1 Timothy 5:18
λέγει γὰρ ἡ γραφή· βοῦν ἀλοῶντα οὐ φιμώσεις· καί· ἄξιος ὁ ἐργάτης τοῦ μισθοῦ αὐτοῦ.
For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
Introducing Scriptural Authority
λέγει γὰρ ἡ γραφή – “For the Scripture says.”
- λέγει – present active indicative of λέγω, “says.” The present tense emphasizes Scripture’s enduring speech—it is still speaking.
- ἡ γραφή – “the Scripture,” a feminine singular noun used here as the subject of divine authority. By attributing speech to Scripture, Paul attributes divine voice to the text.
Quotation 1: The Muzzled Ox
βοῦν ἀλοῶντα οὐ φιμώσεις – “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is threshing.”
- Quotation from Deuteronomy 25:4 (LXX wording preserved).
- βοῦν – “an ox,” accusative singular.
- ἀλοῶντα – present active participle of ἀλάω, “to thresh,” modifying βοῦν (“the ox that threshes”).
- οὐ φιμώσεις – future active of φιμόω, “you shall not muzzle.” A direct legal command, metaphorically applied to workers, including ministers (cf. 1 Cor 9:9).
Quotation 2: The Worthy Worker
ἄξιος ὁ ἐργάτης τοῦ μισθοῦ αὐτοῦ – “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
- ἄξιος – “worthy,” nominative predicate adjective.
- ὁ ἐργάτης – “the worker/laborer,” subject.
- τοῦ μισθοῦ αὐτοῦ – “of his wages,” genitive of possession. This phrase reflects Luke 10:7, showing Paul’s use of Jesus’ words as Scripture alongside the Torah.
Summary Table
| Greek Phrase | Translation | Form | Function / Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| λέγει γὰρ ἡ γραφή | for the Scripture says | Present indicative + subject | Introduces Scripture as authoritative speaker |
| βοῦν ἀλοῶντα οὐ φιμώσεις | you shall not muzzle an ox while it is threshing | Futuristic command with participle | Literal command with metaphorical application |
| ἄξιος ὁ ἐργάτης τοῦ μισθοῦ αὐτοῦ | the laborer is worthy of his wages | Nominal sentence with genitive | Moral and financial affirmation of fair compensation |
Closing Insight
This verse tightly unites Torah and Gospel, drawing from both Moses and Jesus to affirm the dignity of labor. The Greek blends legal imperative with moral principle, establishing not just the right of the laborer but the continuity of divine justice across covenants. Paul’s use of both sources as “Scripture” reveals an early and high view of apostolic teaching.
