The Meaning of 1 Timothy 5:18 Explained

1 Timothy 5:18

KJV: For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

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

Darby: for the scripture says, Thou shalt not muzzle an ox that treadeth out corn, and, The workman is worthy of his hire.

ASV: For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  the scripture  saith,  Thou shalt  not  muzzle  the ox  that treadeth out the corn.  And,  The labourer  [is] worthy  of his  reward. 

What does 1 Timothy 5:18 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Timothy 5:17-25 - Impartial And Kindly Supervision
A man of years was always to be honored, and if he were called to rule in the church, he was to be treated with double honor; but none should be appointed to that sacred office hastily or with partiality. Purity, gravity, and abstinence from alcohol were prime requisites in a Christian minister then, as they are now. It is clear from 1 Timothy 5:23 that the Apostles and their helpers practiced total abstinence, or there had been no need for that special injunction to Timothy.
It is clear also from 1 Timothy 5:17-18 that the early Church was encouraged to support its ministers. The Apostle quotes the words of our Lord, to maintain this contention, Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7. The character of a minister might not be lightly aspersed. If anything had to be said, the informant must lodge his complaint in the presence of witnesses, who could be witnesses against him, if the charge were found to be baseless and frivolous. But public wrongs must be met by public rebuke that any suspicion of favoritism might be disarmed. No man, however, should be called to the sacred and responsible position of presbyter, unless he had been tested and approved. In forming judgments of the fitness of men for office, we must not judge wholly by appearance-good or bad, 1 Timothy 5:24-25. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Timothy 5

1  Rules to be observed in reproving
3  Of widows
17  Of elders
23  A precept for Timothy's health
24  Some men's sins go before unto judgment, and some men's follow after

Greek Commentary for 1 Timothy 5:18

Thou shalt not muzzle [ου πιμωσεις]
Prohibition by ου — ou and future (volitive) indicative of πιμοω — phimoō (from πιμος — phimos muzzle), old word, quoted also in 1 Corinthians 9:9 as here from Deuteronomy 25:4, and for the same purpose, to show the preacher‘s right to pay for his work. See note on 1 Corinthians 9:9 for αλοωντα — aloōnta (when he treadeth out the corn). [source]
The labourer is worthy of his hire [αχιος ο εργατης του μιστου αυτου]
These words occur in precisely this form in Luke 10:7. It appears also in Matthew 10:10 with της τροπης — tēs trophēs (food) instead of του μιστου — tou misthou In 1 Corinthians 9:14 Paul has the sense of it and says: “so also the Lord ordained,” clearly meaning that Jesus had so said. It only remains to tell whether Paul here is quoting an unwritten saying of Jesus as he did in Acts 20:35 or even the Gospel of Luke or Q (the Logia of Jesus). There is no way to decide this question. If Luke wrote his Gospel before a.d. 62 as is quite possible and Acts by a.d. 63, he could refer to the Gospel. It is not clear whether Scripture is here meant to apply to this quotation from the Lord Jesus. For εργατης — ergatēs (labourer) see note on Philemon 3:2. [source]
The Scripture [ἡ γραφή]
