Ken. 11 Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. Hebrews Chapter 13 Third Continued. Hebrews 13:17 is not a verse justifying tithing. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (III John 4). Instead, it is a reminder that spiritual leaders in the church who are trustworthy and who proclaim the truth are in a place of persuasive guidance that fellow believers should yield to. Also, there is no doubt that some preachers and teachers misuse Greek (and Hebrew) to spiritually abuse people under their care. ( Log Out / I don’t know this for sure, because you don’t really address the topic of this post or the purpose of this blog or me as the author. Seriously, every time I get into a discussion about Biblical translation with a Baptist he starts in with the genitive case nonsense. But I’d ask you to aim more carefully in the future and avoid shotgun blasts which can injure folks you don’t intend to. If I remember correctly, Re-Imagining Church by Frank Viola made some of the same points about Hebrews 13, if anyone is interested in Biblical spiritual authority that’s a good one to check out. Hebrews 13:17 states "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. As many leaders will admit, it is hard to lead when others refuse to follow. Verse 17 is one sentence in the Greek text. Their abuse of the biblical languages does not invalidate the usefulness of understanding Greek and Hebrew. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. In Galatians 6:17, Paul appeals to his suffering as a mark of character and trustworthiness. 4. Elsewhere, he says that he has not even exercised many of his apostolic rights for support or marriage (1 Cor 9:5). If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. [Dale Smelser, The Rule of Elders]. "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-13). The reading is from 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. It is the love of deep friendship and partnership. "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ" (Philippians 3:18). Jesus used the term “scriptures” in reference to the canon of the Old Testament used in his day. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Heb. Greek. The Greek word for "submissive" is hupeiko, which means to yield, to listen to, or be persuaded by. The reason for submitting to such men is realizing that they are helping you. As far as the New Testament canon, it was generally agreed upon by the third century AD. Cross references. The beginning of this verse is usually translated, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority…” (as in the NIV). Hebrews 13:17 Translation & Meaning. Very easy to “cut and paste” Scripture to enforce an idea or doctrine. When God promised to preserve his Word…did he really mean that he would only preserve it on 2,000 year old parchment and papyrus in ancient forms of Greek and Aramaic?? This not to be confused with the obedience Christians owe God when we are told "And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:9). Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Greek Scripture. All leaders in the church, but most especially the elders, are not acting for their own personal benefit. He says that he had to give primary account to God, “In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy” (1 Cor. Hebrews 13:17 KJV (i) 17 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. There is no word like that in Hebrews 13:17. I will jot a note to consider writing a post on Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2. And I’m also guessing you posted your comment because I refer to the Greek behind Hebrews 13:17. Nowhere. Those who lead are under authority themselves. EChurch@Wartburg – 2.13.20: Wade Burleson: Love Is Patient and Kind. By doing this, you will be letting them carry out their duties joyfully, and not with grief, for that would be harmful for you. Where in the bible,,JESUS or any other follower of JESUS ,use the word bible,,,,,and say it’s the word of God? Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. That obedience is the Greek word hupakuou, which means to heed someone in authority. This is a different nuance than the noun-form of the word, agemon, which means “one who rules, especially in a preeminent position, ruler” as in Mt 2:6, or “head imperial provincial administrator, governor” as in Mt 10:18; 27:2, which refer to secular authorities who wielded undisputed positional power. There should always be plenty of this kind of love among Christians, and it should continue. Of course, it is unimportant if he and I agree, but I’m encouraged that we both studied the scriptures separately and came to many of the same conclusions regarding spiritual authority. It’s little wonder why many totalitarian cults, disguising as Christian, use the KJV only and see the KJV as the only legitimate word of God. 3. give an