Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Part Six

Romans 12:6-8
P. G. Mathew | Sunday, August 29, 1999
Copyright © 1999, P. G. Mathew

The Gift of Administration

We have been studying the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In this study we want to speak about a spiritual gift that is recorded in 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Romans 12:8–the gift of government or leadership. In 1 Corinthians 12:28 we read that in the church God has appointed those with gifts of administration. In Romans 12:8 we are told, “If it is leadership, let him govern diligently.”

This gift of governing, administering, and managing is an extremely important gift in the church of Jesus Christ. God is a God of order, not of confusion. The kingdom of God means the rule of God, so everywhere in God’s cosmos you will find order.

This is especially so in the church of Jesus Christ, where everything is to be done decently and in order. So let us first examine the word we find in 1 Corinthians 12:28, kubernêseis. The word government and its derivative, gubernatorial, comes from kubernêseis .

This word appears in a slightly different form in Acts 27:11 and Revelation 18:17, where it refers to the pilot of a ship. As the ruler of his ship, a pilot issues commands which must be obeyed. This is also true of any ship or airplane today–the captain is the ruler and he must rule. So the gift of kubernêseis is the gift to govern, to rule, to manage, to command.

In Romans 12:8 we find another word, ho proistamenos, meaning the one who rules, or leads. The word comes from proistêmi, which means to stand in front of a group of people as their leader. So in Romans 12:8 we read, “He who rules, let him do so en spoudê,” with haste, with diligence, taking all pains, striving. In other words, if you are an elder, a father, a husband, a leader of any sort, you are not supposed to go to sleep as the leader. Exercise diligence!

We recently heard of a situation in our country in which about eighty people were killed in Waco, Texas, and government officials were involved. At that time, the president said he did not know what happened, and another high-ranking official assumed all responsibility. Later on, however, that official said she did not know what had happened either and promised to get to the bottom of it. These people are leaders but their lack of knowledge does not demonstrate diligence in ruling.

The Bible says, “He who rules, let him do so with due diligence.” You are not to go to sleep when you govern the state. You are not supposed to go to sleep when you govern your family. You are not to go to sleep when you govern God’s church.

All Authority Comes from God

The first point we want to make is that our governing, whether it is state, home, or church, is based on the authority and power derived and delegated to us from God. Ours is not absolute power or authority. All leadership requires authority, and all authority belongs to and comes from our triune God. All human government is based on derived or delegated authority from God.

1. Authority in the State

The triune God gives authority to the nations of the world. Paul writes about this in Romans 13, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

In Romans 13:4 Paul speaks about Caesar, who represents the authority of the state, “For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant.” And in verse 6 Paul writes, “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.”

Jesus himself spoke of this in John 19:11 when he told Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” All human authority is derived and delegated by our God.

2. Authority in the Family

God also gives authority within human families. It is God who instituted marriage and family as the basic institution in the world, so it is God who gives authority to the husband over the wife and children, and authority to parents over the children.

In Exodus 20:12 we find the fifth commandment, “Honor your father and mother so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” In ancient Israel, rebellious sons were stoned to death by divine command, but here God promises long life to those who honored their parents. In Ephesians 6:1 Paul writes, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right,” and then he quotes this commandment from Exodus 20.

In Ephesians 5:22-23 Paul writes, “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church.” The husband’s authority is derived from God. And in verse 25 he directs, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church.” Here we find Christ commanding the husbands and wives to live in a certain way. Again, in 1 Corinthians 11:3 Paul tells us “the head of every man is Christ.” This is the structure of authority God has set up for families.

3. Authority in the Church

God also gives authority to leaders in the church to rule for him. The New Testament tells us about appointing bishops, pastors, and elders to govern in God’s church.

In 1 Timothy 3 we are given qualifications for a bishop, an elder, a pastor. In verses 4-5 we read, “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?).”

Titus 1:6 also tells us about leaders in God’s church. Paul directed Titus to appoint elders in every city and then gave some qualifications of men to be appointed as elders: “An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.” The kingdom of God is the rule of God; thus, we find government everywhere throughout the church.

