1 Corinthians 9:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Having proved, both by the example of the Apostles and by comparisons from life, that a teacher is not forbidden to receive, Paul proceeds to the third proof and says: “Do I say these things according to man? Or does not the law also say the same?” (1 Cor 9:8).

Until now he had brought nothing from the Scriptures, but had referred to generally accepted custom. Therefore, he says, do not think that I rely on this alone and establish a commandment on human opinion.

I can prove that this is pleasing to God and bring forward the ancient law, which commands the same thing.

Here he continues his discourse with a question, as is done in conversation about something perfectly known. He says: “Do I say these things according to man?” That is, do I rely only on human customs?

"For in the law of Moses it is written: You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain." He confirms the desired point abundantly, which is why he brings oxen as an example. "Is it for oxen that God cares?" What then? Does He not care? He does care, but not so as to give laws concerning them. Therefore, through care for irrational animals, He was suggesting something else. He was training the Jews to care for teachers. From this we also learn that everything said in the Old Testament about irrational animals serves for the edification of men.

Yes, it is also written in the law of Moses: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Do not exhaust the beast that works for you. Feed it sufficiently and give it drink in due time.

However, does this commandment of God speak only about oxen? Is it for oxen that God cares? Are people who work for another’s benefit not also meant in this commandment?

Should one not, according to worth, spare and value another’s labor for us? Yes, Christian, do not withhold payment from workers and do not press them down in price, especially when you know their extreme need and poverty in general.

An extra coin, given by you to a truly honest but poor worker with many children, is not only good payment to him. It is also alms, and therefore a virtue on your part.

And in the law, he says, it is written: "You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain" (Deut 25:4). Is God concerned for oxen alone, and not for us?

"Do I speak these things according to man? Does not the law also say these things? For it is written in the law of Moses." If this seems to someone to be human reasoning, let him hear what the law plainly commands: "You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain" (Deut 25:4). "Is it for oxen that God cares?"

These animals live and pursue their ends according to the inexpressible will of the Creator. They do not give an account of their deeds, because they are irrational. Is God concerned for oxen? But men, since they are endowed with reason, will give an account to God for themselves and for everything they received for use during life.

Some, out of stinginess, put a muzzle on threshing oxen, tightening their mouths so that they would not eat the grain on the threshing floor. The God of all gave this commandment concerning it: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.”

That is, do not bind the mouth of the threshing ox, but leave it free, so that it may eat the grain over which it labors.

The Apostle Paul cites this law here in order to prove his point. Do not think, he says, that I say this according to man, that is, on the basis only of human examples, customs, and laws.

For the law of God, given through Moses, commands the same thing: “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain” (Deut 25:4). It is written there.

"You shall not muzzle the ox that treads out the grain." In the East, as also in southern Russia, threshing is done by animals made to tread the grain from sheaves scattered on the threshing floor. While working, the animal can often bend down and feed on grain not yet threshed. Calculating owners arm themselves in various ways against such self-feeding by the working cattle and muzzle them during threshing. By forbidding such actions, the Law of Moses intended to teach the Jews gentle treatment of working cattle (Deut 25:4). The Apostle applies it to the ministers of the Church.

Deut 25:4. Why was it forbidden to muzzle the ox that treads out the grain? So that the ox would not be deprived of the opportunity to eat the ears of grain it was threshing. "Is it for oxen that God cares? Or is it certainly said for our sake?" In giving the above prohibition, the Lord wished to cultivate compassion and sympathy in the Israelites toward everyone who works. Thus they would not deprive such laborers, above all apostles and presbyters who labor in word and teaching, of what they need (1 Tim 5:17).

Third, according to the typological meaning of the Mosaic law’s ordinance not to muzzle the ox that treads out the grain. That is, the ox walking over the sheaves and trampling out the grain with its feet (1 Cor 9:8-10). "Is it for oxen that God cares? Or is it certainly said for our sake? It was written for our sake," for us laborers in the word concerning Christ.

While proving in detail his right to receive support from the disciples, the Apostle refers to the customs of life and uses various comparisons. Some of these are taken from the Sacred Scripture of the Old Testament.

Yet all these arguments are brought only to show that he has the right to use this support, and nevertheless did not use it. Such use could have harmed the work of many people’s salvation.

It could also have deprived him of the dignity of the ascetic feat of abstinence, for which he expects a crown.

The Apostle’s examples and comparisons are very diverse. He compares the Apostles with soldiers, shepherds, and gardeners, all of whom receive possible maintenance for their labor: pay, milk, and fruits.

In the East they thresh with oxen. Wheat or barley is scattered on the threshing floor in loosened sheaves, and oxen are led over them, one pair, two, or three.

With their feet they crush everything into small pieces. Then it is winnowed, and the grain is obtained. The law forbade tying the mouths of these threshing oxen.

This can be applied to all who labor. Saint Paul applies it to the Apostles laboring in preaching. He gives the thought that if the disciples did not support the Apostles, it would be like a cruel master muzzling the mouths of threshing oxen, which the law forbids.

The lawfulness of this inference rests on the fact that the old law, in all its parts, prefigured spiritual realities that were to appear in the gracious kingdom of Christ.