Proverbs 3:27 Meaning and Explanation
“Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Give good to those who deserve it when you can.
The Context of Proverbs 3:27
Practical righteousness: the obligation to give good when able.
What Does Proverbs 3:27 Mean?
The focus shifts from receiving blessings to giving them. The son is commanded not to withhold good—aid, kindness, justice, payment—from those to whom it is due (obligated, owed). The condition is simple: if it is in his power to do it, he must do it.
This establishes an ethic of active goodness. It is not enough to avoid doing harm; the righteous person performs good when able. The principle is one of justice and mercy combined: giving what is deserved and helping when possible. Withholding when you can give is a form of wrongdoing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 3:27
What does Proverbs 3:27 mean?
Give good to those who deserve it when you can.
What is the context of Proverbs 3:27?
Practical righteousness: the obligation to give good when able.