Ephesians 4:28
Parallel Verses
New International Version
Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.


English Standard Version
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.


New American Standard Bible
He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.


King James Bible
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.


Holman Christian Standard Bible
The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need.


International Standard Version
The thief must no longer steal but must work hard and do what is good with his own hands, so that he might earn something to give to the needy.


American Standard Version
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.


Douay-Rheims Bible
He that stole, let him now steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have something to give to him that suffereth need.


Darby Bible Translation
Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him toil, working what is honest with his hands, that he may have to distribute to him that has need.


Young's Literal Translation
whoso is stealing let him no more steal, but rather let him labour, working the thing that is good with the hands, that he may have to impart to him having need.


Cross References
Proverbs 21:26
He covets greedily all the day long: but the righteous gives and spares not.


Proverbs 31:20
She stretches out her hand to the poor; yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.


Luke 3:11
He answers and said to them, He that has two coats, let him impart to him that has none; and he that has meat, let him do likewise.


Acts 20:35
I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.


1 Corinthians 4:12
And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:


Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith.


1 Thessalonians 4:11
And that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;


1 Thessalonians 4:12
That you may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that you may have lack of nothing.


2 Thessalonians 3:8
Neither did we eat any man's bread for nothing; but worked with labor and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:


2 Thessalonians 3:11
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.


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Commentaries
4:25-28 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.

28. Greek, "Let him that stealeth." The imperfect or past tense is, however, mainly meant, though not to the exclusion of the present. "Let the stealing person steal no more." Bandits frequented the mountains near Ephesus. Such are meant by those called "thieves" in the New Testament.

but rather—For it is not enough to cease from a sin, but the sinner must also enter on the path that is its very opposite [Chrysostom]. The thief, when repentant, should labor more than he would be called on to do, if he had never stolen.

let him labour—Theft and idleness go together.

the thing which is good—in contrast with theft, the thing which was evil in his past character.

with his hands—in contrast with his former thievish use of his hands.

that he may have to give—"that he may have wherewith to impart." He who has stolen should exercise liberality beyond the restitution of what he has taken. Christians in general should make not selfish gain their aim in honest industry, but the acquisition of the means of greater usefulness to their fellow men; and the being independent of the alms of others. So Paul himself (Ac 20:35; 2Th 3:8) acted as he taught (1Th 4:11).

Ephesians 4:27
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