Hebrews 5:13 – “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse continues the strong message from the previous verse, using the same metaphor of milk and solid food to talk about spiritual maturity. The writer is saying that someone who only takes in the simplest truths of the faith-“milk”-is still like a spiritual baby. That person hasn’t yet become familiar with the deeper truths of Christian living, especially what it means to live in righteousness.
“Teaching about righteousness” refers to the understanding of how we are made right with God and how we are to live rightly in response. It involves both knowing what God has done for us through Jesus and how we are to walk in obedience and holiness. An “infant” Christian may believe the basics-like forgiveness and salvation-but hasn’t yet grown to understand or apply the fuller picture of living a godly life.
The verse isn’t meant to shame new believers but to challenge all believers not to stay in spiritual infancy. Growth is expected.
Historical Context
The early Jewish believers the book of Hebrews was written to had been Christians long enough that they should have been moving forward in their faith. But many were still spiritually immature. They were holding tightly to the basics and hadn’t grown in their understanding of how the gospel shapes the way they live.
The author is concerned because some had likely become passive or content with only surface-level knowledge. Others may have been afraid to move on from familiar teachings about the old covenant, avoiding the deeper, more challenging truths about following Jesus in everyday life.
This verse calls them-and us-to press forward into a deeper walk with God.
Theological Implications
This verse reminds us that spiritual maturity matters. It’s not just about being saved-it’s about being changed. Righteousness is not just a position God gives us in Christ, but also a life we grow into. God wants His people to be trained in righteousness-to know what it means and to live it out.
Someone who remains on “milk” stays disconnected from this. They are forgiven, yes, but they may not be growing in wisdom, holiness, discernment, or service. That’s not where God wants us to stay.
It also shows that growth takes time and effort. We don’t drift into maturity. We must be nourished by God’s Word and shaped by consistent obedience.
Literary Analysis
This verse continues the vivid metaphor of milk and infancy. The imagery is easy to understand: infants need milk because they’re not yet ready for solid food. The writer uses this image to draw a clear line between spiritual immaturity and maturity.
The phrase “not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness” carries weight. It suggests more than ignorance-it suggests a lack of engagement or connection with deeper truths. It’s not that they’ve never heard these teachings, but that they haven’t absorbed or practiced them.
This structure sets up the next verse, which explains what “solid food” is for-those who are mature and able to discern right from wrong.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- 1 Corinthians 3:1–2 – Paul also uses milk imagery, saying he had to speak to the believers as infants because they were not ready for solid food.
- 2 Timothy 3:16–17 – Scripture is useful for teaching and training in righteousness so that we may be thoroughly equipped.
- 1 Peter 2:2 – Encourages new believers to crave pure spiritual milk to grow, but not to stay there.
- Philippians 1:11 – Speaks of being “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christian, this verse is a reminder not to settle for surface-level faith. It’s not enough to only know that we are saved. We need to understand what it means to live in righteousness-how to walk in truth, how to love well, how to discern right from wrong, and how to honor God in our daily lives.
It’s a challenge to keep growing, not out of pressure, but out of love for God. The more we grow in our knowledge and application of His truth, the more useful and joyful we become in His hands.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is shown in how He doesn’t leave us in spiritual infancy. Just as a loving parent wants their child to grow up strong and wise, God wants His children to grow in truth and righteousness. He doesn’t just forgive us-He also teaches us how to live.
God gives us His Word, His Spirit, and His people to help us mature. He knows that true joy and strength come from growing in Him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the model of perfect righteousness. He didn’t just speak about right living-He lived it. And through Him, we are not only made righteous before God (Romans 5:19), but also empowered to grow in righteousness day by day (Romans 6:13).
The “teaching about righteousness” points us directly to Christ. He is our righteousness, and He is also our teacher and guide as we learn to live in obedience to God. The deeper we know Jesus, the more we understand what righteousness truly looks like.
- Matthew 5:6 – “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…”
- Romans 6:18 – “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”
- Hebrews 12:2 – Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith, the one we look to as we grow.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does it mean to be “acquainted with the teaching about righteousness”?
- Are there areas in your life where you’re still living on “milk” instead of growing into “solid food”?
- How can you grow in your understanding and practice of righteousness?
- What steps can you take this week to move toward greater spiritual maturity?
- How does looking at the life of Jesus help you better understand what righteousness looks like?