Paragraph 3:27–35

3:27

In this verse, the second line completes the thought of the first line. It specifies the circumstance in which a person should not withhold good.

27a Do not withhold good from the deserving

27b when it is within your power to act.

3:27a

Do not withhold good from the deserving: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the deserving is more literally “its owners.” This phrase refers here to people who have a right to receive something good from another person. In this context, the word good probably refers to a loan payment or a purchase or wages that another person is entitled to receive. Other ways to translate this advice are:

Refuse no kindness to those who have a right to it (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Do not hold back anything good from those who are entitled to it (God’s Word)

In some languages, it may be more natural to state this advice positively. For example:

Do all you can for everyone who deserves your help. (Contemporary English Version)

3:27b

when it is within your power to act: This clause means “when you are able to do it.” Some other ways to translate this clause are:

Whenever you are able (New Century Version)
-or-
Whenever you possibly can (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 3:27a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the clauses in this verse. For example:

Whenever you are able, give to people the good that you owe them.

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