Ephesians 4:28 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The thief must steal no more, but work honestly so as to have something to give to others.
What Does Ephesians 4:28 Mean?
Paul addresses the thief: 'steal no more.' But he does not stop at prohibition. The old taking is to be replaced by honest labor -- 'working with his hands the thing which is good.' The new self does not merely cease doing wrong; it takes up doing right.
The goal is striking: to work 'that he may have to give to him that needeth.' The former thief becomes a giver. The hands that once took now provide for others. This is the full reversal of the gospel -- not just stopping sin, but turning a taker into a generous benefactor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ephesians 4:28
What does Ephesians 4:28 mean?
The thief must steal no more, but work honestly so as to have something to give to others.