In biblical terminology, the term "hireling" refers to an individual who works for wages, often without a vested interest in the well-being of the work or the people involved. The concept of a hireling is used metaphorically in Scripture to contrast genuine commitment and care with self-serving or superficial involvement.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, hirelings are often mentioned in the context of labor and employment. The Law of Moses provided specific instructions regarding the treatment of hired workers. For instance, Leviticus 19:13 states, "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. The wages due a hired hand must not remain with you until morning." This command underscores the importance of fairness and timely payment to those who work for wages, reflecting God's concern for justice and the dignity of labor.

The book of Job also references hirelings, highlighting the transient nature of their work. Job 7:1-2 says, "Is not man consigned to labor on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired hand? Like a slave he longs for shade; like a hireling he waits for his wages." Here, the hireling's anticipation of wages is likened to the human longing for relief and reward, emphasizing the temporary and often burdensome nature of earthly toil.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of a hireling is most prominently featured in the teachings of Jesus. In John 10:11-13 , Jesus contrasts Himself, the Good Shepherd, with a hireling: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock. The man runs away because he is a hired servant and is unconcerned for the sheep."

This passage highlights the lack of genuine care and commitment that characterizes a hireling. Unlike the Good Shepherd, who is willing to sacrifice for the well-being of the sheep, the hireling is primarily motivated by personal gain and self-preservation. When danger arises, the hireling's true nature is revealed, as he abandons the sheep to protect himself.

Theological Implications

The metaphor of the hireling serves as a powerful illustration of the difference between true spiritual leadership and mere professional or self-serving involvement. Genuine leaders, like the Good Shepherd, are called to serve with selflessness and dedication, prioritizing the welfare of those they lead over personal gain. The hireling, in contrast, represents those who lack a deep commitment to their responsibilities and are quick to abandon their duties when faced with challenges.

In a broader theological sense, the hireling motif challenges believers to examine their own motivations in service to God and others. It calls for a heart of genuine love and commitment, reflecting the sacrificial nature of Christ's love for His people. The hireling's example serves as a caution against superficial or mercenary attitudes in spiritual and communal life, urging a deeper, more authentic engagement with the work of the Kingdom.

Of the Difference Between the Hirelings and the Faithful Servants ...
... THE SPARKLING STONE CHAPTER VI. OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HIRELINGS AND
THE FAITHFUL SERVANTS OF GOD. Now you may mark this: that ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter vi of the difference.htm

John Chapter x. 13-Nov
... not bad shepherds. But the bad shepherds are those who are thieves and
robbers, or certainly hirelings at the best. For we ought ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlvi john chapter x.htm

The Agony Cont.
... of humanity is thrown by treachery into the polluted and polluting grasp of wickedness
in its many forms; the traitor delivers Him to hirelings; the hirelings ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 14 34-42 the agony cont.htm

Amaziah
... The money was paid, and the hundred thousand hirelings came. ... He ought not to have
bargained for these hirelings, he ought not to have paid the money. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/amaziah.htm

Demonstration x. --Of Pastors.
... their sheep. 3. But those pastors who did not care for the sheep, those
were hirelings who used to feed themselves alone. On this ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration x of pastors.htm

The Tenth Chapter of the Gospel of John. Of the Shepherd, and the ...
... them? hirelings. ... them. They then who preach God, as loving God; who preach
God, for God's sake, feed the sheep, and are no hirelings. ...
/.../sermon lxxxvii the tenth chapter.htm

Peculiarities of Tennessee Synod.
... ministers. Thus the promise of Christ shall evermore be verified. But
hirelings and wolves do not believe this promise. They are ...
/.../bente/american lutheranism/peculiarities of tennessee synod.htm

Urbicus Condemns the Christians to Death.
... of hers,"while he ought to have been rejoicing that those actions which formerly
she unhesitatingly committed with the servants and hirelings, when she ...
/.../chapter ii urbicus condemns the christians.htm

What Think Ye of Christ?
... Jesus. It is the character of hirelings and false prophets, who care not
for the sheep, to have all men speak well of them. "Blessed ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/what think ye of christ.htm

Epistle ii. From the Roman Clergy to the Carthaginian Clergy ...
... 2. We are unwilling, therefore, beloved brethren, that you should be found hirelings,
but we desire you to be good shepherds, since you are aware that no ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle ii from the roman.htm

Hirelings (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hirelings (2 Occurrences). ... (YLT). Luke 15:19 and no more
am I worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hirelings. (YLT). ...
/h/hirelings.htm - 6k

Hireling (17 Occurrences)

/h/hireling.htm - 13k

Agriculture
... covered with alluvial deposits (Exodus 3:8), they prosper and there springs up the
more complicated community life with its servants, hirelings, gardeners, etc ...
/a/agriculture.htm - 27k

Gleaning (10 Occurrences)
... When the reapers have been hirelings they have carelessly left bunches
of wheat standing behind rocks or near the boundary walls. ...
/g/gleaning.htm - 12k

Superabundance (4 Occurrences)
... Luke 15:17 And having come to himself, he said, How many hirelings of my father
have a superabundance of bread, and I here with hunger am perishing! (YLT). ...
/s/superabundance.htm - 7k

Hires (2 Occurrences)

/h/hires.htm - 7k

What did Jesus mean when He said, “I am the good Shepherd?” | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus