Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
spiritual Development » Select reading, heb 511-14, 61-16
Concerning this {we have much to say and it is difficult to explain}, since you have become sluggish in hearing. For indeed, [although you] ought to be teachers {by this time}, you have need of someone to teach you again the beginning elements of the oracles of God, and {you have need of} milk, not solid food. For everyone who partakes of milk [is] unacquainted with the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. read more.
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have trained their faculties for the distinguishing of both good and evil.
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have trained their faculties for the distinguishing of both good and evil.
Therefore, leaving behind the elementary message about Christ, let us move on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God, teaching about baptisms and laying on of hands, and resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permits. read more.
For [it is] impossible [concerning] those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and become sharers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age, and having fallen away, to renew [them] again to repentance, [because they] have crucified again for themselves the Son of God and held him up to contempt. For ground that drinks the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth vegetation usable to those [people] {for whose sake} [it is] also cultivated, shares a blessing from God. But [if it] produces thorns and thistles, [it is] worthless and near to a curse, whose end [is] for burning. But even if we are speaking in this way, dear friends, we are convinced of better [things] concerning you, and belonging to salvation. For God [is] not unjust, [so as] to forget your work and the love which you demonstrated for his name [by] having served the saints, and continuing to serve [them]. And we desire each one of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of [your] hope until the end, in order that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and patience. For [when] God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, "Surely {I will greatly bless} you, and {I will greatly multiply} you." And so, [by] persevering, he obtained the promise. For people swear by what is greater [than themselves], and the oath for confirmation [is the] end of all dispute for them.
For [it is] impossible [concerning] those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and become sharers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age, and having fallen away, to renew [them] again to repentance, [because they] have crucified again for themselves the Son of God and held him up to contempt. For ground that drinks the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth vegetation usable to those [people] {for whose sake} [it is] also cultivated, shares a blessing from God. But [if it] produces thorns and thistles, [it is] worthless and near to a curse, whose end [is] for burning. But even if we are speaking in this way, dear friends, we are convinced of better [things] concerning you, and belonging to salvation. For God [is] not unjust, [so as] to forget your work and the love which you demonstrated for his name [by] having served the saints, and continuing to serve [them]. And we desire each one of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of [your] hope until the end, in order that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and patience. For [when] God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, "Surely {I will greatly bless} you, and {I will greatly multiply} you." And so, [by] persevering, he obtained the promise. For people swear by what is greater [than themselves], and the oath for confirmation [is the] end of all dispute for them.
Dullness » Condemned
And {no one takes it to heart}, and [there is] no knowledge and no understanding to say, "I burned half of it in [the] fire and also I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat, and I have eaten. And I shall make [the] rest of it into an abomination! I shall bow down to a block of wood!"
"Son of man, you [are] dwelling in the midst of the house of rebellion {who has eyes to see and they do not see}; {they have ears to hear}, and they do not hear, for they [are] a house of rebellion.
[The] brutish man does not know, and [the] fool cannot understand this.
Hypocrites! You know how to evaluate the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how [is it] you do not know how to evaluate this present time?
{Why} do you not understand my way of speaking? Because you are not able to listen to my message.
[there] is no one who understands; [there] is no one who seeks God.
Concerning this {we have much to say and it is difficult to explain}, since you have become sluggish in hearing.
spiritual Growth » Encouraged » Select readings
Concerning this {we have much to say and it is difficult to explain}, since you have become sluggish in hearing. For indeed, [although you] ought to be teachers {by this time}, you have need of someone to teach you again the beginning elements of the oracles of God, and {you have need of} milk, not solid food. For everyone who partakes of milk [is] unacquainted with the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. read more.
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have trained their faculties for the distinguishing of both good and evil.
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have trained their faculties for the distinguishing of both good and evil.
Therefore, leaving behind the elementary message about Christ, let us move on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God, teaching about baptisms and laying on of hands, and resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permits. read more.
For [it is] impossible [concerning] those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and become sharers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age, and having fallen away, to renew [them] again to repentance, [because they] have crucified again for themselves the Son of God and held him up to contempt. For ground that drinks the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth vegetation usable to those [people] {for whose sake} [it is] also cultivated, shares a blessing from God. But [if it] produces thorns and thistles, [it is] worthless and near to a curse, whose end [is] for burning. But even if we are speaking in this way, dear friends, we are convinced of better [things] concerning you, and belonging to salvation. For God [is] not unjust, [so as] to forget your work and the love which you demonstrated for his name [by] having served the saints, and continuing to serve [them]. And we desire each one of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of [your] hope until the end, in order that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and patience. For [when] God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, "Surely {I will greatly bless} you, and {I will greatly multiply} you." And so, [by] persevering, he obtained the promise. For people swear by what is greater [than themselves], and the oath for confirmation [is the] end of all dispute for them.
For [it is] impossible [concerning] those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and become sharers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age, and having fallen away, to renew [them] again to repentance, [because they] have crucified again for themselves the Son of God and held him up to contempt. For ground that drinks the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth vegetation usable to those [people] {for whose sake} [it is] also cultivated, shares a blessing from God. But [if it] produces thorns and thistles, [it is] worthless and near to a curse, whose end [is] for burning. But even if we are speaking in this way, dear friends, we are convinced of better [things] concerning you, and belonging to salvation. For God [is] not unjust, [so as] to forget your work and the love which you demonstrated for his name [by] having served the saints, and continuing to serve [them]. And we desire each one of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of [your] hope until the end, in order that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and patience. For [when] God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, "Surely {I will greatly bless} you, and {I will greatly multiply} you." And so, [by] persevering, he obtained the promise. For people swear by what is greater [than themselves], and the oath for confirmation [is the] end of all dispute for them.
Immaturity » Who is immature
And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual [people], but as to fleshly [people], as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for you were not yet able [to eat it]. But now you are still not able, for you are still fleshly. For where [there is] jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and do you not live like [unregenerate] people?
Concerning this {we have much to say and it is difficult to explain}, since you have become sluggish in hearing. For indeed, [although you] ought to be teachers {by this time}, you have need of someone to teach you again the beginning elements of the oracles of God, and {you have need of} milk, not solid food. For everyone who partakes of milk [is] unacquainted with the message of righteousness, because he is an infant.
Maturity » Those that are full of age
Concerning this {we have much to say and it is difficult to explain}, since you have become sluggish in hearing. For indeed, [although you] ought to be teachers {by this time}, you have need of someone to teach you again the beginning elements of the oracles of God, and {you have need of} milk, not solid food. For everyone who partakes of milk [is] unacquainted with the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. read more.
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have trained their faculties for the distinguishing of both good and evil.
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have trained their faculties for the distinguishing of both good and evil.
Priest » Before moses » Melchizedek
where Jesus, the forerunner for us, entered, [because he] became a high priest {forever} according to the order of Melchizedek.
And Melchizedek, the king of Salem, brought out bread and wine. (He was the priest of God Most High).
just as also in another [place] he says, "You [are] a priest {forever} according to the order of Melchizedek,"
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham [as he] was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth of everything--in the first place, [his name] is translated "king of righteousness," and then also "king of Salem," that is, "king of peace"; without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God--he remains a priest for all time. read more.
But see how great this man [was], to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth from the spoils! And indeed those of the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a commandment to collect a tenth from the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers, although {they are descended from Abraham}. But the one who did not trace [his] descent from them collected tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. Now without any dispute the inferior is blessed by the more prominent. And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives. And, {so to speak}, even Levi, the one who receives tithes, has paid tithes through Abraham. For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. Thus if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood, for on the basis of it the people received the law, what further need [is there] for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek and not said to be according to the order of Aaron? For [when] the priesthood changes, of necessity there is a change of the law also. For the one about whom these [things] are spoken belongs to another tribe from which no one has officiated at the altar. For [it is] evident that our Lord is a descendant of Judah, a tribe [with reference] to which Moses said nothing concerning priests. And it is still more clear, if another priest according to the likeness of Melchizedek arises, who has become [a priest] not according to a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. For it is testified, "You [are] a priest {forever} according to the order of Melchizedek." For on the one hand a preceding commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law [made] nothing perfect), but on the other hand [there is] the introduction of a better hope through which we draw near to God. And by as much as [this was] not without an oath (for these on the one hand {have become priests} without an oath, but he with an oath by the one who said to him, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You [are] a priest {forever}'"),
But see how great this man [was], to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth from the spoils! And indeed those of the sons of Levi who receive the priesthood have a commandment to collect a tenth from the people according to the law, that is, from their brothers, although {they are descended from Abraham}. But the one who did not trace [his] descent from them collected tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. Now without any dispute the inferior is blessed by the more prominent. And in this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case it is testified that he lives. And, {so to speak}, even Levi, the one who receives tithes, has paid tithes through Abraham. For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. Thus if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood, for on the basis of it the people received the law, what further need [is there] for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek and not said to be according to the order of Aaron? For [when] the priesthood changes, of necessity there is a change of the law also. For the one about whom these [things] are spoken belongs to another tribe from which no one has officiated at the altar. For [it is] evident that our Lord is a descendant of Judah, a tribe [with reference] to which Moses said nothing concerning priests. And it is still more clear, if another priest according to the likeness of Melchizedek arises, who has become [a priest] not according to a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. For it is testified, "You [are] a priest {forever} according to the order of Melchizedek." For on the one hand a preceding commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law [made] nothing perfect), but on the other hand [there is] the introduction of a better hope through which we draw near to God. And by as much as [this was] not without an oath (for these on the one hand {have become priests} without an oath, but he with an oath by the one who said to him, "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You [are] a priest {forever}'"),
being designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Concerning this {we have much to say and it is difficult to explain}, since you have become sluggish in hearing.
