Hebrews Chapter Thirteen, Regarding Elders

 

Hebrews 13:17 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.

 

James issues a warning about the accountability of teachers in the church when he writes, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment,” James 3:1. Our current text hearkens back to Hebrews 13:7, in which we read that we may confidently follow the faith of those who rule over us, after we consider the outcome of their conduct. A teacher’s doctrine must align with their conduct; or rather, a teacher’s conduct must align with their doctrine. This theme describes the entire tenor of Romans chapter 2, and how professing teachers become practicing hypocrites when they say, and do not do, Matthew 23:3.

To obey in this verse is to be persuaded, according to my Greek-English Lexicon. In short, the Christian is to submit to the doctrine of the elders as they teach and demonstrate by their lifestyle the efficacy of the faith they have espoused. Genuine Christianity is not academic; at least it is not purely academic. It is practical first and foremost, since it is meant to be lived out in a believer’s daily life. The apologist must live a life that is aligned with the doctrine they defend, or else by their very conduct they have disqualified the message from having any gravity in the consideration of the people they appeal to.

 

The Hebrews saints are reminded first to share with others freely, and also to submit to those who have been recognized as leaders in the church, who rule Christ’s flock in His name and are therefore accountable for their words and actions. To grieve them is to likewise grieve the Lord they (and we) serve, because they are His appointed elders, given to the church for its organization and our betterment.

 

We are not only to obey, or be persuaded, but to be submissive to such men. To be submissive suggests that we yield to their authority as they lead us in Scripture and its practical application in our life. The Greek word for submissive is “nekach” and means, “to be straight forward.” The idea may imply transparency in terms of hearing what the elder is teaching or modeling and internalizing it, so that we, like they, practice what we preach. Like teacher, like student. We are forward and honest in terms of how we receive the doctrine we are delivered.

 

A sound example regarding this topic may be found in 3 John. The elderly apostle writes to Gaius, who hosts (or hosted) a church in his house, “For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth,” 3 John 3, 4. John cites an example of how he rejoices that he finds some of his spiritual children, people he has personally discipled, walking according to his doctrine. John watches out for their souls, and does so in this instance with joy, since they have submitted.

 

Diotrephes, however, refuses to submit to John’s rule as a recognized apostle and teacher of the truth within the church, and excommunicates those who wish to partake of John’s ministry. The isolation Diotrephes forces upon the church body and his elitist view of himself as sole leader screams of a cult-to-be, should it be left unchecked. In the same small epistle we are given examples of ruling over a flock with joy, and with grief. John is not one to shy away from being challenged, and warns that he may come to recall the deeds Diotrepehes commits that are not good or profitable to anyone but himself. This spirit reveals that Diotrepehes is unfit to be a leader in the church, since he is puffed up with pride and has fallen into the snare of the Devil, 2 Timothy 3:6, 7. Agreeing with the writer of Hebrews, John attests that Christians are not to emulate what is evidentially evil, but what is good, 3 John 11. We may only know the difference by sound doctrine, and a good teacher that rules over the church he is given stewardship of will propound sound doctrine in word and deed. That is their duty; ours is to obey in submission, so they may serve the Lord in joy, and not with grief.