Comp. 2 Timothy 3:16. To the Jews ἡ γραφή signified the O.T. canon of Scripture; but in most cases ἡ γραφή is used of a particular passage of Scripture which is indicated in the context. See John 7:38, John 7:42; Acts 1:16; Acts 8:32, Acts 8:35; Romans 4:3; Romans 9:17; Romans 10:11; Galatians 3:8. Where the reference is to the sacred writings as a whole, the plural γραφαὶ or αἱ γραφαὶ is used, as Matthew 21:42; Luke 24:32; John 5:39; Romans 15:4. Once γραφαὶ ἅγιαι holyScriptures, Romans 1:2. Ἑτέρα γραφὴ anotheror a different Scripture, John 19:37; ἡ γραφὴ αὕτη this Scripture, Luke 4:21; πᾶσα γραφὴ everyScripture, 2 Timothy 3:16. See on writings, John 2:22. The passage cited here is Deuteronomy 25:4, also by Paul, 1 Corinthians 9:9. [source]
Thou shalt not muzzle [οὐ φιμώσεις]
In N.T. mostly in the metaphorical sense of putting to silence. See on speechless, Matthew 22:12, and see on put to silence, Matthew 22:34. Also see on Mark 4:39. On the whole passage see note on 1 Corinthians 9:9. [source]
That treadeth out [ἀλοῶντα]
More correctly, while he is treading out. The verb only here and 1 Corinthians 9:9, 1 Corinthians 9:10. Comp. ἅλων a threshing-floor, Matthew 3:12; Luke 3:17. An analogy to the O.T. injunction may be found in the laws giving to the Athenians by the mythical Triptolemus, one of which was, “Hurt not the laboring beast.” Some one having violated this command by slaying a steer which was eating the sacred cake that lay upon the altar, - an expiation-feast, Bouphonia or Diipolta was instituted for the purpose of atoning for this offense, and continued to be celebrated in Athens. Aristophanes refers to it (Clouds, 985). A laboring ox was led to the altar of Zeus on the Acropolis, which was strewn with wheat and barley. As soon as the ox touched the grain, he was killed by a blow from an axe. The priest who struck the blow threw away the axe and fled. The flesh of the ox was then eaten, and the hide was stuffed and set before the plough. Then began the steer-trial before a judicial assembly in the Prytaneum, by which the axe was formally condemned to be thrown into the sea. [source]
The laborer is worthy, etc. []
A second scriptural quotation would seem to be indicated, but there is no corresponding passage in the O.T. The words are found Luke 10:7, and, with a slight variation, Matthew 10:10. Some hold that the writer adds to the O.T. citation a popular proverb, and that Christ himself used the words in this way. But while different passages of Scripture are often connected in citation by καὶ , it is not according, to N.T. usage thus to connect Scripture and proverb. Moreover, in such series of citations it is customary to use καὶ πάλιν and again, or πάλιν simply. See Matthew 4:7; Matthew 5:33; John 12:39; Romans 15:9-12; 1 Corinthians 3:20; Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 2:13. According to others, the writer here cites an utterance of Christ from oral tradition, coordinately with the O.T. citation, as Scripture. Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 1 Corinthians 7:10, appeals to a word of the Lord; and in Acts 10:35he is represented as quoting “it is more blessed to give than to receive” as the words of Jesus. In 1Corinthians href="/desk/?q=1co+9:14&sr=1">1 Corinthians 9:14) “even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel,” which resembles the combination here. This last is the more probable explanation. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Timothy 5:18

