Hebrews 13:7

KJV

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of [their] conversation.

KJV (with Strong's)

Remember {G3421} them which have the rule {G2233} over you {G5216}, who {G3748} have spoken {G2980} unto you {G5213} the word {G3056} of God {G2316}: whose {G3739} faith {G4102} follow {G3401}, considering {G333} the end {G1545} of their conversation {G391}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Remember your leaders, those who spoke God’s message to you. Reflect on the results of their way of life, and imitate their trust —

Berean Standard Bible

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

American Standard Version

Remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 13:7 is a profound exhortation for believers to actively remember and emulate the faith of their spiritual leaders, particularly those who have faithfully proclaimed the word of God. It calls for a careful observation of their consistent conduct and the ultimate outcome of their lives, recognizing that their steadfast commitment to Christ provides a powerful and enduring example for the community to follow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the concluding section of the Epistle to the Hebrews, which shifts from deep theological exposition on the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant to practical exhortations for Christian living. Following extensive arguments about Christ as the ultimate High Priest and the nature of faith (e.g., [Hebrews 11](/hebrews/11 "Hebrews 11 - The Faith Chapter")), the author transitions to tangible applications of these truths within the community. [Hebrews 13](/hebrews/13 "Hebrews 13 - Final Exhortations") specifically contains a series of ethical and communal directives, including commands regarding brotherly love, hospitality, care for prisoners, marital fidelity, contentment, and respect for leaders. Verse 7 serves as a foundational instruction regarding the church's relationship with its spiritual guides, setting the stage for the later command to "obey them that have the rule over you" in [Hebrews 13:17](/hebrews/13-17 "Hebrews 13:17 - Obeying Spiritual Leaders").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The audience of Hebrews was likely a community of Jewish Christians facing significant challenges, including potential persecution, wavering faith, and the temptation to revert to elements of Judaism. In this context, the example of steadfast leaders, some of whom may have suffered or even died for their faith, would have been particularly vital. The early church relied heavily on the teaching and example of its foundational leaders, including apostles and their immediate successors, who had personally witnessed or directly received the "word of God." This command reflects the high value placed on faithful discipleship and the transmission of truth through living examples in a time when Christian communities were often small, vulnerable, and dependent on the integrity of their spiritual guides. The concept of honoring and learning from elders was also deeply rooted in Jewish tradition.
* **Key Themes:** Hebrews 13:7 contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in the epistle. Firstly, it underscores the **importance of spiritual leadership** and the respect due to those who faithfully shepherd God's flock. Secondly, it highlights the **supremacy and authority of God's Word**, emphasizing that true leadership is defined by the faithful proclamation of divine truth, a theme echoed throughout scripture, such as in [2 Timothy 3:16](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed"), which declares all Scripture as God-breathed and profitable. Thirdly, the verse promotes the **imitation of exemplary faith**, not merely of methods or personalities, but of the deep, unwavering trust in God that characterizes true spiritual maturity. This connects to the overarching theme of perseverance in faith that runs through the entire book (e.g., [Hebrews 10:36](/hebrews/10-36 "Hebrews 10:36 - Perseverance in Faith")). Finally, it introduces the theme of the **enduring legacy of a godly life**, encouraging believers to observe the ultimate outcome and fruit of a life lived in devotion to God, providing a powerful testimony for those who follow.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rule (Greek, _hēgéomai'_):** This word, derived from a root meaning "to lead," signifies to command with official authority, to be chief, or to govern. It implies a position of spiritual oversight and guidance within the community, not merely a suggestion but a recognized authority. The leaders are those who have been entrusted with the responsibility of guiding the flock.
* **Word (Greek, _lógos'_):** While broadly meaning "something said," "discourse," or "reasoning," in this context, especially when paired with "of God," it refers to the divine revelation, the message of salvation, and the truth of the Gospel. It underscores that the authority of these leaders stems from their faithful transmission of God's revealed truth, not from their personal charisma or human wisdom.
* **Conversation (Greek, _anastrophḗ'_):** This term, often mistranslated in older versions, does not refer to verbal communication but to one's conduct, manner of life, or behavior. It encompasses the entirety of a person's lifestyle, character, and moral walk. Therefore, "the end of their conversation" refers to the culmination or outcome of their entire life's journey and consistent conduct, particularly their steadfastness in faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Remember them which have the rule over you":** This is an active command to keep in mind, to acknowledge, and to honor those who have served as spiritual leaders. It implies a conscious effort to recall their teaching, their example, and their sacrifice, recognizing their authority and contribution to the community's spiritual well-being.
* **"who have spoken unto you the word of God":** This clause defines the specific quality that makes these leaders worthy of remembrance and emulation: their faithful proclamation of divine truth. Their authority is rooted in their role as conduits of God's message, emphasizing the centrality of the Gospel and sound doctrine in their ministry.
* **"whose faith follow":** The exhortation shifts from remembering to imitating. Believers are not merely to recall the leaders' words but to emulate their *faith*—their trust in God, their steadfastness in trials, their commitment to biblical truth, and their perseverance in the face of adversity. This is an active, ongoing discipleship.
* **"considering the end of [their] conversation":** This final phrase urges a careful observation and reflection on the outcome, culmination, or ultimate destiny of these leaders' lives and conduct. "Conversation" here means their entire manner of life, their consistent behavior, and their moral integrity. "The end" refers to the goal, the outcome, or even the manner of their death, particularly if they suffered martyrdom. The readers are to observe the fruit of their faith, the steadfastness of their character, and the enduring legacy of their devotion to God, which serves as a powerful testimony and encouragement.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily functions as an **exhortation**, directly commanding the readers to specific actions. It employs **parallelism** by linking the leaders' speaking of God's word with the believers' following of their faith, establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship between faithful teaching and exemplary living. The phrase "the end of their conversation" uses **metonymy** or **synecdoche**, where "conversation" (conduct/life) stands for the entire life's journey, and "the end" signifies its culmination or ultimate outcome. This phrase also carries a strong sense of **testimony**, as the enduring example of these leaders serves as a witness to the power of God's sustaining grace. The overall tone is one of **pastoral encouragement** blended with **authoritative instruction**.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 13:7 profoundly connects the act of remembering and imitating faithful leaders to the very nature of Christian discipleship and the transmission of divine truth. It teaches that spiritual authority is intrinsically linked to the faithful proclamation of God's Word and that the lives of godly leaders serve as tangible, living sermons. The "end of their conversation" points to the eschatological hope and the enduring power of faith that sustains believers through life's trials, even unto death. This verse underscores the communal aspect of faith, where the legacy of past and present leaders provides a vital framework for current and future generations of believers to walk in steadfastness and truth. It emphasizes that while all human leaders are fallible, their *faith* in God, when consistently lived out, becomes a powerful and worthy model for emulation.

* [1 Corinthians 11:1](/1_corinthians/11-1 "1 Corinthians 11:1 - Imitate Christ"): "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
* [Philippians 3:17](/philippians/3-17 "Philippians 3:17 - Follow Paul's Example"): "Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample."
* [1 Peter 5:1-4](/1_peter/5-1-4 "1 Peter 5:1-4 - Shepherds of the Flock"): "The elders which are among you I exhort... Feed the flock of God... not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 13:7 offers timeless guidance for believers in every generation. It calls us to a posture of active remembrance and discerning emulation towards those who have faithfully served as spiritual guides. This isn't a call to blind allegiance, but to a thoughtful observation of lives that have consistently demonstrated genuine faith and commitment to God's Word. In an age where leadership is often scrutinized and sometimes rightly critiqued, this verse reminds us of the profound value of godly examples. We are encouraged to seek out and learn from those who not only speak God's truth but whose lives bear witness to its transformative power, whose character reflects Christ, and whose perseverance inspires. By considering the "end of their conversation"—the culmination of their life's walk with God—we gain wisdom, encouragement, and a clearer vision for our own journey of faith, recognizing that true legacy is built on faithfulness to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Who are the spiritual leaders, past or present, whose faith and life example have most profoundly impacted you?**
* **In what specific ways can you "remember" and "follow the faith" of these leaders in your own life today?**
* **How does discerning the "end of their conversation" help you persevere in your own walk with God?**
* **What does it mean for a leader to "speak the word of God" faithfully, and how does that inform your respect for them?**

