| Barnes' Notes on the Bible For unto every one that hath shall be given - See the notes at Matthew 13:12. This seems to be a proverbial expression. It means, whosoever rightly improves what is committed to him shall receive more, or shall be rewarded; but he that misimproves what is committed to him shall not be rewarded. In pecuniary matters in the literal sense of this parable they who improve their money by industry or merchandise increase it. They who do not who are indolent or vicious lose what they did possess, and it goes into the hands of the faithful and industrious. In the spiritual sense of the parable it means that they who are faithful shall be rewarded - not, however, that anything shall be taken from the unfaithful and given to them; and it means also that the unfaithful and indolent shall be taken away from their privileges and punished. Clarke's Commentary on the BibleUnto every one that hath shall be given - See on Matthew 13:12 (note). Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleFor unto everyone that hath shall be given,.... This seems to be a frequent saying of Christ's, or a common maxim of his, which he made use of on different occasions; See Gill on Matthew 13:12, and accords with some usual sayings, and proverbial expressions of the Jews; who say (a), that "the blessed God does not give wisdom, but to him that has wisdom"; and of a man, in other respects, they use this is a common proverb (b), "if he adds or increases, they add unto him, and if he lessens, they lessen to him: and so here; he that has gifts; and talents, shall have an addition to them, And he shall have abundance of spiritual gifts and knowledge, but from him that hath not, shall be taken away, even that which he hath. The Vulgate Latin reads, "that which he seemed to have", and so reads Munster's Hebrew Gospel, and so it is read in some Greek copies; though it seems to be taken out of Luke 8:18. (a) T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 55. 1. Zohar in Exod. fol. 89. 4. (b) Vajikra Rabba, sect. 30. fol. 170. 2. Geneva Study BibleFor unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. People's New Testament 25:29 To every one that hath shall be given. Every attainment of honor, wealth, knowledge, or spiritual grace helps to render further attainment more easy and more assured; while it is spiritually as well as materially true that the destruction of the poor is their poverty (Pr 10:15). Shall be taken away even that which he hath. For every hath there is a richer hath; and in every hath not a deeper, poorer hath not. Wesley's Notes 25:29 To every one that hath shall he given - So close does God keep to this stated rule, from the beginning to the end of the world. Matt 13:12. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary29. For unto every one that hath shall be given, &c.-See on [1358]Mt 13:12. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary25:14-30 Christ keeps no servants to be idle: they have received their all from him, and have nothing they can call their own but sin. Our receiving from Christ is in order to our working for him. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. The day of account comes at last. We must all be reckoned with as to what good we have got to our own souls, and have done to others, by the advantages we have enjoyed. It is not meant that the improving of natural powers can entitle a man to Divine grace. It is the real Christian's liberty and privilege to be employed as his Redeemer's servant, in promoting his glory, and the good of his people: the love of Christ constrains him to live no longer to himself, but to Him that died for him, and rose again. Those who think it impossible to please God, and in vain to serve him, will do nothing to purpose in religion. They complain that He requires of them more than they are capable of, and punishes them for what they cannot help. Whatever they may pretend, the fact is, they dislike the character and work of the Lord. The slothful servant is sentenced to be deprived of his talent. This may be applied to the blessings of this life; but rather to the means of grace. Those who know not the day of their visitation, shall have the things that belong to their peace hid from their eyes. His doom is, to be cast into outer darkness. It is a usual way of expressing the miseries of the damned in hell. Here, as in what was said to the faithful servants, our Saviour goes out of the parable into the thing intended by it, and this serves as a key to the whole. Let us not envy sinners, or covet any of their perishing possessions. |