1 Corinthians 9:9
New International Version
For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?

New Living Translation
For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this?

English Standard Version
For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned?

Berean Standard Bible
For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?

Berean Literal Bible
For in the Law of Moses it has been written: "You shall not muzzle an ox treading out grain." Is there care for the oxen with God?

King James Bible
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

New King James Version
For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about?

New American Standard Bible
For it is written in the Law of Moses: “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE IT IS THRESHING.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He?

NASB 1995
For it is written in the Law of Moses, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He?

NASB 1977
For it is written in the Law of Moses, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING.” God is not concerned about oxen, is He?

Legacy Standard Bible
For it is written in the Law of Moses, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE IT IS THRESHING.” Is God merely concerned about oxen?

Amplified Bible
For it is written in the Law of Moses, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE AN OX WHILE IT IS TREADING OUT THE GRAIN [to keep it from eating the grain].” Is it [only] for oxen that God cares?

Christian Standard Bible
For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain. Is God really concerned about oxen?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain. Is God really concerned with oxen?

American Standard Version
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth,

English Revised Version
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Moses' Teachings say, "Never muzzle an ox when it is threshing grain." God's concern isn't for oxen.

Good News Translation
We read in the Law of Moses, "Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh grain." Now, is God concerned about oxen?

International Standard Version
For in the Law of Moses it is written, "You must not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." God is not only concerned about oxen, is he?

Majority Standard Bible
For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned?

NET Bible
For it is written in the law of Moses, "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." God is not concerned here about oxen, is he?

New Heart English Bible
For it is written in the Law of Moses, "Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." Is it for the oxen that God cares,

Webster's Bible Translation
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

Weymouth New Testament
For in the Law of Moses it is written, "Thou shalt not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain."

World English Bible
For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it for the oxen that God cares,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For in the Law of Moses it has been written: “you will not muzzle an ox treading out grain”; does God care for the oxen?

Berean Literal Bible
For in the Law of Moses it has been written: "You shall not muzzle an ox treading out grain." Is there care for the oxen with God?

Young's Literal Translation
for in the law of Moses it hath been written, 'thou shalt not muzzle an ox treading out corn;' for the oxen doth God care?

Smith's Literal Translation
For in the law of Moses has been written, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox grinding. Is there not care to God for oxen?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For it is written in the law of Moses: Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

Catholic Public Domain Version
For it is written in the law of Moses: “You shall not bind the mouth of an ox, while it is treading out the grain.” Is God here concerned with the oxen?

New American Bible
It is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is God concerned about oxen,

New Revised Standard Version
For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. Why? Is God concerned only for the ox?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For it is written in The Law of Moses, “Do not muzzle the ox that treads.” Does God concern himself with oxen?
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
For it is written in the law of Moses: You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain? Has God a care for oxen?

Godbey New Testament
For in the law of Moses it has been written, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that plows. Is there a care to God for oxen,

Haweis New Testament
for in the law of Moses it is written, ?Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox which treadeth out the corn.? Doth God take care for oxen?

Mace New Testament
for it is written in the law of Moses, "thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn." are oxen the objects of divine care?

Weymouth New Testament
For in the Law of Moses it is written, "Thou shalt not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain."

Worrell New Testament
For in the law of Moses it has been written, "You shall not muzzle an ox while treading out the grain." Doth God care for the oxen?

Worsley New Testament
or saith not the law the same also? for it is written in the law of Moses, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn." Now doth God take care for oxen,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Rights of an Apostle
8Do I say this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? 9For it is written in the Law of Moses: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? 10Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 25:4
Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.

1 Timothy 5:18
For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.”

Galatians 6:6
Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor.

Luke 10:7
Stay at the same house, eating and drinking whatever you are offered. For the worker is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

Matthew 10:10
Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

2 Timothy 2:6
The hardworking farmer should be the first to partake of the crops.

Hebrews 10:28
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Proverbs 12:10
A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.

Exodus 23:12
For six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you must cease, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the son of your maidservant may be refreshed, as well as the foreign resident.

Leviticus 19:13
You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand.

James 5:4
Look, the wages you withheld from the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

Matthew 20:1-16
“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. / He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard. / About the third hour he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ...

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Romans 4:23-24
Now the words “it was credited to him” were written not only for Abraham, / but also for us, to whom righteousness will be credited—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.


Treasury of Scripture

For it is written in the law of Moses, You shall not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn. Does God take care for oxen?

Thou.

Deuteronomy 25:4
Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.

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.

Doth.

Numbers 22:28-35
And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? …

Deuteronomy 5:14
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.

Psalm 104:27
These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.

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1 Corinthians 9
1. He shows his liberty;
7. and that the minister ought to receive a living by the Gospel;
15. yet that himself has of his own accord abstained,
18. to be neither chargeable unto them,
22. nor offensive unto any, in matters indifferent.
24. Our life is like unto a race.