God Enables Us to Govern

How can we fulfill God’s charge to us as leaders? If you are a husband, if you are a father, if you are a parent, you must understand that not only has God given you authority to govern for him within your sphere, but he has also given you the necessary gifts to do the job, if you believe in God’s word.

In Hebrews 12:7-8 we read, “For what son is not disciplined by his father?” It is a rhetorical question, for all sons are disciplined if fathers are fulfilling their God-ordained roles. The writer continues, “If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.” Management, administration, government–that is God’s order, and he will grant you authority and ability to govern in his behalf.

It is the same in the church. In 1 Corinthians 12:28 we read, “And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, . . . those with gifts of administration. . . .” These are all governors of God’s church. In Ephesians 4:11 we are told that it is the ascended Christ who gave gifts consisting of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for service. They are given to govern, to manage, to administer within the church. And in Acts 20 Paul tells the elders of Ephesus, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the flock of God, which he bought with his own blood.”

Appointment of Church Leaders

In these passages we find three Greek words used for church leaders–elder, pastor, and bishop–which all mean the same thing. The word for elder has to do with the dignity of the person. The word for bishop is related to his function, which is overseeing human beings, especially their souls. The word for shepherd speaks of the one who feeds and takes care of the sheep.

Church leaders are appointed and given authority by God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Each church must be governed, managed, cared for because it is God’s church, a church of order, not of disorder and confusion. So we see Paul making it a point to appoint elders in every church he visits on his missionary journeys. We read about this first in Acts 14:23: “Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church.” In Titus 1 Paul says he left Titus in Crete so that he can appoint elders in the cities there.

This does not mean that all pastors who say they are pastors are pastors, or that all elders who say they are elders are elders, or that all bishops who say they are bishops are bishops. This does not mean that if you have a degree from a seminary that you are a pastor. There are multitudes of self-appointed pastors, self-appointed elders, and self-appointed bishops in the church today. You may even be appointed by a church, but that doesn’t mean you have been appointed by God. The question is, has God appointed you as he appointed Moses and Joshua and others? If God has not appointed you, you are not a pastor, elder, bishop in the biblical sense.

Authorities Must Be Accountable

Because our authority is derived from the triune God, every leader, whether parent, church leader, or state ruler, is responsible to God, the absolute Sovereign who has appointed us. Everyone must render this Sovereign an account.

Thus, every father and every mother must govern so that their children will not be wild and disobedient. They must be faithful to discipline their children in love, treating them as legitimate, not illegitimate, sons. A parent’s supreme responsibility is to raise his or her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord so that they will not be wild and disobedient.

Every ruler must also render an account to God. In Daniel 4 we read that King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon thought he was the supreme authority, not the triune God. God dealt with him, punishing him and making him like an animal for seven years until he confessed that God was the Sovereign Lord of the universe from whom his own authority was derived.

In Daniel 5 we read about Belshazzar, a playboy king who thought he was the absolute authority until God showed up. He saw a hand writing on the wall and Daniel interpreted what was written. What was the interpretation? “The kingdom will be taken away from you.” Belshazzar was killed in the same night.

In Hebrews 13:17 we are told about church leaders, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.” Then we are told they watch over the souls of those under them “as men who must give an account” to the supreme Sovereign, the Lord of the church.

Rulers Must Be Under Authority

The second point we want to make is that if you are a ruler, especially in the church of Jesus Christ, you can only rule if you yourself are under authority. No one in God’s church can be appointed to rule, manage, and govern unless he fears God and is governed by God’s authority.

The classic example of a ruler being under authority is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was under God’s authority, so he resisted temptation and always did that which was pleasing to his Father. He humbled himself, becoming a servant, and fulfilled his God-given messianic mission on the cross; and, therefore, God highly exalted him and placed all things under his feet. Jesus is Lord of all! God appointed him and declared him with power to be the Son of God. He was perfectly under authority and so he is in supreme authority.

Character matters in rulership, in government. A God-fearing son will make a good father and husband. A God-fearing daughter will make a good mother and wife. A God-fearing son will make a good elder, a good pastor, a good bishop if God appoints him and gifts him.

