1 Timothy 5:18

1 Timothy 5:18

For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.

a. 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!”

b. NIV: For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.

    

c. YLT: for the Writing saith, 'An ox treading out thou shalt not muzzle,' and 'Worthy is the workman of his reward.'           

d. Amplified Bible Classic: For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain, and again, The laborer is worthy of his hire.

e. Worrell Translation: For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while threshing,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.

f. Wuest Translation: For the Scripture says, You should not muzzle an ox while he is treading out the corn, and, The worker is worthy of his pay.

1. “For the Scripture saith…”

a. For [Strong: 1063 gar gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. the [Strong: 3588 ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.]

c. Scripture [Strong: 1124 graphe graf-ay' a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it):--scripture.]

d. saith [Strong: 3004 lego leg'-o a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas 2036 and 5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while 4483 is properly to break silence merely, and 2980 means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.]

1). The Apostle Paul is saying this ought to be done because of what the Scriptures say, not because Paul was saying it. Paul taught that the Scriptures ought to be what gives us God-breathed instruction, reproof, and doctrine.

a). 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

2). Numerous times in the Bible we are exhorted to find out what the Scriptures say!

a). Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

b). Romans 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying.

c). Galatians 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

2. “…Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn…”

a. [Thou shalt] muzzle [Strong: 5392 phimoo fee-mo'-o from phimos (a muzzle); to muzzle:--muzzle.]

b. not [Strong: 3756 ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

c. the ox [Strong: 1016 bous booce probably from the base of 1006; an ox (as grazing), i.e. an animal of that species ("beef"):--ox.]

d. [that] treadeth out the corn [Strong: 248 aloao al-o-ah'-o from the same as 257; to tread out grain:--thresh, tread out the corn.]

1). This passage is from Deuteronomy.

a). Deuteronomy 25:4 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.

2). Paul himself gives us inspired commentary about this verse .

a). 1 Corinthians 9:7-14 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

9:8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

3). According to the Scriptures it is God’s will for those who preach the gospel to live of the gospel, that ministers of the gospel should reap of our carnal things. It is God’s will for us to support the men and women who preach the gospel. They need to be paid/honored with monies or some form of compensation.

3. “…And, The laborer is worthy of his reward.”

a. And [Strong: 2532 kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. the laborer [Strong: 2040 ergates er-gat'-ace from 2041; a toiler; figuratively, a teacher:--labourer, worker(-men).]

c. is worthy [Strong: 514 axios ax'-ee-os probably from 71; deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise):--due reward, meet, (un-)worthy.]

d. of his [Strong: 846 autos ow-tos' from the particle au (perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative 1438) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which.]

e. reward [Strong: 3408 misthos mis-thos' apparently a primary word; pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad:--hire, reward, wages.]

1). Paul in this verse (1 Timothy 5:18), is quoting two verses, the first verse is easily found above in Deuteronomy and the second is found in the book of Luke. One of the obvious conclusions is that Paul is considering Luke to be inspired Scripture.

a). Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.