Spiritual » Desire select readings, psalms 42; 84 » Dullness, condemned
And {no one takes it to heart}, and [there is] no knowledge and no understanding to say, "I burned half of it in [the] fire and also I baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat, and I have eaten. And I shall make [the] rest of it into an abomination! I shall bow down to a block of wood!"
"Son of man, you [are] dwelling in the midst of the house of rebellion {who has eyes to see and they do not see}; {they have ears to hear}, and they do not hear, for they [are] a house of rebellion.
[The] brutish man does not know, and [the] fool cannot understand this.
Hypocrites! You know how to evaluate the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how [is it] you do not know how to evaluate this present time?
{Why} do you not understand my way of speaking? Because you are not able to listen to my message.
[there] is no one who understands; [there] is no one who seeks God.
Concerning this {we have much to say and it is difficult to explain}, since you have become sluggish in hearing.
Spiritual » Gifts spiritual, promised » Growth
Concerning this {we have much to say and it is difficult to explain}, since you have become sluggish in hearing. For indeed, [although you] ought to be teachers {by this time}, you have need of someone to teach you again the beginning elements of the oracles of God, and {you have need of} milk, not solid food. For everyone who partakes of milk [is] unacquainted with the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. read more.
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have trained their faculties for the distinguishing of both good and evil.
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have trained their faculties for the distinguishing of both good and evil.
Therefore, leaving behind the elementary message about Christ, let us move on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God, teaching about baptisms and laying on of hands, and resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. And this we will do, if God permits. read more.
For [it is] impossible [concerning] those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and become sharers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age, and having fallen away, to renew [them] again to repentance, [because they] have crucified again for themselves the Son of God and held him up to contempt. For ground that drinks the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth vegetation usable to those [people] {for whose sake} [it is] also cultivated, shares a blessing from God. But [if it] produces thorns and thistles, [it is] worthless and near to a curse, whose end [is] for burning. But even if we are speaking in this way, dear friends, we are convinced of better [things] concerning you, and belonging to salvation. For God [is] not unjust, [so as] to forget your work and the love which you demonstrated for his name [by] having served the saints, and continuing to serve [them]. And we desire each one of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of [your] hope until the end, in order that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and patience. For [when] God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, "Surely {I will greatly bless} you, and {I will greatly multiply} you." And so, [by] persevering, he obtained the promise. For people swear by what is greater [than themselves], and the oath for confirmation [is the] end of all dispute for them.
For [it is] impossible [concerning] those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and become sharers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age, and having fallen away, to renew [them] again to repentance, [because they] have crucified again for themselves the Son of God and held him up to contempt. For ground that drinks the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth vegetation usable to those [people] {for whose sake} [it is] also cultivated, shares a blessing from God. But [if it] produces thorns and thistles, [it is] worthless and near to a curse, whose end [is] for burning. But even if we are speaking in this way, dear friends, we are convinced of better [things] concerning you, and belonging to salvation. For God [is] not unjust, [so as] to forget your work and the love which you demonstrated for his name [by] having served the saints, and continuing to serve [them]. And we desire each one of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the full assurance of [your] hope until the end, in order that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and patience. For [when] God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, "Surely {I will greatly bless} you, and {I will greatly multiply} you." And so, [by] persevering, he obtained the promise. For people swear by what is greater [than themselves], and the oath for confirmation [is the] end of all dispute for them.