We are told today character doesn’t matter, but we see every day the terrible consequences of electing people without character. We must be under authority to function in authority.

The Example of the Centurion

We find another example of an authority functioning under authority in Matthew 8. There we read about a centurion whose servant was sick. He wanted Jesus to heal his servant, but when he came to Jesus, he told him, “Please do not come. I am not worthy of it.” He makes this statement: “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word and my servant will be healed.” And then he gives the reason for it: “For I myself am a man under authority with soldiers under me. I tell this one ‘Go’ and he goes, and that one ‘Come’ and he comes” (Matt. 8:8-9).

In other words, the centurion was telling Jesus, “As a man under authority, when I speak and command, the entire authority of the Roman empire is behind me. When I speak, the soldiers under me know it and they obey. And I know that when you speak, you speak with God’s authority. Thus, I know that when you speak, your word shall accomplish the purpose for which it is sent, and you do not need to come to this poor man’s wretched house.”

How did Jesus respond? Verse 10 tells us “he was astonished and said to those following him, ‘I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.'”

The centurion was under authority and so he had faith in the authority of Jesus Christ. Show me a ruler who is doing crazy things and I will show you a man who has never been under authority. A man who has learned to break the law will break it when he is placed in authority. He will lie to the court and do everything but function under the law because he does not respect the law and the God of the law.

The Example of Joseph

Joseph was another man who functioned under the authority of God. In Genesis 37 we see him as one who obeyed his father, yet he was sold as a slave. Then we see him as one who obeyed his master, Potiphar, yet he was put in prison. But even then we see Joseph obeying God. His words to Potiphar’s wife sum up his attitude toward authority: “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9) Joseph was a man under authority.

What happened to this person who was under authority? God put him in authority. In Genesis 41 we read that Joseph was asked to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. In verse 16 we read, “I cannot do it,’ Joseph replied to Pharaoh, ‘but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.'” Joseph brought God into this situation. In other words, he was telling Pharaoh, “I am a man under authority. I cannot do anything on my own, but God, my master, can.”

God gave Joseph the interpretation, and so in verse 39 we read, “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders.'” Read on and you will find that God made Joseph ruler of all Egypt.

I want to make this point again: The qualification for being in authority is being under authority. Have you been under authority? Have you learned authority from your parents and passed that idea down to your children? Or are you chafing against authority and producing children who are wild, disobedient, crazy, disrespectful, and dishonorable to God and to other human beings?

Submission to Authority Brings Wisdom

Let me point out one more thing about Joseph. In Acts 7:10 Stephen said that God “gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.”

What is wisdom? It is not a lot of knowledge. Wisdom, first and foremost, is fear of the Lord. A man under authority fears the Lord. That is wisdom. Don’t come and tell me you passed all your tests with top honors. It makes no impression on me at all. But if you come to me as a man who fears the Lord, I will conclude that you are guided by wisdom.

Concerning the Messiah, the Son of David–Jesus Christ himself–we are told in Isaiah 11:2 that the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of the fear of the Lord, would rest upon him. If Jesus needed wisdom, don’t you think you do also? If you want to be a ruler, you need wisdom, and wisdom means to be under God.

In Acts 6 the apostles wanted to delegate the responsibility of food distribution to other people. They looked for some rulers who could take over that part of the ministry. What qualifications did the apostles require? In Acts 6:3 we read, “Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of Spirit and wisdom.” Full of Spirit and wisdom.

What is wisdom? It is fear of the Lord. It is to live a life obedient to God and pleasing to him. It is to be under God’s authority.

The Example of Saul

We also find examples of people who did not function correctly as leaders under authority. Do you remember King Saul? Oh, he was a tall man, the people’s choice, appointed as the first king of Israel.

Samuel told him, “I want you to wait seven days until I come.” What happened? Saul did not wait the full amount of time for Samuel. Saul was not a man under any kind of authority. He was not a man of faith. He did not trust God; rather, he always wanted to take matters into his own hands. No doubt he wanted to be like every other king and do his own thing, not God’s. But because he did his own thing and disobeyed God, God rejected him as king. In 1 Samuel 13 we see Samuel telling Saul, “Your kingdom shall not endure” because of his disobedience.

In 1 Samuel 15 God gave Saul a commission to destroy the Amalekites, but Saul failed to carry it out. Again, the judgment of God came through Samuel to Saul. Samuel told Saul, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors–one better than you.”

In 1 Samuel 31 we are told that Saul committed suicide. That is what may happen to a rebel who will not be ruled by wisdom, who will not submit to God, who will not believe in God’s truth, yet wants to be the ruler. Cursed be that nation, cursed be that family where the ruler will not fear God. Cursed be that church where the rulers–the pastor and the elders–will not fear God and submit to his word. In such situations, people are abused and treated with contempt.

The Example of Korah

We find another example of people failing to function as leaders under authority in Number 16. There we are told about a man named Korah and 253 others. These men argued for egalitarianism, saying everybody is holy before the Lord, everybody is the same. They did not like the fact that God had made Moses and Aaron the leaders and not them. They were not given rulership by God, but they reached for that which was not theirs. They wanted to be rulers in the name of egalitarianism and God destroyed them. Remember that story?

I hope we will not reach for that which is not granted to us, but recognize that God has appointed government, people who are leaders, in the church.

The Necessity of Plurality of Elders

The third principle we need to understand about church leadership is that there must always be a plurality of elders, not one person running the show.

This does not mean people should not exercise different gifts. Clearly, everyone in the church is not a carbon copy of each other. But when you read about church government in Acts 14, Acts 20, Titus 1, Philippians 1, 1 Peter 1, and Hebrews 13:17 we notice that in all these places we are told about elders, bishops, pastors–not just one elder, bishop, pastor. There must always be plurality of elders in church leadership.

God’s Charge to Leaders

The fourth point we want to examine is what the work of God’s appointed leaders is. In Acts 20 Paul addressed the elders of Ephesus. In verse 28 we read, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”

1. Keep watch over yourselves. That is the first charge to leaders. Give attention to yourselves, in other words. Make sure you are working carefully with your God, your pastor, your father, your husband, and any other authority over you. If you want rule, watch yourself first. Be careful how you live.
2. Take care of God’s flock as shepherds. “Feed my lambs” and “feed my sheep,” Jesus said to Peter. What is this feeding business? It means to give the word of God to his people.In Acts 20:20 Paul says, “You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.” As a minister, I am always tempted not to preach certain things, but by God’s grace I overcome this feeling and am enabled to preach the whole counsel of God–the word that will be helpful to you, if you add faith to it. That is my job as a preacher.

   In Acts 20:24 Paul says, “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” And in verse 30 we read, “Even from your own number, men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.” Paul was giving these leaders the charge to preach the word and deal with heresies, distortions, heterodoxy, because from their own members, wolves would arise to swallow up the sheep of God.

   In verse 32 Paul concludes, “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace.” That is your job, father, pastor, elder–more than anything else in the world. We think our job is to feed and clothe and house those under us. Yes, we should do that, but there is a job that is more important than that, which is to give the word of God’s grace to those who are under us. We must equip the saints by furnishing them with the truth of God.

3. Keep watch over the souls of those under you. In Hebrews 13:17 we are told that leaders “watch over your souls.” The word is agrupnaií´, which means sleeplessness.Are you a leader? Are you a father? If so, are you watching over the souls of those under you, even if it means you sacrifice some sleep? Jesus said, “What does it profit if you gain the whole world and lose your soul?” You are commissioned to see that the souls of those under you are taken care of and are healthy by feeding them the word of God and always pointing them to God, who is the Chief Shepherd.
4. Counsel and admonish the people of God. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12 we read that leaders are to counsel those under them by putting the things of God into their minds. The Greek word is noutheteí´, which means counseling. The idea is telling people how to live.
5. Exercise discipline. First Thessalonians 5:14 tells us, “Warn those who are idle.” In the Greek it is, “Discipline the disorderly.” Exercising discipline is the job of the one who governs. Paul continues, “Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”To elders in the church are given the keys of the kingdom to bind and to loose. That means they must exercise discipline within the church. People cannot be disorderly.

