<p>5:12 <i>For when by reason of the time, you ought to be teachers- </i>Paul assumes that every believer over time moves towards a position of being a teacher. Teaching is therefore not just for some; we should be holding forth the knowledge we have for others.</p><p><i>You have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God; and have become as those in need of milk and not solid food</i>- The basic principles were those about Jesus, the word and oracles of God made flesh. For it was this which they had turned away from by returning to Judaism. The things of the Lord Jesus, therefore, are the elementary principles of the Gospel; the focus is upon Him rather than upon teachings about the Kingdom of God on earth, which both Christianity and Judaism at the time were broadly agreed upon.</p><p>The phrase &quot;elemntary principles of the oracles of God&quot; is better rendered in the RVmg. &quot;the beginning of the oracles&hellip;&quot;. The truth we learn and teach before baptism is but a springboard so much further. The writer seems to perceive the tendency to forever be digging up the foundations to make sure they are still there; for he says: &quot;Wherefore let us cease to speak of the first principles of Christ, and press on&hellip;&quot; (Heb. 6:1 RV). Sadly, as he goes on to say, he does have to speak to those particular readers of those basics again, but in a healthy spiritual life this shouldn't be the case. They should have used those basic doctrines to lead them further in following the example of He who was also &quot;made perfect&quot;, who reached 'perfection'. As He was &quot;made perfect&quot; (5:9), so we should strive to go on unto a like 'perfection' (5:14; 6:1). Paul doesn't balk at the height of this calling, unattained as it has been by us all. But it is the lofty height towards which the power of the Gospel can propel us. See on Heb. 6:1.</p><p>Paul likewise lamented the immaturity of the Corinthians in similar terms: &ldquo;I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food&rdquo; (1 Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:12-14) surely alludes to Jn. 16:12, although it doesn&rsquo;t verbally quote it: &ldquo;I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now&rdquo;.</p>