Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The call to "consider the outcome of their way of life" isn't just about their final moments, but about the issue or exit of their entire earthly journey, urging us to deeply examine the full life and death of faithful leaders. This profound contemplation of their end is presented as the catalyst for imitating their faith, highlighting that their final triumph over earthly struggles is what makes their faith truly imitable.
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is urging the Hebrew Christians to actively remember and learn from their former spiritual leaders, who have since passed away. These were individuals who faithfully taught them God's word, and the writer encourages believers to consider the ultimate outcome of their lives and imitate their unwavering faith. This builds upon the preceding exhortations to brotherly love and hospitality, framing the imitation of these departed leaders as a continuation of devoted community life.
Ever felt like you're navigating faith alone? This verse reminds us we're part of a long line of believers who paved the way.
The call to 'remember your leaders' isn't just a historical nod; it's a vital connection to those who first spoke God's word to the community. These weren't just authority figures, but spiritual guides, 'leaders' who faithfully proclaimed the gospel.
Think of them as the foundational voices for the faith community. Their teaching wasn't just information; it was the very 'word of God' that shaped lives. The encouragement is to hold onto their memory, not just as a duty, but as a source of strength and continuity in faith.
What does a life of faith truly look like, especially when it's put to the ultimate test?
The core of this verse's challenge lies in 'Consider the outcome of their way of life.' This calls for careful, attentive observation—an 'earnestly contemplating'—of how these leaders finished their journey.
It's not just about remembering their teachings, but examining the end result of their faithfulness. This 'outcome' or 'issue' refers to the conclusion of their earthly walk. While it can certainly include martyrdom, the emphasis is broader: it's about the character and integrity with which they met their end, whatever that end may have been. Their life's 'conversation'—their conduct and way of living—had a final, definitive chapter.
Ask a follow-up
We're called to more than just admire heroes of faith; we're meant to step into their footsteps.
The ultimate call in Hebrews 13:7 is to 'imitate their faith.' This isn't about copying their specific circumstances or personalities, but embracing the core conviction that sustained them.
After observing the 'outcome' of their lives, we are to actively pursue the same kind of faith. This means embracing the same trust in God, the same commitment to His Word, and the same perseverance through trials that characterized their lives. Their faith became their victory, their steady anchor, and their 'way out' through life's challenges and even death. Our task is to learn from their example and cultivate that same resilient, God-centered faith in our own journey.
Understand the original words
hēgoumenōn · Greek Noun
Those in positions of spiritual oversight, instruction, and guidance within the body of Christ. They are tasked with preaching the gospel and serving as models of Christian conduct.
logon · Greek Noun
The essential message of the gospel—the revelation of God’s nature, will, and plan of salvation as communicated through the prophets and the Apostles.
pistin · Greek Noun
A complete, active trust and reliance upon the character, promises, and power of God. It is the defining response of the believer that results in a life aligned with God's will.
The author of Hebrews is writing to a community that has likely faced significant hardship and possibly the deaths of some of their earliest leaders. The instruction to 'remember' and 'imitate' is a call to draw strength from the legacy of those who faithfully preached God's word and persevered to the very end, whether through natural death or martyrdom.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The foundational event of Christianity, establishing Jesus as the Messiah and Lord. This period marks the beginning of the apostles' ministry.
c. AD 34-36
Stephen's Martyrdom
Stephen, one of the first deacons, is stoned to death, becoming the first Christian martyr. His faith and dying words are remembered.
c. AD 44
James, Son of Zebedee, Martyred
The brother of John and an apostle, James is executed by King Herod Agrippa I. He is the first apostle to be martyred.
c. AD 62
James, Brother of Jesus, Martyred
James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, is martyred by Jewish leaders. His steadfast faith and leadership are later recalled.
c. AD 64-67
Peter's Martyrdom
The apostle Peter is believed to have been martyred in Rome, likely by crucifixion, during Nero's persecution of Christians. His faith and eventual death are significant examples.
c. AD 67-68— this verse
Paul's Martyrdom
The apostle Paul is executed in Rome, likely beheaded during Nero's reign. His extensive ministry and unwavering faith provide a powerful legacy.
This passage speaks about recognizing and highly valuing those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord, echoing the call in Hebrews to remember and honor spiritual leaders.
Philippians 3:17Paul urges believers to imitate those who walk according to the example of Christ, directly aligning with the call in Hebrews to imitate the faith of departed leaders.
1 Timothy 4:12This verse encourages believers to be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, reflecting the kind of exemplary life the leaders in Hebrews are praised for.
Acts 20:28Paul reminds the Ephesian elders to shepherd the flock of God, acknowledging their role in teaching and guiding, similar to the leaders mentioned in Hebrews who 'spoke the word of God'.
2 Timothy 4:7Paul's declaration of having fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith speaks to the 'end of their conversation' that the Hebrews readers are encouraged to consider.
ellicottHebrews 13:7: "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."
(7) Which have the rule. —Rather, which were your leaders ( Hebrews 13:17 ; Hebrews 13:24 ; Acts 15:22 ), who spake unto you the word of God. These spiritual guides had been removed from them by death. Whose faith follow.—Better, and, contemplating: the end (or, issue) of their life, imitate their faith. Their Christian life and cou…
wesleyHebrews 13:7: "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."
13:7 Remember them - Who are now with God, considering the happy end of their conversation on earth.
The call to "consider the outcome of their way of life" isn't just about their final moments, but about the issue or exit of their entire earthly journey, urging us to deeply examine the full life and death of faithful leaders. This profound contemplation of their end is presented as the catalyst for imitating their faith, highlighting that their final triumph over earthly struggles is what makes their faith truly imitable.
The author is urging the Hebrew Christians to actively remember and learn from their former spiritual leaders, who have since passed away. These were individuals who faithfully taught them God's word, and the writer encourages believers to consider the ultimate outcome of their lives and imitate their unwavering faith. This builds upon the preceding exhortations to brotherly love and hospitality, framing the imitation of these departed leaders as a continuation of devoted community life.
The author is urging the Hebrew Christians to actively remember and learn from their former spiritual leaders, who have since passed away. These were individuals who faithfully taught them God's word, and the writer encourages believers to consider the ultimate outcome of their lives and imitate their unwavering faith. This builds upon the preceding exhortations to brotherly love and hospitality, framing the imitation of these departed leaders as a continuation of devoted community life.
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." — The call to "consider the outcome of their way of life" isn't just about their final moments, but about the issue or exit of their entire earthly journey, urging us to deeply examine the full lif…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026