### FAQ
**Who are "them which have the rule over you" in this verse?**

Answer: In the context of the early church, "them which have the rule over you" refers to the spiritual leaders, elders, or overseers of the Christian community. These were individuals who had been entrusted with the responsibility of teaching, guiding, and shepherding the flock. The emphasis here is on their role as those who "have spoken unto you the word of God," indicating that their authority and worthiness of remembrance stemmed from their faithful proclamation and embodiment of divine truth. This would include those who established the church and those who continued to lead it, some of whom may have passed away or faced persecution, leaving behind a powerful legacy of faith for the current generation, as implied by the phrase "considering the end of [their] conversation."

**What does "conversation" mean in "considering the end of their conversation"?**

Answer: In the King James Version, the word "conversation" (Greek: *anastrophḗ*) does not refer to verbal communication as it does in modern English. Instead, it signifies one's conduct, manner of life, or overall lifestyle. Therefore, "considering the end of their conversation" means observing the culmination, outcome, or ultimate purpose of their entire life's walk with God. It encourages believers to reflect on the consistent character, moral integrity, steadfastness in faith, and ultimate perseverance of these leaders, even in the face of trials or death. Their enduring faithfulness, demonstrated through their life's journey, serves as a powerful testament and example for those who follow, much like the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in [Hebrews 12:1](/hebrews/12-1 "Hebrews 12:1 - The Great Cloud of Witnesses").

**Does this verse imply that believers should follow human leaders blindly?**

Answer: No, this verse does not advocate for blind obedience or uncritical acceptance of human leaders. The command is to "whose faith follow," not merely their every action or opinion. The crucial qualifier is that these are leaders "who have spoken unto you the word of God." Their authority and worthiness of imitation are directly tied to their faithfulness to God's revealed truth. Believers are called to discern and emulate the *faith* and *godly conduct* that aligns with the divine Word. The emphasis on "considering the end of their conversation" suggests a thoughtful, reflective observation of the long-term fruit and integrity of their lives, rather than an unthinking adherence to every directive. Ultimately, all human leaders are fallible, and the ultimate object of our faith and imitation is Christ Himself, as seen in [1 Corinthians 11:1](/1_corinthians/11-1 "1 Corinthians 11:1 - Imitate Christ"), where Paul says, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 13:7, while seemingly focused on human leaders, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The leaders mentioned are worthy of remembrance and imitation precisely because their lives and teaching faithfully pointed to Christ. They "have spoken unto you the word of God," and Jesus Himself is the [eternal Word of God made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the ultimate revelation of divine truth. Their "faith" is to be followed because it is a faith *in* Christ, the [Author and Finisher of our faith](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus"). The "end of their conversation"—the culmination of their lives and their steadfastness unto death—is a powerful testimony to the sustaining power of Christ, who conquered death and promises eternal life. Jesus is the supreme "Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" ([1 Peter 2:25](/1_peter/2-25 "1 Peter 2:25 - Shepherd and Overseer of Your Souls")), the perfect example of leadership, obedience, and self-sacrifice. Therefore, when we remember and follow the faith of godly leaders, we are ultimately being drawn closer to Christ, the one true leader whose life, death, and resurrection provide the perfect model and the very source of our faith and salvation. His "conversation"—His life on earth—culminated in the cross and resurrection, offering the ultimate "end" that secures our hope and inspires our own journey of faith.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Thessalonians 5:12

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

1 Thessalonians 5:13

And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. [And] be at peace among yourselves.

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, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.

Philippians 3:17

¶ Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

Hebrews 6:12

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

1 Thessalonians 1:6

¶ And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

Acts 14:23

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.