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| Being Questioned By Authorities |
"By what authority are you doing these things?"
In his article--Mark 11:27-33--The Question!
John Mark Hicks writes,
"Jesus does not deny he has authority. Indeed, he implicitly asserts it. Moreover, the previous day he had acted on that authority by cleansing the temple. He simply refuses to justify his authority to those who not only would not believe what he says but who are only interested in some pretense for executing him."
"Jesus exercises the authority of the kingdom of God against the authority of the temple priests and rulers who live in shocking compromise with Roman authorities."
Reading Hicks blog and watching an interview on The O' Reilly Factor discussing "corruption" and a lack of "oversight" as the main culprits for problems in our society caused me to want to examine Hebrews 13:7-18.
The damage done by corruption among the few in the state who are in power over others, as depicted in Hicks article and O' Reilly's interview, results from the inaction of people (overseers) not wanting to be troubled for standing up to the status quo.
When those in power are challenged--they don't like it--and often seek to punish those they view as troublemakers for challenging their power. Often the powerful just want others to join them so the status quo may continue. This is certainly the easiest thing for anyone in any generation to do.
Having this epiphany of what true oversight is fresh on my mind, I wanted to look at Hebrews 13:7-18 to test my feeling. Sure enough, there is not a hint of "lording it over authority" in Hebrews 13:7-18, though it is used this way as a proof text to control the time and reputation of many Christians (Mark 10:42-45; 1 Peter 5:1-3).
I hope that my brief comments will help us see how the way we apply the passage today has nothing to do with what the Hebrews Writer intended.
I welcome your comments on the passage as well.
HEBREWS 13:7-18 and MY COMMENTS
Note that what is to be "considered" is the “way of life” of "leaders" (hegoumenon)
as in 13:17 below—not presbuteros, not episkopos, not poimen—the three terms that describe the function of elders among the community of city-wide house churches
(Titus 1:5; Rom. 16:23). Also, notice that “their faith” is what is to be
“imitated.” Jesus Christ’s life is “the way, the truth and the life” that all are to "conform to" (John 14:6; cf.
Romans 8:29. The verse teaches all to follow Christ. Leaders lead the way by example (1 Pet. 5:3).
Christians’ hearts are to be strengthened by “grace” and not by eating
“ceremonial foods,” because it “is of no benefit to those who do so.” Also note
that we (Christians) “have an altar” from which we “eat.” The altar is where
meat was sacrificed for meals (see 1 Cor. 11:33; Gal. 2:11-13; cf. Rom.
14-15). Christians eat at the "Lord's Table."
Note the following meal terminology from 1 Cor. 10:18-21:
Note the following meal terminology from 1 Cor. 10:18-21:
11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come."Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons" (See also 1 Cor. 11:17-34;cf. Gal. 2:11-14; Rom. 14-15)].
Sadly, today, this passage is used as a proof-text by a few Christians to "exercise authority" which is forbidden by Jesus in Matt: 20:24-28; cf. 2 Cor. 1:24 KJV over the majority of Christians through the man-made hermeneutic of “expedient laws” which, albeit sincere, I believe were created by and designed for the convenience of those few.
Again, “Jesus” is emphasized. “Continually” offering to God praise depicts a
“way of life” not a dualistic view of “acts of worship” on a particular day of the week to feel righteous. "Professing His name" and suffering
reproach like Jesus did at the hands of the Jews. “Doing good” and “sharing” as
we live life together as Christians. There is no dualism dividing life into “religious” and “secular” works, see Acts 2:42-46].
Jesus had said:
"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city" (Luke 20:20-21, bold mine).
A head count so that none were lost as is thought to have happened
when the Christians escaped to Pella.
The work of the leaders would be to leave the city, themselves, and to “persuade” all the Christians to follow their example. If all “submitted” to this, then it would be of “benefit” to them all.
This passage has nothing to do with “controlling others,” or a few Christians making "expedient" laws by which the church determines “faithfulness.” This was a real life emergency facing the Hebrew Christians in Jerusalem. This is the type of authority “leaders” have. Again the words presbuteros, episkopos, nor poimen—the three words used to describe elders work in the NT are NOT in Hebrews 13.
Hegoumenon is the word in Hebrews 13:7, 17, and 24.
The work of the leaders would be to leave the city, themselves, and to “persuade” all the Christians to follow their example. If all “submitted” to this, then it would be of “benefit” to them all.
This passage has nothing to do with “controlling others,” or a few Christians making "expedient" laws by which the church determines “faithfulness.” This was a real life emergency facing the Hebrew Christians in Jerusalem. This is the type of authority “leaders” have. Again the words presbuteros, episkopos, nor poimen—the three words used to describe elders work in the NT are NOT in Hebrews 13.
Hegoumenon is the word in Hebrews 13:7, 17, and 24.
