"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." (Heb 13:17)

1. "Obey" is in the imperative, but middle voice, a passive. It is formed from the word for "persuade" so it means "be persuaded" or simply obey, but not just in form but from the mind. "Allow yourself to be persuaded" is the meaning. Don't be a trouble-maker.

2. The word "rule" simply means to go before, to lead. So the substance is "follow your leaders," because they have a very important task and your job is to make their task a joyful one, not one of grief.

3. The task is to "watch" for souls. The elders, and especially the minister, are to watch for the souls of the people of God. The figure is from the watchmen who were entrusted with surveillance of the area surrounding the city, especially the ravines and passes where enemies might approach unseen. God warned Ezekiel, the prophet, using this very same figure:

"So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. 8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9 Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." (Eze 33:7-9)

This passage was familiar to those who received the letter to the Hebrews, and they would certainly have understood that their pastors served this same function in the church as the prophets did to Israel. Pastors and elders are to watch, be intellectually aware of heretical movements and practices, of sins that would disturb the church, of rebellions and murmurings, and warn the church of them. Not to do so is to be derelict of duty, and conniver with evil men or women. He has no choice about it if he is to serve Christ.

4. This would be so good for the church if they did this. When the leadership of a church is filled with sorrow and pain, the object of gossip and slander, of obstruction and dissension, it is very bad for the church. When leaders are honored it is good for the church, just as it is good for children when they obey their parents, for this is the commandment with promise. As the Heidelberg Catechism says on the Fifth Commandment:

Q104: What does God require in the fifth Commandment?
A104: That I show all honor, love and faithfulness to my father and mother,[1] and to all in authority over me,[2] submit myself with due obedience to all their good instruction and correction, and also bear patiently with their infirmities, since it is God's will to govern us by their hand.[3]

1. Eph. 6:1-6, 22; Col. 3:18, 20-24; Prov. 1:8-9; 4:1; 15:20; 20:20; Exod. 21:17; Gen. 9:24-25
2. Rom. 13:1-7; I Peter 2:18; Matt. 22:21
3. Eph. 6:4, 9; Col. 3:19, 21; Prov. 13:24; 30:17; Deut. 27:16; 32:24; I Tim. 2:1-2; 5:17; Heb. 13:17-18

We will not find perfection in our leaders, just as they will not find perfection in their followers. But God would humble us and place us under human authority and government in order that we might know that we are to be ruled by His decree and goodness. It is an act of great faith for us to consent to live under human government and our flesh recoils against it, especially if we do not like those whom God has appointed. But we certainly have no choice as to our fathers and mothers, and often we do not get our will as far as church and civil authorities are concerned. But no matter their character, the word of the Holy Spirit stands forever:

"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves." (1Th 5:12-13)

This is the command of Christ.

The glory?

The Power of the Gospel: the Cross

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2Co 12:9

Those who are unwilling to suffer with Christ will never know the joy of Christian victory. When Judas became convinced that Jesus was going to the cross, he switched sides, and sold the Lord to His enemies. Poor Judas couldn't understand the way of the Kingdom, and could not therefore inherit the kingdom of God. His misery and wickedness had been foretold in Psalm 55, for Judas was "a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company." Because of this betrayal the prayer of the Psalm included these words "Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets."

Sometimes the very zeal and energy that drive a man into the ministry are the very strengths that the devil uses to make his work a curse and not a blessing. The kingdom of God is not built by the zeal and energy of men, because that which is born of the flesh is flesh. Those who derive their energy from the praise of men, will be overthrown by the curses of men because, "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." James 1:19-21

Far more good is done by my passive and humble receiving of the word of God into my heart and mind than will ever be done by the deceit and guile of my words. That which is born of the flesh is flesh,and the works of the flesh are readily discernable: wrath, strife, sedition, clamor, tale-bearing, and slander. These are the more respectible ones. The flesh has many devices and terrible arts by which it seeks to pick off the weak and sickly from the kingdom of God.

“Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Mt 5:11-12)

This is the reason that patient continuing in well-doing is absolutely essential for the minister of the Gospel. He does not need to vindicate himself, for the Lord will always validate the work of His faithful ministers. The chaff is driven away before the winds of reality and burned in the fires of the judgment of God. But not yet. Until then it is given to the man of God to suffer for the word of the Gospel. There are always many around who are willing to see him get what they think he deserves. "Beware when all men speak well of you," Jesus said. He asked His enemies, “How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only?” (Joh 5:44)

Those who seek to destroy others in order to advance themselves fall under the wrath of God. “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (1Peter 5:5)

Those who shun the cross will miss the crown.