Submit to Your Leaders: Hebrews 13:17

Scripture Study

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Context

From this text and others,[1] it’s clear in Scripture that pastors have authority. But what kind of authority? How far does the jurisdiction extend, and are there any checks on that authority? First, we may assume, based on all of the Bible’s instructions on such matters, that the author of Hebrews is not instructing Christians to submit to sin. Second, the authority of pastors is derived; it comes from God (not the congregation). Although the congregation affirms their calling and authority, it’s an authority with divine origin. Third,the authority of pastors is limited in at least four ways.

[1] 1 Cor. 16:15–16; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 3:4–5; 5:17; Heb. 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5

“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.”

Hebrews 13:17, NIV

Four Limitations

1. It's limited by the Scriptures

Pastors do not have absolute authority because they stand under the authority of God and his Word. Therefore, when they stray from the Word, they abandon their God-given authority.

2. It's limited by the nature of shared leadership

The biblical example of church government is not to set up an aristocracy or an oligarchy, but each local congregation should have a plurality of pastors/elders. There’s no example in the New Testament where one pastor (elder) leads a congregation as the sole or primary leader. Thus, a pastor has accountability to the other leaders.

2. It's limited to the congregation

That is, the authority of a pastor does not exceed beyond the local church. There’s no evidence in the New Testament that pastors exercised authority outside their congregation similar to that of the apostles.

2. It's limited by the congregation

Congregations were involved in choosing new leaders (Acts 6:2–3), commissioning missionaries (Acts 13:3), making important theological decisions (Acts 15:22) and disciplining unrepentant church members (Matt. 18:17; 1 Cor. 5:2; 2 Cor. 2:6). In addition, Paul always addressed the entire congregation rather than the leaders of the church (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:2; Eph. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1) and the New Testament undeniably affirms the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:5, 9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6). [2]

[2] This material is adapted from https://www.9marks.org/article/what-is-the-nature-of-pastoral-authority-perspectives-from-a-methodist-a-presbyterian-and-a-baptist/ by Benjamin Merkle

Questions of the Text

  1. Why are church members to submit to their leaders?
  2. To whom will church leaders give an account?
  3. What does the pastor “watch over”? What does this mean?
  4. How does submitting to a church’s leaders affect the leaders? What is the effect of not submitting?
  5. How does submitting to a church’s leaders affect the church members? What is the effect of not submitting?
  6. What are some reasons church members are unwilling to obey and submit to their leaders?
  7. How is our submission to church leaders a reflection of our submission to God?
  8. Do our pastors and church leaders need to be perfect in order for us to submit to them?
  9. What is the relationship between submitting to church leaders and trusting them?
  10. If there is a lack of trust, what does that reveal and how can it be corrected?

Application Questions

  1. But what does it mean for a congregation to submit to its elders when the congregation itself holds final authority?
  2. How should you as a church member think about holding your pastors accountable? Further, what about church discipline for pastors?
  3. How far does the jurisdiction extend, and are there any checks on the authority of church leaders?
  4. How would obedience to this passage change the governance and decision making process in your church?
  5. Write down one action you will take because of what you have learned from this passage.

“Submit to Your Leaders: Hebrews 13:17,” The Advent Christian Witness, Fall 2021