Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

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.

KJV

Οὐδεὶς δύναται δυσὶ κυρίοις δουλεύειν· ἢ γὰρ τὸν ἕνα μισήσει καὶ τὸν ἕτερον ἀγαπήσει, ἢ ἑνὸς ἀνθέξεται καὶ τοῦ ἑτέρου καταφρονήσει· οὐ δύνασθε θεῷ δουλεύειν καὶ μαμωνᾷ.

Greek NT

Nemo potest duobus dominis servire : aut enim unum odio habebit, et alterum diliget : aut unum sustinebit, et alterum contemnet. Non potestis Deo servire et mammonæ.

Vulgate

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

ASV

No man can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one, and love the other: or he will sustain the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Douay-Rheims

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In the original Greek

18 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.

γάρ
gar
conjunction · 1036×
δουλεύω
douleuo
verb · 25×
δύναμαι
dunamai
verb · 209×
δύο
duo
adjective · 132×
εἷς
eis
adjective · 336×
θεός
theos
noun · 1311×
καί
kai
conjunction · 8973×
καταφρονέω
kataphroneo
verb · 9×
κύριος
kurios
noun · 717×
μαμμωνᾶς
mammonas
noun · 4×
μισέω
miseo
verb · 40×
οὐ
ou
particle · 1626×
οὐδείς
oudeis
adjective · 235×
ἀγαπάω
agapao
verb · 143×
ἀντέχομαι
antechomai
verb · 4×
ἕτερος
eteros
adjective · 99×
ἤ
e
particle · 346×
ὁ
o
article · 19778×

Themes

Historic Christian voices

20 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

§1753A good intention (for example, that of helping one's neighbor) does not make behavior that is intrinsically disordered, such as lying and calumny, good or just. the end does not justify the means. Thus the condemnation of an innocent person cannot be justified as a legitimate means of saving the nation. On the other hand, an added bad intention (such as vainglory) makes an act …
§2113Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, "You cannot serve God and mammon."…
§2424A theory that makes profit the exclusive norm and ultimate end of economic activity is morally unacceptable. the disordered desire for money cannot but produce perverse effects. It is one of the causes of the many conflicts which disturb the social order.203 A system that "subordinates the basic rights of individuals and of groups to the collective organization of production" i…
…and 3 more from this source.
Answer to an objection, arising from the words of Christ (Matt. vi. 24). God alone is to be really called God and Lord, for He is without beginning and end. 1. This calumny, then, of these men, having been quashed, it is clearly proved that neither the prophets nor the apostles did ever name another God, or call [him] Lord, except the true and only God. Much more [would this be…
Homilies on Matthew · 4 passages
2. Having thus, you see, spoken generally, that He might persuade the hearer to be an uncorrupt judge of His words, and to sentence according to the very nature of the things; when he has made sure of his assent, then, and not till then, He discovers Himself. Thus He presently adds, You cannot serve God and mammon. Let us shudder to think what we have brought Christ to say; wit…
2. Now when He is departed from the sea, there follows another miracle yet more awful. For men possessed with devils, like wicked runaways at sight of their master, said, What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time? Matthew 8:29 For, because the multitudes called Him man, the devils came proclaiming His Godhead, and they …
2. But when we say these things, they make other objections again, asking, And why did God make him such? God did not make him such, far from it, since then neither would He have punished him. For if we in those matters in which we are the cause, do not find fault with our servant, much more will not the God of all. But whence did this come to pass? one may say. Of himself and …
…and 1 more from this source.
1. Nothing hinders us from handling today also the same words, since before we were prevented by the setting forth of doctrines, from considering all that was read. Where now are those who deny that He is true God? For here He is called the true Light John 14:6, and elsewhere very Truth and very Life. That saying we will discuss more clearly when we come to the place; but at pr…
1. They who for the sake of the truth and the confession of Christ suffer anything terrible and are insulted, these are especially honored. For as he who loses his possessions for His sake, the same it is who most finds them; as he who hates his own life, the same it is who most loves it; so too he who is insulted, is the same who is most honored. As fell out in the case of the…
Source. Translated by J. Walker, J. Sheppard and H. Browne, and revised by George B. Stevens. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 11. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210213.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Adven…
1. See how immediately, from the very beginning, he casts down their pride, and dashes to the ground all their fond imagination, in that he speaks of himself as called. For what I have learned, says he, I discovered not myself, nor acquired by my own wisdom, but while I was persecuting and laying waste the Church I was called. Now here of Him that calls is everything: of him th…
1. He has shown from the Priest, from the Priesthood, from the Covenant, that that [dispensation] was to have an end. From this point he shows it from the fashion of the tabernacle itself. How? This, he says, [was] the Holy and the Holy of Holies. The holy place then is a symbol of the former period (for there all things are done by means of sacrifices); but the Holy of Holies …
Does it belong to man to act for an end? Is this proper to the rational nature? Are a man's actions specified by their end? Is there any last end of human life? Can one man have several last ends? Does man ordain all to the last end? Do all men have the same last end? Do all other creatures concur with man in that last end? Article 1. Whether it belongs to man to act for an end…
It was said that a certain member of the Senate came to see Abba Arsenius. The old man opened the door and saw them. But before they said anything he said, "What do you want?" They said, "We want to sit for a while and then go." He said, "God knows I love you, but I cannot be with God and with men at the same time."

Cross-references

  • 1Cor 10:21 — Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
  • 1John 2:15 — Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
  • 1John 2:15 — Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
  • 1Kgs 18:21 — And 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.
  • 1Kgs 18:21 — And 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.
  • 1Sam 7:3 — And 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
  • 1Sam 7:3 — And 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
  • 1Tim 6:9 — But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
  • 1Tim 6:17 — Charge 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;
  • 2Cor 6:16 — And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my p
  • 2Kgs 17:33 — They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.
  • 2Kgs 17:33 — They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.
  • 2Kgs 17:41 — So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.
  • 2Kgs 17:41 — So these nations feared the LORD, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.
  • 2Tim 4:10 — For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
  • Eccl 5:10 — He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
  • Eph 6:5 — Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
  • Ezek 20:39 — As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD; Go ye, serve ye every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but pollute ye my holy name no more with your gifts, an
  • Ezek 33:31 — And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth
  • Gal 1:10 — For 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.
  • Hos 7:8 — Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.
  • Jas 1:8 — A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
  • Jas 4:4 — Ye 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.
  • Jas 4:4 — Ye 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.
  • Josh 24:15 — And 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
  • Josh 24:19 — And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
  • Josh 24:19 — And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
  • Judg 6:25 — And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father’s young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and
  • Luke 8:14 — And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
  • Luke 16:9 — And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
  • Luke 16:9 — And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
  • Luke 16:11 — If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
  • Luke 16:13 — No 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.
  • Luke 16:13 — No 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.
  • Matt 4:10 — Then 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.
  • Matt 12:30 — He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.
  • Matt 13:22 — He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
  • Matt 19:22 — But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
  • Ps 119:10 — With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
  • Ps 119:69 — The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.