1 Corinthians 9:9

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} it is written {G1125} in {G1722} the law {G3551} of Moses {G3475}, Thou shalt {G5392} not {G3756} muzzle {G5392} the mouth of the ox {G1016} that treadeth out the corn {G248}.{G3361} Doth {G3199} God {G2316} take care {G3199} for oxen {G1016}?

Complete Jewish Bible

for in the Torah of Moshe it is written, “You are not to put a muzzle on an ox when it is treading out the grain.” If God is concerned about cattle,

Berean Standard Bible

For 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?

American Standard Version

For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 9:9, the Apostle Paul strategically quotes from Deuteronomy 25:4, the Mosaic Law concerning not muzzling an ox while it threshes grain, to bolster his argument for the legitimate right of gospel workers to receive financial support from those they serve. This verse serves as a powerful rhetorical question, challenging the Corinthians to consider whether God's primary concern in such a law was merely for animals, or if it pointed to a deeper, universal principle of justice and fair compensation for labor, particularly spiritual labor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Paul's extensive defense of his apostolic authority and rights in [1 Corinthians 9](/1_corinthians/9 "1 Corinthians 9 - Paul's Apostolic Rights"). Throughout the chapter, Paul asserts his legitimate claims as an apostle, including the right to financial support, to marry, and to be accompanied by a believing wife, similar to other apostles and the Lord's brothers ([1 Corinthians 9:1-5](/1_corinthians/9-1-5 "1 Corinthians 9:1-5 - Paul's Apostolic Authority")). While he consistently chose not to exercise these rights to avoid hindering the gospel ([1 Corinthians 9:12](/1_corinthians/9-12 "1 Corinthians 9:12 - Paul's Self-Denial for the Gospel")), he vehemently defends the principle that those who minister the spiritual blessings of the gospel are entitled to receive material support ([1 Corinthians 9:11](/1_corinthians/9-11 "1 Corinthians 9:11 - The Principle of Spiritual for Material")). The immediate context shows Paul using a series of analogies—a soldier, a planter, a shepherd—before appealing to the Old Testament Law, which he considers the highest authority.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of "treading out the corn" (or threshing) was a common and laborious agricultural method in the ancient Near East, including Israel. After harvest, grain stalks were spread on a threshing floor, and oxen would walk over them, often dragging a heavy sledge, to separate the grain from the chaff. This was vital work, and the law in [Deuteronomy 25:4](/deuteronomy/25-4 "Deuteronomy 25:4 - The Law of the Muzzled Ox") explicitly forbade muzzling the ox during this process, allowing the animal to eat some of the grain as it worked. This was not merely a humane regulation, though it certainly was that; it also reflected a broader principle of justice and fair compensation for labor, ensuring that the worker (even an animal) could partake in the fruit of its toil. Paul leverages this well-understood cultural and legal norm to bridge a seemingly mundane agricultural practice to a profound theological principle.
* **Key Themes:** Paul's use of this Old Testament law contributes to several key themes within [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians "1 Corinthians - Unity, Purity, and Order in the Church") and his broader theology. Firstly, it underscores the **right to support for laborers** in the gospel, establishing a divine precedent for fair compensation for spiritual service. Secondly, it highlights **God's character of justice and care**, demonstrating that divine law, even in its seemingly minor details, reflects God's concern for equitable treatment and the well-being of all who labor. The rhetorical question, "Doth God take care for oxen?", is not to deny God's general providence over creation ([Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - God's Care for Birds")), but to emphasize that this specific law has a higher, human-centric application. Lastly, it exemplifies Paul's method of **spiritual application of Old Testament Law**, showing how principles embedded in the Mosaic covenant, even those pertaining to animals, are not merely literal commands but vehicles for profound spiritual and ethical truths applicable to the New Covenant community, revealing God's enduring moral order.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gár (Greek, _gár'_):** This primary particle, translated "For," functions to assign a reason or provide an explanation. Here, it introduces Paul's justification for the right of ministers to support, signaling that what follows is a foundational argument drawn from scripture. It connects the preceding discussion of apostolic rights to the divine principle about the ox.
* **phimóō (Greek, _phimóō'_):** Meaning "to muzzle" or "to gag," this verb directly refers to the act of preventing an animal from eating while it works. In the context of the law, it's about withholding the immediate fruit of labor from the laborer. Paul's choice of this word emphasizes the injustice of denying sustenance to one who is actively producing.
* **aloáō (Greek, _aloáō'_):** This verb, translated "treadeth out grain" or "thresh," describes the specific agricultural activity where oxen separate kernels from stalks. It vividly portrays the laborious nature of the work, which, by divine command, entitled the working animal to partake of the very produce it was processing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For it is written in the law of Moses,"**: Paul introduces the quotation by establishing its authoritative source: the Torah, specifically [Deuteronomy 25:4](/deuteronomy/25-4 "Deuteronomy 25:4 - The Law of the Muzzled Ox"). This immediately lends divine weight and irrefutable authority to his subsequent argument, grounding his defense of ministerial support in God's own revealed will.
* **"Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn."**: This is a direct citation of the Old Testament command. It describes a practical agricultural regulation designed to ensure that an animal performing arduous labor is permitted to eat from the very crop it is helping to process. This seemingly simple command embodies a profound principle of justice: those who labor should benefit from their labor.
* **"Doth God take care for oxen?"**: This is a rhetorical question, not meant to deny God's general care for all creation, but to highlight that the primary *intent* of this specific law was not *solely* about animal welfare. Paul implies that God's laws often have a deeper, higher application, especially concerning human beings and their labor. The question forces the listener to consider that if God cares enough to legislate for an animal's just compensation, how much more does He care for His human servants who labor in the spiritual harvest?

