6:34a–b

And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?: This is the third rhetorical question. Jesus used this rhetorical question to emphasize that you will not receive any credit in this situation. He said that when you lend only to those who can repay you, it is no credit to you.

Translate this emphasis using the same form (question or statement) that you used for the two previous rhetorical questions in 6:32–33.

6:34a

you lend: In some languages, it may be necessary to supply an object for lend. For example:

you lend money (Contemporary English Version)

to those from whom you expect repayment: The phrase those from whom you expect repayment refers to people whom you hope/expect will repay you. Some other ways to translate this are:

only to someone you think will pay you back (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
only to those who can repay you (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
always hoping to get something back (New Century Version)

6:34b

what credit is that to you?: This is the same clause as 6:32a–b.

General Comment on 6:34a–b

In some languages, it may be natural to change the order of 6:34a and 6:34b. For example:

34bWhat credit/praise do you deserve 34afor lending to people whom you expect to repay you?

6:34c

Even sinners lend to sinners: This sentence gives the reason why there is no credit in lending money to people who will repay you. Sinners also lend money to those who will fully repay them. This is not exceptional, and it does not cause a person to deserve special favor. Connect 6:32c to 6:32b in the same way that you connected 6:32c to 6:32a–b.

expecting to be repaid in full: The phrase expecting to be repaid in full is literally “that they may receive in return the equal.” It means “expecting to get back what they loaned.” Some other ways to translate this are:

and expect to get their money back (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
because they think they will get it all back (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
to get back the same amount (Good News Translation)
-or-
for a full return (New Living Translation (2004))

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