Hebrews 13:17 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Obey them that have the rule over you,— Obey your spiritual guides, and submit to them; that as they are vigilant over your souls, for which they are accountable, they may discharge their office with alacrity, and not with despondence, which would be to your prejudice. When a minister, zealous for those under his care, is discouraged by their apparent non-proficiency, that damps his spirits, and abates the vigour with which he would exert himself upon more probable hopes of success. See Hebrews 13:7. From the present verse, Hallett observes, we may form this general rule, suited to all ages; namely, that where pastors, in all respects, behave themselves as Christians; where they are qualified with sufficient gifts, and faithfully perform the duties of their pastoral office; where they do not lord it over God's heritage, but are examples of all holiness and virtue to the flock, and heartily labour to promote the salvation of their people, under a lively apprehension that they must hereafter give a strict account of their management to the great Shepherd, who will either reward or punish them, according as they promote or hinder the salvation of those souls for whom he died:—where pastors act in this manner, the people are bound to obey them; that is, to hearken to their good advice, to submit to their just reproofs, as to men who, like parents, have a right to exhort and reprove them: and no one who at all considers things, can think it any manner of evil or hardship to submit to pastors of such a character, by attending to their good and friendly admonitions, and earnestly seeking their own salvation through Jesus Christ.