Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
A hireling - A man employed to take care of the sheep, to whom wages is paid. As he does not own the sheep, and guards them merely for pay, rather than risk his life he would leave the flock to the ravages of wild beasts. The word translated "hireling" is often employed in a good sense; but here it denotes one who is unfaithful to his trust; and especially those ministers who preach only for support, and who are unwilling to encounter any danger or to practice any self-denial for the welfare of the church of God. They are those who have no boldness in the cause of their Master, but who, rather than lose their reputation or place, would see the church corrupted and wasted by its spiritual foes.
Whose own the sheep are not - Who does not own the sheep.
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing John 10:12:
Psalms 23:1
Isaiah 11:6
Ezekiel 34:11
Zechariah 11:17
John 21:15
Acts 20:28
Ephesians 4:11
Philippians 2:6
1 Thessalonians 4:17
1 Peter 2:25
1 Peter 5:2
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