1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy · Chapter 5

1 Timothy 5:18

1Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;2The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.3Honour widows that are widows indeed.4But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.7And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.8But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.9Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,10Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.11But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;12Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.13And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.14I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.15For some are already turned aside after Satan.16If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.18For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.19Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.20Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.21I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.22Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.23Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.24Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.25Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
18For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

Paul has just said that elders who lead well, especially those who preach and teach, deserve "double honour" (5:17). This verse gives the reason: two sayings showing that those who work should be supported by their work. The next verses turn to how to handle accusations against elders (5:19-20). 1 Timothy 5:171 Timothy 5:181 Timothy 5:191 Timothy 5:20

SpeakingPaul the apostle, who names himself as the writer. He quotes "the scripture" for the first saying, and the second saying matches words of Jesus. 1 Timothy overviewDeuteronomy 25:4Luke 10:7

ToTimothy, Paul's younger co-worker, whom Paul left to lead the church at Ephesus. 1 Timothy overview

Also involvedThe church's elders who rule well and labour in the word and doctrine, and the believers who are to support them. 1 Timothy 5:17

Paul quotes the Law of Moses: an ox treading out grain must not be muzzled, so it can eat as it works. He adds that a worker deserves his wages. Together they show that church leaders who work hard at teaching should be supported, as Paul argues the same way in 1 Corinthians 9. 1 Timothy 5:18Deuteronomy 25:4Luke 10:71 Corinthians 9:101 Corinthians 9:14

The letter was sent to Ephesus, a wealthy port city and capital of the Roman province of Asia. The place of writing is not stated, though Paul may have written from Macedonia. 1 Timothy overview

ACHAIAASIAGALATIAAegean SeaEphesusLaodiceaMiletusPhilippiThessalonicaCorinth

The eventsThe instruction applies to the ongoing life of the church at Ephesus while Timothy led it, after Paul had gone on to Macedonia. 1 Timothy overview

WrittenTraditional view: about AD 62-64, by Paul, between his Roman imprisonments. Scholarly view: many critical scholars date it around AD 80-110 and see it as written in Paul's name by a follower; others defend Paul's authorship and the earlier date. 1 Timothy overview

HerePaul wants Timothy to treat faithful elders fairly, including giving them material support, as part of ordering the church as God's household. 1 Timothy 5:171 Timothy overview

In the whole of ScriptureChapter 5 is about caring for groups in the church: widows, elders, and others. Just as families should provide for their own (5:8), the church should provide for those who labour among them in teaching. 1 Timothy overview1 Timothy 5:81 Timothy 5:161 Timothy 5:17

For readersScripture's concern for fair pay runs deep: even working animals were to eat, and hired workers were to be paid promptly. Paul applies that fairness to those who teach God's word. Deuteronomy 25:4Deuteronomy 24:14Deuteronomy 24:151 Corinthians 9:14

  • reward (wages)μισθός
    Greek · misthos · G3408

    The Greek word here properly means wages or hire. So "reward" in the KJV means pay earned for work, not a prize or a heavenly reward. Strong's G3408Luke 10:7

  • labourerἐργάτης
    Greek · ergatēs · G2040

    The word first meant a field worker, fitting the farming picture of the ox. It is also used elsewhere of Christian teachers, which ties the image to elders who labour in teaching. Strong's G20401 Timothy 5:17

  • muzzleφιμόω
    Greek · phimoō · G5392

    To muzzle is to block the mouth so the animal cannot eat. The point is that the worker should be allowed to benefit from the very work being done. Strong's G5392Deuteronomy 25:4

  • scriptureγραφή
    Greek · graphē · G1124

    The singular word often points to a particular written passage of the sacred writings. Paul grounds his instruction in written Scripture, not just his own opinion. Strong's G1124Deuteronomy 25:4

Takeaway

This verse is not a general saying about rewards. It backs up Paul's call to honour and support elders who lead and teach well, using God's own rule that workers, even oxen, should share in the fruit of their labour. 1 Timothy 5:171 Timothy 5:181 Corinthians 9:14

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-22.

The world around the text

Behind this verse

Threshing with oxen
Grain was threshed by driving oxen over it on a hard floor. The Law forbade muzzling an ox while it worked, a command Paul quotes twice. Deuteronomy 25:41 Corinthians 9:9

About AD 62-64. Roman emperor: Nero (AD 54-68). Where Timothy was when Paul wrote. A port city on the west coast of today's Turkey and the greatest market of the province of Asia.

Who ruled
  • Roman emperorNeroAD 54-68

    Emperor over the whole Roman world, including Ephesus, Macedonia and Judea. When Paul appealed to Caesar as a Roman citizen, the Caesar was Nero. Paul tells Timothy to have prayers made "for kings, and for all that are in authority." Acts 25:10-12Acts 28:161 Timothy 2:1-2Suetonius, NeroTacitus, Annals 13-16

  • Governor of the province where Ephesus stoodThe proconsul of AsiaOne-year terms

    Asia was governed by a proconsul, a former consul appointed by the Senate for a year at a time, who heard cases in the province's leading cities. During the riot in Ephesus the town clerk reminded the crowd that "the law is open, and there are deputies" (proconsuls). Acts 19:38-39Strabo, Geography 17.3.25

  • Jewish client kingHerod Agrippa IIc. AD 50-90s

    Ruled territories north and east of Galilee under Rome and had the right to appoint the high priest in Jerusalem. He heard Paul's defense with Festus and told him, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 25:13Acts 26:28Josephus, Antiquities 20.179, 20.203

  • Roman governors of JudeaFestus, Albinus and Florusc. AD 59-66

    Porcius Festus sent Paul to Rome and died in office around AD 62. Lucceius Albinus (62-64) and Gessius Florus (64-66) followed; Josephus blames Florus's greed and brutality for pushing Judea into revolt. Acts 24:27Acts 25:12Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203, 20.252-258Josephus, Jewish War 2.271-308

  • King of ParthiaVologases Ic. AD 51-78

    Ruler of the Parthian empire east of the Euphrates, Rome's one great rival. He fought Rome over Armenia until a settlement in AD 63 let his brother Tiridates rule Armenia as Rome's client. Tacitus, Annals 15.1-17, 15.24-31Cassius Dio, Roman History 62.19-23

What was happening, AD 58 to AD 68
  1. AD 58-63
    WarRome and Parthia fight over Armenia

    Roman armies under Corbulo took the Armenian capitals Artaxata and Tigranocerta. In AD 62 a second Roman army under Paetus surrendered at Rhandeia, and in AD 63 the two empires made peace. Tacitus, Annals 13.34-41, 14.23-26, 15.1-17, 15.24-31

  2. AD 60
    DisasterEarthquake destroys Laodicea

    Laodicea, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Ephesus in the same province, was ruined by an earthquake and rebuilt from its own wealth without help from Rome. Paul's letters mention the church there, and Revelation later quotes the city's boast, "I am rich." Tacitus, Annals 14.27Colossians 4:13-16Revelation 3:17

  3. AD 60-61
    WarBoudica's revolt in Britain

    Boudica, queen of the Iceni, led a rising that burned Camulodunum (Colchester), Londinium (London) and Verulamium before the Roman governor Suetonius Paulinus defeated her. Tacitus, Annals 14.29-39

  4. c. AD 60-62
    The churchPaul under guard in Rome

    Paul lived two whole years in Rome under house arrest, receiving visitors and preaching openly. The traditional date for 1 Timothy places it soon after his release. Acts 28:16Acts 28:30-31

  5. c. AD 61-63
    DiscoveryNero's expedition up the Nile

    Nero sent a party of soldiers to find the source of the Nile. They travelled far beyond Egypt and reached vast marshes they could not cross, likely the Sudd in today's South Sudan. The date is approximate. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.8.3-4Pliny, Natural History 6.181

  6. AD 62
    The churchJames, the Lord's brother, is killed in Jerusalem

    Festus died in office. Before the next governor arrived, the high priest Ananus had "James, the brother of Jesus who was called Christ" and others stoned. Ananus was removed after three months. Josephus, Antiquities 20.197-203Galatians 1:19Acts 15:13

  7. AD 62 or 63
    DisasterEarthquake hits Pompeii

    An earthquake badly damaged Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, seventeen years before Vesuvius buried them. Seneca dates it to AD 62; Tacitus to AD 63. Seneca, Natural Questions 6.1Tacitus, Annals 15.22

  8. c. AD 62
    DiscoveryHero of Alexandria's machines

    The engineer Hero of Alexandria, whose work is dated by an eclipse of AD 62 he describes, wrote up a steam-spun sphere (the aeolipile) and a coin-operated machine that dispensed water in temples. Hero, Pneumatics 1.21, 2.11Hero, Dioptra 35