Matthew 22:12 He was speechless [ἐφιμώθη]
Lit., he was muzzled or gagged. It is used of muzzling the ox (1 Timothy 5:18), and is addressed by Christ to the demon (Mark 1:25), and to the raging sea (Mark 4:39). Peter uses it of putting the ignorant and foolish to silence (1 Peter 2:15). [source]
Matthew 22:13 Was speechless [επσιμωτη]
Was muzzled, dumb from confusion and embarrassment. It is used of the ox (1 Timothy 5:18). [source]
Matthew 10:10 For the labourer is worthy of his food [αχιος γαρ ο εργατης της τροπης αυτου]
The sermon is worth the dinner, in other words. Luke in the charge to the seventy (Luke 10:7) has the same words with μιστου — misthou (reward) instead of τροπης — trophēs (food). In 1 Timothy 5:18 Paul quotes Luke‘s form as scripture The well-known Didache or Teaching of the Twelve (xiii) shows that in the second century there was still a felt need for care on the subject of receiving pay for preaching. The travelling sophists added also to the embarrassment of the situation. The wisdom of these restrictions was justified in Galilee at this time. Mark (Mark 6:6-13) and Luke (Luke 9:1-6) vary slightly from Matthew in some of the details of the instructions of Jesus. [source]
Mark 1:25 Hold thy peace [πιμωτητι]
First aorist passive imperative of πιμοω — phimoō “Be quiet,” Moffatt translates it. But it is a more vigorous word, “Be muzzled” like an ox. So literally in Deuteronomy 25:4, 1 Corinthians 9:9; 1 Timothy 5:18. It is common in Josephus, Lucian, and the lxx. See Matthew 22:12, Matthew 22:34. Gould renders it “Shut up.” “Shut your mouth” would be too colloquial. Vincent suggests “gagged,” but that is more the idea of επιστομαζειν — epistomazein in Titus 1:11, to stop the mouth. [source]
Luke 4:34 Ah! [Εα]
An interjection frequent in the Attic poets, but rare in prose. Apparently second person singular imperative of εαω — eaō to permit. It is expressive of wonder, fear, indignation. Here it amounts to a diabolical screech. For the rest of the verse see note on Mark 1:24 and note on Matthew 8:29. The muzzle (πιμος — phimos) occurs literally in 1 Corinthians 9:9, 1 Timothy 5:18, and metaphorically here and Mark 1:25; Mark 4:39; Matthew 22:12. [source]
Luke 10:7 Eating [εστοντες]
An old poetic verb εστω — esthō for εστιω — esthiō that survives in late Greek.Such things as they give (τα παρ αυτων — ta par' autōn). “The things from them.”For the labourer is worthy of his hire In Matthew 10:10 we have της τροπης αυτου — tēs trophēs autou (his food). 1 Timothy 5:18 has this saying quoted as scripture. That is not impossible if Luke wrote by a.d. 62. Paul there however may quote only Deuteronomy 25:4 as scripture and get this quotation either from Luke 10:7 or from a proverbial saying of Jesus. It is certainly not a real objection against the Pauline authorship of First Timothy.Go not from house to house (μη μεταβαινετε εχ οικιας εις οικιαν — mē metabainete ex oikias eis oikian). As a habit, μη — mē and the present imperative, and so avoid waste of time with such rounds of invitations as would come. [source]
Luke 10:7 For the labourer is worthy of his hire [αχιος γαρ ο εργατης του μιστου αυτου]
In Matthew 10:10 we have της τροπης αυτου — tēs trophēs autou (his food). 1 Timothy 5:18 has this saying quoted as scripture. That is not impossible if Luke wrote by a.d. 62. Paul there however may quote only Deuteronomy 25:4 as scripture and get this quotation either from Luke 10:7 or from a proverbial saying of Jesus. It is certainly not a real objection against the Pauline authorship of First Timothy.Go not from house to house (μη μεταβαινετε εχ οικιας εις οικιαν — mē metabainete ex oikias eis oikian). As a habit, μη — mē and the present imperative, and so avoid waste of time with such rounds of invitations as would come. [source]
1 Corinthians 9:9 Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn [ου πιμωσεις βουν αλοωντα]
Quotation from Deuteronomy 25:4. Prohibition by ου — ou and the volitive future indicative. Πιμοω — Phimoō to muzzle (from πιμος — phimos a muzzle for dogs and oxen), appears first in Aristophanes (Clouds, 592) and not again till lxx and N.T., though in the papyri also. Evidently a vernacular word, perhaps a slang word. See metaphorical use in Matthew 22:12, Matthew 22:34. Αλοωντα — Aloōnta is present active participle of the old verb αλοαω — aloaō occurs in the N.T. only here (and 1 Corinthians 9:10) and 1 Timothy 5:18 where it is also quoted. It is probably derived from αλος — halos or αλον — halon a threshing-floor, or the disc of a shield or of the sun and moon. The Egyptians according to the monuments, used oxen to thresh out the grain, sometimes donkeys, by pulling a drag over the grain. The same process may be found today in Andalusia, Italy, Palestine. A hieroglyphic inscription at Eileithyas reads: [source]
Galatians 3:8 The scripture [ἡ γραφὴ]
See on 1 Timothy 5:18. The particular passage cited below. See on Mark 12:10; see on John 2:22; see on John 5:47footnote. [source]
1 Timothy 5:17 Let be counted worthy [αχιουστωσαν]
