V. 1.— Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. The Apostle had said that he had many things to say concerning Melchisedec, which were hard to be uttered, in consequence of the Hebrews being dull of hearing. As it is difficult to speak to a deaf man, so it was difficult to explain to them the mystery contained in his history. This was not owing to the subject being new to them, for, considering the time they had been in the school of Christ, they ought to be teachers, and yet they required to be taught again the elements or first principles of the oracles of God, and needed to be fed with milk, and not with strong meat; as milk is suitable for babes, and strong meat for grown up persons. Now the Hebrews, from the advantages which they had enjoyed, ought to have their senses exercised to discern true and false doctrine. But, considering the advantages which they had already enjoyed, and the progress they ought to have made, he would leave the elements or principles of the doctrine of Christ (literally the word of the beginning of Christ, which seems to be the same as what is termed the first principles of the oracles of God, chap. 5:12, literally the elements of the beginning of the oracles of God), he would go on to perfection: that is the explanation of what had been darkly shadowed forth in the Old Testament. He would not again lay the foundation of repentance from dead works [Dead works, mean works deserving death.] and of faith in God, which were so frequently inculcated by Moses and the prophets.