The Coptic Orthodox Church values the Shepherd of Hermas as an important early Christian work but does not treat it as canonical Scripture. The text is acknowledged as valuable patristic literature and is read in some contexts for spiritual edification, but it is not included in the official biblical canon nor cited with the same authority as the canonical New Testament.

The Coptic Orthodox tradition recognizes a distinction between the apostolic writings (the New Testament) and later apostolic or sub-apostolic works, even those highly regarded by the early Church. While the Shepherd was esteemed by some church fathers and has spiritual value, the Coptic Orthodox Church—following the broader Eastern Orthodox and patristic consensus—reserves the designation 'Scripture' for texts that possess apostolic authorship or direct apostolic authorization. The Shepherd of Hermas is thus treated as edifying early Christian literature but not as binding for doctrine and practice in the way that the New Testament is.