Hebrews 13:17

Hebrews 13:17 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
• New King James Version (NKJV)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.

Context of Hebrews 13:17

15Through Him, therefore, let us at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name. 16Do not neglect to do good, to contribute [to the needy of the church as an expression of fellowship], for such sacrifices are always pleasing to God. Obey your [spiritual] leaders and submit to them [recognizing their authority over you], for they are keeping watch over your souls and continually guarding your spiritual welfare as those who will give an account [of their stewardship of you]. Let them do this with joy and not with grief and groans, for this would be of no benefit to you. 18Keep praying for us, for we are convinced that we have a good conscience, seeking to conduct ourselves honorably [that is, with moral courage and personal integrity] in all things. 19And I urge all of you to pray earnestly, so that I may be restored to you soon.

Hebrews 13:17 word by word

Πείθεσθε τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν καὶ ὑπείκετε· αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀγρυπνοῦσιν ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν ὡς λόγον ἀποδώσοντες, ἵνα μετὰ χαρᾶς τοῦτο ποιῶσιν καὶ μὴ στενάζοντες· ἀλυσιτελὲς γὰρ ὑμῖν τοῦτο.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Obeyπείθωpeithō · to persuadeG3982
• them that have the rule overἡγέομαιhēgeomai · to governG2233
• youσύsu · youG4771
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• submit yourselvesὑπείκωhupeikō · to submitG5226
• forγάρgar · forG1063
• theyαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• watchἀγρυπνέωagrupneō · be watchfulG69
• forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• soulsὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• soulsψυχήpsuchē · soulG5590
• asὡςhōs · as/whenG5613
• they that must giveἀποδίδωμιapodidōmi · to payG591
• accountλόγοςlogos · wordG3056
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• they may doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• itοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• withμετάmeta · with/afterG3326
• joyχαράchara · joyG5479
• notμήmē · notG3361
• with griefστενάζωstenazō · to groanG4727
• unprofitableἀλυσιτελήςalusitelēs · unprofitableG255

Cross-references for Hebrews 13:17

• Hebrews 13:7Remember your leaders [for it was they] who brought you the word of God; and consider the result of their conduct [the outcome of their godly lives], and imitate their faith [their conviction that God exists and is the Creator and Ruler of all things, the Provider of eternal salvation through Christ, and imitate their reliance on God with absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].
• 1 Samuel 8:19Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but there shall be a king over us,
• 1 Samuel 15:19Why did you not obey the voice of the Lord, but [instead] swooped down on the plunder [with shouts of victory] and did evil in the sight of the Lord?”
• Proverbs 5:13I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, Nor have I inclined my ear to those who instructed me.
• Philippians 2:12So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].
• 1 Thessalonians 5:12Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to appreciate those who diligently work among you [recognize, acknowledge, and respect your leaders], who are in charge over you in the Lord and who give you instruction,
• 2 Thessalonians 3:14Now if anyone [in the church] does not obey what we say in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be ashamed and repent.
• 1 Timothy 5:17The elders who perform their leadership duties well are to be considered worthy of double honor (financial support), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching [the word of God concerning eternal salvation through Christ].
• Genesis 16:9The Angel of the Lord said to her, “Go back to your mistress, and submit humbly to her authority.”
• 1 Corinthians 16:16to be subject to such leaders [treating them with courtesy and respect], and to everyone who helps in the work and labors [for the benefit of yourselves and the church].
• Ephesians 5:21being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
• James 4:7So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.
• 1 Peter 5:5Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], but He gives grace to the humble.
• Ezekiel 3:17“Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me.
• Ezekiel 33:2“Son of man, speak to the sons of your people [who are exiled in Babylon] and say to them, ‘If I bring a sword on a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them and make him their watchman,
• Acts 20:24But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life].

Commentaries on Hebrews 13:17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17Obey them that have the rule over you - Obey your leaders, ̔ . He is not fit to rule who is not capable of guiding. See on Hebrews 13:7, (note). In the former verse the apostle exhorts them to remember those who had been their leaders, and to imitate their faith; in this he exhorts them to obey the leaders they now had, and to submit to their authority in all matters of doctrine and discipline, on the ground that they watched for their souls, and should…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17Obey them that have the rule over you - Margin, guide; see notes on Hebrews 13:7. 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…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 16-21Verses 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…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17The relationship between the church's spiritual leaders and its members might have been tense. The author encourages members to listen to and trust their leaders. The Greek word for obey can also mean follow, place confidence in, or be persuaded by. Christian leaders care for people's souls (Acts 20:28–31; 1 Peter 5:1–4), which is a serious responsibility. It makes them accountable to God (James 3:1). The word grief could also mean groaning. It refers to…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. Obey them that have the rule over you--(Compare He 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…Read the comment

Topics related to Hebrews 13:17

• Church
• Commandments
• Minister, Christian
• Reverence

In the dictionaries

• Altar
• Bed
• Continuing
• Entertain
• Forgetful
• Marriage
• Meat
• Restore
• Trust
• Watches

Commentaries on Hebrews 13

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings