Hebrews 13:7
“Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.”
Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.”
Responsibility of the body towards leaders (Hebrews 13:7,17):
1. Consider the result of their conduct and imitate their faith. (7)
This is an interesting verse because it speaks of those leaders who had gone to be with the Lord, as the language is in the past tense. It speaks of remembering those who spoke the word also considering the outcome of their way of life. That could also be translated, considering the end of their life; their faithfulness to the very end. They were committed to God’s word: teaching and living it in obedience to Christ.
2. Obey your leaders and submit to them. (17)
How? …to what extent?
…in such a manner that the relational work of shepherding brings:
A. Joy.
B. NOT grief.
grief = “to express oneself involuntarily in the face of an undesirable circumstance, sigh, groan“
Why?
A. …because they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.
B. …because this would not profit the body of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
Responsibility of all believers towards leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
1. Appreciate them
A. …who diligently labor among you
B. …who have charge over you in the Lord
C. …who give you instruction
2. Esteem them highly in love because of their work
1 Peter 5:5-11 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE. 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Responsibility of younger people in the body towards leaders [elders/overseers] (1 Peter 5:5):
In the same manner that the elders are subject to Christ and will be rewarded (1 Peter 5:1-4), younger believers are to be submit to the elders and will be exalted (1 Peter 5:5,6b).
“Younger men” is literally “younger ones” and includes females as well as males. The exaltation mentioned is, most likely, after death or after the Lord Jesus returns (see 1 Peter as a whole in reference to our future hope).
Responsibility of the older and younger towards one another (1 Peter 5:6-7):
Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another.
The Greek word translated “clothe” is a rare one that comes from a word referring to the apron that slaves put on over their regular clothes which prepared them for service. We should be ready and eager to serve one another rather than expecting others to serve us (Mark 10:45).
Why? …because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34).
How should we respond? Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God
What is the promise? God will exalt us.
When? At the proper time. (when the time is right)
God’s almighty hand had permitted affliction among the believers. Paul urged them to submit to God’s working in their lives as to the skillful hand of a surgeon who exalts us at the opportune moment in time (kairos).
How do we humble ourselves? By casting all our cares on Him.
cares = “anxieties, worries”
casting = “to transfer one’s concerns”
Why do we humble ourselves? Because He cares for us. (object of his care and concern; conflict: belief/unbelief)
Responsibility of the older and younger towards the devil (1 Peter 5:8-9):
We have an adversary, the devil.
adversary = “one who brings a charge in a lawsuit, accuser, plaintiff”
The picture is one of a beast swallowing its prey in a gulp.
These believers were in danger of being devoured by the devil when regarded their sufferings as an indication of God’s disinterest or ill will towards them. (cf. 2:19 …suffer unjustly and endure patiently, find favor with God 4:1 suffering brings sanctification [cessation of sin] 4:12 …for your testing, to the degree that we share in the sufferings of Christ it is to result in rejoicing 4:19 …suffering according to the will of God)
Before we face Satan, we must bow in humility before God.
1. Be sober (respect).
2. Be alert (recognize).
sober = “come to your senses, self-controlled”
alert = “to be in constant readiness be on the alert” [as if your life depended upon it]
3. Resist him.
A. “firm” in faith.
resist = “to defend oneself against”
Eph. 6:12 “stand firm against the schemes of the devil”
Eph. 6:13 “resist on the evil day”
Eph. 6:16 “shield of faith”
B. “knowing” we are not alone.
Satan’s desire is to get the believer to doubt, to deny, to disregard, and to disobey what God has said.
God’s involvement in the midst of our sufferings (1 Peter 5:10-11)
…after you have suffered for a little while, God will himself:
1. perfect: “put into proper condition, adjust, complete, make complete”
2. confirm: “to cause to be inwardly firm or committed, strengthened”
3. strengthen: “make strong”
4. establish: “to provide a secure basis for the inner life and its resource”
“What Peter has done is pile up a number of closely related terms that together by their reinforcing one another give a multiple underscoring of the good that God is intending for them and even now is producing in their suffering.”
This result is the short term vs. the earlier emphasis on the long term, “after you have suffered for a little while…” and gives the believer hope of God’s strengthening and maturing in the midst of and through suffering.
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