Found only in Lk. 17:7 and 1 Cor. 9:10, the Greek verb “arotriao” meant “plow.” Ancient plows scratched soil instead of actually turning it and were often powered by donkeys and oxen.
Jesus spoke of “servants plowing” in Lk.
17:7 to help illustrate this fact: “Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it was our duty to do.” Paul used this term to describe the spiritual labor of people like preachers in 1 Cor. 9:10.