Over the last few years, I've heard several theories of what the expression "the meat of the word" actually means. My own is that it is a reference to teachings on enduring sufferings for Christ's sake, and for the gospels. This interpretation is based on and supported by the following passages of scripture. All are free to respond with their thoughts.
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The expression "the meat of the word" relates specifically to those parts of Christian teaching that are the "toughest" to swallow, more specifically to the teachings in scripture about enduring afflictions, trials, sufferings and persecution for Christ's sake, that we might be counted worthy to reign together with Him in eternity (2 Timothy 2:10-12).
While "the meat and the milk" of the word are mentioned in Hebrews 5, the context in surrounding Chapters is what lays this teaching bare. For instance, in Chapter 10 of Hebrews it states:
32 But recall the former days in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith. But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:32-39)
In other Chapters in Hebrews, the writer compares the New Testament saints "sojourn" to Heaven with the Israelites sojourn to the promised land, (i.e. the "rest" of God he was referring to in both cases). He starts off Chapter 4 with the following:
1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them (the unbelieving Jews), but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said, “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ”although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.” 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disbelief, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said, “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:1-7)
Why did the Israelites harden their hearts and not enter in? Because they feared for their lives, knowing giants were in the land. And thus, the teaching here was simple: New Testament believers, if they would enter into the TRUE promised land which the holy land only typified, needed to believe God and NOT fear for their lives as the faithless Israelites did, but endure afflictions and persecution for His name's sake if necessary. God was angry with the cowardice and faithlessness exhibited by the Israelites who would not enter in, and therefore swore in His wrath that they never would, even after witnessing His power in manifestation. Thus, the writer was saying that we must not fall away in similar fear of what the enemy might do to us (and more specifically to our flesh). This is why he goes on to say in Chapter 6:
1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. (Hebrews 6:1-8)
All of this sets the background for the teaching on the "milk and the meat" of the word in Chapter 5. Living out the gospel involves far more than just baptisms, or laying on of hands to receive anointings and outpourings (the "milk" of Christian teaching which is easy to digest). It must also involve teachings on enduring persecution and affliction in preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 Although He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God. And you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. (Hebrews 5:8-13)
______________________________
The expression "the meat of the word" relates specifically to those parts of Christian teaching that are the "toughest" to swallow, more specifically to the teachings in scripture about enduring afflictions, trials, sufferings and persecution for Christ's sake, that we might be counted worthy to reign together with Him in eternity (2 Timothy 2:10-12).
While "the meat and the milk" of the word are mentioned in Hebrews 5, the context in surrounding Chapters is what lays this teaching bare. For instance, in Chapter 10 of Hebrews it states:
32 But recall the former days in which, after you were enlightened, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; 34 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith. But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:32-39)
In other Chapters in Hebrews, the writer compares the New Testament saints "sojourn" to Heaven with the Israelites sojourn to the promised land, (i.e. the "rest" of God he was referring to in both cases). He starts off Chapter 4 with the following:
1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them (the unbelieving Jews), but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said, “So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest,’ ”although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.” 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disbelief, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said, “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:1-7)
Why did the Israelites harden their hearts and not enter in? Because they feared for their lives, knowing giants were in the land. And thus, the teaching here was simple: New Testament believers, if they would enter into the TRUE promised land which the holy land only typified, needed to believe God and NOT fear for their lives as the faithless Israelites did, but endure afflictions and persecution for His name's sake if necessary. God was angry with the cowardice and faithlessness exhibited by the Israelites who would not enter in, and therefore swore in His wrath that they never would, even after witnessing His power in manifestation. Thus, the writer was saying that we must not fall away in similar fear of what the enemy might do to us (and more specifically to our flesh). This is why he goes on to say in Chapter 6:
1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. (Hebrews 6:1-8)
All of this sets the background for the teaching on the "milk and the meat" of the word in Chapter 5. Living out the gospel involves far more than just baptisms, or laying on of hands to receive anointings and outpourings (the "milk" of Christian teaching which is easy to digest). It must also involve teachings on enduring persecution and affliction in preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 Although He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God. And you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. (Hebrews 5:8-13)
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