750. archipoimén
Lexical Summary
archipoimén: Chief Shepherd

Original Word: ἀρχιποιμήν
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: archipoimén
Pronunciation: ar-khee-poy-MANE
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-khee-poy'-mane)
KJV: chief shepherd
NASB: Chief Shepherd
Word Origin: [from G746 (ἀρχή - beginning) and G4166 (ποιμήν - shepherd)]

1. a head shepherd

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
chief shepherd.

From arche and poimen; a head shepherd -- chief shepherd.

see GREEK arche

see GREEK poimen

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from archó and poimén
Definition
chief shepherd
NASB Translation
Chief Shepherd (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 750: ἀρχιποίμην

ἀρχιποίμην, ἀρχιποίμενος (so L T Tr WH KC (after manuscripts), but Griesbach, others ἀρχιποίμην, ἀρχιποίμενος; cf. Lob. Paralip. p 195f; Stephanus Thesaurus, under the word; Chandler § 580), , a Biblical word (Test. xii Patr. test. Jud. § 8), chief shepherd: of Christ the head of the church, 1 Peter 5:4; see ποιμήν, b.

Topical Lexicon
Term and Single New Testament Occurrence

ἀρχιποιμήν (archipoimēn) appears once, in 1 Peter 5:4, where Peter writes, “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (Berean Standard Bible). The term combines ἀρχή (“first, chief”) with ποιμήν (“shepherd”), marking an ultimate, authoritative shepherd above all others.

Shepherd Imagery throughout Scripture

1. Old Testament foundations
Psalm 23 depicts the LORD as the shepherd who guides, provides, and protects.
Isaiah 40:11 promises, “He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms.”
Ezekiel 34 condemns faithless shepherds and reveals God Himself as the true shepherd who rescues His flock and appoints “one shepherd, My servant David.”
2. New Testament expansion
• Jesus identifies Himself as “the good shepherd” who “lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11).
Hebrews 13:20 calls Him “the great Shepherd of the sheep.”
1 Peter 2:25 names Him “the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

In 1 Peter 5:4, the title “Chief Shepherd” gathers all prior revelation and crowns it with eschatological authority: the risen Christ shepherds now and will appear in glory.

Christological Significance

The single use of ἀρχιποιμήν underscores the supremacy of Christ over every under-shepherd in the church. He alone possesses ultimate ownership of the flock (John 10:27-30) and guarantees the inheritance “that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading” (1 Peter 1:4). His past sacrifice (John 10), present oversight (1 Peter 2:25), and future appearing (1 Peter 5:4) form one seamless shepherding ministry.

Implications for Church Leadership

1 Peter 5:1-3 instructs elders to shepherd “God’s flock” willingly, eagerly, and by example—not by compulsion or for dishonest gain. Their authority is derivative; they serve as under-shepherds answerable to the Chief Shepherd. This truth guards against authoritarianism and encourages humble, servant-hearted oversight (cf. Matthew 20:25-28; Acts 20:28).

Eschatological Hope and Reward

The promised “unfading crown of glory” links to the “unfading inheritance” of 1 Peter 1:4, contrasting with the perishable wreaths of Greco-Roman athletic games (1 Corinthians 9:25). The reward highlights grace, not merit: faithful elders shepherd because they love Christ’s flock, yet God graciously crowns that faithfulness when Christ appears (2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12).

Historical and Cultural Background

In the ancient Near East a shepherd’s rod, staff, and vigilant presence symbolized guidance, discipline, and sacrificial care. The prefix ἀρχι- was attached to leading figures (e.g., ἀρχιερεύς, “chief priest”). Calling Jesus ἀρχιποιμήν in a pastoral exhortation situates elders within familiar societal structures: they may hold recognized leadership, but Christ is the unrivaled Chief.

Pastoral Applications Today

• Shepherding mirrors Christ: feed the flock with sound doctrine (Titus 1:9), guard against wolves (Acts 20:29-31), and model holiness (1 Timothy 4:12).
• Accountability: knowing that the Chief Shepherd is watching curbs abuse and motivates perseverance (Hebrews 4:13).
• Encouragement: when pastoral labor seems unnoticed, the promise of an unfading crown from the Chief Shepherd sustains joy.

Relationship to Covenant and Redemption

The Davidic Shepherd motif (Ezekiel 34) finds its fulfillment in Jesus, son of David. His blood established the New Covenant (Hebrews 13:20) and secures the flock’s eternal safety (John 10:28). Thus ἀρχιποιμήν is not merely a title—it encapsulates covenant faithfulness, sacrificial redemption, and eschatological triumph.

Differentiating Good, Great, and Chief Shepherd Titles

• Good Shepherd (John 10): focuses on sacrificial love.
• Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13): highlights resurrection power and covenant securing.
• Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5): emphasizes supreme authority and future appearing.

Together they portray one Lord exercising comprehensive pastoral care across time.

Summary

ἀρχιποιμήν fixes believers’ eyes on the exalted Christ who shepherds His church now and will manifest in glory. Under-shepherds serve under His watchful gaze, the flock rests in His unfailing care, and a crown that never fades awaits all who faithfully follow Him until He appears.

Forms and Transliterations
αρχιποιμενος αρχιποίμενος ἀρχιποίμενος archipoimenos archipoímenos
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Peter 5:4 N-GMS
GRK: φανερωθέντος τοῦ ἀρχιποίμενος κομιεῖσθε τὸν
NAS: And when the Chief Shepherd appears,
KJV: And when the chief Shepherd shall appear,
INT: having been revealed the chief shepherd you will receive the

Strong's Greek 750
1 Occurrence


ἀρχιποίμενος — 1 Occ.

749
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