On this topic we have much to say and it is difficult to explain, since you have become sluggish in hearing.
Hebrews 5:11 NET
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.
Hebrews 5:11 NIV
We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand.
Hebrews 5:11 CSB
The priesthood of Jesus is a topic that the author of Hebrews spends much of his letter discussing. However, it is clear from this verse and what follows that he is frustrated with his readers. He clearly knows them and wants to take them deeper into this important teaching. But he is finding it challenging. They are slow to respond to his teaching.
The priesthood of Jesus is not a simple topic. But the challenge the author of Hebrews was having here was not the depth of the topic itself. It was the willingness of his hearers to put forth the effort to learn what he had to teach them.
It would seem that his readers were once willing, and maybe even eager, to learn. But no longer. They had become sluggish in learning (NET), no longer trying to understand (NIV), and too lazy to understand (CSB). They had grown satisfied with the elementary truths of the faith (Heb. 6:1-2) and were not interested in going any further.
Going Deeper
What the author of Hebrews was facing is all too common in Christianity today. Too many have little interest in going beyond a surface-level understanding of our faith, the truths contained in the Scripture. It admittedly takes time and effort. But it is time and effort we would often rather invest elsewhere.
But it’s not all their fault. Too many teachers and preachers are willing to keep supplying milk rather than meat (Heb. 5:13-14). They don’t follow the example of the author of Hebrews and challenge their hearers to go deeper. And actually taking us deeper into the truth.
Not every believer is expected to be a scholar, reading Hebrew and Greek, writing commentaries, and being able to discuss all the nuances of Christian doctrine. But we should all be life-long learners, excited to learn and grow in our faith, and willing to pass on what we have learned to others (Heb. 5:12).
