New International Version
1 Timothy 5:18
18For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker 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.
- 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.”
- 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 woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. 17The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” 19Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.
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 4:3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
- Galatians 3:8Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
- James 4:5Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?
- 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 19:13“ ‘Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. “ ‘Do not hold back the wages of a hired worker overnight.
- Deuteronomy 24:14Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.
- Matthew 10:10no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.
- Luke 10:7Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves 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
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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