"to close the mouth with a muzzle" (phimos), is used (a) of "muzzling" the ox when it treads out the corn, 1 Corinthians 9:9 , AV, "muzzle the mouth of," RV, "muzzle," and 1 Timothy 5:18 , with the lesson that those upon whom spiritual labor is bestowed should not refrain from ministering to the material needs of those who labor on their behalf; (b) metaphorically, of putting to silence, or subduing to stillness, Matthew 22:12,34; Mark 1:25; 4:39; Luke 4:35; 1 Peter 2:15 . See PEACE (hold), SILENCE.