Hebrews 5:12

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, etc..] These Hebrews had had great advantages; they were not only descended from Abraham, and had the law of Moses, and the writings of the Old Testament, but some of them had enjoyed the ministry of Christ, and however of his apostles; and it was now about thirty years from the day of Pentecost, in which the gifts of the Holy Ghost were bestowed in such an extraordinary manner, and a large number were converted, and a church state settled among them; and therefore considering the length of time, the opportunities and advantages they had enjoyed, it might have been expected, and indeed it is what should have been, that they would have been…”

“for the time--considering the long time that you have been Christians. Therefore this Epistle was not one of those written early. which be the first principles--Greek, "the rudiments of the beginning of." A Pauline phrase (see on Gal 4:3; Gal 4:9). Ye need not only to be taught the first elements, but also "which they be." They are therefore enumerated Heb 6:1-2 [BENGEL]. ALFORD translates, "That someone teach you the rudiments"; but the position of the Greek, "tina," inclines me to take it interrogatively, "which," as English Version, Syriac, Vulgate, &c. of the oracles of God--namely, of the Old Testament: instead of seeing Christ as the end of the Old Testament Scripture, they were…”

“For when for the time - Considering the time which has elapsed since you were converted. You have been Christians long enough to he expected to understand such doctrines. This verse proves that those to whom he wrote were not recent converts. Ye ought to be teachers - You ought to be able to instruct others. He does not mean to say, evidently, that they ought all to become public teachers, or preachers of the gospel, but that they ought to be able to explain to others the truths of the Christian religion. As parents they ought to be able to explain them to their children; as neighbors, to their neighbors; or as friends, to those who were inquiring the way to life. Ye have need - That is,…”

“Ye have need that one teach you again which are the first principles of religion. Accordingly these are enumerated in Heb 6:1. And have need of milk - The first and plainest doctrines. Hebrews 5:13”

“5:12 Their lack of spiritual vitality was especially shocking since they had been believers so long: They ought to have been spiritual leaders who were teaching others from their wealth of knowledge and Christian experience. • the basic things: The most rudimentary aspects of the Christian faith (see 6:1-3). • The imagery of milk and solid food (or meat) was used to distinguish basic from advanced education, and immature from mature students.”

“for the: Mat 17:17; Mar 9:19 teachers: Ezr 7:10; Psa 34:11; Co1 14:19; Col 3:16; Tit 2:3, Tit 2:4 teach: Isa 28:9, Isa 28:10, Isa 28:13; Phi 3:1 the first: Heb 6:1 the oracles: Sa2 16:23; Act 7:38; Rom 3:2; Pe1 4:11 as have: Heb 5:13; Isa 55:1; Co1 3:1-3; Pe1 2:2 Hebrews 5:13”