THE DUTY OF OBEDIENCE TO SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY

17. τοῖς ἡγουμένοις. See Hebrews 13:7. The repetition of the injunction perhaps indicates a tendency to self-assertion and spurious independence among them. “Bishops” in the modern sense did not as yet exist, but in the importance here attached to due subordination to ecclesiastical authority we see the gradual growth of episcopal powers. See 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:17.

ἀγρυπνοῦσιν. Lit., “are sleepless.”

λόγον. See Acts 20:26; Acts 20:28.

μετὰ χαρᾶς. See 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20.

στενάζοντες. Lit., “groaning.”

ἀλυσιτελές. A litotes—i.e. a mild expression purposely used that the reader may correct it by a stronger one—for “disadvantageous.”

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising

Old Testament