English Standard Version
1 Timothy 5:18
18For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."
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.”
- 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.”
- New Living Translation (NLT)For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”
Context of 1 Timothy 5:18
16If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows. 17Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." 19Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
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 require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
- Galatians 3:8And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you shall all the nations be blessed."
- James 4:5Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us"?
- Deuteronomy 25:4"You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.
- 1 Corinthians 9:9For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned?
- Leviticus 19:13"You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning.
- Deuteronomy 24:14"You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns.
- Matthew 10:10no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.
- Luke 10:7And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go 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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