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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} the scripture {G1124} saith {G3004}, Thou shalt {G5392} not {G3756} muzzle {G5392} the ox {G1016} that treadeth out the corn {G248}. And {G2532}, The labourer {G2040} is worthy {G514} of his {G846} reward {G3408}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the Tanakh says, “You are not to muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain,” in other words, “The worker deserves his wages.”

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Timothy 5:18, the Apostle Paul provides a dual scriptural foundation to underscore the divine principle of fair compensation for labor, particularly for those engaged in spiritual ministry. By citing both an Old Testament agricultural law from [Deuteronomy 25:4](/deuteronomy/25-4 "Deuteronomy 25:4 - Do Not Muzzle the Ox") and a well-known saying of Jesus, he establishes a compelling theological argument that those who diligently serve and contribute their efforts, especially in teaching and leadership within the church, are inherently worthy of their just reward and proper support.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's comprehensive instructions to Timothy concerning the proper order, conduct, and care for various groups within the Ephesian church. Immediately preceding this verse, [1 Timothy 5:17](/1_timothy/5-17 "1 Timothy 5:17 - Honoring Elders") emphasizes the honor due to elders, particularly those who "labor in the word and doctrine." Verse 18 serves as the direct scriptural justification for the financial support of these diligent spiritual leaders. Paul is building a case for the church's responsibility to provide for those who dedicate their lives to its spiritual well-being, moving from the general principle of honor to the specific application of material provision. The broader context of [1 Timothy 5](/1_timothy/5 "1 Timothy 5 - Instructions for the Church") deals with practical matters of church life, including the treatment of widows, elders, and the general conduct of believers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient agrarian societies, the "ox that treadeth out the corn" was a common sight. Threshing involved animals walking over harvested grain to separate the kernels from the stalks. The Mosaic Law, as referenced by Paul, explicitly forbade muzzling such an animal, ensuring it could eat from the very grain it was processing. This law reflected God's compassionate concern for the well-being of even animals, extending an ethical principle of just compensation to all labor. Furthermore, the saying "The labourer is worthy of his reward" was a recognized proverb, attributed to Jesus by both [Luke](/luke/10-7 "Luke 10:7 - The Laborer is Worthy") and [Matthew](/matthew/10-10 "Matthew 10:10 - Jesus' Instructions to the Disciples"). This indicates that the principle of fair compensation for work was not only rooted in Old Testament law but also affirmed and widely understood in the Jewish and early Christian cultural milieu. Paul leverages these culturally resonant and divinely sanctioned truths to ground his instructions for the Ephesian church.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Timothy 5:18](/1_timothy/5-18 "1 Timothy 5:18 - Fair Compensation for Labor") contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in Paul's pastoral epistles and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the **Principle of Just Compensation**, asserting that all work, especially spiritual ministry, deserves fair remuneration. This theme is echoed in Paul's defense of his own right to support in [1 Corinthians 9](/1_corinthians/9 "1 Corinthians 9 - Paul's Rights as an Apostle"). Secondly, it highlights **God's Concern for Laborers**, demonstrating that divine justice extends to ensuring workers are not exploited but rather sustained by their efforts, a principle rooted in the very character of God as seen in the Mosaic Law. Thirdly, the verse underscores the **Dignity of Ministry and Labor**, affirming that those who dedicate themselves to the demanding work of teaching and leading God's people are performing a valuable service that merits tangible support, allowing them to fulfill their calling without undue financial burden. This aligns with the call for mutual support within the body of Christ, where those who teach are to be supported by those they teach, as seen in [Galatians 6:6](/galatians/6-6 "Galatians 6:6 - Sharing Good Things").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ox (Greek, _boûs'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to graze," this term refers to a bovine animal, specifically an ox. In the context of the verse, it represents a diligent working animal, used for heavy labor like threshing grain. Paul uses this creature as an illustrative example of any laborer who expends energy and effort in productive work.
