Amplified Bible
1 Timothy 5:18
18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain [to keep it from eating],” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages [he deserves fair compensation].”
1 Timothy 5:18 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
- New International Version (NIV)For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."
- New King James Version (NKJV)For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
Context of 1 Timothy 5:18
16If any believing woman has [dependent] widows [in her household], she must assist them [according to her ability]; and the church must not be burdened [with them], so that it may assist those who are truly widows [those who are all alone and are dependent]. 17The elders who perform their leadership duties well are to be considered worthy of double honor (financial support), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching [the word of God concerning eternal salvation through Christ]. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain [to keep it from eating],” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages [he deserves fair compensation].” 19Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it is based on [the testimony of at least] two or three witnesses. 20As for those [elders] who continue in sin, reprimand them in the presence of all [the congregation], so that the rest will be warned.
Read all of 1 Timothy 51 Timothy 5:18 word by word
λέγει γὰρ ἡ γραφή· βοῦν ἀλοῶντα οὐ φιμώσεις· καὶ ἄξιος ὁ ἐργάτης τοῦ μισθοῦ αὐτοῦ.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- the scriptureὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the scriptureγραφήgraphē · a writingG1124
- saithλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- Thou shaltφιμόωphimoō · to muzzleG5392
- notοὐou · noG3756
- the oxβοῦςbous · oxG1016
- that treadeth out the cornἀλοάωaloaō · to threshG248
- Andκαίkai · andG2532
- The labourerἐργάτηςergatēs · workerG2040
- worthyἄξιοςaxios · worthyG514
- of hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- rewardμισθόςmisthos · wageG3408
Cross-references for 1 Timothy 5:18
- 1 Timothy 4:3who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from [certain kinds of] foods which God has created to be gratefully shared by those who believe and have [a clear] knowledge of the truth.
- Galatians 3:8The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the good news [of the Savior] to Abraham in advance [with this promise], saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.”
- James 4:5Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy?
- Deuteronomy 25:4“You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing [to prevent him from eating any of the grain].
- 1 Corinthians 9:9For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain [to keep it from eating the grain].” Is it [only] for oxen that God cares?
- Leviticus 19:13‘You shall not oppress or exploit your neighbor, nor rob him. You shall not withhold the wages of a hired man overnight until morning.
- Deuteronomy 24:14“You shall not take advantage of a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether [he is] one of your countrymen or one of the strangers (resident aliens, foreigners) who is in your land inside your cities.
- Matthew 10:10or a provision bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker deserves his support.
- Luke 10:7Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not move from house to house.
Commentaries on 1 Timothy 5:18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18The Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox - This is a manifest proof that by , honor, in the preceding verse, the apostle means salary or wages: "Let the elders that rule well be accounted worthy of double honor," a larger salary than any of the official widows mentioned before, for "the laborer is worthy of his hire." The maintenance of every man in the Church should be in proportion to his own labor, and the necessities of his family. He that…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18For the Scripture saith - This is adduced as a reason why a church should show all due respect and care for its ministers. The reason is, that as God took care to make provision for the laboring ox, much more should due attention be paid to those who labor for the welfare of the church. Thou shalt not muzzle the ox - see this passage explained, and its bearing on such an argument shown, in the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:8-10. And, The labourer is worthy of…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-25Verses 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 17-18are worthy of double honor: Compare Galatians 6:6. There is no evidence of paid leadership at this time. The word used here never refers to a continuous salary. But it does imply more than just respect. The quotations from Scripture suggest gifts of money (Deuteronomy 25:4; Luke 10:7).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. the scripture--(De 25:4; quoted before in 1Co 9:9). the ox that treadeth out--Greek, An ox while treading. The labourer is worthy of his reward--or "hire"; quoted from Lu 10:7, whereas Mt 10:10 has "his meat," or "food." If Paul extends the phrase, "Scripture saith," to this second clause, as well as to the first, he will be hereby recognizing the Gospel of Luke, his own helper (whence appears the undesigned appositeness of the quotation), as inspired…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Timothy 5:18
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Timothy 5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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