Charles Ellicott Commentary Hebrews 13:17

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit [to them]: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this [were] unprofitable for you." — Hebrews 13:17 (ASV)

The present section of the chapter begins (Hebrews 13:7) and ends (Hebrews 13:17) with a reference to the rulers of the Church: Remember your former leaders, and imitate their faith; obey those who lead you now.

Submit yourselves. Better, yield (to them). Besides fulfilling their injunctions, be ready to comply with their wishes and requests.

For they watch. The Greek is emphatic: “For it is they who watch on behalf of your souls as having to give account.”

That they may do it. Be obedient and yielding to them, that they may do this (may watch for your souls) with joy and not sighing (or, groaning), for this would be unprofitable for you. If you live in such a way that they must watch over you with grief, this will both weaken their hands and bring upon you the divine displeasure.

No words could more powerfully present to members of the Church the motives for obedience to their spiritual guides; and to these guides themselves, they present the ideal of their work and life, as men who are keeping watch for souls, either with rejoicing or with mourning (Acts 20:31), ever mindful of the account they must give to God for the flock which He entrusted to their care (Ezekiel 3:18; Ezekiel 33:7; Ezekiel 34:10; 1 Peter 5:4).