Present passive imperative of αχιοω — axioō to deem worthy (2 Thessalonians 1:11). With genitive case here. Of double honour (διπλης τιμης — diplēs timēs). Old and common contract adjective (διπλοος — diploos two-fold, in opposition to απλοος — haploos single fold). But why “of double honour”? See note on 1 Timothy 6:1 for “of all honour.” White suggests “remuneration” rather than “honour” for τιμης — timēs (a common use for price or pay). Liddon proposes “honorarium” (both honour and pay and so “double”). Wetstein gives numerous examples of soldiers receiving double pay for unusual services. Some suggest twice the pay given the enrolled widows. Especially those who labour in word and teaching Either those who work hard or toil (usual meaning of κοπιαω — kopiaō 2 Timothy 2:6) in preaching and teaching (most probable meaning. See 1 Timothy 5:18) or those who teach and preach and not merely preside (a doubtful distinction in “elders” at this time). See Titus 1:8. See both κοπιαω — kopiaō and προισταμαι — proistamai used for same men (elders) in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 and the use of κοπιαω — kopiaō in 1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 Corinthians 16:16. [source]
1 Timothy 5:17 Especially those who labour in word and teaching [μαλιστα οι κοπιωντες εν λογωι και διδασκαλιαι]
Either those who work hard or toil (usual meaning of κοπιαω — kopiaō 2 Timothy 2:6) in preaching and teaching (most probable meaning. See 1 Timothy 5:18) or those who teach and preach and not merely preside (a doubtful distinction in “elders” at this time). See Titus 1:8. See both κοπιαω — kopiaō and προισταμαι — proistamai used for same men (elders) in 1 Thessalonians 5:12 and the use of κοπιαω — kopiaō in 1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 Corinthians 16:16. [source]
1 Timothy 6:3 Consenteth not [μη προσερχεται]
Also condition of first class with μη — mē instead of ου — ou Προσερχομαι — Proserchomai (old verb, to come to, to approach, with dative) is common enough in N.T. (Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 7:25, etc.), but in the metaphorical sense of coming to one‘s ideas, assenting to, here only in N.T., but is so used in Philo and Irenaeus (Ellicott). Sound words (υγιαινουσιν λογοις — hugiainousin logois). See note on 1 Timothy 1:10 for υγιαινω — hugiainō The words of our Lord Jesus Christ Either subjective genitive (the words from the Lord Jesus, a collection of his sayings in Lock‘s opinion like 1 Timothy 5:18; Acts 20:35, at least in the Spirit of Jesus as Acts 16:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23) or objective genitive about Jesus like 2 Timothy 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:18. According to godliness (κατα ευσεβειαν — kata eusebeian). Promoting (designed for) godliness as in Titus 1:1. [source]
1 Timothy 6:3 The words of our Lord Jesus Christ [τοις του κυριου ημων Ιησου Χριστου]
Either subjective genitive (the words from the Lord Jesus, a collection of his sayings in Lock‘s opinion like 1 Timothy 5:18; Acts 20:35, at least in the Spirit of Jesus as Acts 16:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23) or objective genitive about Jesus like 2 Timothy 1:8; 1 Corinthians 1:18. According to godliness (κατα ευσεβειαν — kata eusebeian). Promoting (designed for) godliness as in Titus 1:1. [source]
2 Timothy 2:15 A workman [ἐργάτης]
In Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:13; Philemon 3:2. In Pastorals, 1 Timothy 5:18. [source]
Titus 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped [οὓς δεὶ ἐπιστομίζειν]
Lit. whom it is necessary to silence. Ἑπιστομίζειν , N.T.oolxx. Originally, to put something into the mouth, as a bit into a horse's mouth. Ἑπιστόμιον is the stop of a water-pipe or of a hydraulic organ. Comp. φιμοῦν 1 Timothy 5:18. [source]
1 Peter 2:15 Put to silence [φιμοῦν]
A very graphic word, meaning to muzzle or gag. Compare 1 Corinthians 9:9; 1 Timothy 5:18. See on Matthew 22:12. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Timothy 5:18 mean?

Says for the Scripture An ox treading out grain not you shall muzzle and Worthy [is] the workman of the wages of him
λέγει γὰρ γραφή Βοῦν ἀλοῶντα οὐ φιμώσεις καί Ἄξιος ἐργάτης τοῦ μισθοῦ αὐτοῦ

λέγει  Says 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
γραφή  Scripture 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: γραφή  
Sense: a writing, thing written.
Βοῦν  An  ox 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: βοῦς  
Sense: an ox, a cow.
ἀλοῶντα  treading  out  grain 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀλοάω  
Sense: to thresh.
φιμώσεις  you  shall  muzzle 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: κημόω 
Sense: to close the mouth with a muzzle, to muzzle.
Ἄξιος  Worthy  [is] 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄξιος  
Sense: weighing, having weight, having the weight of another thing of like value, worth as much.
ἐργάτης  workman 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐργάτης  
Sense: a workman, a labourer.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μισθοῦ  wages 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: μισθός  
Sense: dues paid for work.
αὐτοῦ  of  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.