Pastors are gifts
given to the church
to shepherd the flock.
And he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists;
and some, pastors and teachers;
for the perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Pastors are shepherds of the flock of God. Christ, the chief Shepherd, gave pastors and teachers to the church for the perfecting of the saints, the work of the ministry, and the edifying of the body of Christ. Pastors feed the flock, oversee the souls of the believers, and guard against error. They are not lords over God’s heritage but examples to the flock. The pastoral office is a gift for the care and growth of the church under the Head, which is Christ.
- Christ gave pastors and teachers to the church.
- Pastors shepherd the flock of God.
- They are for the perfecting of the saints and the edifying of the body.
- They oversee and feed, not as lords but as examples.
- The chief Shepherd is Christ.
And he gave some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
And he gave some,
pastors and teachers;
for the perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Feed the flock of God
which is among you.
- Ephesians 4:11 is the key text listing pastors and teachers.
- The word pastor means shepherd.
- 1 Peter 5:2-4 calls elders to feed the flock and be examples.
- Acts 20:28 says the Holy Ghost has made them overseers to feed the church of God.
- Pastors are gifts for the growth of the body unto maturity.
- The chief Shepherd will appear and give the crown of glory.
- Shepherd – Feed and care for the flock.
- Gift – Given by Christ to the church.
- Edifying – For the building up of the body.
- Oversee – Watch over souls.
- Example – Not lords, but patterns.
- Under Christ – The chief Shepherd.
- Ephesians 4:11-12 – “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
- 1 Peter 5:2-4 – “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly… Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”
- Acts 20:28 – “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
- John 10:11, 14 – “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep… I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”
- John 21:15-17 – “Feed my lambs… Feed my sheep… Feed my sheep.”
- Hebrews 13:17 – “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account.”
- 1 Timothy 3:1-2 – “If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless… apt to teach.”
- Titus 1:5, 7, 9 – “Ordain elders in every city… For a bishop must be blameless… Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”
- Ephesians 4:13 – “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”
- Jeremiah 3:15 – “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
- Jeremiah 23:4 – “And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord.”
- 1 Peter 2:25 – “For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”
And he gave some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Feed the flock of God which is among you.
I am the good shepherd.
Pastors are gifts given to the church to shepherd the flock under the chief Shepherd, who is Christ.
Entry compiled for the JESUSaves.com Bible Glossary. Optimized for wiki.js Visual Editor.