Hebrews 13 17

Hebrews 13:17 kjv

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Hebrews 13:17 nkjv

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Hebrews 13:17 niv

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

Hebrews 13:17 esv

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Hebrews 13:17 nlt

Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.

Hebrews 13 verses

Hebrews 13 17 Meaning

Hebrews 13:17 is a direct exhortation to believers regarding their relationship with spiritual leaders within the community. It calls for active obedience and willing submission to those who are guiding them, emphasizing the weighty responsibility of these leaders who constantly watch over the flock and will one day give an account to God for their care. The verse then motivates this submission by explaining that it enables the leaders to carry out their demanding duties with joy, rather than with sorrow or frustration caused by insubordination. The ultimate reason provided for this mutual cooperation is that a harmonious relationship with faithful leadership redounds to the spiritual advantage and benefit of the congregation itself.

Hebrews 13 17 Context

Hebrews chapter 13 serves as the practical application of the extensive theological discourse found in the preceding chapters, which established the superiority of Christ, His new covenant, and His priesthood. The entire letter of Hebrews encourages its audience—likely Jewish Christians potentially contemplating reverting to Judaism due to persecution or discouragement—to persevere in faith. Chapter 13 transitions from theological depth to exhortations concerning various aspects of Christian living, including brotherly love, hospitality, remembrance of prisoners, marriage, contentment, and particularly, relationship with church leadership. Verse 17 directly follows a call to "remember your leaders" (v. 7) and "imitate their faith" (v. 7), but goes further to enjoin present obedience and submission. This highlights the importance of established spiritual authority for the unity, order, and spiritual well-being of the congregation, especially in a context where believers might have been tempted to abandon communal ties or disregard those guiding them through difficult times.

Hebrews 13 17 Word analysis

• Obey (πείθεσθε - peithesthe):
  • Meaning: Be persuaded, believe, yield, comply, obey. It suggests an obedience that arises from trust and conviction rather than mere blind submission or coercion. It implies listening to and trusting the wisdom of those in leadership.
  • Significance: It's not about blind conformity, but a confident responsiveness rooted in a shared understanding of God's truth, as leaders teach in accordance with Christ.
• your leaders (τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν - tois hēgoumenois hymōn):
  • Meaning: Literally "to those who are leading you." Refers to spiritual guides, overseers, or shepherds in the church.
  • Significance: Highlights the ongoing, active role of guiding and setting direction. These are not mere administrative roles but those who go before the flock, setting an example (as noted in Heb 13:7).
• and submit (καὶ ὑπείκετε - kai hypeikete):
  • Meaning: To yield, give way, give in, surrender. A stronger word than "obey," implying a respectful concession or yielding of one's will, especially when differing views exist.
  • Significance: It speaks to a heart posture of deference and cooperation, recognizing the legitimacy of their spiritual authority even when personal preferences might lean otherwise.
• for they keep watch over you (γὰρ αὐτοὶ ἀγρυπνοῦσιν ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν - gar autoi agrypnousin hyper tōn psychōn hymōn):
  • Meaning: "For they themselves are vigilant/sleepless on behalf of your souls."
  • Keep watch (ἀγρυπνοῦσιν - agrypnousin): To be awake, vigilant, to be sleepless. Suggests an unceasing, dedicated, and arduous labor.
  • over you (ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν - hyper tōn psychōn hymōn): Lit. "for/on behalf of your souls." The focus is on their spiritual well-being, growth, and eternal destiny.
  • Significance: Leaders are depicted as tireless guardians, constantly vigilant against spiritual dangers, much like a shepherd guarding sheep from predators. This emphasizes the gravity of their spiritual charge.
• as men who must give an account (ὡς λόγον ἀποδώσοντες - hōs logon apodōsontes):
  • Meaning: "As those who will render an account."
  • Give an account (λόγον ἀποδώσοντες - logon apodōsontes): To render a reckoning, to provide an explanation, to be held accountable for a stewardship.
  • Significance: This underscores the profound responsibility and ultimate divine accountability of leaders to God for their flock. Their vigilance is born out of the knowledge that they are stewards of souls and will be judged on how they discharged this duty. This forms the basis of their authority.
• Let them do this with joy and not with grief (ἵνα μετὰ χαρᾶς τοῦτο ποιῶσιν καὶ μὴ στενάζοντες - hina meta charas touto poiōsin kai mē stenazontes):
  • Meaning: "So that with joy they may do this, and not groaning/sighing."
  • Joy (χαρᾶς - charas): A state of happiness, delight, inner cheerfulness.
  • Grief (στενάζοντες - stenazontes): Groaning, sighing, complaining. Implies a deep inner burden, frustration, or sorrow caused by difficulty, especially by resistance.
  • Significance: This shows the reciprocal nature of the relationship. Submissive followers make the leaders' heavy burden lighter and their work joyful, which benefits all.
• for that would be of no advantage to you (ἀλυσιτελὲς γὰρ ὑμῖν τοῦτο - alysiteles gar hymin touto):
  • Meaning: "For this is unprofitable/useless for you."
  • No advantage (ἀλυσιτελὲς - alysiteles): Unprofitable, without gain, disadvantageous, useless.
  • Significance: Highlights the self-damaging consequences of resistance. If leaders minister in grief, their effectiveness is hindered, and the congregation misses out on the spiritual benefits and growth that come from well-executed leadership. Disunity and disobedience ultimately harm the very people who resist.

Hebrews 13 17 Bonus section

The understanding of leadership in Hebrews 13:17 stands in contrast to hierarchical, authoritarian models that might derive their authority from secular power structures or merely human charisma. Instead, true Christian leadership is defined by watchful care and ultimate accountability to God, operating not for personal gain but for the spiritual welfare of the flock. This servant leadership, as exemplified by Christ Himself as the Great Shepherd (Heb 13:20), is demanding and requires the reciprocal support of those being led. The specific Greek term for "obey" (peitho) implies a willing response to persuasion, emphasizing that spiritual leadership ideally guides through truth and spiritual influence rather than coercive force. The letter's recipients were potentially swayed by various doctrines or customs; the stability of recognized leadership provided an anchor against spiritual drift. The verse, therefore, implicitly guards against both a rebellious spirit within the church and against leaders who would lord it over their charges for self-serving motives, by highlighting the true nature of their burden and their ultimate judge.

Hebrews 13 17 Commentary

Hebrews 13:17 succinctly encapsulates the divinely ordered relationship between spiritual leadership and the congregants within the Christian community. It calls for a respectful and willing submission not merely out of human courtesy, but out of recognition for the arduous and sacred charge leaders bear. These "leaders" are not glorified managers, but devoted spiritual guardians (shepherds) whose vigilance for the "souls" of the believers demands constant attention and effort. The immense pressure they face stems from the ultimate accountability they will render to God. Therefore, the command to "obey" and "submit" is not for the leaders' self-aggrandizement, but a gracious means by which the followers can ease the burden of their watchmen. When leaders are permitted to fulfill their duties with "joy"—because of the responsiveness and unity of the flock—their ministry becomes most effective. Conversely, when forced to minister with "grief" due to unruliness or defiance, their effectiveness is compromised, ultimately leading to a "disadvantage" for the very people who hinder them. This reveals a profound truth: the health and flourishing of the flock are inextricably linked to the harmonious function of its leadership. Examples could include a community that thrives under unified direction, experiencing spiritual growth and protection, versus one marked by division and stagnation due to disregard for its appointed guides.