Devine Scripture

Ephesians 4:28

What does Ephesians 4:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Ephesians 4:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Ephesians 4:28 means

The thief must stop stealing and start working, doing honest labor with his hands. But the goal is more than self-sufficiency; it is generosity—“that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.” The gospel transforms takers into givers. Work becomes a means of love, not merely personal gain. Honest industry honors God, serves others, and undermines the impulses that led to theft. This command dignifies labor and reorients its purpose: provide for needs and create surplus for mercy. In the new life, stewardship replaces exploitation, and hands once used to take become instruments of blessing.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

American Standard Version · 1901

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

Bible in Basic English · 1949

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.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

Continuing the concrete applications, Paul turns from speech and anger (verses 25–27) to property and work. The pattern persists: put off the old behavior (stealing), put on the opposite (honest labor), and add a redemptive purpose (generosity). This prepares for verse 29’s focus on speech that edifies, showing that both hands and tongues are to be used to build others up. Each command expresses the new self’s righteousness and love.

v.27neither give place to the devil.

v.28This passage

v.29Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 21:1

    And he looked up, and saw the rich men that were casting their gifts into the treasury.

  • Romans 12:13

    communicating to the necessities of the saints; given to hospitality.

  • Exodus 20:17

    Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:6

    Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which they received of us.

  • Acts 20:34

    Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:10

    nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

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