Theft
The Bible consistently condemns theft, with key verses including Exodus 20:15 (“You shall not steal”), Leviticus 19:11, and Ephesians 4:28, which urges thieves to stop stealing and work honestly.
Old Testament
- Exodus 20:15 – “You shall not steal.”
- Leviticus 19:11 – “You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.”
- Exodus 22:7 – A thief must repay double if caught.
- Proverbs 10:2 – Ill‑gotten treasures do not profit.
- Proverbs 6:30-31 – Even if a thief steals out of hunger, he must repay sevenfold.
- Isaiah 61:8 – God hates robbery and wrongdoing.
- Jeremiah 7:9-11 – Condemns stealing along with other sins, calling Israel a “den of robbers.”
- Ephesians 4:28 – “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor… so that he may have something to share.”
New Testament
- John 10:10 – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…”
- Romans 13:9 – Reaffirms “You shall not steal” as part of loving your neighbour.
- 1 Corinthians 6:10 – Thieves will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- Mark 10:19 – Jesus lists “Do not steal” among the commandments.
Summary
Across Scripture, theft is consistently condemned as a violation of God’s law and a harm to others. The Bible calls believers to honesty, restitution, and diligent work as expressions of righteousness and love.
