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id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="http://biblehub.com/commentaries/">Commentaries</a> > Hebrews 13:17</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../hebrews/13-16.htm" title="Hebrews 13:16">◄</a> Hebrews 13:17 <a href="../hebrews/13-18.htm" title="Hebrews 13:18">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">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 <i>is</i> unprofitable for you.</div><div id="jump">Jump to: <a href="/commentaries/alford/hebrews/13.htm" title="Henry Alford - Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary">Alford</a> • <a href="/commentaries/barnes/hebrews/13.htm" title="Barnes' Notes">Barnes</a> • <a href="/commentaries/bengel/hebrews/13.htm" title="Bengel's Gnomen">Bengel</a> • <a href="/commentaries/benson/hebrews/13.htm" title="Benson Commentary">Benson</a> • <a href="/commentaries/illustrator/hebrews/13.htm" title="Biblical Illustrator">BI</a> • <a href="/commentaries/calvin/hebrews/13.htm" title="Calvin's Commentaries">Calvin</a> • <a href="/commentaries/cambridge/hebrews/13.htm" title="Cambridge Bible">Cambridge</a> • <a href="/commentaries/chrysostom/hebrews/13.htm" title="Chrysostom Homilies">Chrysostom</a> • <a href="/commentaries/clarke/hebrews/13.htm" title="Clarke's Commentary">Clarke</a> • <a 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<a href="/commentaries/hastings/hebrews/13-8.htm" title="Hastings Great Texts">Hastings</a> • <a href="/commentaries/homiletics/hebrews/13.htm" title="Pulpit Homiletics">Homiletics</a> • <a href="/commentaries/icc/hebrews/13.htm" title="ICC NT Commentary">ICC</a> • <a href="/commentaries/jfb/hebrews/13.htm" title="Jamieson-Fausset-Brown">JFB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/kelly/hebrews/13.htm" title="Kelly Commentary">Kelly</a> • <a href="/commentaries/king-en/hebrews/13.htm" title="Kingcomments Bible Studies">King</a> • <a href="/commentaries/lange/hebrews/13.htm" title="Lange Commentary">Lange</a> • <a href="/commentaries/maclaren/hebrews/13.htm" title="MacLaren Expositions">MacLaren</a> • <a href="/commentaries/mhc/hebrews/13.htm" title="Matthew Henry Concise">MHC</a> • <a href="/commentaries/mhcw/hebrews/13.htm" title="Matthew Henry Full">MHCW</a> • <a href="/commentaries/meyer/hebrews/13.htm" title="Meyer Commentary">Meyer</a> • <a href="/commentaries/parker/hebrews/13.htm" title="The People's Bible by Joseph Parker">Parker</a> • <a href="/commentaries/pnt/hebrews/13.htm" title="People's New Testament">PNT</a> • <a href="/commentaries/poole/hebrews/13.htm" title="Matthew Poole">Poole</a> • <a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/13.htm" title="Pulpit Commentary">Pulpit</a> • <a href="/commentaries/sermon/hebrews/13.htm" title="Sermon Bible">Sermon</a> • <a href="/commentaries/sco/hebrews/13.htm" title="Scofield Reference Notes">SCO</a> • <a href="/commentaries/ttb/hebrews/13.htm" title="Through The Bible">TTB</a> • <a href="/commentaries/vws/hebrews/13.htm" title="Vincent's Word Studies">VWS</a> • <a href="/commentaries/wes/hebrews/13.htm" title="Wesley's Notes">WES</a> • <a href="#tsk" title="Treasury of Scripture Knowledge">TSK</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="comtype">EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)</div><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hebrews/13.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) The present section of the chapter begins (<a href="/hebrews/13-7.htm" title="Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.">Hebrews 13:7</a>) and ends (<a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm" title="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</a>) with a reference to the rulers of the Church: Remember your former leaders, and imitate their faith; obey them that lead you now.<p><span class= "bld">Submit yourselves.</span>—Better, <span class= "ital">yield </span>(<span class= "ital">to them</span>)<span class= "ital">.</span> Besides fulfilling their injunctions, be ready to comply with their wishes and requests.<p><span class= "bld">For they watch.</span>—The Greek is emphatic: “For it is they that watch on behalf of your souls as having to give account.”<p><span class= "bld">That they may do it.