Qualifications for Leaders

What are the qualifications of elders, bishops, shepherds?

1. Able to teach the word of God. The first qualification for a leader is that he be able to teach the word of God. Second Timothy 2:15 tells us that Scripture alone is able to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Nothing else can do it, and that is why the Bible is called the word of grace. Nothing else is able to save your soul.The ministry of the word is so important that in Acts 6 we find the apostles directing the church to find someone besides themselves–deacons–to help with the daily distribution of food so that the apostles could “give themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
2. Possessing spiritual dignity. The governors, administrators, and leaders appointed by God should be people with dignity.I hope every preacher will conduct himself with dignity! He should not beg; rather, he should realize he is an ambassador of Christ and conduct himself as such. He should not be a joker or act like everybody’s buddy. He speaks in the name of Christ, and he must watch over his own soul. Watch your life first before you watch anybody else’s life.
3. Be an example. In First Peter 5:3 leaders are instructed, “Be examples to the flock of God.” A leader is to be an example. Let me tell you, if you are a leader, whether in the church, in the family, or in the world at large, you will be an example, whether a good example or a bad example, and those under you are going to imitate you. That is the hazard of being a leader. That is why, when politicians lie, lying suddenly becomes fashionable. If the leaders lie, everyone can lie, we think. Or committing sexual immorality–if the leader does it, everybody can do it. One leader may bring down the morality of an entire country or family or church.”Be examples to the flock of God.” Father, mother, pastor, elder, deacon–are you a good example to the flock that is entrusted to you and under your care? Hebrews 13:7 tells us to imitate the faith of our leaders. What type of example are you giving to those under you?

Humility and Leaders

Humility in leadership is essential in the kingdom of God. In Matthew 20:20-28 we read about a dispute among the disciples as to which of them was the greatest. Jesus told them, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave,” and then he gave the great reason, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” If you are a leader, you are a servant.

Oh, we all want to be leaders, don’t we? We all want to sit on the right and on the left, exercising power and receiving glory. But Jesus said, “No, that is the way the Gentiles do things, but in the kingdom of God, it is the other way around. You are servants and slaves first, but at the same time you are leaders, managers, fathers and pastors.” This is humility.

Additionally, Peter says us we must be always aware there is a Chief Shepherd coming and we are but undershepherds. We are all given authority in Christ by the Chief Shepherd, and he is going to come. We must understand that any authority we have is entrusted to us by him. We are appointed by Christ and must give him an account when he comes.

Reward for Leaders

Being a leader is not an easy task. Leaders are often persecuted, mocked and treated with contempt. But in 1 Peter 5:4 we find a word of comfort for those who are in leadership: “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.” Keep that in mind. Jesus Christ is always watching you and you must be faithful to him. When he comes, he will bring a crown of glory for you.

Responsibilities of Those under Leaders

In view of divine appointment of governors and leaders, what are the responsibilities of those under them?

We must respect them. In 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 we read, “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.” If you are a son, you are a daughter, if you are a believer, if you are a wife–if you are under any authority–you must respect your leaders highly.

If you don’t respect, you will receive nothing from that person who is over you. If you don’t respect your father, you will receive nothing from him. If you don’t respect your mother, you will receive nothing from her. If you don’t respect your elder, you will receive nothing from him. If you don’t respect your teachers, you will receive nothing from them. Respect is first, and if you respect, you will receive.

So in 1 Thessalonians 5 verses 12-13 we read, “Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you.” This applies not only to ministers of the gospel, but to parents, teachers, and any person in authority. “I ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.”

It is very difficult for modern people, especially in our country, to show respect for those who deserve it. I was listening to a secular discussion in which the commentators said they have heard children calling their grandmothers by their first names. “Hi, Elaine, how are you?” the child would say. This is the state of our society today. We find disrespect at every turn.

What happens to you if you do not respect God-ordained authority? You will be damaged and grow up twisted, crooked, and warped. And this twistedness is not just a superficial blemish. It will be worked into the very fabric of your being. It will be a basic structural defect that will manifest itself in every aspect of your life.

I hope that you who are parents and teachers and ministers will pay attention to this responsibility of those under authority to show respect and require them to respect you. Teach them to hold you in the highest regard, because of the work God has given you to do. Because any respect they show to you will be a demonstration of the respect that they must render to God. If they disrespect you, they will disrespect God, and you will have to give an account to God for inculcating in the people under you an attitude of disrespect for God Almighty.

Honor Leaders

Another responsibility for those under authority is to honor those over them. In 1 Timothy 5:17-18 we read, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.'” We must give our leaders double honor, which may include money.

Elders do different types of work in the church, including the special ministry of preaching and teaching the word of God. But did you know that is also the work of parents? A parent’s first responsibility is to speak the word of God to his or her children so that the children may have a God-consciousness built into them.

We tend to appreciate only that which is seeable and touchable, proving that we are materialistic in our conceptions, even though we believe in the Bible. But God is Spirit–infinite, holy, almighty, invisible–and we must make our children aware of him through our speech and actions. We must teach them that God is with us at all times.

So parents have a responsibility to teach and preach–not necessarily in the technical sense of preaching, but in the sense of bringing the word of God to others. Every father, every mother, every teacher in a Christian school, has the responsibility to speak the word of God to those under him or her to bring those people to a saving knowledge of God. Such people ought to be regarded as worthy of double honor by those under them.

Submit to Leaders

Another responsibility for those under authority is to submit to those over them. In 1 Corinthians 16:15-16 we read, “You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge, brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it.” It is God’s order to submit to those who are ministering to you.

In Hebrews 13:17 we read, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.” In this context this means ministers, but the principle is equally applicable to parents. “They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” In other words, as leaders faithfully discharge their responsibilities toward you, you are to submit to them and obey them so that their job will be joyful rather than burdensome, or done with sighing, as the Greek text says.

The writer says, “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. . . .” Why? In the church context especially, because “they keep watch over your souls.” There are people who would say, “Well, I don’t need a church. I don’t need a pastor. I can just take care of myself.” That is not what the Bible is teaching here. God wants us to be in a church and he gives leaders within the church “to keep watch over your souls as men who must give an account.”

The writer says to obey our leaders, our parents, our elders, “so that their work will be a joy and not a burden” –not done with sighing or groaning, in other words. Then the writer says if you do cause the leader to do his job with sighing, meaning you are not submitting to his authority and counsel, it will be “of no advantage to you.” That is a poor translation. It is a figure of speech called a litotes, in which an affirmative is expressed by negating its opposite, such as “I am not ashamed of the gospel,” which is to be translated, “I am very proud of the gospel.”

In this context, when the writer says that it is not advantageous to you to cause the leader to do his job with sighing. In Greek it means it is not worth the price.The Greek word is alusiteles, which means it will be detrimental, damaging, and hurtful to you. Look at a son who is disobedient. He will be crooked, twisted, damaged his whole life. Look at a believer who rejects any government in his life. He is twisted, damaged, and uncontrollable. He receives no benefit from those over him.

I have seen children growing up twisted and warped. I have seen believers who are twisted and warped. They will not receive the ministry coming to them which is designed to straighten out their warpedness. But if you do not submit, obey, respect and receive correction, your soul will be hurt and damaged. As Jesus said, “What does it profit if you gain the whole world and lose your soul?”

Conclusion

God in his mercy and grace rules his kingdom through delegated authorities. Therefore, let us respect them, honor them with highest regard, receive the wise counsel they give to you, and then apply it immediately to your life so that it will be profitable. If you do these things, you will be enriched and blessed with spiritual benefits.

If you are a child, I hope you will stop disrespecting your mother and father. If your parents tell you to do something, do it right away.

If you are a parent, I hope you will demand and receive obedience from your children and discipline them when they do not obey. You have been appointed by God to teach them God’s ways and you must give an account to him. Additionally, if you love your children and want them to be blessed with spiritual blessings, you will do the job. Teach them about respect, response, receiving, and benefiting from those over them. Make every effort that they can grow up in the nurture, admonition, and fear of the Lord. If you do that, everything will be all right and God will take care of your children. Amen.