The Thief (John 10:10)

John 10:10 says, "The thief comes not but too steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have (it) more abundantly."

As previously mentioned in the post, "Primary Purpose", the only reason the thief comes, is to steal; kill; and destroy, and the only reason Jesus came, and the purpose for everything He accomplished, was to give to us, "abundant life".

THE SAME CONCEPT

This text uses a literary device similar to that found in Matthew 7:7, where it refers to asking...and you shall be given; seeking...and you shall find; and knocking...and it shall be opened to you. Three different phrases are used to speak of the same concept, in varying degrees of intensity.

INCREASED INTENSITY

In John 10:10 a similar technique is employed all with the express purpose of highlighting the activities of the thief. What is also emphasized, is that there is an increasing degree of intensity in regards to the purpose and intention of the thief. First he steals; then he desires to kill; and finally to destroy.

THIEF

There are two different Greek words that are repeatedly translated as "thief", by the KJV. The one is (kleptes), where we get our English transliteration, "kleptomaniac", and the other is (lestes). Though they are repeatedly translated by the same English word, they are far from being the same in meaning.

ROBBER

The (lestes) is more accurately translated as "robber", and is characterized by acts of violence culminating in murder. This word describes stealing what is another's but through acts of brazen violence and brute force, under no cover of darkness, but boldly and viciously. This is the word used in the famous quotation, "My house shall be called the house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves." More accurately, this should be translated as, "... a cave of robbers..." These were a murderous group of cutthroat "merchants", not only allowed by the priestly order, but sanctioned and endorsed by them to steal from the people for profit, providing the religious leaders got their share of the extortion.

Jesus was not crucified between two "thieves" (Matt. 27:38,44), but two mercenaries, who like Barabbas, had undoubtedly committed murder in their insurrection. (Lk. 23:19). The victim aided by the good Samaritan (Lk. 10:30-37), was almost beaten to death, by robbers, not thieves.

The primary difference between the two words, is that the "robber" is a person of extreme violence who steals openly, usually inflicting some bodily harm, to the point of murder, to obtain the property of another. The word translated by (lestes), almost always is in the plural, meaning that these robbers do not act independently, but as a group, to accomplish their purpose.

SNEAKY THEFT

(kleptes), on the other hand, also speaks of the stealing of another's property, but secretly; by stealth, and if possible, they will even use legal means to accomplish their end purpose. The (kleptes) is one who is subtle; cunning; even described as "artful" in their elaborate schemes of deception to defraud another of what is rightfully theirs.

This is part of the primary purpose of the devil. He wishes to use his cunning; his lies; his deception, to defraud us of what is rightfully ours. Our ignorance of the vast inheritance that we possess, is one of his best allies in fulfilling his goal. Not knowing who we are; what we have; or the divine destiny we are called to, makes his job that much easier. It is necessary for us to discover who we are, so we can let Christ live through us, in who He is.

One of the main reasons for these word studies is to dispel the darkness, and bring to light further revelation, of often well-known scriptures, to enable us to walk even more fully, in what our Father has already given to us.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours.