Hebrews 5:12–14 defines true spiritual maturity not as academic knowledge or religious status, but as the practical ability to discern good from evil THROUGH awe (see Hebrews 12:2 and 1 Corinthians 2:2) and action (e.g. like Anton Ego squandering his status as venerated food critic – and actually enjoying good, simple, substantial food …even if it looks foolish, and reckless, and humiliating …even if the food is prepared by a rat [a stumbling block to gastro-snobs, and foolishness to culinary elitists]. Like Anton Ego eating ratatouille in the risky, wild, wavy environment of the open sea, rather than the safety and status-poisoned hoity-toity harbor brasseries and bistros).

To make it as clear as possible —>

The Pharisees possessed elite religious titles, meticulous law-keeping, and societal prestige, masquerading as the spiritually mature (“eating solid food”).

REALITY CHECK: Jesus exposed the Pharisees as spiritually immature, petulant, and “dull of hearing.” Despite their technical “mastery” of Scripture, and their “theological expertise” – they failed to recognize God in the flesh because of their pedantic legalism and their alleged doctrinal precision. They remained on a regression of milk (SKIM MILK …not 1 Peter 2:2 milk), and they were unable to perceive – let alone process – the “solid food” of Jesus’ radically merciful kingdom (see Jonah chapter IV …that’s the Pharisees!). *SOLID FOOD & 1 Peter 2:2 MILK (not skim milk) = Matthew 9:13!

Further Clarification (Galatians 2:11–14)

Peter, Barnabas, and the men from James were leaders and pillars of the early Church—allegedly “mature believers” – capable of serving and feasting on SOLID FOOD and 1 Peter 2:2 MILK.

REALITY CHECK: When Peter, Barnabas, and the men from James withdrew from having lunch with the Gentiles (out of fear of the circumcision party), Paul publicly confronted them for standing condemned – and lovingly offered them the spectacle of shaming them for their hypocrisy. Their status-ism was poison. Peter, Barnabas, and the men from James were leading people down the path of REJECTING God’s invitation to live alone by mercy (see Matthew 9:13; Lamentations 3:22-23; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; Romans 11:32; Habakkuk 3:2). Peter, Barnabas, and the men from James were promoting childish fear and pedantic posturing rather than the refined discernment of the mature.

For the Pharisees, AND Peter, Barnabas, and the men from James – status, doctrinal astuteness, ecclesiastical authority, and religious seniority are stripped away. True maturity (SOLID FOOD & 1 Peter 2:2 MILK [not skim milk]) is PROVEN only when leaders act with emphatic-Jesus of Nazareth alignment! Performative legalism and peer-pressured hypocrisy reveal an underlying, pedantic (negative/skim milk) spiritual infancy.