</span>—Be obedient and yielding to them, <span class= "ital">that they may do this</span> (may watch for your souls) <span class= "ital">with joy and not sighing</span> (or, <span class= "ital">groaning</span>)<span class= "ital">, for this would be unprofitable for you</span>; if ye so live that they must watch over you with grief, this will both weaken their hands and bring on you the divine displeasure. <span class= "ital">No</span> words could more powerfully present to members of the Church the motives for obedience to their spiritual guides; and to these guides themselves the ideal of their work and life, as men who are keeping watch for souls, either with rejoicing or with mourning (<a href="/acts/20-31.htm" title="Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.">Acts 20:31</a>), ever mindful of the account they must give to God for the flock which He entrusted to their care (<a href="/ezekiel/3-18.htm" title="When I say to the wicked, You shall surely die; and you give him not warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand.">Ezekiel 3:18</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/33-7.htm" title="So you, O son of man, I have set you a watchman to the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.">Ezekiel 33:7</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/34-10.htm" title="Thus said the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.">Ezekiel 34:10</a>; <a href="/1_peter/5-4.htm" title="And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away.">1Peter 5:4</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/benson/hebrews/13.htm">Benson Commentary</a></div><span class="bld"><a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm" title="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</a></span>. <span class="ital">Obey them that have the rule over you — </span>The expression, <span class="greekheb">τοις ηγουμενοις</span>, implies also, <span class="ital">that lead </span>or <span class="ital">guide you, </span>namely, in truth and holiness; <span class="ital">and submit yourselves </span>— To them with a becoming respect, even though their office should render it sometimes necessary for them to reprove you for some instances of misconduct, or to urge you to duties which you are averse to perform. Give up to them, not your conscience or judgment, but your own will, in all things purely indifferent; <span class="ital">for they watch for your souls </span>— With all zeal and diligence they guard and caution you against all danger; <span class="ital">as they that must give an account </span>— To the great Shepherd for every part of their behaviour toward you. Chrysostom says, he never read these words of the apostle without <span class="ital">trembling, </span>though he often preached several times in a day. How vigilant then ought every pastor to be, how careful of every soul committed to his charge; <span class="ital">that they may do it </span>— May watch over you; <span class="ital">with joy and not with grief </span>— Greek, <span class="greekheb">μη στεναζοντες</span>, <span class="ital">not groaning, </span>under discouragement and grief on account of the little success of their ministry among you; <span class="ital">for that is </span>— Or would be; <span class="ital">unprofitable for you </span>— Both, here and hereafter; for besides discouraging your guides, it would displease the Lord Jesus, and preclude or endanger your eternal salvation. “He is not a good shepherd, who does not either rejoice over his flock or groan for them. The groans of other creatures are heard: how much more shall these come up into the ears of God! Whoever answers this character of a Christian pastor, may undoubtedly demand this obedience.” — Wesley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="mhc" id="mhc"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/mhc/hebrews/13.htm">Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary</a></div>13:16-21 We must, according to our power, give to the necessities of the souls and bodies of men: God will accept these offerings with pleasure, and will accept and bless the offerers through Christ. The apostle then states what is their duty to living ministers; to obey and submit to them, so far as is agreeable to the mind and will of God, made known in his word. Christians must not think themselves too wise, too good, or too great, to learn. The people must search the Scriptures, and so far as the ministers teach according to that rule, they ought to receive their instructions as the word of God, which works in those that believe. It is the interest of hearers, that the account their ministers give of them may be with joy, and not with grief. Faithful ministers deliver their own souls, but the ruin of a fruitless and faithless people will be upon their own heads. The more earnestly the people pray for their ministers, the more benefit they may expect from their ministry. A good conscience has respect to all God's commands, and all our duty. Those who have this good conscience, yet need the prayers of others. When ministers come to a people who pray for them, they come with greater satisfaction to themselves, and success to the people. We should seek all our mercies by prayer. God is the God of peace, fully reconciled to believers; who has made a way for peace and reconciliation between himself and sinners, and who loves peace on earth, especially in his churches. He is the Author of spiritual peace in the hearts and consciences of his people. How firm a covenant is that which has its foundation in the blood of the Son of God! The perfecting of the saints in every good work, is the great thing desired by them, and for them; and that they may at length be fitted for the employment and happiness of heaven. There is no good thing wrought in us, but it is the work of God. And no good thing is wrought in us by God, but through Christ, for his sake and by his Spirit.