Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account… I. MINISTERIAL DUTY. 1. The objects of ministerial solicitude. "Your souls."(1) The origin of souls. God's offspring. Immaterial, intellectual, immortal. (2) The price at which they were redeemed. "Precious blood of Christ."(3) Their destiny. Eternal life or death. 2. The expression of ministerial solicitude. "They watch." This includes love for immortal souls, manifested in a constant attention to their interests, and a devotedness to their welfare. II. MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY. 1. This responsibility refers to their commission. Christ will employ in His work a friend that loves Him; not a stranger, much less an enemy. It has been well remarked that the Church had formerly wooden vessels, but golden priests; since that she has had golden vessels and wooden priests. 2. This responsibility refers to the fidelity which is required on their part. 3. It refers to the account which they must finally render. III. MINISTERIAL REWARD. 1. What they deprecate. That they may not give their account with grief. 2. What they desire. "That they may give account with joy." How animating to the labourer is success! 3. The interest of the people in both. Both in what ministers deprecate and in what they desire. Our disappointment may have an influence on us. It may weaken us in the way; it may bring us down broken-hearted to the grave. But our disappointment is your ruin! It may grieve us, but it will destroy you. Our satisfaction is your conversion. Your increase is delightful to us, but it is your salvation. (John Davis.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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