Two words, distinct in the original, are thus translated in the New Testament. The one (neepios) is used reproachfully as descriptive of the state of Jews under the law (Gal. 4:3, trans. “children”) but is never used of a proper Christian state (Rom. 2:20; 1 Cor. 3:1;13. 11; Eph. 6.14; Heb. 5.13). The word implies stunted, undeveloped, and especially “one who has not learned to speak.” Many children of God are in this state, and have never yet been able to say in childlike confidence “Abba Father!” The other word (brephos) is used 1 Peter 2:2, and is descriptive of the true simplicity that should characterize every believer rather than of any particular stage of Christian growth. These will be found in 1 John 2 It may thus be said that in the first sense we ought never, and in the second, we ought always, to be babes.