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"Though by this time you ought to be teachers..."

Text: Hebrews 5:12a

THE PASSAGE OF TIME

Time marches on relentlessly. Whether or not we are ready or able to make full use of it, time will come and go, and no one is able to halt its passage. The author of Hebrews hinted at one goal that all believers should have, but unfortunately, not everyone would attain it.

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers,
you need someone to teach you again the fist principles
of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk
and not solid food.”
Hebrews 5:12

1. “By this time” (“dia ton krovon”)

The reference to physical time as we know it is in focus here:-

a) The use of the preposition “dia” strongly suggests a passage of time.

b) Physical time is the issue here (“kronon”) and not just “symbolic time”.

c) A fairly long time must have passed (the generation of the apostles).

2. “You ought”

a) This is the “goal” hinted at by the author of Hebrews.

b) How may we understand the word “ought” (“opheilontes”):-

i) The word “ought” is often used to describe “moral responsibility”.

ii) Every believer should have this sense of “oughtness”.

3. “You ought to be teachers”

a) This goal of being a teacher is not an unrealistic one.

b) The subject content would be:

i) The Lord Jesus Christ

ii) The salvation that He offers to all who believe in Him.

4. No excuse for the problem of being “dull of hearing”

There is little point in making excuses for our spiritual lack! The greater thing to do would be to address the problem and resolve it!