“For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages'” (1 Timothy 5:18).
1 Timothy 5:18 is a Biblical verse that is far more significant than it may appear. You see, the references contained here within 1 Timothy 5:18 tell us something important about the larger subject of Biblical inspiration. But before we get to that subject, there are a few last items to consider as we close our discussion of support for church leaders.
Three brief insights from the following authors can help advance our understanding of this passage…
“The principle that those who serve God’s people should be paid (when possible, of course) is supported by the passages of Scripture quoted by Paul: Deuteronomy 25:4 and Luke 10:7… Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 9:11 that if one sows spiritual things (such as labor in the word and doctrine), it is entirely appropriate for them to reap material things among those who they do the spiritual work.” (1)
“The ox must be allowed to eat from the place where it works. Likewise, the elder must be allowed to receive financial support from the people to whom he ministers.” (2)
“Men called of God would preach whether they are paid or not, but God ordained they are to live by their ministry (1 Cor 9:7–11). Paul says that even the animals reaped from their toils as was told they should in Deuteronomy 25:4.” (3)
While Paul the Apostle sometimes engaged in outside employment to support his ministerial work, he also made certain to endorse the legitimacy of full-time ministry as well. Perhaps the clearest expression of Paul’s support for vocational ministry is found in the New Testament book of 1 Corinthians…
“Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:13-14).
Paul also communicated the proper attitude towards ministry support in his epistle to the Galatian churches when he said, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches” (Galatians 6:6). Therefore, 1 Timothy 5:18 presents us with an important principle: if God is concerned for the welfare of an ox as it is fed from the work it performs, then how much more should a minister of God’s Word receive support from those who are fed through his ministry?
(1) Guzik, Dave, 1 Timothy 5 – How To Treat People In The Church, (17-18) https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/1-timothy-5/
(2) Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Ti 5:18). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
(3) Hindson, E. E., & Kroll, W. M. (Eds.). (1994). KJV Bible Commentary (p. 2504). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.