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 widows in her family, let her help them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows in genuine need. 17The elders who are good leaders are to be considered 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.” 19Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. 20Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid.

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

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 4:3They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.
• Galatians 3:8Now the Scripture saw in advance that God would justify the Gentiles by faith and proclaimed the gospel ahead of time to Abraham, saying, All the nations will be blessed through you.
• James 4:5Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely?
• Deuteronomy 25:4“Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain.
• 1 Corinthians 9:9For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain. Is God really concerned about oxen?
• Leviticus 19:13“Do not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages due a hired worker must not remain with you until morning.
• Deuteronomy 24:14“Do not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether one of your Israelite brothers or one of the resident aliens in a town in your land.
• Matthew 10:10Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a staff, for the worker is worthy of his food.
• Luke 10:7Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they offer, for the worker is worthy of his wages. Don’t 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

• 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