The same "patterns" are repeated over and over, as if they keep us righteous, and we don't need to learn any more truth. We have been taught a dualistic view of the "divine side" of the church and the "human side" of the church. The church is the people, not an organization or place with compartments.
Because of this oligarchical view, we are not allowed to dialogue in the assembly (Acts 20:7; cf. 1 Cor. 14:29-40). We are forbidden to eat the Lord's Supper as a meal (Matt. 20:24-28; cf. Luke 22:14-20, 1 Cor. 11:17-34). We have been mistaught that the voluntary collection for poor saints in Jerusalem is a mandatory "act of worship" (1 Cor. 16:1-4; cf. Rom. 15:25-26).
Also, note that the phrase “for your souls” is not in the modern translation like it is
in the KJV. The NIV 2011 simply has “for you.” This is because this verse does
not teach a dualism of soul and body, but it is a grammatical way of emphasis—see
“soul” in Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, p. 589, where the word “soul” is used for “the equivalent of the personal pronoun, used for emphasis and effect…2nd person, Heb. 13:17.”
Hebrews 13:7-18 does not teach that “elders are watching out for your eternal souls as separate from your body.” The Hebrews Writer wanted them to get their bodies out of the city! His point of emphasis is that the leaders really are doing this "for you," not themselves.
Hebrews 13:7-18 does not teach that “elders are watching out for your eternal souls as separate from your body.” The Hebrews Writer wanted them to get their bodies out of the city! His point of emphasis is that the leaders really are doing this "for you," not themselves.
Hebrews 13:17 is not a proof-text for a few Christians to make laws to rule
over the majority of Christians—mandated on threat of “unfaithfulness”—like Sunday
night and Wednesday night “services,” or to use as delegating authority to pay one Christian out of a mandated collection to do the same
work that all Christians are commanded to perform out of love for others--not "duty."
See any Greek Lexicon or Greek word study: Robertson, Vincent, Thayer, Moulton, etc. for the phrase par heauto meaning personal treasuries "at home" in 1 Cor. 16:1-4, and Paul's comment "therefore, when you come together to eat” for the Lord's Supper eaten as a meal in 1 Cor. 11:33.
It is sad, but we don't know our own history in churches of Christ in the United States, or much of western church history, at least among those on the path that I have traveled for the last 12 years.
It has baffled me that those who see elders as "having" authority over other
Christians--that when shown from the Scriptures the above things--refuse to “exercise authority” to correct it!
The phrase “we are sure” is the same word (peitho) translated “have confidence” in
verse 17 in the NIV 2011, and “trust” in the KJV in 13:18, and “obey” in 13:17 in the KJV (see link to my blog post above).
It
does not mean “obey” or do one's duty in a military rank sense. It means to be persuaded based
on your own faith--as in 13:7--not dependence because of supposed positional
inferiority.
That is why it is translated “trust” even in the KJV in 13:18—not “obey” again. It is not mindless silence that is being conveyed, but building trust and persuasion based on the truth that they need to leave the city because it will be destroyed. Jesus is used as an illustration and example in Hebrews 13:7-18 as one who did the same. Accuracy and example are what is important, not demanding control to do things "for" others.
That is why it is translated “trust” even in the KJV in 13:18—not “obey” again. It is not mindless silence that is being conveyed, but building trust and persuasion based on the truth that they need to leave the city because it will be destroyed. Jesus is used as an illustration and example in Hebrews 13:7-18 as one who did the same. Accuracy and example are what is important, not demanding control to do things "for" others.
The context of Hebrews 13:7-18 has nothing to do with inherited traditions that benefit the
few that have been handed down for centuries where nobody knows why we do them
anymore. I fully understand the need for structure and routine in our lives, and how these instill discipline and personal improvement, and are in many cases a means of growth for the immature. I am not against this. I am against a few Christians making up laws and binding them on other Christians, living in denial, and claiming to be the NT church to the exclusion of all others, and claiming to practice NT Christianity just like they did in the NT.
It is simply not true, and I cannot remain silent about it.
It is simply not true, and I cannot remain silent about it.
May God bless us all.
My wife and I were discussing this passage last night after we put the children to bed, and I wanted to include my comments below from another blog post I wrote that has additional, specific and relevant info on this subject. I must post it in multiple comments. God bless:
ReplyDeleteSo, how has Hebrews 13:17 been misunderstood? Note the contrast between the King James Version and the more modern English Standard Version for the rendering of this passage:
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves…" (KJV)
"Obey your leaders and submit to them…" (ESV).
