Mat 13:12 For whoever has, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whoever has not, from him shall be taken away even that he has.

The rich get richer? Christ is saying even more than this. People who are physically gifted get more physical work and get physically stronger . People are brighter get more mental stimulation and get smarter. People who have an interest in God get more divine inspiration and become more spiritual. People who are affectionate are given more affection and become more loving. This is the virtuous cycle.

However, I am not so sure that Christ quite so negative about those who do not have these gifts. This version depends heavily on the translation of apo autos as "from him" when it could be translated as "of him" or "out of him."

Alternative translation: For whatever one has, it shall be given and abundantly, but whatever one does not have, out of him it shall be raised even that he understands.

"Whoever" is hostis, which means "anyone who" or "anything which." It is most often translated as "which" in the NT.

"Have" is echo which means "to have," "to hold," "to possess," "to mentally understand," "to have the power," and "to find oneself in a certain condition."


"Given" is didomi, which is the word used in Matthew for "to give."

"He shall have in more abundance" is a single word, perisseuo, which means "to be over and above," "to go beyond," "to abound in," "to be superior," and, in a negative sense, "to be superfuous."

"From" is apo, which is the preposition of separation.

"Shall be taken away" is an interesting translation of airo, which primarily means "to lift," and also means "to raise up," "to take up," "to raise a child," "to exalt," "to lift and take away," and "to remove."