The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

This second verse is a further amplification of Paul's complaint, They were babes, and not strong men. Wherein did this appear? by the meat he did provide for them. He compareth himself to a Nurse, who does not provide strong meat, but milk for babes; for that were to kill them, rather then to nourish them. So that in these words, you have Paul's action, and the matter and Object of it, expressed metaphorically: The action, [Greek or Hebrew], I have fed you; or rather, I have given you to drink: For so [Greek or Hebrew] doth properly signify. Mat. 25.25. I was thirsty, [Greek or Hebrew], you gave me drink. So Rom. 12.20. Rev. 14 8. Afterwards it is used for watering. Yet because, in a general sense, milk is called Children's meat, so also may they be said to be fed by it. Now this action of Pauls, does denote the great skill, and prudence, which the Apostle used, considering what was fit for his Hearers, and condescending thereunto. He that was rapt up into the third Heavens, what sublime Mysteries might he have preached upon? But he preaches not to show his parts and learning, but to do good to them. Secondly, You have the object of this action, milk. Although sometimes the whole Word of God, with the truth contained therein, be compared to milk. As when Peter saith, As new born babes desire the sincere milk of the Word, 1 Pet. 2.2. There the strongest Christians are exhorted to be like new born babes, because of the greediness, delight, and sweetness they should find in the Word of God. Therefore the Greek word is, [Greek or Hebrew], swallow it down. But here it's spoken by way of opposition, and doth signify, as compared with