13:12a
Verse 13:12 gives more information about the teaching in 13:11. The Greek introduces this extra information with a conjunction that the many English versions translate as “For.” In this context, it does not mean “because.” Do not translate this verse as if it were the reason for 13:12.
Here is another way to translate this conjunction:
Furthermore
The Berean Standard Bible and many other English versions do not translate this conjunction. In some languages, it will not be necessary to translate it either.
Whoever has will be given more: Some words from 13:11 are implied but not repeated in this verse part. In 13:11b, knowledge was given, and here more will be given. In some languages, it may be natural to make this information explicit. For example:
Whoever has ⌊that knowledge⌋ will be given more
-or-
Those who have understanding will be given more (New Century Version)
-or-
Those who understand [these mysteries] will be given [more knowledge] (God’s Word)
In some languages, it may be necessary to have an object for the verb has and given, even if it is not the word “knowledge” or “understanding.” For example:
Everyone who has something will be given more. (Contemporary English Version)
will be given more: This verb is passive. God is the one who will give more knowledge/understanding.
Here are some ways to translate this clause as an active clause:
⌊God⌋ will give him more
-or-
⌊God⌋ will ⌊help him understand⌋ even more ⌊things⌋
13:12b
he will have an abundance: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as abundance means “more than enough, full to overflowing.” The word refers to God giving that person so much knowledge that the person will have no lack.
Here are some other ways to translate this clause:
he will have ⌊more than⌋ enough ⌊of knowledge⌋
-or-
he will have lots ⌊of it⌋
13:12c–d
The Greek begins this clause with a conjunction that indicates contrast here. The contrast is between the different types of people: the one who has, and the one who does not have. Many English versions indicate this contrast with the conjunction “but.”
Here is another way to indicate this contrast:
however
Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him: As in 13:12b, some words from 13:11 are implied but not repeated in this verse part. In 13:11b, knowledge was given. Here that knowledge/understanding will be taken away. In some languages, it may be natural to make this information explicit. For example:
those who do not have understanding, even what they have will be taken away from them (New Century Version)
-or-
some people don’t understand [these mysteries]…. Even what they understand will be taken away from them (God’s Word)
-or-
people who don’t have anything will lose even what little they have (Contemporary English Version)
The phrase does not have is an exaggeration. It refers to a person who has very little understanding/knowledge. In some languages, it may be more natural to translate the meaning without exaggerating. For example:
whoever understands very little, even the little he has will be taken from him
-or-
for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them (New Living Translation (2004))
even what he has will be taken away from him: This clause is passive. God is the one who will take this understanding/knowledge away.
Here are some ways to translate this clause as an active clause:
even what he has, ⌊God⌋ will take ⌊it⌋ from him
-or-
God will take away even the little knowledge that he has
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