Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Original Language Analysis
Οὐδεὶς
No man
G3762
Οὐδεὶς
No man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
1 of 27
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
κυρίοις
masters
G2962
κυρίοις
masters
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
4 of 27
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
δουλεύειν
serve
G1398
δουλεύειν
serve
Strong's:
G1398
Word #:
5 of 27
to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
7 of 27
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μισήσει
he will hate
G3404
μισήσει
he will hate
Strong's:
G3404
Word #:
10 of 27
to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνθέξεται
he will hold
G472
ἀνθέξεται
he will hold
Strong's:
G472
Word #:
17 of 27
to hold oneself opposite to, i.e., (by implication) adhere to; by extension to care for
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 27
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 27
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐ
Ye cannot
G3756
οὐ
Ye cannot
Strong's:
G3756
Word #:
22 of 27
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
θεῷ
God
G2316
θεῷ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
24 of 27
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
δουλεύειν
serve
G1398
δουλεύειν
serve
Strong's:
G1398
Word #:
25 of 27
to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary)
Cross References
Luke 16:13No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.James 4:4Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.Galatians 1:10For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.Joshua 24:15And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.Matthew 4:10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.Luke 16:11If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?1 Kings 18:21And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.1 Timothy 6:17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;Luke 16:9And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.1 Samuel 7:3And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.
Historical Context
Roman society operated on patron-client relationships where clients served patrons for protection and provision. A client literally couldn't serve two patrons with conflicting interests. Jesus applies this social reality to spiritual loyalty. 'Mammon' as personified wealth suggests demonic power behind wealth's enslaving attraction (similar to 'powers and principalities' in Ephesians 6:12). Early Christians' economic sharing (Acts 2:44-45) demonstrated liberation from mammon's mastery.
Questions for Reflection
- In what subtle ways does wealth compete with God for our ultimate loyalty?
- How do we recognize when financial decisions reflect service to mammon rather than God?
- What would it look like to truly serve God rather than wealth in your financial life?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus declares exclusive loyalty: 'No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon' (Greek: οὐ δύνασθε θεῷ δουλεύειν καὶ μαμωνᾷ, 'you cannot serve God and wealth'). The verb δουλεύω means 'serve as a slave,' indicating total ownership. 'Masters' (κύριος) implies lord/owner with absolute authority. 'Mammon' (μαμωνᾶς, Aramaic מָמוֹן) is personified wealth - not merely money but the system, security, and power it represents. The logic is absolute: divided loyalty is impossible. Wealth becomes idolatrous when it competes with God for ultimate allegiance.