John Calvin Commentary Ephesians 4:28

"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." — Ephesians 4:28 (ASV)

Let him that stole steal no more. This includes not merely the grosser thefts which are punished by human laws, but also those of a more concealed nature, which escape human notice—every kind of wrongful seizure by which we take the property of others. But he does not simply forbid us to take that property in an unjust or unlawful manner. He commands us to assist our brethren, as much as we can.

That he may have to give to him that needeth. “You who formerly stole must not only obtain your subsistence by lawful and harmless toil, but must give assistance to others.” He is first required to labor, working with his hands, so that he may not supply his wants at the expense of his brethren, but may support life by honorable labor. But the love which we owe to our neighbor carries us much farther. No one must live to himself alone and neglect others. All must labor to supply each other’s necessities.

But a question arises: does Paul oblige all people to labor with their hands? This would be excessively hard. I reply, the meaning is plain, if it is duly considered. Everyone is forbidden to steal. But many people are in the habit of pleading want, and that excuse is addressed by instructing them rather to labor (μᾶλλον δὲ κοπιάτω) with their hands. As if he had said, “No condition, however hard or disagreeable, can entitle anyone to do injury to another, or even to refrain from contributing to the necessities of his brethren.”

The thing which is good. This latter clause, which contains an argument from the greater to the less, gives no small additional strength to the exhortation. As there are many occupations which do little to promote the lawful enjoyments of people, he recommends to them to choose those employments which yield the greatest advantage to their neighbors. We need not wonder at this. If those trades which can have no other effect than to lead people into immorality were denounced by pagans—and Cicero among them—as highly disgraceful, would an apostle of Christ reckon them among the lawful callings of God?