APPENDIX D 3

Chapter 13:7. Rule over you, etc. The word hJgoume>noi means properly leaders, conductors, guides, such as lead the way, and according to its secondary meaning, presidents, chiefs, governors, rulers. It is rendered "prefects -- praefectorum," by the Vulg.; "leaders -- ductorum," by Beza and Stuart; and "rulers" by Macknight; Doddridge paraphrases it, "Who have presided over you." The version most suitable to the context is "your leaders;" for they are spoken of as persons to be followed; they were such as took the lead in religion and were examples to others. But in verse 17 the idea of a ruler is most suitable, for they were to be obeyed. The specific meaning of a word which has various senses is ever to be ascertained from the context. The leaders here referred to were those who had finished their course; for they were to remember them, and not to observe their conduct then as though they were living; and contemplating the end or conclusion of their life, they were to follow their faith.

The word e]cqasiv; means an outlet, a way of escape, also the end, conclusion, or termination of a thing, or the issue; and ajnastrofh< signifies manner of life, intercourse, behavior, conduct, the way in which one lives. There is no English word that can suitably express it. It may be rendered here "life," -- "and contemplating the end of their life, follow their faith;" that is, what they believed. They ended their life in peace, and were enabled to triumph over all evils by means of the faith which they professed and possessed.