<a name="bar" id="bar"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/barnes/hebrews/13.htm">Barnes' Notes on the Bible</a></div>Obey them that have the rule over you - Margin, guide; see notes on <a href="/hebrews/13-7.htm">Hebrews 13:7</a>. The reference here is to their religious teachers, and not to civil rulers. They were to show them proper respect, and to submit to their authority in the church, so far as it was administered in accordance with the precepts of the Saviour. The obligation to obedience does not, of course, extend to anything which is wrong in itself, or which would be a violation of conscience. The doctrine is, that subordination is necessary to the welfare of the church, and that there ought to be a disposition to yield all proper obedience to those who are set over us in the Lord; compare notes on <a href="http://biblehub.com/1_thessalonians/5-12.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:12-13</a>.<p>And submit yourselves - That is, to all which they enjoin that is lawful and right. There are in relation to a society:<p>(1) those things which God has positively commanded - which are always to be obeyed.<p>(2) many things which have been agreed on by the society as needful for its welfare - and these are to be submitted to unless they violate the rights of conscience; and<p>(3) many things which are in themselves a matter of no express divine command, and of no formal enactment by the community. They are matters of convenience; things that tend to the order and harmony of the community, and of the propriety of these, "rulers" in the church and elsewhere should be allowed to judge, and we should submit to them patiently.<p>Hence, in the church we are to submit to all the proper regulations for conducting public worship; for the promotion of religion; and for the administration of discipline.<p>For they watch for your souls - They have no selfish aim in this. They do not seek "to lord it over God's heritage." It is for your own good that they do this, and you should therefore submit to these arrangements. And this shows also the true principle on which authority should be exercised in a church. It should be in such a way as to promote the salvation of the people; and all the arrangements should be with that end. The measures adopted, therefore, and the obedience enjoined, should not be arbitrary, oppressive, or severe, but should be such as will really promote salvation.<p>As they that must give account - To God. The ministers of religion must give account to God for their fidelity. For all that they teach, and for every measure which they adopt, they must soon be called into judgment. There is, therefore, the best security that under the influence of this solemn truth they will pursue only that course which will be for your good.<p>That they may do it with joy, and not with grief - Greek μὴ στενάζοντες mē stenazontes - not sighing, or groaning; as they would who had been unsuccessful. The meaning is, that they should so obey, that when their teachers came to give up their account they need not do it with sorrow over their perverseness and disobedience.<p>For this is unprofitable for you - That is, their giving up their account in that manner - as unsuccessful in their efforts to save you - would not be of advantage to you, but would be highly injurious. This is a strong mode of expressing the idea that it must be attended with eminent peril to their souls to have their religious teachers go and give an account against them. As they would wish, therefore, to avoid that, they should render to them all proper honor and obedience. <a name="jfb" id="jfb"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/jfb/hebrews/13.htm">Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary</a></div>17. Obey them that have the rule over you—(Compare Heb 13:7, 24). This threefold mention of the rulers is peculiar to this Epistle. In other Epistles Paul includes the rulers in his exhortations. But here the address is limited to the general body of the Church, in contrast to the rulers to whom they are charged to yield reverent submission. Now this is just what might be expected when the apostle of the Gentiles was writing to the Palestine Christians, among whom James and the eleven apostles had exercised a more immediate authority. It was important he should not seem to set himself in opposition to their guides, but rather strengthen their hands; he claims no authority directly or indirectly over these rulers themselves [Birks]. "Remember" your deceased rulers (Heb 13:7). "Obey" your living rulers; nay, more, not only obey in cases where no sacrifice of self is required, and where you are persuaded they are right (so the Greek, for "obey"), but "submit yourselves" as a matter of dutiful yielding, when your judgment and natural will incline you in an opposite direction.<p>they—on their part; so the Greek. As they do their part, so do you yours. So Paul exhorts, 1Th 5:12, 13.<p>watch—"are vigilant" (Greek).<p>for—Greek, "in behalf of."<p>must give account—The strongest stimulus to watchfulness (Mr 13:34-37). Chrysostom was deeply struck with these words, as he tells us [On the Priesthood, 6], "The fear of this threat continually agitates my soul."<p>do it—"watch for your soul's eternal salvation." It is a perilous responsibility for a man to have to give account for others' deeds, who is not sufficient for his own [Estius, from Aquinas]. I wonder whether it be possible that any of the rulers should be saved [Chrysostom]. Compare Paul's address to the elders, Ac 20:28; 1Co 4:1-5, where also he connects ministers' responsibility with the account to be hereafter given (compare 1Pe 5:4).<p>with joy—at your obedience; anticipating, too, that you shall be their "joy" in the day of giving account (Php 4:1).<p>not with grief—at your disobedience; apprehending also that in the day of account you may be among the lost, instead of being their crown of rejoicing. In giving account, the stewards are liable to blame if aught be lost to the Master. "Mitigate their toil by every office of attention and respect, that with alacrity, rather than with grief, they may fulfil their duty, arduous enough in itself, even though no unpleasantness be added on your part" [Grotius].<p>that—Grief in your pastors is unprofitable for you, for it weakens their spiritual power; nay, more, "the groans (so the Greek for 'grief') of other creatures are heard; how much more of pastors!" [Bengel]. So God will be provoked to avenge on you their "groaning" (Greek). If they must render God an account of their negligence, so must you for your ingratitude to them [Grotius].<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/poole/hebrews/13.htm">Matthew Poole's Commentary</a></div> <span class="bld">Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:</span> the further duty required by Christ from the subjects of his kingdom, is their due demeanour to their present pastors, and church guides, or rulers. He chargeth them to esteem and account of them, as they are, and he hath constituted them in his church, to attend on their ministry and teaching, yielding full obedience of faith to the doctrine which they delivered from Christ, and to be subject to the power and authority Christ hath given them over them for their edification, and not for destruction; and that they imitate them in their believing and holy conversation, <span class="bld"><a href="/acts/20-18.htm" title="And when they were come to him, he said to them, You know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,">Acts 20:18</a></span>. And this as to all of them, set over them by the Holy Ghost, whether ordinary or extraordinary, as the apostles, evangelists, elders, pastors, teachers, doing all as commissioned by Christ, and in his name exercising their power and authority, according to his express written law about it, <span class="bld"><a href="/ephesians/4-11.htm" title="And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;">Ephesians 4:11</a>,12</span>; knowing that who receiveth or despiseth them, dealeth so with Christ and God, who sent them, <span class="bld"><a href="/matthew/10-40.htm" title="He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him that sent me.">Matthew 10:40</a> <a href="/luke/10-16.htm" title="He that hears you hears me; and he that despises you despises me; and he that despises me despises him that sent me.">Luke 10:16</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">For they watch for your souls, as they that must give account:</span> good reason have they to perform this duty, because of their concern in and care for their souls. How great, by Christ’s law, are the night watchings, and day cares, and tears, studies, exhortations, reproofs, comfortings, their preachings, and prayers with tears, and strong cries to God for their souls! Will you pay duty to those who watch to preserve and protect your natural life, and not unto those spiritual watchers, and God’s charge given to them? <span class="bld"><a href="/context/acts/20-28.htm" title="Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood....">Acts 20:28-31</a> <a href="/2_timothy/4-5.htm" title="But watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry.">2 Timothy 4:5</a> <a href="/revelation/3-2.htm" title="Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found your works perfect before God.">Revelation 3:2</a>,3</span>. And God will exact an account of them for your souls; and they must render it at a dear rate, <span class="bld"><a href="/context/ezekiel/3-17.htm" title="Son of man, I have made you a watchman to the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me....">Ezekiel 3:17-21</a> 33:7,9</span>. It is at their peril, if they are faithless and neglect their duty, and your souls miscarry, <span class="bld"><a href="/matthew/18-23.htm" title="Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, which would take account of his servants.">Matthew 18:23</a> 25:14,30</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">That they may do it with joy, and not with grief; </span> that they may not only do their work cheerfully and comfortably among you, but that they may give up their account joyfully about you to God, when they have brought you home to him, <span class="bld"><a href="/1_thessalonians/2-19.htm" title="For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?">1 Thessalonians 2:19</a>,20</span>; and which will be an eternal comfort unto you, <span class="bld"><a href="/2_thessalonians/1-7.htm" title="And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,">2 Thessalonians 1:7</a>,10</span>. If you be disobedient to them, though they will have their reward for their fidelity from their Lord, yet with what sighs, tears, groans, sorrow, and heaviness of heart, must they see their labours and your souls lost, and to charge you before God with it! <span class="bld"><a href="/2_corinthians/3-15.htm" title="But even to this day, when Moses is read, the veil is on their heart.">2 Corinthians 3:15</a>,16 12:21</span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="bld">For that is unprofitable for you:</span> and what damage will both your disobedience to the word of God and them, and their account of it to God, bring on yourselves! Will it then quit the cost to find your punishment more intolerable than that of Sodom and Gomorrah, <span class="bld"><a href="/matthew/10-15.htm" title="Truly I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.">Matthew 10:15</a> <a href="/matthew/11-22.htm" title="But I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.">Matthew 11:22</a>,24</span>, when he will give you your portion with hypocrites, <span class="bld"><a href="/matthew/24-51.htm" title="And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.">Matthew 24:51</a></span>, and punish you with everlasting destruction? <span class="bld"><a href="/context/2_thessalonians/1-7.htm" title="And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,...">2 Thessalonians 1:7-9</a></span>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="gil" id="gil"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/gill/hebrews/13.htm">Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible</a></div>Obey them that have the rule over you,.... Not the ecclesiastical rulers among the Jews, for to these they were no longer obliged, they being no longer under such tutors and governors; nor civil magistrates, though it was their duty to obey them, even Heathen ones; for as for Christian magistrates, as yet there were none; but their spiritual guides and governors, the same that are mentioned <a href="/hebrews/13-7.htm">Hebrews 13:7</a> these the apostle exhorts them to "obey": by constantly tending upon the word preached by them, and hearkening to it; by receiving it with faith and love, as it appears agreeable to the Scriptures; for a contrary behaviour is pernicious to souls, and highly resented by God; and by being present at, and joining with them in the ordinances of Christ, as administered by them; and by regarding their admonitions, counsels, and advice: <p>and submit yourselves; to the laws of Christ's house, as put in execution by them; and to their censures and reproofs, as delivered by the authority of the church; for they are spiritual fathers, and children should obey their parents, and submit to them; they are the ambassadors of Christ, stand in his stead, and represent him, wherefore their authority is great; and they are pastors or shepherds of the flock, whom the sheep should follow: <p>for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account: they watch not for themselves, for their worldly gain and advantage, and for the estates of men; but for the souls of men, to do them good, to comfort and edify them, to feed them with knowledge and understanding, and for the salvation of them; as such that must give an account to their own consciences, that they discharge their work aright, or they cannot be satisfied; and to the church, to whom they minister, to whom they are accountable, if they are dilatory and negligent; and especially as such as must stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and give an account to him of their ministry, of their use of talents committed to them, and of souls that are put under their care and charge; how they have discharged their duty to the souls of men, and how these have behaved towards them under the ministry of the word: the Alexandrian copy and the Vulgate Latin version read, "for they watch, as those that must give an account for your souls": the sense is much the same: <p>that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; either do their work with joy, cheerfully; which they do, when they are obeyed and submitted to; when men attend upon the word and ordinances administered by them, and receive advantage, and grow in grace and spiritual knowledge; when they abide by the Gospel, and walk worthy of it; otherwise they do their work heavily, and with sorrow: or else give up their account with joy, and not with grief; either at the throne of grace, where they either rejoice or complain; or at the great day, when they will be witnesses, either for or against those that have been committed to them: <p>for that is unprofitable unto you; for whose souls they watch; that is, the latter would be so, either to do their work sorrowing, or to give up their account by way of complaint; either of them must be to the disadvantage of such persons that occasion grief and sorrow. <a name="gsb" id="gsb"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/gsb/hebrews/13.htm">Geneva Study Bible</a></div><span class="cverse2"><span class="cverse3">{10}</span> 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 <i>is</i> unprofitable for you.</span><p>(10) We must obey the warnings and admonitions of our ministers and elders, who watch for the salvation of the souls that are committed to them.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><div class="comtype">EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)</div><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/meyer/hebrews/13.htm">Meyer's NT Commentary</a></div><a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm" title="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</a>. Exhortation to obedience to the presidents of the assembly. Comp. <a href="/context/1_thessalonians/5-12.htm" title="And we beseech you, brothers, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;...">1 Thessalonians 5:12-13</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">Πείθεσθε τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν καὶ ὑπείκετε</span>] <span class="ital">Obey your leaders, and yield to them</span>. Bengel: Obedite in iis, quae praecipiunt vobis tanquam salutaria; concedite, etiam ubi videntur plusculum postulare. The demand presupposes, for the rest, that the author knew the <span class="greekheb">ἡγούμενοι</span> as men like-minded with himself, who had kept themselves free from the hankering after defection.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀγρυπνοῦσιν</span> ὑ̔<span class="greekheb">πὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν</span>] <span class="ital">for it is they who watch for your souls, for the salvation thereof</span>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">ὡς λόγον ἀποδώσοντες</span>] <span class="ital">as those who must give an account</span> (of the same), <span class="ital">sc</span>. to God and the Lord at His return.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">ἵνα</span>] is the subsequently introduced note of design to <span class="greekheb">πείθεσθε καὶ ὑπείκετε</span>. On that account, however, it is not permitted, with Grotius, Carpzov, and others, to enclose <span class="greekheb">αὐτοὶ γὰρ</span> … <span class="greekheb">ὑμῶν</span> within a parenthesis; because the subject-matter of the clause of design refers back to the subject-matter of the foregoing establishing clause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">μετὰ χαρᾶς</span>] <span class="ital">with joy</span>, namely, over your docility.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">τοῦτο</span>] <span class="ital">sc</span>. <span class="greekheb">τὸ ἀγρυπνεῖν</span>. Erroneously do Owen, Whitby, Michaelis, M‘Lean, Heinrichs, Stuart, and others supplement <span class="greekheb">τὸ λόγον ἀποδιδόναι</span>. For the latter takes place only in the future, whereas the conjunctive of the <span class="ital">present</span> <span class="greekheb">ποιῶσιν</span> points to that which is already to be done in the present.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">καὶ μὴ στενάζοντες</span>] <span class="ital">and without sighing, sc</span>. over your intractableness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">ἀλυσιτελές</span>] <span class="ital">unprofitable</span>, inasmuch as it will bring you no gain, but, on the contrary, will call down upon you the chastisement of God. A <span class="ital">litotes</span>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="greekheb">τοῦτο</span>] <span class="ital">sc</span>. <span class="greekheb">τὸ στενάζειν</span>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/egt/hebrews/13.htm">Expositor's Greek Testament</a></div><a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm" title="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</a>–End. The conclusion of the Epistle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/cambridge/hebrews/13.htm">Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges</a></div><span class="bld">17</span>. <span class="ital">them that have the rule over you</span>] See <a href="/hebrews/13-7.htm" title="Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.">Hebrews 13:7</a>. The repetition on 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 <a href="/context/1_thessalonians/5-12.htm" title="And we beseech you, brothers, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;...">1 Thessalonians 5:12-13</a>; <a href="/1_timothy/5-17.htm" title="Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.">1 Timothy 5:17</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">they watch</span>] Lit. “are sleepless.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">that must give account</span>] See <a href="/acts/20-26.htm" title="Why I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.">Acts 20:26</a>; <a href="/acts/20-28.htm" title="Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.">Acts 20:28</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">with joy</span>] See <a href="/context/1_thessalonians/2-19.htm" title="For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?...">1 Thessalonians 2:19-20</a>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">with grief</span>] Lit. “groaning.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="ital">unprofitable</span>] A <span class="ital">litotes</span>—i.e. a mild expression purposely used that the reader may correct it by a stronger one—for “disadvantageous.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/bengel/hebrews/13.htm">Bengel's Gnomen</a></div><a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm" title="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</a>. <span class="greekheb">Πείθεσθε</span>, <span class="ital">obey</span>) Evince (have) <span class="ital">remembrance</span> towards your deceased teachers, <a href="/hebrews/13-7.htm" title="Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.">Hebrews 13:7</a>; <span class="ital">obedience</span> towards them that are still alive.—<span class="greekheb">ὑπείκετε</span>, <span class="ital">submit</span>) This is more than to obey. <span class="ital">Obey</span> in those things which they command you to do as salutary: <span class="ital">submit</span>, even when they seem to demand a little more. <span class="greekheb">Ἵνα</span>, <span class="ital">that</span>, depends on this verb.—<span class="greekheb">αὐτοὶ</span>, <span class="ital">they</span>) As <span class="ital">they</span> are zealously careful, so, when they wish you to be careful, you ought to <span class="ital">submit</span>.—<span class="greekheb">ὡς λόγον ἀποδώσοντες</span>, <span class="ital">as they that are to give an account</span>) Truly this consideration both causes a man to be watchful, and to avoid any abuse of authority. The soul of Chrysostom was always struck with these words, as he himself confesses at the beginning of the 6th Book de Sacerdotio, on which passage we have made some observations, p. 490.—<span class="greekheb">μετὰ χαρᾶς</span>, <span class="ital">with joy</span>) if they see you respond to their vigilance.—<span class="greekheb">τοῦτο</span>, <span class="ital">this</span>) This <span class="greekheb">τοῦτο</span> does not refer to <span class="ital">they who are to give an account</span>, but to <span class="ital">they watch</span>. Disciples ought to <span class="ital">obey</span> and <span class="ital">submit</span> to their teachers, <span class="ital">so that with joy</span>, etc. It would be not a joyous (<span class="greekheb">μετὰ χαρᾶς</span>) thing for the teachers themselves to <span class="ital">give in their account with sorrow</span> [therefore <span class="greekheb">τοῦτο</span> does not refer to the <span class="ital">giving in the account</span>]: on the contrary, <span class="ital">to watch with sorrow</span>, is not hurtful to the teachers, it is “unprofitable” to the hearers.—<span class="greekheb">καὶ μὴ</span>, <span class="ital">and not</span>) He is not a good minister who does not either <span class="ital">rejoice</span> or <span class="ital">grieve</span>, or do both.—<span class="greekheb">στενάζοντες</span>, <span class="ital">with grief</span>) The groans of other creatures are heard; how much more of pastors?—<span class="greekheb">ἀλυσιτελὲς</span>, <span class="ital">unprofitable</span>) Sorrow, opposed to <span class="ital">joy</span>, from which <span class="ital">griefs</span> (<span class="ital">groans</span>, implied in <span class="greekheb">στενάζοντες</span>) are derived, greatly weakens the teachers; and their <span class="ital">sighs</span> are <span class="ital">not profitable</span>, nay, are very injurious to the disciples.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="pul" id="pul"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hebrews/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Obey them that have the rule over you</span> (<span class="greek">τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν</span>, as in ver. 7), <span class="cmt_word">and submit yourselves</span> (to them): <span class="cmt_word">for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it With joy, and not With grief</span> (literally, <span class="accented">groaning</span>); <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>for that is</span> (rather, <span class="accented">were</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>unprofitable for you</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> their ministry is for your profit; if its result be their giving in their account with groans, its whole purpose will be frustrated). In this allusion to the <span class="greek">ἡγουμένοι</span> as in vers. 7 and 24, there is evidence of the existence of a regular order of ministry in the Hebrew Churches, such as many allusions in St. Paul's Epistles show to have formed part of the constitution of the Churches to whom those Epistles were addressed (cf. also <a href="/acts/14-23.htm">Acts 14:23</a> and Acts 20:17, 28, etc.). The word itself (<span class="greek">ἡγουμένοι</span>) which is here used might, indeed, denote any persons who took the lead in the congregations; but the urging of the duty of <span class="accented">submission</span> to them, in virtue of their office of watching for souls for which they would have to give account, shows plainly that a special order is here, as elsewhere, referred to. Observe also below, ver. 24, where "<span class="accented">all</span> the saints," <span class="accented">i.e.</span> what we should call the laity, are mentioned in distinction from the <span class="greek">ἡγουμένοι</span>. (For similar injunctions, cf. <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-12.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:12</a> and <a href="/1_timothy/5-17.htm">1 Timothy 5:17</a>, <span class="greek">τοὺς προεσταμένους ὑμῶν</span> and <span class="greek">οἱ προεστῶτες</span> <span class="greek">πρεσβύτεροι</span> being the words there used.) The special injunction here to obey and submit may have been called for by some deficiency in this respect among the Hebrew Christians. Possibly it was among the people rather than the pastors that there were any signs of wavering between the Church and the synagogue, and that one purpose of the admonition is to strengthen the hands of the former, in whom confidence is placed. Hebrews 13:17<a name="vws" id="vws"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/vws/hebrews/13.htm">Vincent's Word Studies</a></div>They watch (ἀγρυπνοῦσιν)<p>See on <a href="http://biblehub.com/mark/13-33.htm">Mark 13:33</a>, and comp. <a href="/luke/21-36.htm">Luke 21:36</a>; <a href="/ephesians/6-18.htm">Ephesians 6:18</a>.<p>With grief (στενάζοντες)<p>Lit. groaning. See <a href="http://biblehub.com/romans/8-23.htm">Romans 8:23</a>, <a href="http://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/5-2.htm">2 Corinthians 5:2</a>, <a href="/2_corinthians/5-4.htm">2 Corinthians 5:4</a>; <a href="/james/5-9.htm">James 5:9</a>.<p>Unprofitable (ἀλυσιτελὲς)<p>N.T.o, olxx. From ἀ not, and λυσιτελής paying for expenses. Hence, what does not pay; unprofitable.<p>I may be restored to you (ἀποκατασταθῶ ὑμῖν)<p>Not implying imprisonment, but enforced absence through sickness or other cause. <div class="vheading2">Links</div><a href="/interlinear/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17 Interlinear</a><br /><a href="/texts/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17 Parallel Texts</a><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/niv/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="http://bibleapps.com/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17 Bible Apps</a><br /><a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17 Parallel</a><br /><a href="http://bibliaparalela.com/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="http://holybible.com.cn/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="http://saintebible.com/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="http://bibeltext.com/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17 German Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a><br /></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td align="center"><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script><br /><br /> </div> <div id="left"><a href="../hebrews/13-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hebrews 13:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hebrews 13:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../hebrews/13-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hebrews 13:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hebrews 13:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>