The Importance of Christian Maturity

Before continuing his argument concerning Melchizedek, the author pauses for an exhortation to maturity which is followed by remarks on the seriousness of apostasy. This digression is important particularly because of the information it provides concerning the character and situation of the addressees.

5:11–12 The author apparently regards the argument concerning Jesus as high priest according to the order of Melchizedek as too difficult for his readers in their present condition. It must be from some previous encounter or some report about them that he concludes they are slow to learn (lit., “sluggish in hearing”). Their slowness in development is an exasperation to the author. The lapse of time, and perhaps something about the readers’ background, sugge…