of such a course, that the apostle has in view. What is true of the soldier is true of the farmer and of the shepherd, and of every other class of men.
8. Say I these things as a man ? or saith not the law the same also ?
Say I these things as a man f This phrase (Kara dv3poi7rov AaActv), to speak as a man, or after the manner of men, means in general, to speak as men are wont to speak, to utter their thoughts, or principles, or to use illustrations derived from their customs. Rom. 3, 5. Gal. 3, 15. comp, Rom. 6, 19. The apostle means here to ask whether it was necessary to appeal to the usages of men in support of the principle that labour should be rewarded. Does not the law also say the same ? i. e. does not the word of God sanction the same principle ? The law (6 vo/xos) means in general that which binds. It is appUed to the law of God, however revealed, whether in the heart, the decalogue, the Pentateuch, or in the whole Scriptures. The context must determine the specific reference in each particu- lar case. Here the law of Moses is intended.
9. For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the com. Doth God take care for oxen ?
For refers to the answer implied to the preceding question. * Does not the law say the same ? It does : for it is written,' &c. The passage quoted is found in Deut. 25, 4, where it is forbidden to put a muzzle on the oxen which draw the thresh- ing machine over the corn, or which tread it out with their feet ; as both methods of threshing were common in Palestine as weU as the use of the flail or rods. Comp. Is. 28, 28. 41, 15. Hosea 10, 11. Doth God take care of oxen? It is perfectly certain that God does care for oxen ; for he feeds the young ravens when they cry; Job 38, 41. Ps. 147, 9. Matt. 6, 26. Luke 12, 24. This, therefore, the apostle cannot intend to deny. He only means to say that the law had a higher refer- ence. Although the proximate end of the command was that the labouring brute should be treated justly, yet its ultimate design was to teach men the moral truth involved in the pre- cept. If God requires that even the ox, which spends his strength in our service, should not be defi-auded of his reward,