increase of light and knowledge; though it becomes ministers to consult their own abilities, and the capacity of their hearers, that they do not go beyond them:

seeing ye are dull of hearing;
this dulness of hearing is thought by some to arise from their afflictions; or from their attachment to the law of Moses; or rather from their sluggishness, indocility, and want of industry; and often times this arises from pride and prejudice, and irreverence of the word of God; and frequently from the deceitfulness of riches, and the cares of this life.

Hebrews 5:11 In-Context

9 And after he had been brought to the goal, he became the source of eternal deliverance to all who obey him,
10 since he had been proclaimed by God as a cohen gadol to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.
11 We have much to say about this subject, but it is hard to explain, because you have become sluggish in understanding.
12 For although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the very first principles of God's Word all over again! You need milk, not solid food!
13 Anyone who has to drink milk is still a baby, without experience in applying the Word about righteousness.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.