Tiaaw, “rursum.” Syr., =" [I S2T, “but now again.” “ Contra,” “on the other side ;’”—‘ whereas you ought to have been teachers, on the other side.’
Xpelav eyere, “indigetis,” Vulg.; “ you need,” Rhem.; “ opus habetis,” “ opus est ut;” “ you have need,” “ you stand in need,” it is necessary.
Tod didaonxew das, “ ut vos doceamini,” “that you should be taught ;” in the preize yoice. Syr., T2287, “that you should learn.” Properly, “to teach you ;”—‘ that I should, that we should, that one should teach you.’
Tive ra oroiyeia Tis spins Tov rovyiay Tov Ozov. Vulg. Lat., “que sint elementa exordii sprmonum Dei.” Rhem., “ what be the elements of the beginning of the words of God;” improperly and obscurely. Syr., ST ST27P SIN? PS P28 ee “Tbe, = the very first writings of the beginning of ‘the words of God;” sup- posing oveiysicn to intend the letters of the alphabet. “Que sint elementa initii
niorum Dei,” Eras., Beza; that is,“oraculorum.” <Adyia, Sicgara. Ours, * which be the first principles of the oracles of God ;”—*‘ which are the funda, mental principles of divine revelation.’
564 AN EXPOSITION OF THE | CHAP. Vv.
Tlas yap é mertyov yeroxros. “ Qui lactis est particeps,” Vulg. Lat. Rhem., “that is partaker of milk.” Cui cum lacte res est,” Bez. Which we render, “ that useth milk ;” that is, for his food : as Syr., 7 S300 mNPMNRT, “ whose food is milk ;” who, as we speak, liveth on milk.
"Arsipos Adyou dincetocvvns. “ Expers est sermonis justitie,” Vulg. Rhem., “is unskilful of the word of justice.” “ Rudis est ;” is “ unskilful in,” or rather, “hath no experience of the word of righteousness.” The Syriac somewhat other- wise, SDU827 amine op NP ; “is not taught,” persuaded, instructed, “in the word of righteousness.”
Naxios yé&p ior. “Parvulus enim est,” Vulg.; “ for he isa little one.” Rhem., “a child.” “Infans enim est.” Syr., 7 873%4, “he is unskilful,” “unexperi- enced.” ‘For he is a babe.”
Terciov. “Perfectorum,” Vulg.; “the perfect.” Adultorum,” Eras., Beza. “Those of fullage.” Syr., 87727, “ perfectorum 3” so ad verbum.
‘H orsped rpo@y, “cibus solidus,” “ solida alimonia;” “ strong meat,” “ strong nourishment.”
Tay did rqv £2. “Eorum qui pro ipsa consuetudine,” Vulg. Lat.; “them that by custom.” “Propter habitum,” Bez.; “by reason of a habit,” properly. “ Of use,” say ours; which is the way whereby a habit is obtained. Syr., 722777, “ who have much inquired ;” who are ready in inquiries.
To aicdnrnpia yeyuuvacueve exovrov. Exercitatos habent sensus;” “sen- suum organa;” “the organs or instruments of their senses ;’—who have their senses ready and expedite.
Ver. 12-14.—For whereas for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one should teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth unto them that are of full age, even those who, by reason of use, have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
The charge of a crime or fault intimated in the preceding verse is, as was said, improved and managed for a fuller and more una- voidable conviction. These two things, therefore, doth the apostle design in these words :—1. To give the reason of the general charge he had burdened them withal, and to prove the equity of it in par- ticular instances. This he declareth in that causal conjunction, xa? yép, “for whereas.” 2. To enlarge and further declare the nature of the fault charged on them, from its effects and consequents, with other circumstances. And this is done,—(1.) From an aggravating circumstance of time, or the duration of the season of instruction and growing in knowledge which they had enjoyed: “ Whereas for the time.” (2.) From the consideration of a duty which might justly be expected from them, with respect unto that time and season: “Ye ought to have been teachers.” (8.) From a contrary event, or how things were indeed fallen out with them on the other side: —
VER. 12-14.] EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS. 565
“They had need to be taught what were the first principles of the oracles of God.” And, (4.) The whole is enforced by an antithesis between two sorts of hearers of the word, expressed in an elegant similitude or metaphor. The instructive nature of this similitude consists, [1.] In that likeness or conformity which is between bodily food and the word of the gospel as preached. [2.] In the variety of natural food, as suited unto the various states and conditions of them that feed thereon; answered by the doctrines of truth in the gospel, which are of various kinds. And in the exemplification hereof na- tural food is reduced unto two kinds,—[1.] “ Milk;” [2.] “Strong meat:” and those that feed thereon unto two sorts,—children, and men of ripe age; both which are applied unto the hearers of the word. Wherefore the apostle, in the application of this similitude, represents unto us two sorts of professors of the gospel, or hearers of the word, and gives a description of them by their several qualities. For, [1.] Some there are who are vja01, “babes,” and continue so; and some are réA¢sor, such as are “of full age,” or “ perfect.” [2.] These vi x11, or “babes,” are described by adouble property: for, 1st. They are vabpol rats dxou?s, verse 11, “dull in hearing;” 2dly. They are Greipor réyou Simosooivgs, “unskilful in the word of righteousness.” In opposition hereunto, réA¢so, those who are spiritually adult, are, 1st. Supposed to be txovre¢ votv, such as have understandings, so as to be capable of instruction; 2dly. Are said to have aicdgripia ye- yuwracweva, senses exercised to discern good and evil. The dif- ferent means to be applied unto these different sorts for their good, according to their respective conditions, are expressed in the terms of the metaphor: to the first, yéAa, “ milk;” to the other, oreped rpop7, “strong food,” or nourishment; allcomprisedin the ensuing scheme:—