Hebrews 5:14

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The anonymous author of Hebrews addresses Jewish believers who have stalled at elementary instruction, pairing this verse with 5:13 to draw a line between infancy and maturity in the life of faith.

The words — stereā trophē (στερεὰ τροφή), literally "solid food," stands in direct contrast to the milk of the preceding verse; teleiōn (τελεῖων), "mature," shares its root with teleioō ("perfect"), a term used eleven times in Hebrews for the goal of the believer's journey.

The thread — 1 Corinthians 2:14 identifies the inability to discern spiritual things as the mark of the natural person; 1 Thessalonians 5:21 commands believers to test all things and hold fast to what is good; Philippians 1:9 prays that love would abound in knowledge and depth of insight.

Why it lands — The verse locates discernment not in a single act of understanding but in repeated, deliberate practice ("through use"), making moral judgment a trained capacity rather than a gift bestowed once.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.
Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
Isaiah 7:15 By the time He knows enough to reject evil and choose good, He will be eating curds and honey.
1 Corinthians 2:6 Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
Ephesians 1:18 I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,
Matthew 6:22 The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.
Ephesians 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.
Philippians 3:15 All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well.
1 Kings 3:9 Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”