3 Bible Verses about Immaturity

However, I could not speak to you, my brethren, as to the spiritual, or as to the dispassionate, but as to novices in christianity. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, nor have you yet sufficient strength. for you are still subject to your passions. since envy, and strife, and divisions are among you, are you not actuated by the vices of the animal part?

On this head we have many things to say, not easily to be comprehended, because of your prejudices. for though by this time you ought to be capable of teaching others, you want to be instructed anew in the first principles of the divine oracles; and are in such a state as to stand in need of milk, rather than of solid nourishment. now he that is disciplined like a child, is not prepared for the doctrine of justification:

when I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I reasoned as a child: but when I became a man, I laid aside my childish ways. now we do but indirectly see the faint images of things; but then the objects themselves will be before our eyes; now I have a partial knowledge, but then shall I know, even as I myself am known.

Brethren, be not childish in understanding: be as innocent as babes, but use your understanding like men.

However, I could not speak to you, my brethren, as to the spiritual, or as to the dispassionate, but as to novices in christianity. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, nor have you yet sufficient strength.

even so we, whilst we were children, were in a state of servitude to the elements of the world. but when the time appointed was accomplished,

Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, is in a state of servitude, tho' he is to be lord of all; being under tutors and guardians, 'till the time prefix'd by his father.

for though by this time you ought to be capable of teaching others, you want to be instructed anew in the first principles of the divine oracles; and are in such a state as to stand in need of milk, rather than of solid nourishment.

which is without any mixture, and will make you thrive. Since you have tasted how good the Lord is,

that we should be no longer children, fluctuating, and carried about with every empty doctrine, by men vers'd in sleight and the crafty arts of deceit: