Epistle Reading - 2023-12-07

ST. PAUL'S LETTER TO THE HEBREWS 13:17-21

Brethren, obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Obey your Leaders

Who are the leaders in this passage? Are they political leaders who often act ungodly? Or are they our spiritual leaders? In some way, both watch over our souls. The New Testament shows both usages of the Greek word ἡγέομαι hēgéomai. This is cognate to the English word hegemon.

Matt 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, G2233 that shall rule my people Israel.

Luke 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, G2233 as he that doth serve.

Perhaps the most parallel text is in the same book:

Hebrews 13:24 Salute all them that have the rule G2233 over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

The translators of the King James Bible seem tilted towards the implications this is referring to political leader. This verse seems more likely to be referring to the leaders in the church. This is not to imply that we should not listen to civic leaders and obey them to the extent we can.