For it is written in the Law of Moses
This phrase underscores the authority and divine inspiration of the Old Testament Scriptures, particularly the Pentateuch, which is attributed to Moses. The Greek word for "written" (γέγραπται, gegraptai) indicates something that has been permanently recorded, emphasizing the enduring nature of God's Word. The Law of Moses is foundational to Jewish and Christian ethics, serving as a guide for righteous living. This reference establishes the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, affirming that the principles of God's law remain relevant.

Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain
This command comes from Deuteronomy 25:4 and reflects God's concern for fair treatment and provision for all His creatures. The imagery of an ox treading grain is drawn from an agrarian context where oxen were used to separate grain from the chaff. The Greek word for "muzzle" (φιμώσεις, phimōseis) implies preventing the ox from eating while working, which would be unjust. This law illustrates God's care for animals, but Paul uses it to teach a broader principle about supporting those who labor in ministry. The historical context reveals a society deeply connected to agriculture, where such laws ensured ethical treatment of animals and, by extension, humans.

Is it about oxen that God is concerned?
Here, Paul employs a rhetorical question to draw out the deeper spiritual principle behind the law. While God indeed cares for all creation, the primary concern is the fair treatment of those who work, particularly in the context of ministry. The Greek word for "concerned" (μέλει, melei) suggests a deep, attentive care. This phrase challenges readers to look beyond the literal application of the law to its spiritual implications. It encourages believers to recognize the value of those who dedicate their lives to the gospel, advocating for their right to receive material support. This interpretation aligns with the broader biblical theme of justice and provision for all who labor, whether in the field or in the church.

(9) The ox that treadeth out the corn.--Better, the ox while treading out the corn. In this verse the question of the previous one is answered. The Law does say the same: "For it is written in the Law of Moses," etc. The pointed and emphatic mention of the Law of Moses would give the words great weight with Jewish opponents. On a space of hard ground called a threshing-floor the oxen were driven to and fro over the corn collected there, and thus the separation of the grain from the husk was accomplished.

Doth God take care for oxen?--We must not take these and the following words as a denial of the divine regard for the brute creation, which runs through the Mosaic law and is exemplified in Jonah 4:11, but as an expression of the Apostle's belief as to the ultimate and highest object of God's love. The good which such a provision as the Law achieved for the oxen was nothing compared to the good which it accomplished for man. God did not do this simply as a provision for the ox, but to teach us men humanity--to teach us that it is a divine principle that the labourer should have his reward.

Verse 9. - In the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 25:4). He uses the same argument again in 1 Timothy 5:19. The mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn; rather, an ox while treading out the corn. The flail was not unknown, but a common mode of threshing was to let oxen tread the corn on the threshing floor. Doth God take care for oxen? Certainly he does; and St. Paul can hardly mean to imply that he does not, seeing that tenderness for the brute creation is a distinguishing characteristic of the Mosaic legislation (Exodus 23:12, 19; Deuteronomy 22:6, 7, 10, etc.). If St. Paul had failed to perceive this truth, he must have learnt it at least from Psalm 145:15, 16; Jonah 4:11. Even the Greeks showed by their proverb that they could pity the hunger of the poor beasts of burden starving in the midst of plenty. It is, however, a tendency of all Semitic idiom verbally to exclude or negative the inferior alternative. St. Paul did not intend to say, "God has no care for oxen;" for he knew that "his tender mercies are over all his works:" he only meant in Semitic fashion to say that the precept was much more important in its human application; and herein he consciously or unconsciously adopts the tone of Philo's comment on the same passage ('De Victim Offerentibus,' § 1), that, for present purposes, oxen might be left out of account. The rabbinic Midrash, which gave this turn to the passage, was happier and wiser than most specimens of their exegesis. St. Paul sets the typico allegorical interpretation above the literal in this instance (comp. 1 Timothy 5:18), because he regards it as the more important. It is a specimen of the common Jewish exegetic method of a fortiori or minori ad magus. Luther's curious comment is: "God cares for all things; but he does not care that anything should be written for oxen, because they cannot read"!

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

it is written
γέγραπται (gegraptai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Law
νόμῳ (nomō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3551: From a primary nemo; law, genitive case, specially, (including the volume); also of the Gospel), or figuratively.

of Moses:
Μωϋσέως (Mōuseōs)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3475: Or Moses, or Mouses of Hebrew origin; Moseus, Moses, or Mouses, the Hebrew lawgiver.

“Do not muzzle
κημώσεις (kēmōseis)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 5392: To muzzle, silence. From phimos; to muzzle.

an ox
βοῦν (boun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1016: An ox, cow, bull. Probably from the base of bosko; an ox, i.e. An animal of that species.

[while it is] treading out the grain.”
ἀλοῶντα (aloōnta)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 248: To thresh (wheat). From the same as halon; to tread out grain.

[Is it]
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

about
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

oxen
βοῶν (boōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 1016: An ox, cow, bull. Probably from the base of bosko; an ox, i.e. An animal of that species.

[that] God
Θεῷ (Theō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

is concerned?
μέλει (melei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3199: It is a care, it is an object of anxiety, it concerns. A primary verb; to be of interest to, i.e. To concern.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 9:9 For it is written in the law (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
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