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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comVincent Word Studies - 1 Timothy 5:18 - 5:18
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The Scripture (ἡ γραφή)
Comp. 2Ti 3:16. To the Jews ἡ γραφή signified the O.T. canon of Scripture; but in most cases ἡ γραφή is used of a particular passage of Scripture which is indicated in the context. See Joh 7:38, Joh 7:42; Act 1:16; Act 8:32, Act 8:35; Rom 4:3; Rom 9:17; Rom 10:11; Gal 3:8. Where the reference is to the sacred writings as a whole, the plural γραφαὶ or αἱ γραφαὶ is used, as Mat 21:42; Luk 24:32; Joh 5:39; Rom 15:4. Once γραφαὶ ἅγιαι holy Scriptures, Rom 1:2. Ἑτέρα γραφὴ another or a different Scripture, Joh 19:37; ἡ γραφὴ αὕτη this Scripture, Luk 4:21; πᾶσα γραφὴ every Scripture, 2Ti 3:16. See on writings, Joh 2:22. The passage cited here is Deu 25:4, also by Paul, 1Co 9:9.
Thou shalt not muzzle (οὐ φιμώσεις)
In N.T. mostly in the metaphorical sense of putting to silence. See on speechless, Mat 22:12, and see on put to silence, Mat 22:34. Also see on Mar 4:39. On the whole passage see note on 1Co 9:9.
That treadeth out (ἀλοῶντα)
More correctly, while he is treading out. The verb only here and 1Co 9:9,1Co 9:10. Comp. ἅλων a threshing-floor, Mat 3:12; Luk 3:17. An analogy to the O.T. injunction may be found in the laws giving to the Athenians by the mythical Triptolemus, one of which was, “Hurt not the laboring beast.” Some one having violated this command by slaying a steer which was eating the sacred cake that lay upon the altar, - an expiation-feast, Bouphonia or Diipolta was instituted for the purpose of atoning for this offense, and continued to be celebrated in Athens. Aristophanes refers to it (Clouds, 985). A laboring ox was led to the altar of Zeus on the Acropolis, which was strewn with wheat and barley. As soon as the ox touched the grain, he was killed by a blow from an axe. The priest who struck the blow threw away the axe and fled. The flesh of the ox was then eaten, and the hide was stuffed and set before the plough. Then began the steer-trial before a judicial assembly in the Prytaneum, by which the axe was formally condemned to be thrown into the sea.
The laborer is worthy, etc.
A second scriptural quotation would seem to be indicated, but there is no corresponding passage in the O.T. The words are found Luk 10:7, and, with a slight variation, Mat 10:10. Some hold that the writer adds to the O.T. citation a popular proverb, and that Christ himself used the words in this way. But while different passages of Scripture are often connected in citation by καὶ, it is not according, to N.T. usage thus to connect Scripture and proverb. Moreover, in such series of citations it is customary to use καὶ πάλιν and again, or πάλιν simply. See Mat 4:7; Mat 5:33; Joh 12:39; Rom 15:9-12; 1Co 3:20; Heb 1:5; Heb 2:13. According to others, the writer here cites an utterance of Christ from oral tradition, coordinately with the O.T. citation, as Scripture. Paul, in 1Th 4:15; 1Co 7:10, appeals to a word of the Lord; and in Act 10:35 he is represented as quoting “it is more blessed to give than to receive” as the words of Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 9, in the discussion of this passage from Deuteronomy, Paul adds (1Co 9:14) “even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel,” which resembles the combination here. This last is the more probable explanation.