Fathers

Hebrews 5

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For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one 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 to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

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What the Fathers say

Hebrews 5:11

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Of whom," he says, "we have many things to say and hard to be explained, seeing ye are dull of hearing." Because they do not hear, the doctrine is "hard to be explained." For when one has to do with men who do not go along with him nor mind the things that are spoken, he cannot well explain the subject to them. But perhaps some one of you that stand here, is puzzled, and thinks it a hard case, that owing to the Hebrews, he himself is hindered from hearing the more perfect doctrines. …

Homily on Hebrews 8 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Intending to speak about the superiority of Christ's priesthood, he rebukes his listeners in advance, pointing out that because of their infancy he spoke such lowly things about Christ and occupied himself with teaching about the flesh of Christ. For if they had not been weak, he would long ago have reminded them of loftier things. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Oecumenius

"Concerning this Christ, there is much to say and it is hard to explain." He says it is because of you, that you are sluggish, and you do not grasp the more perfect things about Him. For having spoken so many humble things about the incarnation, he wished to move on to the divine matters. Therefore, because of your cause, he says, that you are sluggish and do not allow for the perfect things, the word concerning how Christ is a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek is hard to explain. …

The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

262. – Then (v. 11) he prepares the souls of his hearers for what is to follow. In regard to this he does two things: first, he shows their slowness; secondly, his intention (chap. 6). In regard to the first he does two things: first, he shows the importance of what is to be said; secondly, their slowness to understand (v. 11b). 263. – He says, therefore: Thus I have said that He was called a high priest: About this we have much to say: 'Hear, for I will speak of great things' (Pr. 8:6). …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