Ephesians 4:28

Amplified Bible

The thief [who has become a believer] must no longer steal, but instead he must work hard [making an honest living], producing that which is good with his own hands, so that he will have something to share with those in need.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Whoever has been stealing must stop it and start working. They must use their hands for doing something good. Then they will have something to share with those who are poor.

Revised Standard Version
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Let him yt stole steale no moare but let him rather laboure with his hondes some good thinge that he maye have to geve vnto him that nedeth.

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

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

New Century Version
Those who are stealing must stop stealing and start working. They should earn an honest living for themselves. Then they will have something to share with those who are poor.

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

Webster's Bible Translation
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

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.

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

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
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.

Weymouth's New Testament
He who has been a thief must steal no more, but, instead of that, should work with his own hands in honest industry, so that he may have something of which he can give the needy a share.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
He that stal, now stele he not; but more trauele he in worchinge with hise hondis that that is good, that he haue whereof he schal yyue to nedi.

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

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Contemporary English Version
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Be honest and work hard, so you will have something to give to people in need.

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.

Bible in Basic English
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.

Complete Jewish Bible
The thief must stop stealing; instead, he should make an honest living by his own efforts. This way he will be able to share with those in need.

Darby 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.

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 have something to give to the needy.Luke 3:11; Acts 20:35; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:8,11-12;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
And let him who hath stolen henceforth steal not, but labour with his hands and do good, that he may have to give to him who needeth.

Murdock Translation
And let him that stole, steal no more; but let him labor with his hands, and do good acts; that he may have to give to him who needeth.

King James Version (1611)
Let him that stole, steale no more: but rather let him labour, working with his handes the thing which is good, that he may haue to giue to him that needeth.

New Living Translation
If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.

New Life Bible
Anyone who steals must stop it! He must work with his hands so he will have what he needs and can give to those who need help.

New Revised Standard
Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Let him that stole, steale no more: but let him rather labour, and worke with his handes the thing which is good, that hee may haue to giue vnto him that needeth.

George Lamsa Translation
From henceforth let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor with his hands and do good deeds, that he may have something to give to him who is in need.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Let, the stealer, no more, steal, but rather let him be toiling, - working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have wherewith to be giving away 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.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Let hym that stole, steale no more: but let hym rather labour, workyng with his handes the thyng whiche is good, that he may geue vnto hym that needeth.

Good News Translation
If you used to rob, you must stop robbing and start working, in order to earn an honest living for yourself and to be able to help the poor.

Christian Standard Bible®
Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need.

King James Version
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.

Lexham English Bible
The one who steals must steal no longer, but instead must labor, working with his own hands what is good, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need.

Literal Translation
The one stealing, let him steal no more, but rather let him labor, working what is good with the hands, that he may have something to give to the one 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.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
He that hath stollen, let him steale nomore: but let him laboure rather, and do some good with his hondes, that he maye haue to geue vnto him that nedeth.

Mace New Testament (1729)
let him that stole, steal no more: but rather let him labour, to encrease his fortune with his own hands, that he may have wherewithal to relieve the needy:

THE MESSAGE
Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.

New English Translation
The one who steals must steal no longer; rather he must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need.

New King James Version
Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Don't be a thief. Use what you know for good work and give generously to those in need.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
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.

Legacy 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.

Contextual Overview

¹⁷So this I say, and solemnly affirm together with the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the [unbelieving] Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds [and in the foolishness and emptiness of their souls], ¹⁸for their [moral] understanding is darkened and their reasoning is clouded; [they are] alienated and self-banished from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the [willful] ignorance and spiritual blindness that is [deep-seated] within them, because of the hardness and insensitivity of their heart. ¹⁹And they, [the ungodly in their spiritual apathy], having become callous and unfeeling, have given themselves over [as prey] to unbridled sensuality, eagerly craving the practice of every kind of impurity [that their desires may demand]. ²⁰But you did not learn Christ in this way! ²¹If in fact you have [really] heard Him and have been taught by Him, just as truth is in Jesus [revealed in His life and personified in Him], ²²that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, ²³and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], ²⁴and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God's image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation]. ²⁵Therefore, rejecting all falsehood [whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumors, any such as these], SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are all parts of one another [and we are all parts of the body of Christ]. ²⁶BE ANGRY [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], YET DO NOT SIN; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

him that: Exodus 20:15, Exodus 20:17, Exodus 21:16, Proverbs 30:9, Jeremiah 7:9, Hosea 4:2, Zechariah 5:3, John 12:6, 1 Corinthians 6:10, 1 Corinthians 6:11

steal no more: Job 34:32, Proverbs 28:13, Luke 3:8, Luke 3:10-14, Luke 19:8

labour: Proverbs 13:11, Proverbs 14:23, Acts 20:34, Acts 20:35, 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:12, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-8, 2 Thessalonians 3:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:12

that he: Luke 3:11, Luke 21:1-4, John 13:29, 2 Corinthians 8:2, 2 Corinthians 8:12

give: or, distribute, Romans 12:13, 2 Corinthians 9:12-15, 1 Timothy 6:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 2:15 - put Genesis 3:19 - In Leviticus 19:11 - shall not Deuteronomy 5:19 - General Judges 19:16 - his work Psalms 104:23 - General Proverbs 12:11 - tilleth Proverbs 21:5 - thoughts Proverbs 31:20 - she reacheth Daniel 4:27 - by showing Matthew 6:2 - when Matthew 25:35 - I was an Mark 14:5 - have been given Luke 3:13 - Exact Luke 6:30 - Give Luke 11:41 - rather Acts 9:39 - and showing Romans 12:11 - slothful 1 Thessalonians 4:6 - go Titus 3:14 - maintain good works Hebrews 13:16 - communicate