* **Muzzle (Greek, _phimóō'_):** From a word meaning "a muzzle," this verb literally means "to muzzle" or "to stop the mouth." In this agricultural context, it refers to preventing the ox from eating the very grain it is treading out. Figuratively, it speaks to the injustice of denying a worker the fruit of their labor or the sustenance necessary for their toil.
* **Labourer (Greek, _ergátēs'_):** From the word for "work" (ἔργον, _érgon_), this noun denotes a "toiler" or "worker." While it can refer to any manual laborer, in this specific context, especially given its connection to [1 Timothy 5:17](/1_timothy/5-17 "1 Timothy 5:17 - Honoring Elders"), it is applied metaphorically to those who work diligently in spiritual ministry, particularly in teaching and preaching.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn."**: Paul introduces his first scriptural proof, directly quoting [Deuteronomy 25:4](/deuteronomy/25-4 "Deuteronomy 25:4 - Do Not Muzzle the Ox"). This Old Testament law, seemingly about animal welfare, establishes a foundational principle of justice: those who work should be allowed to benefit from their labor. It is inherently unjust to deny sustenance to a creature (or person) actively engaged in productive work. The imagery is vivid and easily understood, highlighting the exploitation involved in preventing a laborer from enjoying the fruit of their toil.
* **"And, The labourer is worthy of his reward."**: Paul presents a second, distinct scriptural proof, which is a well-known saying of Jesus found in [Luke 10:7](/luke/10-7 "Luke 10:7 - The Laborer is Worthy") and [Matthew 10:10](/matthew/10-10 "Matthew 10:10 - Jesus' Instructions to the Disciples"). This statement reinforces the principle from the Old Testament, but now applies it directly to human laborers. The term "worthy" (ἄξιος, _áxios_) implies deserving or having commensurate value, suggesting that the compensation should be appropriate to the effort and value of the work performed. This saying elevates the principle from a specific agricultural law to a universal truth about human labor and its just recompense.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices to build a compelling argument. The primary device is **Allusion**, as he directly alludes to two distinct scriptural sources: the Mosaic Law from [Deuteronomy 25:4](/deuteronomy/25-4 "Deuteronomy 25:4 - Do Not Muzzle the Ox") and a saying of Jesus recorded in the Gospels (e.g., [Luke 10:7](/luke/10-7 "Luke 10:7 - The Laborer is Worthy")). This dual appeal to both Old Testament law and the words of Christ lends immense authority and weight to his instruction. Furthermore, he uses **Analogy** or **Metaphor** by applying the principle of not muzzling an ox to human laborers, especially those in ministry. The ox serves as a **Symbol** of any worker who expends effort for the benefit of others, implying that if even an animal deserves to eat from its labor, how much more so a human being. The structure of the verse also demonstrates **Parallelism**, presenting two distinct but complementary statements that reinforce the same core principle of just compensation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological implications of [1 Timothy 5:18](/1_timothy/5-18 "1 Timothy 5:18 - Fair Compensation for Labor") are profound, establishing a clear biblical mandate for the financial support of those who dedicate themselves to spiritual labor. This verse underscores God's character as just and compassionate, extending His concern even to the working animal, and by extension, demanding fair treatment for all human laborers. It highlights that ministry is a legitimate form of work, deserving of proper sustenance, not merely a voluntary service to be performed without material support. This principle ensures that those called to full-time ministry can devote themselves wholly to their spiritual duties without being unduly burdened by the need to secure external income, thereby fostering a healthier and more effective church.

