Matthew 6:24 KJV
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.
Matthew 6:24 MKJV
No one 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. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:24 NKJV
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 6:24 KJV 2000
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. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Interlinear KJV
No man /oudeis/ can /dunamai/ serve /douleuo/ two /duo/ masters: /kurios/ for /gar/ either /e/ he will hate /miseo/ the one, /heis/ and /kai/ love /agapao/ the other; /heteros/ or else /e/ he will hold /antechomai/ to the one, /heis/ and /kai/ despise /kataphroneo/ the other. /heteros/ Ye cannot /ou/ /dunamai/ serve /douleuo/ God /theos/ and /kai/ mammon. /mammonas/
God and Mammon
Mammon is a Syriac word, a name given to an idol worshipped as the god of riches. It has the same meaning as Plutus among the Greeks. It is not known that the Jews ever formally worshipped this idol, but they used the word to denote wealth. The meaning is, ye cannot serve the true God, and at the same time be supremely engaged in obtaining the riches of this world. One must interfere with the other. See Lu 16:9-11.
All good things come from God including wealth and riches. It is possible and good to be a rich Christian – after all, it is God who gives us the power to gain wealth (De 8:18). However, we have those who worship money (Mammon). While most of them are unbelievers, some of them profess to be Christians. Christians who serve Mammon are those who overwork themselves and have little or no time to serve God – no prayer, fasting, Bible study, and fellowshipping; they are those who do not mind making gains by shady means; they are those who make a living by dishonest industry – such as drug trafficking, gambling, etc.
Servants of Mammon do not find serving God convenient and often regard it as a waste of time, sooner or later. That is why Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). This applies especially to God and wealth (Mammon). Their commands contradict each other. God says, “Be content,” but Mammon says, “Grasp for more.” God says, “Be honest,” but Mammon says, “Gain at any cost.” This is a warning to Christians that we should exercise contentment and not pursue worldly riches at the expense of our relationship with God.