Hebrews 13:17

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

[You should] obey your leaders [Note: This probably refers to church elders] and submit to their oversight, for they look out for [the welfare of] your souls as men who will give an accounting [for your spiritual progress]. [Be obedient], so that they will be able to do this joyfully and not with sorrow, for that would be unprofitable to you.

Cross References

Luke 16:2

So, he called his property manager in and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in a [full] report of [all] your financial transactions, for you are not working for me anymore.’

Acts 20:28

So, pay close attention to your [own] lives, and to all [members] of the flock [i.e., the congregation] of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [i.e., elders, shepherds or pastors]. Provide [spiritual] food for the church of the Lord which He purchased by [shedding] His own blood.

Romans 14:12

So then, every one of us [i.e., including Christians] will have to give an account of himself to God.

1 Corinthians 16:16

Now I urge you, brothers, that you should also submit to [the leadership of] such people and to everyone [else] who works and labors [with them]

Ephesians 5:21

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Philippians 1:4

In my every request for all of you, I make it with joy

Philippians 2:12

So then, my dear ones, just as you people were always obedient [to my teaching] when I was there with you, so now, in my absence [also], be [obedient] all the more. [Continue to] complete your own salvation [i.e., by living faithfully to the end. See Rom. 13:11] with fear and trembling [i.e., with a reverent and submissive spirit],

Philippians 2:16

as you hold out [i.e., offer to people] the message of [never ending] life. Then I will have something to boast about on the day of Christ’s [return, See 1:6], that I had not run the race for nothing nor had worked for nothing.

Philippians 2:29

So, you should welcome him in [the fellowship of] the Lord with great joy, and regard such people with honor,

Philippians 3:18

For I have often told you before, and am telling you again with tears in my eyes, that many people are living as the enemies of the cross of Christ [i.e., their lives oppose the purpose of Christ’s death].

Philippians 4:1

So, my dearly loved brothers [and sisters, See next two verses], those whom I long to see, [who are] my [reason for] being glad and [who are] my crown of victory; stand firm in [your devotion to] the Lord, my dear ones.

2 Thessalonians 3:14

And if any person does not obey our instructions, [given] in this letter, you should take note of him so that you do not associate with him, in hope that he will become ashamed [of his conduct].

1 Timothy 5:17

The elders who lead [the church] well should be considered deserving of double honor [Note: This probably refers to financial support in addition to the honor of the office], especially those who work hard at [preaching] the word and at teaching it.

Hebrews 13:24

Greet all of those who are your leaders, and all the saints [i.e., God’s holy people]. Those [brothers] from Italy send you their greetings.

Hebrews 13:7

Remember your leaders who told you God’s message. [Note: This probably refers to former preachers who had since died]. Consider the outcome of the way they lived and imitate their faith.

James 4:7

So, you should submit yourselves to God, but oppose the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 5:5

And in the same way, you younger [Christians] should be [respectfully] submissive to the older ones. And all of you should [be willing to] humbly serve one another, for God stands opposed to [the efforts of] proud people, but extends His unearned favor to those [who serve] with humility.