Hebrews 13:7
What does Hebrews 13:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Hebrews 13:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Hebrews 13:7 means
The readers are to remember their leaders—those who taught them God’s word. They should consider the outcome of these leaders’ way of life and imitate their faith. The focus is not hero-worship but careful reflection: watch how a life shaped by the gospel ends, especially under trial, and trace that pattern. Sound teaching and faithful living commend imitation. Methods and personalities change, but faith fixed on Christ endures. The command implies that some leaders have finished their course, perhaps through death, and their legacy stands as a guidepost. Honoring them means keeping their gospel, not merely their memory, and letting their example steady wavering hearts.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Remember 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Remember 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Remember 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Keep in mind those who were over you, and who gave you the word of God; seeing the outcome of their way of life, let your faith be like theirs.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Be mindful of those leading you, who did speak to you the word of God, whose faith--considering the issue of the behaviour--be imitating,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Remember your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Remember your leaders who have spoken to you the word ofGod; and considering the issue of their conversation, imitate their faith.
Context
Having fortified courage (vv.5–6), the writer calls the community to remember and emulate past leaders (v.7). This prepares for the grand anchor in verse 8—Jesus Christ’s unchanging person—and the warning in verse 9 against novel, unstable doctrines. The flow shows how stability comes: follow faithful examples, fix on the unchanging Christ, and resist teachings that depart from grace.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.
- Acts 7:55
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
- Hebrews 6:12
that ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
- Matthew 24:45
Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season?
- Philippians 3:17
Brethren, be ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample.
- Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
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