1 Timothy 5:18 | Luke 10:7

1 Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

Writing to Timothy, Paul refers to two things the scripture says – the first about not muzzling an ox treading out corn, and the second about a labourer being worthy of his reward. The first reference is easily identified as Deuteronomy 25:4 “Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.” If we look in the Old Testament, we cannot readily identify any text close to “The labourer is worthy of his reward.” In Leviticus 19:13 and Deuteronomy 24:14-15 a similar concept exists, but the wording of these verses is not at all similar, and they are detailed, including a time element for making payment.

Why must we look in the Old Testament? Is not the New Testament scripture as well? Yes, of course it is. Perhaps we have too much “training” to think this way. (That is, to look in the Old Testament, but not the New.) Nevertheless, if we look in the New Testament, we find a verse of scripture that corresponds with 1 Timothy 5:18 – Luke 10:7.[i]

1 Timothy 5:18

• KJV: For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.
• TR: λεγει γαρ η γραφη βουν αλοωντα ου φιμωσεις και αξιος ο εργατης του μισθου αυτου

Luke 10:7

• KJV: And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
• TR: εν αυτη δε τη οικια μενετε εσθιοντες και πινοντες τα παρ αυτων αξιος γαρ ο εργατης του μισθου αυτου εστιν μη μεταβαινετε εξ οικιας εις οικιαν

In the King James Bible, there is one word of difference – the synonyms “reward” versus “hire” (wages, hire, reward). In the Textus Receptus there is one word of difference – the conjunction και (and) versus the preposition γαρ (for). We have a scripture reference correspondence.

Without presuppositions to the contrary, it is easy to understand that the apostle is quoting the Gospel of Luke and referring to it as scripture. Paul uses this formula – For the scripture saith /λεγει γαρ η γραφη – elsewhere (e.g., Romans 9:17; 10:11). The New Testament elsewhere also refers to New Testament writings as scripture (e.g., 2 Peter 3:15-16).

As I mentioned earlier, perhaps we have been trained or conditioned to think that the writing of the inspired New Testament is late rather than earlier. Even scholars who are considered conservative are often careful to not allow these writings to occur too soon after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. However, the simplest conclusion for simple Bible-believers is that Luke wrote his Gospel before Paul wrote First Timothy, and that Paul refers to the writing of Luke as scripture. (We believe and do not deny that Luke is scripture.) If these writings are inspired by God, and penned by the apostles and apostolic men (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, etc.), then of necessity they were written in the lifetime of these men.

---

[i] Matthew 10:10 is worth noting as a passage similar to 1 Timothy 5:18 and Luke 10:7. nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. μη πηραν εις οδον μηδε δυο χιτωνας μηδε υποδηματα μηδε ραβδους αξιος γαρ ο εργατης της τροφης αυτου εστιν.