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The Bible has been the most influential text in all of Western culture. It's difficult to understand medieval or early modern or much of modern literature without knowing it...

Prof. Barbara Newman, Northwestern University
from 2006 Bible Literary project

No man can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24)

bible verse

“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.” (Matthew 6:24)

meaning

origin and application

No man can serve two masters – who are the masters? Here, Jesus refers to them as God and mammon, an ancient Hebrew term for wealth. Jesus reminds his disciples that they can only stay loyal to one person or entity at the same time. If they choose wealth as their own master, they are against the will of God.
People nowadays use this phrase when there are conflicts of interest. For example, when a corporate executive is wearing different hats for various organizations at the same time, it is questionable whether he can be truly devoted to any one organization.

example

Keywords

master    slave   

Related Information

NIV official site
Chinese Bible (???)

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