Matthew 6:24

Another illustration of the singleness of the Christian character, ‘the simplicity that is in Christ’ (2 Corinthians 11:3), drawn from the relation of master and slave.

δυσὶ κυρίοις δουλεύειν. Strictly, be a slave to two masters. The absolute subjection of the slave must be considered. The interests of the ‘two masters’ are presupposed to be diverse.

δυσί, a form condemned by the Atticists (Lob. Phryn. p. 210). In Thuc. VIII. 101, δυσὶν ἡμέραις is read by some editors, see Arnold ad loc. He reads δυσῖν, observing that the words practically differ only in accent.

μαμωνᾷ. An Aramaic and a Punic word (see Wetstein) signifying ‘wealth,’ probably connected with Hebr. Aman. So that the literal meaning would be, ‘that in which one trusts’ (Wilkii Clavis). It is said, on hardly sufficient authority, to have been personified as a god. This would strengthen the antithesis. See Schleusner sub voc. It stands here for all that mostly estranges men from God: cp. τὴν πλεονεξίαν ἥτις ἐστὶν εἰδωλολατρεία, Colossians 3:5.