God often inspired the writers of Scripture to use metaphors to make a point, but the application in one passage does not always mirror its application in another. Paul and the writer of Hebrews used the metaphor of milk and meat to discuss the depth of a Christian’s understanding of God’s word. Those who were only accustomed to milk are like spiritual infants, while those who can eat solid food are spiritually mature and able to digest more than the basics.
This metaphor appears in 1 Corinthians 3:1-2 and Hebrews 5:12-14. In both cases, the writers express disappointment with the original recipients due to their lack of spiritual growth and study of God’s word. By the time these letters were written, the recipients should have understood the basics: the milk. According to Hebrews 6:1-2, the milk pertains primarily to repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of apostolic hands, the resurrection, and eternal judgment. The metaphorical milk Paul had to give the Corinthians also fell into this category, and both writers wanted to move on to other matters concerning Christian life. In these passages, milk has a negative connotation. Christians should mature to solid food!
The apostle Peter also wrote about spiritual milk but did so in a decidedly positive sense. He wrote in 1 Peter 2:1-2, “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” Peter’s use of this metaphor focuses on the newborn baby’s undeterrable desire for his mother’s milk. He is not satisfied with anything else. Similarly, every Christian should always desire God’s pure, unadulterated, undiluted word for their growth.
When Bible readers encounter metaphors like these, they should carefully examine their contextual application to avoid confusion and misunderstanding.
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