Note that the KJV translates the Greek word "hegeomai" as "them that have the rule over you," whereas the ESV translates it as "leaders." The phrase found in the King James encourages the concept of elder rulership. The problem with this translation is that none of the three Greek words for elder (presbuteros, episkopos, poimen) are used in this passage. Support for translating the word hegeomai as "leaders" is found in Acts 15:22 in speaking of Judas Barsabbas and Silas. Here they are called "leading men," in contrast to the apostles and elders:[5]
"Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men (hegeomai) among the brothers, with the following letter..."
For those who may argue that "leaders" could refer to "elders," it is of note that this verse specifically separates the leaders (hegeomai) from the elders (presbuteros). It certainly does not assume it, as is commonly taught today.
Second, the word translated "obey" in both the older and newer translations is peitho and it means "to lead or guide," or "to be persuaded or won over" by the conduct of the leaders.[6] W. E. Vine states, "The 'obedience' suggested is not by submission to authority, but resulting from persuasion."[7] The idea is trust based on persuasive conduct, not inferior/superior status as the phrase "obey them that have the rule over you" infers. Persuasive conduct has nothing to do with an imaginary, military style authority to make "laws of expediency." Hebrews 13:17 had first century application for leaving the city of Jerusalem, and if we are to make application today, it is simply advising all to be persuaded by mature Christian examples of conforming to the character of Christ for one's own benefit. It will be "profitable for us" if we behave like Jesus Christ. There is no virtue in being another man's slave as many translations would lead one to believe. Further, there is danger in being enslaved to those who may "arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after themselves" by making laws where God does not (additional assemblies, the collection, etc., Acts 20:30).
Peitho is also found in the very next verse--Hebrews 13:18--and is translated as "trust" (KJV), rather than "obey," as the writer states, "for we trust that we have a good conscience…" If Hebrews was written by Paul, an apostle, then he was persuaded or won over in his conscience, not ruled over or commanded by Hebrew Christians! It is not an apostolic command that we be controlled by a group of pseudo-lawmakers in the church.
Third, the word for "submit" (hupeiko) is found only here in Hebrews 13:17 and simply means "to yield" to example—not positional authority. Again, the example that is to be followed is conforming to the image of Christ (Rom. 8:29; cf. 2 Pet. 1:5-8; Mat. 5:3-12; 28:19), not submitting one's self to a supposed superior. The most common word used for submission and subjection in the New Testament is hupotasso. It refers to a voluntary attitude of cooperation, but submitting and subjection in the Bible have nothing to do with a group of Christians controlling other Christians through hierarchical power. Subjection is simply an attitude of childlike openness in yielding to others. Christian subjection is universal among old and young and male and female. Ephesians 5:21 states, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." All Christians are to manifest a submissive attitude toward one another. Submission is not the western concept of one up/one down relationships that is found in militaries, governments, and businesses. If elders and preachers can be submissive and tell me that I "have to go to church" on Sunday and Wednesday nights, then I can be submissive and tell them, "No I don't." Submission differs from obedience in that submission is unconditional, but obedience is relative. We are always to have a humble attitude of submission toward all authority, but we only obey Jesus Christ (Acts 23:5; cf. Acts 5:29). He alone is the sole source of law making among His churches (Mat. 28:18).[8]
ReplyDeleteBeing persuaded, maintaining a submissive attitude, and following the example of others as they conform to the character of Christ as Hebrews 13:17 commands requires personal responsibility. Being commanded by men to sustain an institutional system of public buildings and salaried preachers based on false pretenses does not. Being persuaded to behave like Christ is an active choice that free individuals make. Following commandments of men is an abdication of one's personal responsibility to God and results in bondage to men. Christians are not to "forsake assembling," and while meeting once on Sunday to partake of the Lord's Supper in the context of a family meal is not being faithful to men, it is being faithful to God (Acts 20:7;cf. Jude 1:12; 1 Cor. 11:33). Christians are free to give to anyone at anytime and the temporary, regional, and voluntary collection (at home) for poor saints in Jerusalem was just that (Acts 11:27-30; cf. Rom. 15:25-26; 1 Cor. 16:1-4). It is not an "act of worship" conducted ritualistically in a public building to be considered faithful to God anymore than attendance on Sunday and Wednesday nights are requirements to be faithful to God.
The purpose of this blog is the same as that of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: to remove the power religious rulers have over the minds of God's people and return it to all Christians through the avenue of personal responsibility (Matt. 5:3—7:27). We are free to choose when and where to meet and when and how much to give, but we are not free to make laws and bind them on other Christians. Elders, preachers, and teachers who claim to preach the truth and the whole counsel of God are found to be "good ministers of Jesus Christ" only when they selflessly proclaim the truth about assembling and the collection (1 Tim. 4:6). When we continue to teach these truths we show Christians the liberty that God gives us in Christ (Luke 4:18). We manifest integrity, honesty, and avoid any appearance of impropriety. The Spirit of the Master is within all those who selflessly proclaim God's truth in these matters (John 8:31-32).