In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul describes what a transformed Christian life looks like, one in which old sinful patterns are put off and new godly habits are put on. Among the many areas he addresses, Paul speaks pointedly on the matter of personal integrity: “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” (Eph. 4:28). In this short verse, God confronts our past, and commands our present and future. He calls us away from wrongdoing, into diligent labour, and towards generous living. This verse shows us the essence of a Christian’s life of integrity.
Paul begins with a clear command: “Let him that stole steal no more”. The Greek construction behind the word “stole” indicates a repeated or ongoing action, and thus refers to one who used to steal. Whether stealing was a settled habit or an occasional act, the instruction is emphatic: once a person is in Christ, he must abandon theft entirely!
Jesus teaches that “thefts” arise from the sinful heart (Matt. 15:18–19). Stealing is not merely a social offence; it is a spiritual malady. It is one of the sins that, if unrepented, marks a person as outside the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9–10). Scripture consistently teaches God’s people against theft. The eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not steal”, appears repeatedly in the Law (Ex. 20:15; Lev. 19:11; Deut. 5:19), and is affirmed by both Jesus (Mark 10:19) and Paul (Rom. 13:9). To steal is to rebel against God’s command and to injure fellow men.
Stealing, however, takes many shapes. It is not limited to breaking into homes or taking items from shops. In our modern society, theft hides behind more respectable forms, such as cheating on taxes, misusing time at work, inflating expenses, manipulating business deals, refusing to pay debts, withholding fair wages, plagiarising, violating copyright, or acquiring wealth at another’s expense. Even neglecting to give tithes and offerings, what belongs to God, is a form of robbing Him (cf. Mal. 3:8).
The Christian must not only avoid these sins, but must also refuse to admire or imitate people who enrich themselves by dishonest means. Many fall into subtle patterns of stealing without recognising how deeply they violate God’s holiness. Yet when the Spirit convicts us through His Word, repentance must follow, accompanied, where possible, by restitution. Integrity requires not only ceasing from sin, but also repairing the harm it causes.
Paul does not merely say, “Stop stealing.” He adds a positive command: “but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good.” Gospel transformation replaces sinful habits with righteous ones. The thief becomes a worker. The idle becomes industrious. The selfish becomes responsible.
The word Paul uses for “labour” (kopiáō) means to toil to the point of weariness. It reflects sustained effort, not casual involvement. God calls His people to honest, strenuous work – not as a punishment, but as part of His good design.
Paul himself embodied this principle. When financial support was lacking, he worked with his hands as a tentmaker (Acts 18:3), supporting not only himself but also those around him (Acts 20:34). He reminded the Corinthians, “[We] labour, working with our own hands” (1 Cor. 4:12), and told the Thessalonians that he and his companions worked “night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you” (1 Thess. 2:9). Paul was no stranger to hardship, but held up diligent labour as honourable and necessary.
A Christian’s integrity is most clearly seen in the way he goes about his daily work. Laziness, irresponsibility, and carelessness contradict the Gospel we profess. Whether in secular employment, at home, or in the ministry, believers are called to labour faithfully, using their minds, hands, and energy to accomplish what is good and beneficial. We work not only to earn a living, but also to glorify God through the quality, honesty, and faithfulness of our efforts.
We should not despise hard work or seek shortcuts to wealth, as many do these days. Scripture elevates labour to a godly calling. Work becomes an arena where integrity is tested and displayed.
Paul ends the verse with a surprising motivation for honest work: “that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Integrity is not merely about avoiding wrongdoing or even working hard; it is about cultivating a heart of generosity. The Christian works not only for personal provision, but also to bless others.
This stands in stark contrast to the thief who takes from others to enrich himself. The Gospel turns takers into givers. The hands once used for stealing become hands that provide, support, and bless.
Paul’s life again illustrates this beautifully. He collected offerings for needy believers (Rom. 15:26), directed churches to set aside gifts for the saints in Jerusalem (1 Cor. 16:1–4), and personally brought relief to the poor (Acts 24:17). He exhorted the Galatians, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).
Generosity is one of the clearest fruits of integrity. A Christian who lives honestly and works diligently in obedience to God’s Word would also develop a capacity to help others, whether through finances, service, or hospitality. Our integrity finds practical expression in compassion and sacrificial giving.
A Christian’s integrity is the overflow of a renewed heart and a sanctified mind. It is manifested in the daily choice to reflect godliness in both private and public behaviour. A Christian’s integrity matters because the Gospel we proclaim is reflected – or contradicted – by the way we live. When believers conduct themselves with honesty and diligence, they display the faithfulness and love of Christ who saved them from their sins.
