Ephesians 4:28

28. Stole In the present steals.

Steal no more St. Paul puts the maxim in the general form, so that if there be any one in the Church who does steal he may apply it. Some have been surprised that such a person could be supposed as being in an apostolic Church. But, as Meyer suggests, if there could be a fornicator in the Corinthian Church, there might be a stealer in the Ephesian Church; and, perhaps, apologists for both question how far the laws of marriage and the laws of property were binding under the new Christianity. Dr. Eadie quotes the testimony of Eusebius, showing that throughout the eastern world a man called a thief did not at all resent it. In countries where living is easy, and the standard of living low, the laws of property are easily violated. A Spartan punished his boy who stole, not for his theft, but for his stupidity in being caught, esteeming skill in avoiding detection a greater virtue than honesty in avoiding theft. St. Paul teaches his converts that a Christian, instead of stealing from others, should work, and so be able to give unto others. He must not be a pilferer, but a benefactor.

Working with his hands This, rather than stealing with his fingers: for Paul points out not only the wrong, but more abundantly shows the reverse right.

The… good Instead of the evil, namely, the theft. Laziness is the father of poverty and the grandfather of theft. Men at the present day avoid the labour of the hands, and seek for political office that they may steal plentifully and genteelly. When the standard of living is high, the temptations to theft in such forms are often very powerful, and the crime of embezzlement should be severely punished.

Give For giving, of the result of our honest toil, is a great and honourable Christian virtue. Whether in kindness to the poor, in public endowments of educational institutes, the upbuilding of churches, or the spreading of the Gospel, there is a blessed glory in giving. If at the present day there be prodigality in living and profligacy in stealing, there is also a great and glorious liberality in giving. If this be an age of very bad men it is also an age of very good ones.