  9. c. AD 63-64
    BuildingJerusalem's temple is finished

    Work on the temple Herod began around 20 BC was completed under Albinus, leaving some 18,000 workers without jobs. Six years later Roman armies destroyed it, as Jesus had foretold. Josephus, Antiquities 20.219-222John 2:20Luke 21:5-6

  10. July AD 64
    DisasterThe Great Fire of Rome

    Fire burned for days. Of Rome's fourteen districts, three were destroyed and seven badly damaged. Nero then built his vast Golden House on the cleared land. Tacitus, Annals 15.38-43Suetonius, Nero 31, 38

  11. AD 64
    The churchNero blames and kills Christians

    To end rumours that he had started the fire, Nero blamed the Christians of Rome. Tacitus records a "vast multitude" put to death, some torn by dogs and some burned as torches. Tacitus, Annals 15.44Suetonius, Nero 16.2

  12. AD 65
    RulersA plot against Nero fails

    The Pisonian conspiracy to kill Nero was betrayed. Among those forced to take their own lives was Seneca, Nero's former tutor and the brother of Gallio, the governor who dismissed the case against Paul in Corinth. Tacitus, Annals 15.48-74Acts 18:12-17

  13. AD 66
    WarThe Jewish revolt begins

    After Florus seized money from the temple treasury, Jerusalem rose against Rome and the daily sacrifice offered for the emperor was stopped. The war ended with Jerusalem and its temple destroyed in AD 70. Josephus, Jewish War 2.293-308, 2.409-410Luke 21:20-24

  14. AD 66-67
    BuildingNero tours Greece and starts a canal at Corinth

    Nero competed in the Greek games and broke ground for a canal across the Isthmus of Corinth. The work stopped after his death; the canal was finally cut in 1893. Suetonius, Nero 19, 22-24

  15. c. AD 67
    The churchPaul's death in Rome

    In his last letter Paul writes from prison that "the time of my departure is at hand." Early Christian tradition says he was beheaded in Rome under Nero. 2 Timothy 4:6-8Eusebius, Church History 2.25

  16. June AD 68
    RulersNero dies

    Facing revolt in the provinces and declared an enemy by the Senate, Nero took his own life. Four emperors ruled in turn during the following year before Vespasian took power. Suetonius, Nero 47-49Tacitus, Histories 1.2

The full picture: places, culture and daily life. Scripture first, then the ancient historians who wrote about these years (Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Seneca, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Cassius Dio). Dates are as those writers give them; approximate dates say so. Drafted by Claude and not yet reviewed by a person.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
SaysλέγειlegeiG3004G
to say

λέγω (legō) λέγω, [in LXX very freq., chiefly for אמר; λέγει for נְאֻם, Gen.22:16, al. ;] 1. in Hom., to pick out, gather, reckon, recount. 2. In Hdt. and Att., to say, speak, affirm, declare: absol., Act.13:15, 24:10; before orat. dir., Mat.9:34, Mrk.3:11, Jhn.1:29, al.; before ὅτι recit., Mrk.3:21, Luk.1:24, Jhn.6:14, al.; accusative and inf., Luk.11:18, Jhn.12:29, al.; after another verb of speaking, προσφωνεῖν κ. λέγειν, Mat.11:17, al.; ἀπεκρίθη (ἐλάλησεν) λέγων (καὶ λέγει; Dalman, Words, 24 ff.), Mat.25:9, Mrk.3:33, 7:28, Luk.24:6, 7, al.; of unspoken thought, λ. ἐν ἑαυτῷ, Mat.3:9, Luk.3:8, al.; of …

forγὰρgarG1063
for

γάρ (gar) γάρ, co-ordinating particle, contr. of γε ἄρα, verily then, hence, in truth, indeed, yea, then, why, and when giving a reason or explanation, for, the usage in NT being in general accord with that of cl.; 1. explicative and epexegetic: Mat.4:18 19:12, Mrk.1:16 5:42 16:4, Luk.11:3o, Rom.7:1, 1Co.16:5, al. 2. Conclusive, in questions, answers and exclamations: Mat.9:5 27:23, Luk.9:25 22:27, Jhn.9:30, Act.8:31 16:37 19:35, Rom.15:26, 1Co.9:10, Php.1:18 (Ellic., in l.), 1Th.2:20, al. …

