Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Hebrews: Obey Your Leaders

Based on this evidence, we have good reason to believe that elders existed in Rome at the time the Epistle to the Hebrews was written. Thus we include Hebrews 13: 17 as part of our study on elders.

OBEY AND SUBMIT TO SPIRITUAL LEADERS

The inspired writer points his readers to their responsibility to re member and obey their spiritual leaders because this will significantly help them in their battle against sin. In verse 7 of Hebrews 13, the writer urges his readers to mentally ponder their former leaders’ out standing examples of godly fidelity: “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” In verse 17, the writer exhorts his readers to obey and submit to their present leaders. The purpose of these ex hortations is twofold. First, by contemplating the life examples of their former leaders, the readers will be inspired to greater faithfulness to Christ. Second, by obeying their present leaders, they will be spiritu ally protected and nourished. It is tremendously important that Christians understand God’s will regarding submission and obedience to their spiritual guides. More than any other New Testament passage, Hebrews 13: 17 addresses the believer’s duty to obey the church shepherds. By using two imperative verbs, “obey” and “submit,” the inspired writer intensifies his exhorta tion. His charge is of utmost importance. Although it is difficult to distinguish the precise differences in meaning between these two verbs, “submit” is the stronger and broader of the two. Christians are not only to “obey” their leaders (peitho', meaning “obey,” “to listen to,” “follow”) but are to “submit” to them (hypeiko’, meaning “yield,” “give way,” “defer to”). This means Christians are to be responsive to their leaders, yield to their authority, and subordinate themselves to them even when they have a difference of opinion. Submission to authority is necessary for the proper ordering of so ciety, and the church of God is no exception. “Anarchy then is an evil, and a cause of ruin,” states the ancient churchman, John Chrysostom, “but no less an evil also is the disobedience to rulers. For it comes again to the same. For a people not obeying a ruler, is like one which has none; and perhaps even worse.”5 A spirit of obedience and submission to authority is fundamental to

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