In AV 'ability' is either material (Le 27:8; Ezr 2:69; Ac 11:29) or personal (Da 1:4; Mt 25:15) capacity. The mod. meaning ('mental power') is not found in AV.
If he be too poor so to be set, then let him come before the priest: and let the priest value him, according as the hand of him that vowed is able to get.
and gave after their ability, unto the treasure of the work, one and three score thousand drams, and five thousand pounds of silver, and a hundred priests' garments.
young springaldes without any blemish, but fair and well favored, instructed in all wisdom, cunning and understanding: which were able to stand in the king's palace, to read and to learn for to speak Chaldeish.
And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one: to every man after his ability, and straightway departed.
Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, purposed to send succour unto the brethren which dwelt in Jewry,