What Does Matthew 25:15 Mean in the King James?
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Each portion is measured against the recipient’s own capacity, so the verse begins with entrusted responsibility, not equal shares.
THE MEANING
You are entrusted according to your own ability, not by a uniform measure. The giver leaves at once, and the trust now rests in your hands.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Fairness means everyone must receive the same amount.
THE ROOT
δύναμιν
dýnamin
GROWS FROM
δυνα-
dyna-
To be able; to have power or capacity.
The Greek phrase means “according to his own ability”: the measure is individualized. The root points to active capacity, so the different amounts correspond to what each person can do, not to a ranking of personal worth.
ALSO GROWS
dýnamai: To be able.
δύναμαι
This verb shares the capacity-root and makes clear that “ability” names what a person can do.
dynatos: Able, powerful.
δυνατός
This related form keeps the focus on capability, the measure named in the verse.
adynatos: Unable; impossible.
ἀδύνατος
The same root can name the absence of capacity, showing that this word-family concerns ability rather than status.
ἔδωκεν
édōken
GROWS FROM
δο-/δω- (do-/dō-)
To give or grant.
“gave” in this verse is édōken. The verb describes a concrete act of giving: the resources come from another and are placed in each person’s hands. The word-family keeps the scene centered on what is received, while the amounts are set in relation to each recipient’s ability.
ALSO GROWS
dosis: A giving; a gift.
δόσις
This noun from the same word-family keeps the focus on what is given.
dōron: A gift.
δῶρον
This related word shows the family’s connection to what is placed in someone’s hands.
didónai: To give.
διδόναι
This infinitive form shares the verb’s giving-root and echoes the act at the center of the verse.
THE PATTERN
What is entrusted is apportioned in relation to each recipient’s capacity and work.
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.THE THREAD
Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;The same Greek giving verb appears here as “giveth”: what is present in your life is first received. That opens this verse’s movement from gift to entrusted portion, as each person receives a different measure.
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