How does this verse connect with the commandment "You shall not steal"? Verse in Focus “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must labor, doing good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the one in need.” (Ephesians 4:28) The Commandment Restated “You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15) Immediate Connection • The commandment forbids taking what belongs to another. • Ephesians 4:28 presses the same truth forward, insisting that any former practice of theft stop immediately. • Paul’s wording treats the commandment as still binding, affirming its ongoing moral weight. Expanding the Principle • Exodus 20:15 focuses on the act of theft; Ephesians 4:28 addresses the heart and lifestyle behind it. • Stopping theft is only the first step; honest labor becomes the new pattern. • The verse illustrates a redemptive shift—from subtracting value from others to adding value for them. Heart-Level Issues • Theft grows from a mindset of selfish gain; honest work grows from trust in God’s provision (Philippians 4:19). • Sharing with those in need reverses the thief’s old instinct, turning greed into generosity (Acts 20:35). Old Testament Echoes • Leviticus 19:11, “You shall not steal or deal falsely or lie to one another.” • Proverbs 11:1, “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.” • Malachi 3:8–10 equates withholding tithes with robbing God, underscoring that theft can target both neighbor and Creator. New Testament Reinforcement • 1 Corinthians 6:10 lists thieves among those who will not inherit the kingdom. • Romans 13:9 gathers “You shall not steal” with other commands under the banner of loving one’s neighbor. Practical Implications • Replace dishonest gain with diligent work. • View employment or craftsmanship as worship, serving Christ, not merely a boss (Colossians 3:23). • Cultivate a budget that includes generosity; planned giving becomes the antidote to theft’s spontaneity. • Guard against “digital” or “intellectual” stealing—software piracy, plagiarism, or misreporting hours—modern arenas where the eighth commandment still speaks. Summary Ephesians 4:28 takes the timeless prohibition “You shall not steal” and shows its positive flip side: earn honestly and share generously. Obedience is never merely avoidance of sin; it blossoms into active love for God and neighbor. |
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