1 Timothy 5:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:17-25

Here are directions, I. Concerning the supporting of ministers. Care must be taken that they be honourably maintained (1 Tim. 5:17): Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour (that is, of double maintenance, double to what they have had, or to what others have), especially those who labour in the word and doctrine, those who are more laborious than others. Observe, The presbytery ruled, and the same that ruled were those who laboured in the word and doctrine: they had... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 5:17-22

5:17-22 Let elders who discharge their duties well be judged worthy of double honour, especially those who toil in preaching and in teaching; for Scripture says: "You must not muzzle the ox when he is treading the corn," and, "The workman deserves his pay." Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless on the evidence of two or three witnesses. Rebuke those who persist in sin in the presence of all, so that the others may develop a healthy fear of sinning. I... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Timothy 5:17-22

(iii) Those who persist in sin are to be publicly rebuked. That public rebuke had a double value. It sobered the sinner into a consideration of his ways; and it made others have a care that they did not involve themselves in a like humiliation. The threat of publicity is no bad thing, if it keeps a man in the right way, even from fear. A wise leader will know the time to keep things quiet and the time for public rebuke. But whatever happens, the Church must never give the impression that it is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:18

In Deuteronomy 25:4 thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn ; See Gill on 1 Corinthians 9:9 . See Gill on 1 Corinthians 9:10 . The ox, for its strength and labour, is a fit emblem of a Gospel minister; and its treading the corn out of the husk and ear aptly represents the beating out, as it were, of Gospel truths, by the ministers of it, their making the doctrines of the Gospel clear, plain, and evident to the understandings of men; wherefore, as the ox was not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:18

The Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox - This is a manifest proof that by τιμη , honor, in the preceding verse, the apostle means salary or wages: "Let the elders that rule well be accounted worthy of double honor," a larger salary than any of the official widows mentioned before, for "the laborer is worthy of his hire." The maintenance of every man in the Church should be in proportion to his own labor, and the necessities of his family. He that does no work should have no... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Timothy 5:18

Verse 18 18Thou shalt not muzzle the ox This is a political precept which recommends to us equity and humanity (101) in general; as we have said in expounding the First Epistle to the Corinthians; (102) for, if he forbids us to be unkind to brute animals, how much greater humanity does he demand towards men! The meaning of this statement, therefore, is the same as if it had been said in general terns, that they must not make a wrong use of the labor of others. At the present day, the custom of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:1-25

I. THE CONDUCT OF TIMOTHY TOWARD ELDERLY MEN . "Reprimand not an elderly person, but exhort him as a brother." The allusion is not to an official elder of the Church, but to any elderly member of it. 1. Such persons might possibly be guilty of serious shortcomings , warranting private admonition, if not the exercise of discipline. Their conduct would have a worse effect than that of more youthful offenders. 2. Timothy must not use sharpness or severity in dealing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Timothy 5:18

When he for that , A.V.; hire for reward , A.V. Thou shall not muzzle , etc. This passage, kern Deuteronomy 25:1-19 ., which is quoted and commented upon, in the same souse as here, in 1 Corinthians 9:9 , shows distinctly that reward was to go with labor. The ox was not to be hindered from eating some portion of the grain which he was treading out. The preacher of the gospel was to live of the gospel. The laborer is worthy of his hire ( ἄξιος ὁ ἐργάτης τοῦ μισθοῦ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Timothy 5:18

For the Scripture saith - This is adduced as a reason why a church should show all due respect and care for its ministers. The reason is, that as God took care to make provision for the laboring ox, much more should due attention be paid to those who labor for the welfare of the church.Thou shalt not muzzle the ox - see this passage explained, and its bearing on such an argument shown, in the notes on 1 Corinthians 9:8-10.And, The labourer is worthy of his reward - This expression is found... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Timothy 5:17-18

1 Timothy 5:17-18. Let the elders that rule well Who approve themselves faithful stewards of all that is committed to their charge; be counted worthy of double honour A more abundant provision, seeing that such will employ it all to the glory of God. As they were the most laborious and disinterested men who were put into these offices, so, whatever any one had to bestow, in his life or death, was generally lodged in their hands for the poor. By this means the churchmen became very rich in... read more

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