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Mat 6:24. Κυρίοις, masters) God and Mammon in sooth act as master to their servants, but in different ways.-δουλεύειν, to serve) i.e.[278] to be a servant of.-ἢ γὰρ, for either) Each part of this disjunctive sentence has καὶ (and) with a consecutive force, viz. The heart of man cannot be so free as not to serve either God or a creature, nor can it serve them both at once;[279] for it either still remains in enmity with God or it takes God’s part. In the one case, then (καὶ) it cannot but love Mammon; in the other, then (καὶ) it cannot but despise Mammon. This statement may be inverted, so that the clause referring to the laudable state of mind may precede the other. Cf. Mat 6:22-23. Attachment and a desire to please are consequent upon either servitude. See Mat 6:21.-Θεῷ δουλεύειν, to serve God) Which is described in Luk 12:35-36.[280]-μαμωνᾷ, Mammon) Mammon does not only mean affluence, but external goods, however few. See Mat 6:25.[281] Augustine[282] tells us, that both in Phœnician and Chaldee mammon signifies gain.
[278] With one’s full powers.-V. g.
[279] Although very many think themselves thoroughly versed in this art of combining both.-V. g.
[280] The servants of Mammon, in obedience to their natural instincts, hate Him, who alone is good.-V. g.
[281] Yea, even the commonest necessaries of life. Comp. Mat 6:32. But if even such a service of Mammon, as affects the mere necessaries of life, is opposed to the service of GOD, what then are we to suppose it to be to serve GOD. It is this: to be borne towards Him with the full tide of love, and with uninterrupted regard.-V. g.
[282] AURELIUS AUGUSTINUS, one of the most celebrated fathers of the Western Church, was born at Tagasta, in Africa, in 354. His mother Monica was a holy Christian woman: his father a heathen, in which religion he was educated. His early career, though one of extreme brilliancy, was disfigured by profligacy. At length, however, he embraced Christianity; was baptized by St Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, in 387; ordained priest in 391; and consecrated in 395 Bishop of Hippo, where he died in 430.-(I. B.)