"Maturity"
(Notes on Hebrews 5:12 - 6:3)
5:12 - " ... Because of the time (Lit.) [it's late!], you ought to be teachers [but], you need again the 'elements of the beginning' (Lit.) (Rudimentary teaching; basic doctrine or principles) ('bereshit' - 'in the beginning', Heb. [Gen. 1:1]; 'Logos' - 'the Word', Gr. [Jn. 1:1] ), of the Oracles ('Logion' - 'utterances', Gr.) of God." (See: Acts 7:38 - Moses and the "Living Oracles"; Deut. 32:47 " ... it is your life!"; Heb. 4:12 " ... The Word of God is living!") [and again] " ... You have come to need milk [basic doctrine; the Ten Commandments; the two 'greatest' Commandments: 'the Law of Love'; and the 'new' Commandment: ' ... even as I have loved you.'], and not solid food ['magnified' Law - see: Is. 42:21, and the Sermon on the Mount; Mt. Ch. 5 - 7]."
5:13 - "For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the Word of Righteousness (All Thy Commandments are Righteousness.' [Ps. 119:172], for he is a babe."
5:14 "But solid food is for the mature, who because of practise [use] have their senses trained to discern good and evil."
The author is saying: "grow up!" (see also: Eph. 4:14,15) - but, Christ has said: " ... become as a little child." (Mt.18:3) The Knowledge of Good and Evil (defined by the Commandments of God!) was one result of primordial sin. We have the Ten Commandments (now magnified by Christ in accordance with Isaiah's prophesy), and the "Law of Love", as a consequence. (Gal. 3:19) Apparently, Adam and Eve's eyes were opened to the knowledge of good and evil, but we must read it in the book, be trained and practise discernment!
6:1 "Therefore, leaving the 'word of the beginning' (again see: Jn. 1:1) about Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works (see below) ... faith toward God (6:2) ... instruction about washings (baptism) ... laying on of hands (annointing and healing) ... Resurrection and eternal judgment." (see: Acts 17:31: " ... He has fixed a day!")
6:3 [God willing, we will!] (press on!) (for some real meat, refer again to the beautiful Sermon on the Mount)
1. See: Gal. 2:16; 3:2 - "Works of the Law" - sacrifice; circumcision; cleanliness; and the civil law of Israel contained in the TORAH (The LAW of Moses) These have been "nailed to the cross" with Christ. (Col. 2:8-14) "The handwriting of Ordinances" (Eph. 2:15) or "decrees" were in the TORAH; not written in stone by the finger of YHSHVH, nor thundered from the mountaintop in the hearing of Israel ("Oh please, Moses, don't let God talk to us anymore, lest we die!" [ paraphasing Ex. 20:19] ) as were the Ten Commandments: The Law of God, which "stands forever" (Ps. 111:8)
2. See Gal. 5:19-20 - "Works of the Flesh" - immorality; impurity; sensuality; idolatry; sorcery; enmities; strife; jealousy; outbursts of anger; disputes; dissensions; factions; envyings; drunkenness; carousings; and things like these.