Hebrews 13:17

C. Obedience to elders. Hebrews 13:17.

Text

Hebrews 13:17

Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief; for this were unprofitable for you.

Paraphrase

Hebrews 13:17 Follow the directions of your spiritual guides, and submit yourselves to their admonitions, for they watch over your behaviour for the good of your souls, as those who must give account to God. Obey them, therefore, that they may do this with joy, as having promoted your salvation, and not with mourning on account of your forwardness; for that would be unprofitable for you, ending in your condemnation.

Comment

Obey them that have the rule over you

Beyond any question, this is spiritual rule, for watch over
souls suggests this.

a.

Rulers no doubt refers to rulers in the church for it is unlikely that Christian magistrates existed in government.

b.

Good elders, no doubt, are meant, for elders are to rule. Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; James 5:14-15; 1 Peter 5:1-4.

Hebrews 13:7 indicates former rulers had passed on, and now present rulers are to be obeyed. If elders are qualified, the members will be glad to obey.

and submit to them

Submission rather than resistance, rebellion, and strife is enjoined.

a.

A church can-'t go forward with elders going in one direction and the membership trying to go another.

b.

Of course not every elder is qualified to rule.

Many problems arise when churches carelessly elect unqualified leaders and then refuse to follow, or follow carelessly.

for they watch in behalf of your souls

This pictures the ideal ruler. Paul told the Ephesian elders what to expect of false teachers who would seek to destroy the flock. Acts 20:29. The care of souls is a sacred trust.

as they shall give account

This makes it serious.

a.

James 3:1: Be not many of you teachers is a serious warning.

b.

Ezekiel 3:18-21 suggests the watchman must give account.

that they may do this with joy

It is a joy to be a leader of a devoted church.

a.

See 3 John 1:4. John expressed it, There is no greater joy.

b.

Paul urges the Thessalonians to be faithful, for they were his joy. 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20.

There should be no joy in our heart if we stand in the way of joy in the heart of a righteous elder.

and not with grief

Grief, sorrow, heartache should not be brought on by Christian people into the lives of men who have the care of souls. If the Jerusalem church had different sentiments about the efficacy of the Levitical sacrifices, no doubt much grief was had or would be experienced.

for this were unprofitable for you

This rather suggests that evil would come upon troublemakers.

a.

Note that strife, contention, etc., are named among the fruits of the flesh, Galatians 5:17-21.

b.

Division is condemned in 1 Corinthians 1:10.

It would no doubt be more unfortunate for the trouble-maker than the troubled one. No reward from God is in store for the troubler.

Study Questions

2906.

What rulers are referred to in this verse? How do you know?

2907.

If elders are of the right kind, should we not expect to obey them?

2908.

Whose fault is it if rulers do not watch after souls?

2909.

What verses teach us that elders are to rule?

2910.

What would be the opposite of submit?

2911.

Why should we submit to them?

2912.

Would unqualified men watch over souls?

2913.

Should elders take their work lightly? Cf. Ezekiel 3:18-21.

2914.

Is there joy for the faithful shepherd?

2915.

How did John feel about it? 3 John 1:4.

2916.

Did Paul have joy in his concern?

2917.

Is much of the grief in a church brought on by believers who are not wholly consecrated?

2918.

Are trouble-makers in the church condemned by scripture?

2919.

Are there trouble-makers who do right? Is the Christian to keep silent under all circumstances?