Shepherd

Summary:

It is written in the Bible that "SHEPHERDS" (Ephesians 4:11) are listed among the spiritual gifts.

The Greek word for "SHEPHERDS" [poimén 4166 in Greek] in Ephesians 4:11 which may sometimes be translated as "pastors" is actually the exact word to describe workers who shepherd the SHEEP in the fields. 

In a spiritual context it can be used as a figure of speech to describe a spiritual worker shepherding spiritual sheep (believers in Christ).

"SHEPHERDS" (Ephesians 4:11) may do a number of different things. For example:

- Accompanying the sheep. 

- Seeking the sheep that have strayed.

- Being patterns for the sheep.

- Watching over the sheep.

- Watching for wolves coming in among the sheep.

You can find more details below:

Shepherd:

It is written in the Bible that "SHEPHERDS" (Ephesians 4:11) are listed among the spiritual gifts.

This is a spiritual gift among the list of other spiritual gifts available.

For more information:

List of spiritual gifts:
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Paul wrote about Christ that: "He-gave GIFTS (to) people" (Ephesians 4:8) as "He gave some [...] SHEPHERDS [poimén 4166 in Greek]" (Ephesians 4:11).

The Greek word for "TO-SHEPHERD" [poimainó 4165 in Greek, verb] comes from the Greek word for "SHEPHERDS" [poimén 4166 in Greek, noun] in Ephesians 4:11. 

The Greek word for "SHEPHERDS" [poimén 4166 in Greek] in Ephesians 4:11 which may sometimes be translated as "pastors" is actually the exact word to describe workers who shepherd the SHEEP in the fields. For example, it is written: "SHEPHERDS [poimén 4166 in Greek] were in the same region, living-in-the-fields and watching over their FLOCK (for) watches (of) the night" (Luke 2:8). 

In a spiritual context it can be used as a figure of speech to describe a spiritual worker shepherding spiritual sheep (believers in Christ). For example, it is written that "Jesus spoke this figure-of-speech (to) them" (John 10:6) saying that He is the "SHEPHERD [poimén 4166 in Greek] of the SHEEP" (John 10:2), adding: "you do not believe, because you-are not of My SHEEP" (John 10:26). 

Examples of what shepherds do:

"SHEPHERDS" (Ephesians 4:11) may do a number of different things. For example:

Accompanying the sheep:

It is written: "The LORD is my SHEPHERD [poimén 4166 in Greek]; I shall not lack. HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES; HE LEADS ME TO waters of rest" (Psalms 23:1-2 (LXX)). 

Here the shepherd ACCOMPANIES the sheep, as it is written that "HE MAKES ME LIE DOWN" (Psalms 23:2 (LXX)) or "HE LEADS ME TO" (Psalms 23:1-2 (LXX)). 

Seeking the sheep that have strayed:

It is written: "What man from (among) you having (a) hundred sheep and having-lost one of them, does not leave-behind the ninety nine in the wilderness and PROCEED AFTER THE (ONE) HAVING-BECOME-LOST UNTIL HE-FINDS IT? And having-found (it), he-puts (it) on his shoulders, rejoicing. And having-come to the house, he-calls-together (his) friends and neighbors, saying (to) them, ‘Rejoice-with me, because I-found my LOST SHEEP!’" (Luke 15:4-6). 

A shepherd GOES AFTER THE LOST SHEEP (those who were among the flock but went astray and became lost). 

Being patterns for the sheep:

It is written: "SHEPHERD [poimainó 4165 in Greek] the flock (of) God among you [...] nor as lording-over (your) lots, but BEING PATTERNS (FOR) THE FLOCK" (1 Peter 5:2-3). 

Shepherds can show an EXAMPLE or PATTERN for the sheep to follow. 

Watching over the sheep:

It is written: "SHEPHERDS [poimén 4166 in Greek] were in the same region, living-in-the-fields and WATCHING OVER THEIR FLOCK (for) watches (of) the night" (Luke 2:8). 

Paul said: "TAKE-HEED to yourselves, and (TO) ALL THE FLOCK [...] TO-SHEPHERD [poimainó 4165 in Greek] the church" (Acts 20:28). 

A shepherd IS WATCHING OVER THE SHEEP, to make sure they are spiritually well. 

Watching for wolves coming in among the sheep:

Paul said: "Take-heed to yourselves, and (to) all the flock [...] TO-SHEPHERD [poimainó 4165 in Greek] the church" (Acts 20:28), adding: "I know that after my departure SAVAGE WOLVES WILL-COME AMONG YOU, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK. And men will rise-up from you yourselves, speaking (things) having-been-perverted, (that they might) be-drawing-away the disciples after them. THEREFORE KEEP-WATCHING" (Acts 20:29-31). 

A shepherd IS TO WATCH for WOLVES coming among the flock attempting to pervert the sheep spiritually. 

Jesus said: "The good SHEPHERD [poimén 4166 in Greek] lays (down) His life for the sheep. THE (ONE) BEING (A) HIRED (ONE) AND NOT (A) SHEPHERD, (of) whom the sheep are not (his) own, HE-SEES THE WOLF COMING AND LEAVES THE SHEEP AND FLEES, AND THE WOLF SNATCHES THEM AND SCATTERS (THEM), because he-is (a) hired (one), and he-is not CONCERNED about the sheep" (John 10:11-13). 

A shepherd IS CONCERNED for the sheep and their spiritual well-being and WILL NOT LEAVE THE SHEEP AND FLEE if a WOLF attempts to snatch them and scatter them. 

Jesus Christ as the Chief shepherd:

Jesus Christ is called "the CHIEF-SHEPHERD" (1 Peter 5:4). 

Jesus Christ is the One Who gave shepherds to the church, as it is written about "Christ" (Ephesians 4:7) that "He-gave GIFTS (to) people" (Ephesians 4:8) as "He gave some [...] SHEPHERDS [poimén 4166 in Greek]" (Ephesians 4:11).

In that way Christ is delegating His role to some among among the church, as the church is His body on the earth (ministering according to His Spirit), as it is written about "His body, which is the church" (Colossians 1:24). 

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