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Let him that stole steal no more,.... Stealing, or theft, is a fraudulent taking away of another man's goods, without the knowledge and will of the owner, for the sake of gain; to which evil may be reduced, not making good, or not performing payments, all unjust contracts, detention of wages, unlawful usury, unfaithfulness in anything committed to trust, advising, encouraging, and receiving from thieves: theft is a very great evil; it is a breach of the common law of nature, to do to others, as we would be done by; it is contrary to particular laws of God, and is against common justice, and ought not to be continued in, and is punishable by God and man; it springs from a corrupt heart, and often arises from poverty, idleness, sloth, covetousness, and prodigality: the remedy against it follows,

but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good; labouring with diligence and industry, at any manufacture, trade, or business, which is honest, lawful, and of good report, is a proper antidote against theft; and ought to be preferred to such a scandalous way of living, and to be constantly attended to: and that for this end among others,

that he may have to give to him that needeth; and not take away another man's property; needy persons are the objects of charity; and what is given to them, should be a man's own; and what a man gets by his hand labour, he should not prodigally spend, or covetously lay up, but should cheerfully distribute it to indigent persons.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Let him that stole steal no more - Theft, like lying, was, and is, almost a universal vice among the pagan. The practice of pilfering prevails in, probably, every pagan community, and no property is safe which is not guarded, or so locked up as to be inaccessible. Hence, as the Christian converts at Ephesus had been long addicted to it, there was danger that they would fall into it again; and hence the necessity of special cautions on that head. We are not to suppose that “pilfering” was a common vice in the church, but the cautions on this point proceed on the principle that, where a man has been long in the habit of a particular sin, he is in great danger of falling into it again. Hence, we caution the man who has been intemperate against the least indulgence in intoxicating drinks; we exhort him not to touch that which would be so strong a temptation to him. The object of the apostle was to show that the gospel requires holy living in all its friends, and to entreat Christians at Ephesus in a special manner to avoid the vices of the surrounding pagan.

But rather let him labour - Let him seek the means of living in an honest manner, by his own industry, rather than by wronging others.

Working with his hands - Pursuing some honest employment. Paul was not ashamed to labor with “his own hands” Acts 20:35; and no man is dishonored by labor. God made man for toil Genesis 2:15; and employment is essential to the happiness of the race. No man, who is “able” to support himself, has a “right” to depend on others; see the notes on Romans 12:11.

That he may have to give to him that needeth - Margin, “distribute.” Not merely that may have the means of support, but that he may have it in his power to aid others. The reason and propriety of this is obvious. The human race is one great brotherhood. A considerable part “cannot” labor to support themselves. They are too old, or too young; or they are crippled, or feeble, or laid on beds of sickness. If others do not divide with them the avails of their labors, they will perish. We are required to laboar in order that we may have the privilege of contributing to their comfort. Learn from this verse:

(1) That every Christian should have some calling, business, or profession, by which he may support himself. The Saviour was carpenter; Paul a tentmaker; and no man is disgraced by being able to build a house or to construct a tent.

(2) Christianity promotes industry. It is rare that an idle man becomes a Christian; but if he does, religion makes him industrious just in proportion as it has influence over his mind. To talk of a “lazy Christian,” is about the same as to talk of burning water or freezing fire.

(3) Christians should have some “useful” and “honest” employment. They should work “that which is good.” They should not pursue an employment which will necessarily injure others. No man has a right to place a nuisance under the window of his neighbor; nor has he any “more” right to pursue an employment that shall lead his neighbor into sin or ruin him. An honest employment benefits everybody . A good farmer is a benefit to his neighborhood and country; and a good shoemaker, blacksmith, weaver, cabinetmaker, watchmaker, machinist, is a blessing to the community. He injures no one; he benefits all. How is it with the distiller, and the vender of alcoholic drinks? He benefits no one; he injures every body. Every quart of intoxicating drink that is taken from his house does evil somewhere - evil, and only evil, and that continually. No one is made better, or richer; no one is made more moral or industrious; no one is helped on the way to heaven by it. Thousands are helped on the way to hell by it, who are already in the path; and thousands are “induced” to walk in the way to death who, but for that distillery, store, or tavern, might have walked in the way to heaven. Is this then “working that which is good?” Would Paul have done it? Would Jesus do it? Strange, that by a professing Christian it was ever done! See a striking instance of the way in which the Ephesian Christians acted when they were first converted, in the Acts of the Apostles, Acts 19:19; compare notes on that place.

(4) The main business of a Christian is not to “make money,” and to become rich. It is that he may have the means of benefiting others. Beyond what he needs for himself, his poor, and sick, and aged, and afflicted brother and friend has a claim on his earnings - and they should be liberally bestowed.

(5) We should labor in “order” that we may have the means of doing good to others. It should be just as much a matter of plan and purpose to do this, as it is to labor in order to buy a coat, or to build a house, or to live comfortably, or to have the means of a decent burial. Yet how few are those who have any such end in view, or who pursue their daily toil definitely, “that they may have something to give away!” The world will be soon converted when all Christians make that the purpose of life; see the notes on Romans 12:11.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 28. Let him that stole steal no more — It is supposed that, among the rabbins, stealing was not entirely discountenanced, provided a portion was given to the poor. The apostle here teaches them a different doctrine: as they should speak truth every man with his neighbour, so they should in every respect act honestly, for nothing contrary to truth and righteousness could be tolerated under the Christian system. Let no man, under pretence of helping the poor, defraud another; but let him labour, working with his hands to provide that which is good, that he may have to give to him who is in necessity. Stealing, overreaching, defrauding, purloining, &c., are consistent with no kind of religion that acknowledges the true God. If Christianity does not make men honest, it does nothing for them. Those who are not saved from dishonesty fear not God, though they may dread man.