Regarding Hebrews 13:7 According to strongs, the phrase “those who rule over you” is two phrases in the greek lexicon.
The first phrase is #2233 and means
1) to lead
—a) to go before
—b) to be a leader
——1) to rule, command
——2) to have authority over
——3) a prince, of regal power, governor, viceroy, chief, leading as respects influence, controlling in counsel, overseers or leaders of the churches
——4) used of any kind of leader, chief, commander
——5) the leader in speech, chief, spokesman
2) to consider, deem, account, think
The second is #5216 and means “of yours”.
So I consider “rule over you” to be “the one in authority.” I like the words better and they have the meaning that more fits with Christ. There is nobody between me and christ, though if we are to have an organization of Christians AS Christians, it needs a hierarchical authority. Someone needs to carry out those responsibilities, even when it includes excommunication.
This is especially true within the context of Hebrews 13.
I won’t argue with you grammar-to-grammar, I am not a student of the original languages.
However, the church is indeed ruled by elders, sometimes translated bishops, and what that rule entails may be subject to some dispute, but they do rule.
Examples:
1st Timothy 3 - “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop,[a] he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,[b] but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);”
1st Timothy 5: “ Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.”
Hebrews 13: “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
Not a comfortable notion for our rugged individualist American souls. There is something to be said for rugged individualism. But it is not the biblical pattern for the Christian life.
We are to be part of the church, or congregation, or assembly, or whatever you may want to term it. That includes being subject, to some degree, to spiritual authorities. The way the authorities get their authority is lined out in Scripture, and their authority is not absolute. Nevertheless it exists.
Jesus set up His church for our blessing, not our curse. Church is not always easy, and God says there are false leaders and so on. But He did set it up and we are to be part of it.