account. I do see a difference in scripture between the manner of submitting to civil authorities and to church authorities. Always good to get a referral by a reader who has read a great source on a similar topic. He cited it to support his concept of spiritual authority as a relationship between an authority figure who has positional power and a follower who must obey them. Hebrews 13:17. In 10:8 he boasts about his authority to build up, not to tear down, but even then he doesn’t want to terrify or intimidate the Corinthians with his letters (2 Cor. The reason being, I don’t trust my skills in using it, and for those who do, sometimes I even question theirs. To accurately understand this passage we need to look at the primary Greek words in the authoritative Greek lexicon by Walter Bauer (cited hereafter as BAGD). I’ll have to check out that book. But I’m a little confused on the whole by your comment. The Epistle to the Hebrews the Greek Text with Notes and Essays, 3d ed., Classic Commentaries on the Greek New Testament (London: Macmillan, 1903), 446. The author uses a double exhortation: “obey your leaders and submit.” Did you get that from my post? Since this verse was used by my pastor to abuse our entire congregation, and since I took it at face value to mean something it didn’t, I have a vested interest in making sure that folks understand that most English translations have gotten this verse wrong. Hebrews 13:17, NASB: "Obey your leaders and submit to them—for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they may do this with joy, not groaning; for this would be unhelpful for you." The text does not mention the name of its author, but was traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle.However, doubt on Pauline authorship in the Roman Church is reported by Eusebius. Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV) Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 3:10-11). […] Hebrews 13:17: Spiritual Authority’s Most Abused Verse […]. ( Log Out / If a leader is filled with grief about losing a soul he has striven to save, what does that say for the soul lost? And at the seminary the students have to learn both Greek and Hebrew. Was There Cover-up in the Ministry? The 2011 NIV does not translate “pethio” to “obey” but rather to ” Have confidence in your leaders.” The NIV that says “obey” there that you are quoting from Steve, is from the 1984 NIV. ( Log Out / He lives with his wife and sons in Cumberland, Maine. However, there have been some that are capable of skillfully using it to dig out certain hidden truths. It defies common sense. Related Post: A Biblical Perspective on Spiritual Authority and Critical Thinking, 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to understand the Word of God correctly by applying a standard and accurate hermeneutic process. What about the word often translated “leaders” in this verse? 13:17 has certainly been a tool used, and abused to control many of God’s people. If leaders demonstrate these criteria, we should allow ourselves to be persuaded by them for our own good on the rocky path of life. Steve, I’ve been browsing through your posts and want to thank you for what you’ve written. 4:2). Hebrews 13:17 states that obedience to godly church leaders is for your benefit. But I am glad that you have found peace in the arms of Lutheranism and liturgical services. Translators are people, not God. Paul also acknowledges that he owed accountability in his ministry. Did the Evangelical Inner Circle in the Church of England Cover up the Alleged Abuses of Jonathan Fletcher? Greek. How fortunate we are! Paul compared his work to that of a builder. They make mistakes. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire" (I Corinthians 3:12-15). Titus 1:1-4). Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them : for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall … But we–he and I–misunderstood the verse. No clue here to the locality or to whom the Epistle was originally sent. This verse delineates a Christian's responsibility toward God, who mediates much of His rule in this world through men. […] Hebrews 13:17: Spiritual Authority’s Most Abused Verse. It obviously refers to how the members of a congregation are to obey and be submissive to the elders of that congregation. #churchtoo #COEtoo, EChurch@Wartburg – 2.06.20: Wade Burleson: Without Love I Profit Nothing, Membership Covenants: When Church Leaders Don’t Allow Members to Leave Freely, They Are All About Ego and Control, Spiritual Abuse Recovery: Learning to Risk, This book is changing me. Like Lightening! Different qualifications and hence different levels of accountability. Paul’s example is the perfect model of persuasive leadership based on truth and trustworthiness. Let’s chalk this one up to friendly fire and wipe the slate clean. See Acts 9:13. "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment" (James 3:1). "Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. As Vines points out, "The obedience suggested is not by submission to authority, but resulting from persuasion.". Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. aspazomai. I confess that I would be more open to learning from your comment if it didn’t make so many assumptions about who I am and who my readers are. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. When Hebrews 13, and the Bible in whole, especially the Epistles, are taken into context, the Bible actually encourages us to test the spirits, teaching, and qualification of church elders and to question and expose them with gentleness and humility. b. Heb 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. I work at a Lutheran Seminary. This can be understood with discernment, even from Bible translations like the 1611 KJV. Thanks Rebecca! This is hinted at by Peter when he told elders, "and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away" (I Peter 5:4). Hebrews 13:17 New International Version (NIV) 17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. have no right to eat. In Ephesians 3:1-3, Paul appealed to the truth of his ministry via revelation. They of Italy. This ancient Greek word spoke of brotherly friendship and affection. ( Log Out / Poor Hebrews 13:17. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. 4:1-2). The two schools of thought relate to the account that the elders must give. The author wanted the Jewish Christians to continue in the Christian faith. (Hebrews 13:17 ESV) The structure of this verse is as follows: Command – (obey… and submit) Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. App-104. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul defends his apostolic ministry through testifying to his suffering. This is especially true in the church where leaders are forbidden to use heavy-handed approaches. He didn’t want them to lose hope in the midst of persecution. American Standard Version. 17 Obey. Is that right? Not very big on commentaries either. Hebrews 13:17-25 Hebrews 13:17 "Obey Your Leaders" Introduction Remember where we are at in Hebrews? You are not alone. A builder has to follow the plans and a leader doesn't have the authority to do as he pleases. Disobedience to them “would be unprofitable for you.” God designed authority to protect and bless. Paul says also that leaders should not boast in themselves but in the Lord, “For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends” (2 Cor. Unfortunately, this mistranslation of “pethio” to “obey” and “submit” has spread to some new Bible transations such as the NKJV, NASB, and ESV. Since I also have studied Greek, I know that Hebrews 13:17 is mistranslated, or could at least be better nuanced so that pastors don’t misuse it to abuse people. Gary It’s always so fascinating. By looking at your blog, I understand that you have been wounded in the past by a fundamentalist Baptist upbringing. Dear Baptists…PLEASE stop insisting on using the ancient texts to confuse Christian laypeople of God’s simple, plain message of the Gospel! Luther, Baptists, and Evangelicals This one’s a keeper, and one I’ll pass on to others. For a PDF which further details the Greek behind Hebrews 13:17, click Hebrews 13:17 in the Greek. Why do Baptist always want to go to the Greek to understand the Bible? Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you. My purpose in using Greek here is not to “wow” readers with Greek words, but rather to show how an understanding of the original biblical text can clarify the most abused verse related to spiritual authority. Latins dwelling in the place whence Hebrews was dispatched. Because that is really what Baptists are saying, because the Greek scholars of the Greek Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, the Presbyterian Church, and the Methodist Church think that Baptist Greek scholars are all WET on their positions that the Bible does not support infant baptism and that baptism MUST be by immersion! His section on leadership matches so well with what I discovered as I researched the topic at Dallas Seminary and wrote my summative paper about it. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. I know how helpful the concept was to me when I first encountered it. It certainly identifies with the spirit and character of Christ. Leaders are responsible for where they lead others; they are taking on an additional burden. ii. I would say that I am merely a student of the Bible. Is it really possible that ONLY Baptist Greek scholars truly understand ancient Greek, and that the rest of the world’s Greek scholars completely bungle the translation of the New Testament? (HGB Paraphrase). They are there to benefit the members of the church. Thanks Ken. He also acknowledges his peer accountability by saying that he had taken his gospel message to the other apostles in Jerusalem in order to ensure that he was not in error (Galatians 2:1-10). of. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 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. Three words are mistranslated in Hebrews 13:17. Gary, I welcome your continued involvement with this blog. Instead, it is upeiko, which is hard to define because it occurs only here in the New Testament. Thanks, Jon. Continue to follow and be submissive to your leaders, since they are watching over your souls as those who will have to give a word of explanation. That is, the Greek words for Obey, Leaders, and Submit. I think there’s some good points in what you’ve said. In 6:3-10 he is commended by his character and actions. And God’s Word is preserved and made plain in these translations, for the most part. they should be critically-minded. nom-si-mas. The Epistle to the Hebrews, or Letter to the Hebrews, or in the Greek manuscripts, simply To the Hebrews (Πρὸς Ἑβραίους) is one of the books of the New Testament.. According to BAGD, this should better be translated as “allow yourselves to be persuaded by,” rather than “obey.” This translation fits the lexical possibility, fits the context of the book of Hebrews, and also fits the biblical theology of the basis for spiritual authority being persuasion based on truth and trust, not position. God promised he would preserve his Word, and the English-speaking people of the world have had the Word of God IN ENGLISH since at least William Tyndale (1300″s??). I recommend this book to anyone. But at the same time, it is a heartache to know some you worked so hard to save didn't make it. BAGD has several meanings for this word, including in the active voice the following: “to cause Read full chapter. This interpretation is due to a mistranslation of the text. Ravi Zacharias Was Not Some Average Sinner in the Church. In 3:1-6 he says that his competence and commendation come from God. (I love doing this part. Knowing that about you helps me to understand the tone of your post and why it comes across so broadly aimed and so bitingly sarcastic. We have been told, again and again, that Jesus is better. "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock" (I Peter 5:2-3). Please note that the position is one exerted by influential counsel, not by dogmatic control. In 10:1 he says that he was meek and gentle in person with the Corinthians. God. Hebrews 13:7 is important -- have to consider leaders' way of life and outcome, i.e., not just good administrators. Also, he didn’t want them returning to sacrificial or ceremonial rituals of … Spiritual leaders in the church who wish to avoid spiritually abusing their followers would do well to emulate him. 17 Have confidence in your leaders. Rightly understood, this is one of the most frightening verses in the Bible for a church leader. πειθεσθε. Thanks for stopping by the blog and leaving a comment. He is better than anything in the Jewish faith. Hebrews 13:17: Spiritual Authority’s Most Abused Verse, A Biblical Perspective on Spiritual Authority and Critical Thinking, Identifying Religious Brainwashing: Loading the Language (Part 6 of 8), Hebrews 13:17: Spiritual Authority’s Most Abused Verse « dandelionpompoms, Misuse of Hebrews 13:17 | Cristo La Verdad, A Cure for Legalism: The Gift of Incapability, Book Review of “Broken Trust” by F. Remy Diederich, Spiritual Abuse Recovery: Learning to Risk, Breaking the Chains of Legalistic Parenting, Eight Ways to Identify Religious Brainwashing: The Cult of Confession (Part 4 of 8), When Abusers Act Like Victims, Victims Get Abused, Eight Ways to Identify Religious Brainwashing: The "Sacred Science" (Part 5 of 8), Eight Ways to Identify Religious Brainwashing: Demand for Perfection (Part 3 of 8), Introverts in the Church – Adam S. McHugh, EChurch@Wartburg – 2.20.21- Wade Burleson: Love Is Not Jealous. Why did they get it wrong? The New Testament book of Hebrews was originally written in Greek. The Greek word for "authority" is εξουσια ("exousia"). Confronting Spiritual Abuse with Grace and Truth. This is someone who listens to reason and then implements the truth in his life. In the case of Hebrews 13:17, the word translated “obey” is peitho in the middle voice. What Did Ravi Zacharias’s Boards Know and When Did They Know It? The members are to obey and submit to the elders so that the elders can give an account of them with joy and not grief that the elders accounting would be profitable to them. He defended the truth of his ministry by saying it was based on the revelation of God (Gal 1:11-24). Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.". Anyone–whether they speak Greek or not–can look up the meaning of peithos in a Greek lexicon and see the clear meaning of this word.
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