The shepherds also watch for false teachers and any of Satan’s devices whereby sheep are led away from God. They “watch for your souls” (Heb. 13:17). Just as a physical shepherd protects against wolves, these shepherds protected against wolves in sheep’s clothing. How do you suppose he protects against wolves? To answer this we must recognize that the form of this threat is not physical. Notice Acts 20:28-31, where the Ephesian elders were told to “be on guard” because of the “savage wolves” coming in among them, “not sparing the flock,” but “speak perverse things to draw away disciples after them.” How are they drawing disciples after them? The answer is that these “savage wolves” draw away disciples by their teaching and example. This danger required being on guard or on the alert for perverse teaching and silencing it by the Word of truth. This does not mean that the shepherds started quoting scripture at them. It means that such skill in the word and use of scripture leaves them dumbfounded. The power of truth leaves the gainsayer speechless. If this is not the criteria, and “might makes right”, who is to say that the shepherd is not the “savage wolf?” Wolves can be clothed in sheep’s clothing just as Satan can transform himself into an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14). The only sure method of silencing gainsayers who overthrow the faith of some is by teaching the Word of God.
Shepherds gave an account to the chief shepherd for any lost soul under their watch. It required diligence, knowledge, and skill. This is not descriptive of the so-called shepherds whose stewardship includes a cleaned building, prepared participants in the church service, teachers of the Bible classes accounted for and in their places, and keeping an attendance chart to monitor members who may not be attending regularly so they can schedule a visit. How can the role of “watching for your souls” be accomplished a few hours a week? To a majority of modern shepherds, “watching” means to (1) see who comes to the coral. (2) see that the preacher/hireling is doing his job in a timely manner and (3) ensure the sheep are in good spirits. The watching goes on in the coral, not so much in the field where the real danger lies.
David wrote in Psalm 23, “Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” The shepherd’s staff would be used as a club or rod to scatter animals who prey on the sheep. In describing himself, Jesus is the good shepherd who is ready to lay down his life for his sheep (John 10:11-12). The image here describes a shepherd who places himself between the sheep and the danger. They are better equipped with the word and since they love the sheep more than their own life, they will sacrifice themselves (time, energy, and money) to protect against “grievous wolves,” who will not spare the flock. The shepherd cared for everyone with impartiality so that if one sheep strayed from the flock, he would go out to search for it and return it safely to the fold (“the called out” fold, not the local church organization fold). A painful sight is to view men claiming to oversee souls but are seen in the periphery, watching on while hirelings take the lead in teaching. The Sheep make an appearance to keep their membership in good standing but are scattered through the wilderness of sin, while supposed shepherds sit in an air-conditioned building checking lists of attendees, duty rosters, and financial statements.
[1] Andrew D. Clarke, A Pauline Theology of Church Leadership ( ), 43.