13:7

Remember those who are taking the lead: The Greek word for “remember” may also be rendered “be mindful of” or “think of.” The Hebrew Christians were to think deeply about the faithful men who worked hard to set a good example in the congregation. For Christians to keep such men in mind involved more than passive thought; it would lead to action. (1Ti 5:17) “The apostles and elders in Jerusalem,” who made up the governing body of the first-century Christian congregation, were surely among those worth remembering. They had a great impact on all Christians living there and elsewhere. (Ac 15:2) Perhaps those faithful men had personally helped some of Paul’s readers to become Christians. Those loving shepherds did not teach according to their own opinions; rather, they had spoken the word of God, carefully basing their teaching on the Scriptures. Paul’s appeal here may also have brought to mind those men who had taken the lead in the congregation during years past and had died as faithful Christians.​—Compare Ac 7:59; 12:2.

those who are taking the lead among you: The Greek expression here translated “taking the lead” can convey the meanings to “go before,” “to guide, lead the way,” or “to lead [an activity], have charge of,” depending on the context. Some Bible translations say “your leaders.” However, the rendering “those who are taking the lead among you” is fitting for the following reasons: The term “leader,” as it is often understood today, does not really harmonize with what both Jesus and Paul taught regarding men overseeing the Christian congregation. Such men were not to be leaders in the sense of dominating others. (Mt 23:10; Mr 10:42 and study note; Joh 21:16; 2Co 1:24 and study note) Instead, such men were directed to “shepherd the flock” and provide loving oversight. (1Pe 5:2 and study note, 3; see study note on 1Ti 3:1.) It is also worth noting that the same Greek verb is used at Lu 22:26 regarding “the one taking the lead”; Jesus said that he should be “as the one ministering [or, “serving”].” (See study notes.) Additionally, Luke uses the same Greek word when describing those sent out by the first-century governing body in Jerusalem as “leading men among the brothers.”​—Ac 15:22.

as you contemplate: The Greek word Paul uses for “contemplate” conveys the idea “to examine someth[ing] carefully,” “to give careful thought to.”

imitate their faith: Christians were to imitate, not individuals or personalities, but the vital quality of faith. Earlier in his letter, Paul similarly urged Christians to “be imitators” of men and women who had shown exemplary faith. (See study note on Heb 6:12.) Certainly, the faith of all those described in chapter 11 was worthy of imitation. In fact, imitating the faith of others is a recurring theme in this letter. The exhortation in this verse also likely served as a sobering reminder to those taking the lead in the congregation; they needed to keep setting an example worthy of imitation. They would thus provide the Hebrew Christians with a living example of faith to contemplate and imitate.​—Php 3:17; 1Ti 4:12 and study note.