Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 25:29

"For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away." — Matthew 25:29 (ASV)

For unto every one that hath shall be given. (See Barnes on Matthew 13:12).

This seems to be a proverbial expression. It means, whoever rightly improves what is committed to him will receive more, or will be rewarded; but he who misimproves what is committed to him will not be rewarded.

In pecuniary matters—in the literal sense of this parable—those who improve their money by industry or merchandise increase it. Those who do not—who are indolent or vicious—lose what they possessed, and it goes into the hands of the faithful and industrious.

In the spiritual sense of the parable, it means only that those who are faithful will be rewarded—not, however, that anything will be taken from the unfaithful and given to them; and that the unfaithful and indolent will be taken away from their privileges and punished.

The phrase taken away is also found in Luke 10:42.