SEV Biblia, Chapter 13:17
Escuchad a vuestros pastores, y sujetaos a ellos; porque ellos velan por vuestras almas, como aquellos que han de dar la cuenta; para que lo hagan con alegría, y no gimiendo; porque esto no os es til.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Hebrew 13:17
Verse 17. Obey them that have the rule over you] Obey your leaders, toiv hgoumenoiv. He is not fit to rule who is not capable of guiding. See on ver. 7. 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 have to give an account of their conduct to God. If this conduct were improper, they must give in their report before the great tribunal with grief; but in it must be given: if holy and pure, they would give it in with joy. It is an awful consideration that many pastors, who had loved their flocks as their own souls, shall be obliged to accuse them before God for either having rejected or neglected the great salvation.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. Obey them that have the rule over you , etc..] Not the ecclesiastical rulers among the Jews, for to these they were no longer obliged, they being no longer under such tutors and governors; nor civil magistrates, though it was their duty to obey them, even Heathen ones; for as for Christian magistrates, as yet there were none; but their spiritual guides and governors, the same that are mentioned ( Hebrews 13:7) these the apostle exhorts them to obey: by constantly tending upon the word preached by them, and hearkening to it; by receiving it with faith and love, as it appears agreeable to the Scriptures; for a contrary behaviour is pernicious to souls, and highly resented by God; and by being present at, and joining with them in the ordinances of Christ, as administered by them; and by regarding their admonitions, counsels, and advice: and submit yourselves ; to the laws of Christ's house, as put in execution by them; and to their censures and reproofs, as delivered by the authority of the church; for they are spiritual fathers, and children should obey their parents, and submit to them; they are the ambassadors of Christ, stand in his stead, and represent him, wherefore their authority is great; and they are pastors or shepherds of the flock, whom the sheep should follow: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account : they watch not for themselves, for their worldly gain and advantage, and for the estates of men; but for the souls of men, to do them good, to comfort and edify them, to feed them with knowledge and understanding, and for the salvation of them; as such that must give an account to their own consciences, that they discharge their work aright, or they cannot be satisfied; and to the church, to whom they minister, to whom they are accountable, if they are dilatory and negligent; and especially as such as must stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and give an account to him of their ministry, of their use of talents committed to them, and of souls that are put under their care and charge; how they have discharged their duty to the souls of men, and how these have behaved towards them under the ministry of the word: the Alexandrian copy and the Vulgate Latin version read, for they watch, as those that must give an account for your souls: the sense is much the same: that they may do it with joy, and not with grief ; either do their work with joy, cheerfully; which they do, when they are obeyed and submitted to; when men attend upon the word and ordinances administered by them, and receive advantage, and grow in grace and spiritual knowledge; when they abide by the Gospel, and walk worthy of it; otherwise they do their work heavily, and with sorrow: or else give up their account with joy, and not with grief; either at the throne of grace, where they either rejoice or complain; or at the great day, when they will be witnesses, either for or against those that have been committed to them: for that is unprofitable unto you ; for whose souls they watch; that is, the latter would be so, either to do their work sorrowing, or to give up their account by way of complaint; either of them must be to the disadvantage of such persons that occasion grief and sorrow.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 16-21 - We must, according to our power, give to the necessities of the soul and bodies of men: God will accept these offerings with pleasure, an will accept and bless the offerers through Christ. The apostle the 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 people must search the Scriptures, and so fa as the ministers teach according to that rule, they ought to receiv their instructions as the word of God, which works in those tha believe. It is the interest of hearers, that the account their ministers give of them may be with joy, and not with grief. Faithfu ministers deliver their own souls, but the ruin of a fruitless an faithless people will be upon their own heads. The more earnestly the people pray for their ministers, the more benefit they may expect from their ministry. A good conscience has respect to all God's commands and all our duty. Those who have this good conscience, yet need the prayers of others. When ministers come to a people who pray for them they come with greater satisfaction to themselves, and success to the people. We should seek all our mercies by prayer. God is the God of peace, fully reconciled to believers; who has made a way for peace an reconciliation between himself and sinners, and who loves peace of earth, especially in his churches. He is the Author of spiritual peac in the hearts and consciences of his people. How firm a covenant is that which has its foundation in the blood of the Son of God! The perfecting of the saints in every good work, is the great thing desire by them, and for them; and that they may at length be fitted for the employment and happiness of heaven. There is no good thing wrought in us, but it is the work of God. And no good thing is wrought in us by God, but through Christ, for his sake and by his Spirit.
Greek Textus Receptus
πειθεσθε 3982 5732 τοις 3588 ηγουμενοις 2233 5740 υμων 5216 και 2532 υπεικετε 5226 5720 αυτοι 846 γαρ 1063 αγρυπνουσιν 69 5719 υπερ 5228 των 3588 ψυχων 5590 υμων 5216 ως 5613 λογον 3056 αποδωσοντες 591 5694 ινα 2443 μετα 3326 χαρας 5479 τουτο 5124 ποιωσιν 4160 5725 και 2532 μη 3361 στεναζοντες 4727 5723 αλυσιτελες 255 γαρ 1063 υμιν 5213 τουτο 5124
Vincent's NT Word Studies
17. They watch ( ajgrupnousin). See on Mark xiii. 33, and comp. Luke xxi. 36; Eph. vi. 18.
With grief (stenazontev). Lit. groaning. See Rom. viii. 23, 2 Corinthians v. 2, 4; Jas. v. 9.
Unprofitable (alusitelev). N.T.o , o LXX. From aj not, and lusitelhv paying for expenses. Hence, what does not pay; unprofitable.
I may be restored to you (apokatastaqw umin). Not implying imprisonment, but enforced absence through sickness or other cause.
