[Greek] κλέπτω (kleptō) [Latin] furare, [Latin] derelinquere, [Latin] desere, [French rager: to steal, to filch, to commit a theft, to take away by theft; Mt.6:19-20, Mt.19:18, Mt.27:64, Mt.28:13, Mk.10:19, Lk.18:20, Jn.10:10, Rom.2:21, Rom.13:9, Eph.4:28
The Good Shepherd: (painting by Bernhard Plockhurst in 1878). Jesus protects His sheep from the thief who comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term, used in various contexts, means to steal, to abduct, to cheat, to hold secretly, to look like a thief, and to do something in a secret manner. Interestingly, deceit, skill, and cunning are often recognized, justified, or celebrated. Heroes, gods, demi-gods are praised for these efforts. In the Epicurean ethics, stealing can be justified as long it takes place with craft and secrecy. However, in later history, stealing becomes more associated with robbery, murder as more serious offences.
Homer’s Illiad 5.268 states “Of this stock, the king of men Anchises stole a bread, putting his moves to them while Laomedon knew naught thereof.” Euripides’ Rhesus 502 states “For he came to Athena’s shrine and stole her image and took it to the Argive ships.” Xenophon’s Anabasis 4.6.11 states “It is far better, therefore, to turn to the unoccupied part of the mountain and try either to steal a position by eluding the enemy’s observation or to seize it by getting ahead of them.” Aeschines’ Against Ctesiphon 3.99 states “Others deceive, when they are lying, try to speak in vague and ambiguous terms. Demosthenes, when he is cheating, firsts adds an oath to his lie, calling down destruction on himself, predicting an event that will never happen.” Homer’s Illiad states “Do not thus, mighty though you are, godlike Achilles, seek to deceive me with your wit; for you will not get by me nor persuade me.” Aristophanes’ Wasps 900 states “Oh, what a wretched brute! How entirely, he looks the rogue! He thinks to deceive me by keeping his jaws closed.”
Old Testament: Stealing, considered as a serious crime, becomes associated with murder, adultery and false witness. Objects considered of value include silver, gold, animals, men, idols, items devoted to God, and words of God stolen by false prophets. The Hellenistic philosopher Philo calls it thieving even to ascribe to man something which is the work of God. Stealing, even due to need or poverty, still becomes a dishonor to God. With the one exception of Obadiah 5 (God’s destruction of Edom), God’s activity is never compared with that of a thief. Thieving can be illustrated by the use of the night, breaking in by force, unlawful means of entry, and ruthless self-seeking.
You shall not steal (Deut.5:19). Why then, would we steal silver or gold from your master’s house? (Gen.44:8). The truth is that I was kidnapped from the land of the Hebrews (Gen.40:15). They have stealthily taken goods subject to the ban, and have deceitfully put them in their baggage (Jos.7:11). Therefore, I am against the prophets, says the Lord, who steal my words from each other (Jer.23:30). Rachel had meanwhile appropriated her father’s household idols (Gen.31:19). If any man is caught kidnapping a fellow Israelite in order to enslave him and sell him the kidnapper shall be put to death (Deut.24:7). In the dark he breaks into houses (Job.24:16).
New Testament: Stealing (thieving) continues to be presented in a negative sense. The Christian, a new being in the Spirit, is called to not to steal but to share what he has with others. Stealing is presented in parables about treasures and hypocrisy. Greater focus is placed on spiritual treasures, rather than earthly treasures which the thief can steal. The chief priests and Pharisees, concerned that Jesus’ followers would steal His body, posted guards at the tomb entrance. Jesus is the gate who hears His sheep, not the thieves who steal, slaughter, and destroy the sheep. Jesus also borrows from Old Testament imagery of thieves breaking into the house.
Scripture:
“Give orders, then, that the grave be secured until the third day, lest His disciples come and steal Him and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’” Mt.27:64
The chief priests were very fearful that the disciples would steal Jesus’ body.
“A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” Jn.10:10
Jesus knows and hears His sheep. The thief only steals the sheep.
“The thief must no longer steal, but rather labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may something to share with one in need. “ Eph.4:28
The thief should no longer steal, but share what he has with others.
Conclusion:
Kleptomaniac, fury, furor, relinquish, rage, desert
In the Greek Hellenistic era, it was interesting to discover that stealing conveys various meanings, good and bad. For a certain time, the thief was often celebrated or praised. It says a lot about this culture when the gods are also shown to act like thieves. Then stealing (thieving) later becomes more of a serious nature.
In the Old Testament, stealing takes on a much more serious nature. It was also interesting to discover that God’s words can be stolen by false prophets and God’s works can be appropriated by man.
In the New Testament, the Christian is called to rise from the level of the thief. Instead of stealing, man is called to share what he has with others. Most of us are already aware of this, despite the fact that each of us is often times guilty of this in one form or another. Instead, we can associate the thief with stealing the earthly treasures. We are also familiar with Jesus’ saying that thieves come to steal the sheep.
Although it may sound counter-intuitive, we all should invest in a heavenly spiritual “bank” account (accumulating spiritual treasures). Remember, we can’t take our stuff with us to heaven. We may not see our investment, however, the benefits and dividends are out of this world! Your equity will really increase in God’s “eyes”. I understand that God’s also provides a really great retirement plan. It’s not too late to take advantage of this opportunity!
And so I will not steal any more of your time.