* [1 Corinthians 9:9-14](/1_corinthians/9-9-14 "1 Corinthians 9:9-14 - Paul's Defense of Ministerial Support")
* [Galatians 6:6](/galatians/6-6 "Galatians 6:6 - Supporting Those Who Teach")
* [Matthew 10:10](/matthew/10-10 "Matthew 10:10 - The Laborer is Worthy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Timothy 5:18](/1_timothy/5-18 "1 Timothy 5:18 - Fair Compensation for Labor") remains profoundly relevant for believers today, offering vital guidance for both individual conduct and corporate church practice. For the church, it provides a clear biblical basis for financially supporting its pastors, teachers, and other full-time ministry workers. This support is not merely charity but an act of justice and recognition, enabling ministers to devote themselves fully to their calling without the distraction of financial hardship. It challenges congregations to generously and justly provide for those who labor tirelessly in the Word and doctrine, recognizing their invaluable contribution to spiritual growth and community health. Beyond the church, this verse serves as a timeless ethical principle for all employers: treat your employees fairly, compensate them justly, and do not exploit their labor. It reminds us that honest work, in any sphere, carries inherent dignity and deserves appropriate recognition and sustenance, reflecting God's own concern for justice and human flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does your church currently apply the principle of supporting those who labor in word and doctrine?**
* **In what ways can you, as an individual, contribute to ensuring fair compensation and support for those in ministry?**
* **How might the principle of "the labourer is worthy of his reward" challenge your own perspectives on work, compensation, and economic justice in your workplace or community?**
* **What does this verse teach us about God's concern for justice and the dignity of labor, even for animals?**

### FAQ

**Does the principle of "the labourer is worthy of his reward" apply only to church leaders, or to all types of work?**

Answer: While Paul specifically applies this principle in [1 Timothy 5:18](/1_timothy/5-18 "1 Timothy 5:18 - Fair Compensation for Labor") to elders who labor in "word and doctrine" (as per [1 Timothy 5:17](/1_timothy/5-17 "1 Timothy 5:17 - Honoring Elders")), the two scriptural sources he cites indicate a broader application. The Old Testament law about the ox ([Deuteronomy 25:4](/deuteronomy/25-4 "Deuteronomy 25:4 - Do Not Muzzle the Ox")) is a general principle of justice for any productive labor. Similarly, Jesus' saying in [Luke 10:7](/luke/10-7 "Luke 10:7 - The Laborer is Worthy") and [Matthew 10:10](/matthew/10-10 "Matthew 10:10 - Jesus' Instructions to the Disciples") refers to laborers in general, though in the context of His disciples' missionary work. Therefore, the verse establishes a universal principle that all honest labor deserves fair compensation, with a specific, emphasized application to those who serve in full-time spiritual ministry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Timothy 5:18](/1_timothy/5-18 "1 Timothy 5:18 - Fair Compensation for Labor"), with its dual appeal to Old Testament law and the words of Jesus, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ Himself. Jesus, the quintessential "labourer" sent by the Father, perfectly embodied the principle of diligent work and deserving reward. He "emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")), tirelessly laboring to accomplish the Father's will, proclaiming the kingdom, healing the sick, and ultimately offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin. His "reward" was not earthly wages but the glorious exaltation to the right hand of God, where "God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Christ's Exaltation")). Furthermore, Christ's teaching on the laborer being worthy of his reward (as seen in [Luke 10:7](/luke/10-7 "Luke 10:7 - The Laborer is Worthy")) was given to His disciples as they were sent out, signifying that those who faithfully carry on His work, laboring for the harvest of souls ([Matthew 9:37-38](/matthew/9-37-38 "Matthew 9:37-38 - The Harvest is Plentiful")), are participating in His own mission and are likewise worthy of support, not for their own sake, but for the sake of the Gospel. Thus, the principle of fair compensation for labor, particularly spiritual labor, is rooted in the very pattern of Christ's sacrificial service and His subsequent divine vindication.

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 Corinthians 9:14

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

1 Corinthians 9:7

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?

1 Corinthians 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.

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.

Matthew 10:10

Nor scrip for [your] journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

Deuteronomy 24:14

¶ Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant [that is] poor and needy, [whether he be] of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that [are] in thy land within thy gates: