1 Timothy 5:18

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, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need. 17Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.” 19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 20But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin.

1 Timothy 5:18 word by word

λέγει γὰρ ἡ γραφή· βοῦν ἀλοῶντα οὐ φιμώσεις· καὶ ἄξιος ὁ ἐργάτης τοῦ μισθοῦ αὐτοῦ.¶Read the interlinear

• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• theὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Scriptureγραφήgraphē · a writingG1124
• saysλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• Do not muzzleοὐou · noG3756
• Do not muzzleφιμόωphimoō · to muzzleG5392
• an oxβοῦςbous · oxG1016
• while it is treading out the grainἀλοάωaloaō · to threshG248
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• workerἐργάτηςergatēs · workerG2040
• worthyἄξιοςaxios · worthyG514
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• wagesμισθόςmisthos · wageG3408

Cross-references for 1 Timothy 5:18

• 1 Timothy 4:3They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
• Galatians 3:8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
• James 4:5Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?
• Deuteronomy 25:4Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.
• 1 Corinthians 9:9For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?
• Leviticus 19:13You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand.
• Deuteronomy 24:14Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.
• Matthew 10:10Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.
• Luke 10:7Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around 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

• Animals
• Bullock
• Commandments
• Elder
• Employee
• Employer
• Labor
• Master
• Minister, Christian
• Quotations and Allusions
• Servant
• Threshing

In the dictionaries

• Beforehand
• Deny
• Guide
• Marry
• Reproachfully
• Requite
• Reward
• Bible, the
• Chronology of the New Testament
• Inspiration

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