Ephesians 4:28

Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.

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Other translations

WEBBE

Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labour, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.

BSB

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.

KJV

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

ASV

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.

BBE

Let him who was a thief be so no longer, but let him do good work with his hands, so that he may have something to give to him who is in need.

Original Greek

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ὁ ho who G3588 κλέπτων kleptōn is stealing G2813 μηκέτι mēketi no longer G3371 κλεπτέτω kleptetō he should steal G2813 μᾶλλον mallon rather G3123 δὲ de however G1161 κοπιάτω kopiatō he should toil G2872 ἐργαζόμενος ergazomenos working G2038 ταῖς tais (the) G3588 ἰδίαις idiais with [their] own G2398 χερσὶν chersin hands G5495 τὸ to what G3588 ἀγαθόν agathon [is] good G18 ἵνα ina so that G2443 ἔχῃ echē he may have [something] G2192 μεταδιδόναι metadidonai to impart G3330 τῷ tō to the [one] G3588 χρείαν chreian need G5532 ἔχοντι.¶ echonti having G2192

The early church

Seest thou what are the members of the old man? Falsehood, revenge, theft. Why said he not, "Let him that stole" be punished, be tortured, be racked; but, "let him steal no more"? "But rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need." Where are they which are called pure; they that are full of all defilement, and yet dare to give themselves a name like this? For it is possible, very possible, to put off the reproach, not only by ceasing from the sin, but by working some good thing also. Perceive ye how we ought to get quit of the sin? "They stole." This is the sin. "They steal no more." This is not to do away the sin. But how shall they? If they labor, and charitably communicate to others, thus will they do away the sin. He does not simply desire that we should work, but so "work" as to "labor," so as that we may "communicate" to others. For the thief indeed works, but it is that which is evil.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on Ephesians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 25–28

Notice the particulars wherewith we should adorn our Christian profession. Take heed of every thing contrary to truth. No longer flatter or deceive others. God's people are children who will not lie, who dare not lie, who hate and abhor lying. Take heed of anger and ungoverned passions. If there is just occasion to express displeasure at what is wrong, and to reprove, see that it be without sin. We give place to the devil, when the first motions of sin are not grievous to our souls; when we consent to them; and when we repeat an evil deed. This teaches that as sin, if yielded unto, lets in the devil upon us, we are to resist it, keeping from all appearance of evil. Idleness makes thieves. Those who will not work, expose themselves to temptations to steal. Men ought to be industrious, that they may do some good, and that they may be kept from temptation. They must labour, not only that they may live honestly, but that they may have to give to the wants of others. What then must we think of those called Christians, who grow rich by fraud, oppression, and deceitful practices! Alms, to be accepted of God, must not be gained by unrighteousness and robbery, but by honesty and industry. God hates robbery for burnt-offerings.

Read Matthew Henry on Ephesians 4 →

Cross-references

28

Topics

PoorLiberalityTheft And ThievesIndustryFrugalityLabor

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.