Heb 13:17-19 | TNotes | STEP | 13:17 The relationship between the spiritual leaders and the members of the church may have been strained, so the author exhorts the members to obey them and do what they say . • The Greek word translated obey can also mean follow, place confidence in, or be persuaded by. • Christian leaders watch over people’s souls (Acts 20:28-31 ; 1 Pet 5:1-4 ), a role that carries grave responsibility, making them accountable to God (Jas 3:1 ). • The word sorrow could be translated groaning; it speaks of emotional burden and stress. Having leaders who are stressed and burdened because of an unruly church does not benefit the church.

a13:17►

bActs 20:28-31►

c1 Pet 5:1-4►

dJas 3:1►

e13:18-19►

f5:11►

g6:9►

h2 Cor 1:11-12►

i4:2►

‏ Hebrews 13:17-19

13:17 ^a The relationship between the spiritual leaders and the members of the church may have been strained, so the author exhorts the members to obey them and do what they say.

• The Greek word translated obey can also mean follow, place confidence in, or be persuaded by.

• Christian leaders watch over people’s souls (Acts 20:28-31 ^b; 1 Pet 5:1-4 ^c), a role that carries grave responsibility, making them accountable to God (Jas 3:1 ^d).

• The word sorrow could be translated groaning; it speaks of emotional burden and stress. Having leaders who are stressed and burdened because of an unruly church does not benefit the church.
Summary for Heb 13:18-19: 13:18-19 ^e Pray for us: The author asks for prayer for himself using the “authorial plural” (see also 5:11 ^f; 6:9 ^g).

• our conscience is clear: Cp. 2 Cor 1:11-12 ^h; 4:2 ⁱ.