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If you read books by John Mac Arthur, John Piper, R. C. Sproul and many others, you will find that often they refer to the writings of Jonathan Edwards, John Owen, Martin
Luther and others. Edwards wrote in the mid 1700s, Owen in the mid 1600s and Luther in the mid 1500s. Following is an excerpt from Martin Luther's "Commentary on Romans",
written in 1552, over 450 years ago.
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The True Christian Minister
As we study the text from Romans 1 verses 1 - 17, we see that it contains not so much academic instruction as rather teaching by example; for here in the beginning, the Apostle
Paul teaches by his own example how a minister should conduct himself over against his parishioners. It behooves a wise minister of God to hold his office in honor and to have his hearers show it proper respect. As a believing servant of God, he must not transgress the bounds of his ministry, nor abuse it by pride, but must administer it to the welfare and benefit of his parishioners. The servant of Christ, then, must be both wise and believing. If he fails in wisdom, he will prove himself a sluggard, who is self-indulgent and so unworthy of his high office. Such a person will permit the divine office, entrusted to him by God, to be treated with contempt, though he should exalt it. If he fails in faith, he will prove himself a tyrant who terrifies the
people by his authority and takes delight in being a bully. Calling these two vices by name we might describe them as frivolity and severity. Of the first Zechariah says (Zech 11:17) "Woe to the idle shepherd that leaveth the flock." Of the second Ezekiel writes (Ezek 34:4) "With force and with cruelty have ye ruled them." These are the two chief sins from which all other pastoral offenses flow. They are the roots of all evil. It is therefore very dangerous for anyone to receive the office, before these two monsters have been slain. The more power they exercise, the greater is the harm they do. Indeed, knowing that his office has been entrusted to him solely for the benefit of his people, he should be willing to give up his ministry if it is no longer profitable, rather than become a hindrance to it. It certainly is a great offense on the part of the minister if by one of these vices, or also by both, he renders his office unfruitful. The final account which he must give of his stewardship shall in that case be very grievous.
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The text referenced in Zechariah in the NASB Bible refers to Jeremiah 23:1 "Woe to the the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture declares the Lord."
