Respecting, Not Obeying: Rethinking Leadership and Submission in the Body of Christ

 Respecting, Not Obeying: Rethinking Leadership and Submission in the Body of Christ

In many church circles today, Hebrews 13:17 is often cited to demand blind obedience to church leaders:

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls…” (ESV)

But a closer look at the Greek word translated “obey” reveals a different picture. The word peitho carries the idea of being persuaded, not simply submitting to a hierarchical command. Many translations and lexicons support this softer, more relational nuance: “Be persuaded by your leaders” — implying a mutual dialogue, not top-down rule.

This understanding harmonizes with Acts 26:28, where King Agrippa says to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” The same Greek word is used — peitho — and it clearly has nothing to do with obedience by force, but with reasoning and influence. Church leadership, then, should be about persuasion and guidance, not control.

Humility, Not Hierarchy

Peter echoes this tone when writing to fellow elders:

“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you… not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2–3)

He immediately follows with an instruction to all believers:

“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another” (v. 5)

The church is not a military structure. It’s a family, a body, where leadership functions as example-setters and caretakers — not rulers. The call is for mutual humility, not authoritarian obedience.

Discipline by the Body, Not the Elders

This understanding also aligns with how church discipline is handled in 1 Corinthians 5. When Paul confronts the scandal of the immoral man, he doesn’t tell the elders to act. He writes:

 “When you are assembled… deliver this man to Satan…” (v. 4–5)

The gathered congregation, not a governing board, was to carry out the discipline. There is no mention of elders executing the judgment — rather, it was a corporate action of the whole body. This reflects a participatory, Spirit-led community, not a chain of command.

Persuasion, Not Coercion, Is the Way of Christ

Jesus Himself never coerced. He persuaded. He walked among the people, led by example, and taught with authority that drew — not demanded — obedience. Paul, too, relied on the power of persuasion, not institutional titles. As he told the Corinthians:

“Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy…” (2 Cor. 1:24)

Leadership in the New Covenant community is not about enforcing obedience, but about cultivating trust and truth through persuasion, humility, and example.

Let us, then, respect godly leaders — yes. Let us listen when their lives and words reflect Christ. But let us also remember that the Spirit now indwells all believers, and no one mediates between us and God but Christ alone. Respect? Absolutely. Obedience? Only as we are persuaded by the Spirit through them — not merely by their title.

Other verses that refute authorian obedience in the Church: Matthew 20:25–28,Mark 10:42–45,Luke 22:25–27, Philemon 1:8–9