ACC ~ John 10 v12a

BAD SHEPHERDS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE

TERTULLIAN: Why, a shepherd like this would be kicked off the farm! The wages held for him until the time of his discharge would be kept from him as compensation! In fact, the master’s losses would need to be compensated from this shepherd’s savings. [1] ON FLIGHT IN TIME OF PERSECUTION 11. [2]

[1] He then cites Lk 8:18.

[2] ANF 4:122**.

THE HIRELING REJOICES IN PRIDE OF POSITION

GREGORY THE GREAT: There are some who love earthly possessions more than the sheep and do not deserve the name of a shepherd…. He is called a hireling and not a shepherd because he does not pasture the Lord’s sheep out of his deep love for them but for a temporal reward. That person is a hireling who holds the place of shepherd but does not seek to profit souls. He is eager for earthly advantages, rejoices in the honor of preferment, feeds on temporal gain and enjoys the deference offered him by other people. FORTY GOSPEL HOMILIES 15. [1]

[1] CS 123:108**.

SEEKING THEIR OWN

AUGUSTINE: Who then is the hireling? There are some in office in the church, of whom the apostle Paul says, “Who seek their own, not the things that are Jesus Christ’s.” [1] What does that mean, “who seek their own”? It means those who do not love Christ freely, who do not seek after God for his own sake. It means those who are pursuing temporal advantages, gaping for gain, coveting honors from people. When such things are loved by an overseer, and this is why they serve God, whoever does this is a hireling who cannot count himself among the children. For of such also the Lord says, “Truly, I say to you, they have their reward.” [2] Listen to what the apostle Paul says of Timothy: “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly to you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your circumstances; for I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for you. For all seek their own, not the things that are Jesus Christ’s.” [3] TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 46.5. [4]

[1] Phil 2:21.

[2] Mt 6:5.

[3] Phil 2:19-21.

[4] NPNF 1 7:257*.