Heb 13:7

“"Remember them which have the rule over you." This he was laboring to say above: therefore "Follow peace with all men." (c. xii. 14.) He gave this exhortation also to the Thessalonians, to "hold them in honor exceedingly." (1 Thess. v. 13.) "Remember" (he says) "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." What kind of following is this? Truly the best: for he says, beholding their life, "follow their faith." For from a pure life cometh faith. Or else by "faith," he means steadfastness. How so? Because they believe in the things to come. For they would not have shown forth a pure life, if they had questioned about the things to come, if they had doubted. So that here also he is applying a remedy to the same evil.”

“"Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God." In this place I think that he is speaking about assistance also. For this is implied in the words "who have spoken unto you the word of God." "Whose faith follow considering the end of their conversation." What is "considering"? Continually revolving, examining it by yourselves, reasoning, investigating accurately, testing it as you choose. "The end of their conversation," that is, their conversation to the end: for "their conversation" had a good end.”

“He convinces the Thessalonians of this as well, to show them the greatest honor (1 Thess. 5:13). And just as those teachers made them partakers of the word of God, so they in turn ought to assist them as much as possible in material needs. Regarding this, he hints to them with the word "remember." Or he urges them to imitate them. That is, more precisely, observe. And just as the pupils of a painter look at the original, so you too, always looking "at the outcome," that is, at the end of their life, at their way of life which had a good end, imitate their faith. For from faith comes a pure life. And if they had not believed in the future but had doubted, they would not have proven blameless in conduct. Again he heals their faintheartedness; or he speaks of faith in doctrines.”

“Then (v. 7) he shows they should do good to their prelates. In regard to this he does two things: first, he shows how they should act in regard to their dead prelates, namely, follow their example; secondly, in regard to those living, namely, obey them (v. 17). In regard to the first he does two things: first, he shows how they should follow the teachings of the good; secondly, how to avoid the doctrine of evil (v. 9). He says, therefore: Remember your leaders [prelates], those who spoke to you the word of God, i.e., the apostles, who have preached to you: 'Look unto Abraham, your father, and to Sarah that bore you' (Is. 51:2). But they not only preached by word, but showed what to do by action: 'The Lord confirming the word with signs that followed' (Mk 16:20). Remember not only their words, but look to their end: 'Remember the works of the fathers which they have done in their generations: and you shall receive great glory and an everlasting name' (1 Macc. 2:51); 'Take, my brethren, for an example of suffering evil, of labor and patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord' (Jas. 5:10). But imitate not only the outcome of their life, so as to suffer patiently for Christ, but also their manner of life: for a good life leads to a good death: Whose faith follow and do not depart from it.”

“My child, him that speaketh to thee the word of God remember night and day; and thou shalt honour him as the Lord; for in the place whence lordly rule is uttered, there is the Lord. And thou shalt seek out day by day the faces of the saints, in order that thou mayest rest upon their words. Thou shalt not long for division, but shalt bring those who contend to peace.”

“Moreover, also, Elijah and Elisha, and many other holy men, we find to have lived a holy and spotless life. If, therefore, thou desirest to be like these, imitate them with all thy power. For the Scripture has said, "The elders who are among you, honour; and, seeing their manner of life and conduct, imitate their faith." [Hebrews 13:7] And again it saith, "Imitate me, my brethren, as I imitate Christ." [1 Corinthians 11:1]”

“"Remember your leaders." Of the teachers. This Paul also advised the Thessalonians, so that they hold them in honor exceedingly. (1 Thess. 5:13) And just as they share in the word, so if it is possible, to help them in their bodily needs. For this is hinted at by the phrase, "remember". It also encourages them to imitate them. "consider the outcome of their." Reflecting, examining. This can be said both about the deceased and the living; concerning the deceased: reflecting, Paul says, on how they exited life, what kind of conduct they had in the world, imitate their faith; for a pure life is based on faith. For if they had not believed in what was to come, but had hesitated, they would not have demonstrated the best way of life. Concerning their way of life: Reflecting, he says, on how they conduct themselves well in life, become imitators of their faith. "the outcome of their way of life." The community until the end. "Jesus Christ yesterday and today." Some among them were saying, The crucified one, the proclaimed and expected Christ does not exist. Another, they say, will come. Therefore, Paul says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." By "yesterday," he indicates the past ages; by "today," the present; by "the same forever," the future. As if he said: Another Christ will not come. For this one who has come is the one who was before, and he is and will be forever.”