Verse (Click for Chapter) 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. 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. 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. 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. Berean Literal Bible The one stealing, let him steal no longer, but rather let him toil, working with the own hands what is good, so that he may have something to impart to the one having 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. 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. 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. NASB 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. NASB 1977 Let him who steals steal no longer; but rather let him labor, performing with his own hands what is good, in order that he may have something to share with him 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But whoever has stolen, let him not steal from now on, but let him toil with his hands and produce good that he might have to give to the one who is 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. 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. 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation Thieves must quit stealing and, instead, they must work hard. They should do something good with their hands so that they'll have something to share with those in need. 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. 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. Literal Standard Version whoever is stealing let him no longer steal, but rather let him labor, working the thing that is good with the hands, that he may have to impart to him having need. Majority 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. New American Bible The thief must no longer steal, but rather labor, doing honest work with his [own] hands, so that he may have something to share with one in need. NET Bible 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 Revised Standard Version 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. New Heart 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. 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. Weymouth 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. World English Bible 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. 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. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context New Life in Christ …27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He 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. 29Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.… Cross References Proverbs 21:26 All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint. Proverbs 31:20 She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. Luke 3:11 John replied, "Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same." Acts 20:35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" 1 Corinthians 4:12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. Treasury of Scripture 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 needs. him that. Exodus 20:15,17 Thou shalt not steal… Exodus 21:16 And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death. Proverbs 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. steal no more. Job 34:32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Luke 3:8,10-14 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham… labour. Proverbs 13:11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury. Acts 20:34,35 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me… that he. Luke 3:11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. Luke 21:1-4 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury… John 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. give. Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; … 1 Timothy 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Jump to Previous Distribute Good Hands Honest Impart Industry Instead Labor Need Needeth Needy Rather Share Something Steal Steals Stole Thief Toil Whereof Work WorkingJump to Next Distribute Good Hands Honest Impart Industry Instead Labor Need Needeth Needy Rather Share Something Steal Steals Stole Thief Toil Whereof Work WorkingEphesians 4 1. He exhorts to unity;7. and declares that God therefore gives various gifts unto men; 11. that his church might be edified, 16. and grow up in Christ. 18. He calls them from the impurity of the Gentiles; 24. to put on the new man; 25. to cast off lying; 29. and corrupt communication. (28) Let him that stole (properly, the stealer) steal no more. . . .--In this verse St. Paul treats dishonesty, virtually, although less distinctly, from the same point of view as before. For he is not content with forbidding it, or even with forbidding it as fatal to society; but he directs that it be superseded by the opposite spirit of self-sacrifice, working in order to give to others what is honestly our own, as the fruit of the labour of "our own hands." In that direction there is a profound wisdom, in striking at the root of that exclusive selfishness which so often and so naturally exhibits itself in dishonesty. But we note in it also a peculiar harmony with the great doctrine of unity; for the sense of unity will always exhibit itself in working what is "good," that is, gracious, for the sake of "him that needs."Verse 28. - Let the stealer stem no more. Ὁ κλέπτων may be translated either as a noun or as the present participle. In either case it implies that even Christians might continue to steal, and that they had to be warned against the habit. This may seem strange to us, but not to those who consider how little theft was thought of among the pagans, and how liable such habits are to remain among converts from heathenism. Where there is a low moral tone and an uneducated conscience, very great irregularities may be found. Dishonesty in trade, deceit in business, are just the same. Among the Ephesians, thieving was probably the result of idle habits and of dislike to hard work. Hence the apostle says, But rather let him labor, working with his hands the things that are good, that he may have to impart to him that hath need. Idleness is mean, labor is honorable; Christ calls us to work, not for this reason only, but in order that we may have something to give away. Paganism would rob others of what is rightfully their own; Christianity leads me to give to others what is rightfully my own. This different genius of the two systems appears here very clearly. Observe the true use of superfluities - look out for the needy, and give for their relief. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek He whoὉ (Ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. has been stealing κλέπτων (kleptōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2813: To steal. A primary verb; to filch. must steal κλεπτέτω (kleptetō) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2813: To steal. A primary verb; to filch. no longer, μηκέτι (mēketi) Adverb Strong's 3371: No longer, no more. From me and eti; no further. but δὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. must work, κοπιάτω (kopiatō) Verb - Present Imperative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2872: From a derivative of kopos; to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard. doing ἐργαζόμενος (ergazomenos) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2038: To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor. good ἀγαθόν (agathon) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular Strong's 18: A primary word; 'good'. with ταῖς (tais) Article - Dative Feminine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. [his] own ἰδίαις (idiais) Adjective - Dative Feminine Plural Strong's 2398: Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate. hands, χερσὶν (chersin) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural Strong's 5495: A hand. that ἵνα (hina) Conjunction Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that. he may have [something] ἔχῃ (echē) Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. to share with μεταδιδόναι (metadidonai) Verb - Present Infinitive Active Strong's 3330: From meta and didomi; to give over, i.e. Share. the [one] τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. [in] ἔχοντι (echonti) Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. need. χρείαν (chreian) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution. Links Ephesians 4:28 NIVEphesians 4:28 NLT Ephesians 4:28 ESV Ephesians 4:28 NASB Ephesians 4:28 KJV Ephesians 4:28 BibleApps.com Ephesians 4:28 Biblia Paralela Ephesians 4:28 Chinese Bible Ephesians 4:28 French Bible Ephesians 4:28 Catholic Bible NT Letters: Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no more (Ephes. Eph. Ep) |
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