“OBEY THEM THAT HAVE THE RULE OVER YOU” (Hebrews 13:17)
Hebrews 13:17 in the King James Version says, “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.”
At first glance, it sounds like the verse is commanding blind obedience to human authority — as if church leaders are rulers and the flock must submit to their control. But here’s the problem: the KJV translation is misleading and, frankly, a poor rendering of the original Greek. And some, unfortunately, take this to mean that believers must live under the authority of a certain hierarchy — that one cannot serve God or preach the gospel unless they have been approved, ordained, or managed by some denominational body. But that is not what this verse is teaching, nor what God intended for His church.
The old King James reflects the tone of its age — hierarchical and formal — but many newer translations bring us closer to the Greek intent: leadership by example, not by domination. Unfortunately, some of the modern translations were evidently afraid to break completely with what the KJV said. But ask the Greek scholars if the best translation of the verse would not go a little something like this:
“Be persuaded by those who lead you and willingly cooperate with them, for they keep watch over your souls and must give an account to God. Let them carry out this work with joy, not with grief, for your spiritual well-being depends on it.”
The words “obey” and “rule,” and the concept of “over you” are just simply not there.
(See the article on “If You Want to Get Technical About Hebrews 13:17” here on the website).
The church was never meant to be a corporation, and the elders were never meant to be a board of directors. The church is a flock, and elders are shepherds. A shepherd does not sit in an office giving orders; he walks among the sheep, knows their names, and lays down his life for them. His authority is moral, not mechanical — spiritual, not organizational. When Hebrews speaks of how to respond to those who “watch for your souls,” it speaks of spiritual care, not control.
There is a vast difference between spiritual leadership and institutional domination. True leaders are servants, not masters. Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them…Yet it shall not be so among you” (Matthew 20:25–26). The idea that men who may know little of the Scriptures, but possess business skill or social influence, should govern the direction of the church, is foreign to the New Testament. That kind of structure may succeed in the world, but it fails in the kingdom of God.
Many elders’ groups today operate more like administrative boards than like shepherds of souls. Decisions are made with charts, budgets, and votes — yet hearts are left hungry and untended. God’s church is to be led by spiritual people who walk in humility, pray often, and feed the flock with the Word. No one is to see themselves as overlords but as examples. Peter wrote, “Feed the flock of God which is among you…not as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2–3).
To say that one cannot minister independently of such human systems is to forget that every prophet, apostle, and revivalist God ever raised up began as an independent voice under divine authority. Amos was not on anyone’s payroll when God called him from the fields. John the Baptist did not wait for Jerusalem’s Sanhedrin to give him credentials. Paul did not seek approval from the apostles in Jerusalem before he began to preach — he said, “I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood” (Galatians 1:16).
The authority of Christ is the only true ordination. Every believer, and especially every preacher, must ultimately answer to Him. This does not mean rebellion against godly counsel or disregard for wise leadership. It means that our final submission is to the Lord who bought us, not to a human structure that may or may not reflect His will.
Independent faith is not arrogance — it is responsibility. Each of us must walk in obedience to the voice of God, tested by Scripture and guided by the Spirit. The church needs fewer administrators and more shepherds, fewer officials and more servants, fewer controllers and more comforters.
So yes, respond favorably to those who “watch for your souls.” But remember what that truly means: to follow those whose hearts are aligned with Christ, who labor for your growth, not their own power. Never surrender your conscience to men who rule like kings in a kingdom that belongs to God.
Lord Jesus, our true Shepherd, teach us to honor those who lead in Your Spirit, but never to worship human authority. Keep us humble, obedient, and free — servants of one Master and followers of one Voice. Amen.
BDD
