1 Timothy 5:18

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads out the grain.” And, “The labourer is worthy of his wages.”

BSB

For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

KJV

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

ASV

For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire.

BBE

For the Writings say, It is not right to keep the ox from taking the grain when he is crushing it. And, The worker has a right to his reward.

Original Greek

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λέγει legei Says G3004 γὰρ gar for G1063 ἡ hē the G3588 γραφή graphē Scripture G1124 βοῦν boun An ox G1016 ἀλοῶντα aloōnta treading out grain G248 οὐ ou not G3756 φιμώσεις phimōseis you will muzzle G5392 καὶ kai and G2532 ἄξιος axios Worthy [is] G514 ὁ ho the G3588 ἐργάτης ergatēs workman G2040 τοῦ tou of the G3588 μισθοῦ misthou wages G3408 αὐτοῦ.¶ autou of him G846

The early church

He alleges the Law, he alleges the words of Christ, both agreeing herein. For the Law says, "Thou shall not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn." See how he would have the teacher labor! For there is not, indeed there is not, any other labor such as his. But this is from the Law. But how does he quote from Christ? "The laborer is worthy of his reward." Let us not then look only to the reward, but to the terms of the commandment. "The laborer," he says, "is worthy of his reward." So that if any one lives in sloth and luxury, he is unworthy of it. Unless he is as the ox treading out the corn, and bearing the yoke, in spite of heat and thorns, and ceases not till he has carried the corn into the granary, he is not worthy.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Timothy

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 17–25

Care must be taken that ministers are maintained. And those who are laborious in this work are worthy of double honour and esteem. It is their just due, as much as the reward of the labourer. The apostle charges Timothy solemnly to guard against partiality. We have great need to watch at all times, that we do not partake of other men's sins. Keep thyself pure, not only from doing the like thyself, but from countenancing it, or any way helping to it in others. The apostle also charges Timothy to take care of his health. As we are not to make our bodies masters, so neither slaves; but to use them so that they may be most helpful to us in the service of God. There are secret, and there are open sins: some men's sins are open before-hand, and going before unto judgment; some they follow after. God will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make known the counsels of all hearts. Looking forward to the judgment-day, let us all attend to our proper offices, whether in higher or lower stations, studying that the name and doctrine of God may never be blasphemed on our account.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 5 →

Parallel passages

4

The same words or events elsewhere, including Old Testament passages quoted in the New.

Deuteronomy 25:4Matthew 10:10Luke 10:71 Corinthians 9:9

Cross-references

13

Topics

Minister, ChristianQuotations And AllusionsServantAnimalsMasterBullockEmployeeLaborEmployerThreshing

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.