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several significant literary devices in this verse. The most prominent is **Allusion/Quotation**, as he directly quotes [Deuteronomy 25:4](/deuteronomy/25-4 "Deuteronomy 25:4 - The Law of the Muzzled Ox"), grounding his argument in the authoritative Mosaic Law. Following this, he uses a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, "Doth God take care for oxen?", which is designed not to elicit a literal "yes" or "no" answer regarding God's care for animals, but to provoke deeper thought and lead the audience to the obvious conclusion: if God cares for oxen in this way, He certainly cares for human laborers, especially those who minister His Word. This rhetorical question also functions as an **Argument from Lesser to Greater (A Fortiori)**, implying that if God's justice extends even to animals in their labor, it must apply with even greater force and certainty to human beings, particularly those engaged in the vital spiritual work of the gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's character as a God of justice and equity, who ensures that labor is rewarded and that those who serve are sustained. It reveals that God's laws, even those seemingly mundane or focused on animals, are imbued with universal principles that transcend their immediate context, pointing to a divine concern for fairness in all forms of work and service. The principle that "the laborer deserves his wages" is deeply embedded in God's moral order, extending from the physical realm of agriculture to the spiritual realm of ministry. Paul masterfully demonstrates how the Old Testament, rightly interpreted, provides foundational wisdom for the New Covenant community, affirming that those who sow spiritual things have a right to reap material things.

* [Deuteronomy 25:4](/deuteronomy/25-4 "The Original Law of the Ox")
* [Galatians 6:6](/galatians/6-6 "Sharing with the Teacher")
* [1 Timothy 5:18](/1_timothy/5-18 "Supporting Elders")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 9:9 offers timeless wisdom for both those who minister and those who are ministered to. For those engaged in Christian service, it affirms the divine legitimacy of receiving support, freeing them from guilt or shame in accepting it, while simultaneously challenging them to consider Paul's example of self-sacrifice when circumstances demand it. For the church community, it lays a clear biblical foundation for the responsibility to honor and financially support those who dedicate their lives to teaching, preaching, and leading. This principle extends beyond formal ministry, reminding all believers that God values hard work and expects fair compensation in all vocations. It calls us to reflect on how we value and support those who labor for our spiritual growth, and how we ourselves, as laborers in various fields, uphold principles of justice and equity in our own work and interactions. Ultimately, it encourages a deeper, Spirit-led understanding of Scripture, discerning the eternal principles woven into God's commands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's care for an ox inform your view of His care for you and your labor?**
* **In what ways does your church or community currently uphold the principle of supporting those who labor in spiritual service?**
* **Beyond financial support, how can we "not muzzle" or hinder those who are serving God and others, ensuring they are sustained and encouraged in their work?**
* **What "spiritual harvest" are you benefiting from, and how are you participating in "sowing" into the lives of those who provide it?**

### FAQ
**Was God only concerned about animal welfare in Deuteronomy 25:4?**

Answer: While the law in [Deuteronomy 25:4](/deuteronomy/25-4 "Deuteronomy 25:4 - The Law of the Muzzled Ox") certainly reflects God's compassionate concern for animals and their humane treatment, Paul's rhetorical question, "Doth God take care for oxen?", indicates that the law's primary *purpose* or deeper *principle* extends beyond mere animal welfare. Paul argues that God's intention was to establish a universal principle of justice: that those who labor should be allowed to partake in the fruit of their labor. If this principle applies to an animal, it applies with even greater force to human beings, especially those who labor in the spiritual harvest of the gospel. God uses a tangible, everyday example to teach a profound truth about fairness and compensation for work.

**Does this verse only apply to pastors or full-time ministers?**

Answer: While Paul specifically applies this principle to those who minister the gospel ([1 Corinthians 9:11](/1_corinthians/9-11 "1 Corinthians 9:11 - The Principle of Spiritual for Material")), the underlying principle of "the laborer deserves his wages" is a broader biblical truth. It is reiterated elsewhere in the New Testament concerning elders who rule well ([1 Timothy 5:17-18](/1_timothy/5-17-18 "1 Timothy 5:17-18 - Honoring Elders")) and those who teach the Word ([Galatians 6:6](/galatians/6-6 "Galatians 6:6 - Sharing with the Teacher")). Therefore, while its immediate application in this context is to gospel workers, the principle reflects God's general concern for justice and fair compensation in all forms of labor. It teaches that anyone who works hard, especially for the benefit of others, should be justly sustained by their work.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The principle articulated in 1 Corinthians 9:9, derived from the Mosaic Law, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ. Jesus Himself, the ultimate laborer in God's harvest, embodied the principle of self-sacrifice while also affirming the right of His disciples to be supported in their ministry, declaring that "the laborer is worthy of his wages" ([Luke 10:7](/luke/10-7 "Luke 10:7 - The Laborer is Worthy")). More profoundly, Christ is the One who, like the ox treading out the grain, labored tirelessly, not for His own sustenance, but for the spiritual nourishment of humanity. He "muzzled" Himself, not by being denied sustenance, but by willingly emptying Himself and taking the form of a servant ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")), enduring the cross for our sake ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Finisher of Our Faith")). His work on the cross, the ultimate act of labor for our spiritual benefit, yields the harvest of salvation, from which we freely partake. Thus, the law concerning the ox foreshadows Christ's just and generous provision, not merely for His workers, but for all who believe, demonstrating God's ultimate care and justice in securing our eternal well-being through His Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 25:4

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out [the corn].

1 Timothy 5:18

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

Psalms 104:27

These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give [them] their meat in due season.

Psalms 145:15

The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

Psalms 145:16

Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

Jonah 4:11

And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and [also] much cattle?

Numbers 22:28

And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?