Evaluate or Lead (ἡγέομαι)
Word Study
Hēgéomai (ἡγέομαι) is an interesting word that has two primary meanings depending on context. It is derived from the verb ágō (ἄγω), meaning “to lead,” and therefore can express leadership, but it also carries the sense of consideration or evaluation. It is not a mental term; rather, it retains the sense of leading as we evaluate a situation, directing us to act in a specific manner.
In Philippians 3:7, Paul writes, “But all things which to me are gain, these things I count a loss through Christ.” The verb hēgéomai (ἡγέομαι) here expresses a reflective or evaluative function, rather than any notion of leadership or guidance. In contrast, in Hebrews 13:7, hēgéomai takes on the sense of leadership, as Paul encourages the saints to remember the ones leading (hēgéomai) them—the ones who spoke the word of God to them—carefully paying attention to the outcome of their conduct. Thus, while the same lexical form is used, its meaning is shaped by the context: reflective evaluation in Philippians, and leadership in Hebrews.
In considering its secondary meaning, hēgéomai is frequently used in reference to evaluation or thoughtful consideration regarding a situation or status. Paul expressed to King Agrippa in Acts 26:2 that he considered himself happy to be able to defend himself before him, knowing that Agrippa had a better knowledge of Moses and the prophets. In preparation for receiving a gift from the Corinthian saints, Paul evaluated it to be necessary to exhort the brethren to go ahead of time and prepare the gift, so that it would not be given in a grudging manner (2 Corinthians 9:5).
We are in the last days, during which false teachers will secretly introduce destructive heresies, denying the Lord and bringing upon themselves swift destruction. Many will follow their destructive ways, blaspheming the truth—changing the grace of our Lord into licentiousness and bringing others into bondage to the elementary principles of the world. They are covetous—actively seeking to take what others have, often through the pretense of allowing blessing to flow to them, such as the claim that tithing and giving results in financially gain. These are ones who have evaluated that it is a pleasurable thing to carouse in the daytime, not hiding their covetous and adulterous action (2 Peter 2:1–14).
When it comes to how we consider other saints, we are to have a humble frame of mind, considering others as surpassing ourselves (Philippians 2:3). Christ left us an example of how we are to frame our minds. Although, prior to His incarnation, He was in the form of God, He did not consider equality with God something to be seized, for He is Deity. Yet, He submitted to the desirous will of God the Father and emptied Himself, taking on the outward form of a servant and being obedient—even unto death (Philippians 2:5–8).
When a brother in the Lord does not obey Scripture, we are to refrain from keeping company with him, so that he may be put to shame. However, we are not to regard him as an enemy, but to admonish him as a brother (2 Thessalonians 3:14–15).
By faith, Sarah received strength to conceive, because she evaluated and determined that the One who had promised was faithful (Hebrews 11:11). Her faith in God was based upon the promise He had given and her trust in Him.
When it comes to a brother’s intense labor among the saints as they admonish us, we are to evaluate them in high esteem in love, because of their work (1Thessalonians 5:13). Warn those who are unruly, comfort the weak-souled, uphold the weak, be long-suffering toward all. Do not render wrong for wrong, but always pursue what is beneficial (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
The Lord is not slack concerning His promises, as some evaluate slackness, but is long-suffering, not determining that certain ones should perish, but that all should come to a change of mind (2 Peter 3:9). Evaluate the long-suffering of our Lord in regard to salvation, as we look forward to the new heavens and the new earth. Based on this evaluation, let us be found in peace—with an unruffled mind—without spot and blameless in Christ at His coming (2 Peter 3:15).
“Consider” relates to carefully thinking about a decision or opinion, whereas “evaluate” focuses on assessing or judging the value, quality, or significance of something. Hēgéomai (ἡγέομαι) is not a mind term in the sense that it does not refer to the process of the mind, but rather to evaluating a situation, decision, or opinion and then acting upon that evaluation. “Consider” is an acceptable translation, provided we understand it refers to the process of evaluation—taking care not to confuse it with the many other words that “consider” is used to translate, such as those expressing reckoning (Romans 8:18), seeing with discernment (Acts 15:6), observing (Acts 17:23), according to the mind—the actual word for consider relating to a process of the mind (Acts 11:6), or approval (Luke 22:24).