The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock.
A hireling guards the sheep for wages alone, not love, so when the wolf comes he flees rather than risk his life. I mean by this those ministers who preach only for their living and lack all boldness for Christ's cause; they would see the church wasted and corrupted rather than lose their reputation or position.
AI summary
A hireling serves the truth as a means to his own ends, not from pure zeal for Christ. Yet we must hear him still, for the Gospel itself deserves our respect even from unfaithful mouths. Christ gives us the measure: He laid down His life for the sheep. How base our indolence, if we love our own life more than the Church's salvation.
AI summary
The hireling has no property in the sheep; they are not his own. This marks Christ's peculiar relation to His flock as its true Proprietor and Lord. When the wolf comes in any hostile form, the hireling flees because he lacks the Master's own deep concern for His charge.
AI summary