Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Hebrews 5:13

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"For every one that partaketh of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." What is "the Word of righteousness"? He seems to me here to hint at conduct also. That which Christ also said, "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees", this he says likewise, "unskilled in the word of righteousness," that is, he that is unskilled in the philosophy that is above, is unable to embrace a perfect and exact life. …

Homily on Hebrews 8 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

By "righteousness" here he means either a manner of life that is entirely upright, speaking as if to say that the "unskilled" person is not experienced in heavenly wisdom and cannot lead a higher life; Christ also demanded this, saying: "unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees" (Matt. 5:20). …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Oecumenius

To those who are still infants, faith is seen in humble words, (for milk is suitable for infants), but to the perfect, faith is in solid food and the high thinking concerning Christ. "For everyone who lives on milk." For everyone, he says, who partakes of humble words, concerning the humanity of the Lord, (for these are the milk), is unskilled and lacks the word of righteousness.

The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

268. – Then (v. 13) he explains the simile: first he explains what he said about milk; secondly, about solid food: (v. 14). In regard to the first he does two things: first, he gives the explanation; secondly, the reason behind the explanation (v. 13b). 269. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