Scripture;γραφή·graphēG1124
a writing

γραφή (graphē) γραφή, -ῆς, ἡ (γράφω), [in LXX chiefly for כְּתָב ;] 1. a drawing, painting. 2. (a) writing; (b) that which is written, a writing: πᾶσα γ., 2Ti.3:16; γ. ἅγιαι, Rom.1:2; προφητικαί, Rom.16:26; al αἱ γ. τ. προφητῶν, Mat.26:56; ἡ γ., αἱ γ., the sacred writings, the Scriptures (i.e. the OT; see Milligan, NTD, 205); in pl., when the sacred writings as a whole are meant, e.g. Mat.21:42 26:54, Jhn.5:39, Rom.15:4; in sing., when a particular passage is referred to, as in Luk.4:21, Jhn.19:24, Rom.4:3 9:17 10:11 11:2, Jas.2:23 (Cremer, 165; DCG, ii, 584). (AS)

An oxβοῦνbounG1016
ox

βοῦς (bous) βοῦς, βοός, ὁ, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for בָּקָר ;] an ox, a cow: Luk.13:15 14:5, 19 Jhn.2:14, 15 1Co.9:9" (LXX), 1Ti.5:18.† (AS)

treading out grainἀλοῶνταaloōntaG0248
to thresh

ἀλοάω (aloaō) ἀλοάω, -ῶ (ἅλως, see: ἅλων; and cf. MM, VGT, see word), [in LXX chiefly for דּוּשׁ ;] to thresh: 1Co.9:9 9:13; 1Ti.5:18.† (AS)

notοὐouG3756
no

οὐ (ou) οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); 1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. …

you will muzzle;φιμώσεις·phimōseisG5392
to muzzle

φιμόω (phimoō) φιμόω, -ῶ (φιμός, a muzzle), [in LXX: Deu.25:4 (חָסַם), Dan LXX Su 1:61, 4Ma.1:35 א R * ;] to muzzle: 1Co.9:9, 1Ti.5:18" (LXX) ; metaphorically, to put to silence: with accusative of person(s), Mat.22:34, 1Pe.2:15; pass., to be silenced, silent: Mat.22:12, Mrk.1:25 4:39, Luk.4:35.† (AS)

andκαὶkaiG2532
and

καί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. …

Worthy [is]ἄξιοςaxiosG0514
worthy

ἄξιος (axios) ἄξιος, -α, -ον (ἄγω, in sense, to weigh), [in LXX for בֵּן (Deu.25:2), מָלֵא, שָׁוָה; frequently in Wis, 2Mac ;] 1. Part One (a) of weight, worth (often with genitive, cf. Pr 315, 811), before πρός: Rom.8:18 (see Field, Notes, 157); (b) befitting, meet: with genitive, Mat.3:8, Luk.3:8 23:41, Act.26:20, 1Co.16:4 (see M, Pr., 216); absol., 2Th.1:3; (with) of persons, worthy; 2. Part Two …

workmanἐργάτηςergatēsG2040
worker

ἐργάτης (ergatēs) ἐργάτης, -ου, ὁ (ἐργάζομαι, which see), [in LXX: Wis.17:17, Sir.19:1 40:18, 1Ma.3:6 * ;] 1. prop., a field labourer, husbandman: Mat.9:37-38 20:1-2, 8, Luk.10:2, Jas.5:4 (cf. Wis, l.with). 2. Generally, a workman, labourer: Mat.10:10, Luk.10:7, Act.19:25 (opposite to τεχνίτης), 1Ti.5:18; of Christian teachers, 2Co.11:13, Php.3:2, 2Ti.2:15. 3. a worker, doer: τ. ἀδικίας, Luk.13:27 (cf. 1Mac, l.with).† (AS)

wagesμισθοῦmisthouG3408
wage

μισθός (misthos) μισθός, -οῦ, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for שָׂכָר ;] 1. prop., wages, hire: Mat.20:8, Luk.10:7, Rom.4:4, 1Ti.5:18, Jas.5:4, Ju 11; μ. ἀδικίας, Act.1:18, 2Pe.2:13 (but see Mayor and ICC, in l), 2Pe.2:15. 2. Generally, reward: Jhn.4:36, 1Co.9:18; esp. of divine rewards, Mat.5:12 6:1-2, 5 6:16 10:41-42 Mrk.9:41, Luk.6:23, 35, 1Co.3:8 3:14, 2Jn.8, Rev.11:18 22:12; ἔχειν μ., Mat.5:46, 1Co.9:17.† (AS)

of him.αὐτοῦ.¶autouG0846
it/s/he

αὐτός (autos) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.