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Matthew 6:24 A wealth of logical ideas on mammon
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640


1. Matthew 6:24 A wealth of logical ideas on mammon


2. Matthew 6:24 A wealth of logical ideas on mammon
Verse routeMatthew 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]
Verse routeουδεις δυναται δυσιν κυριοις δουλευειν η γαρ τον ενα μισησει και τον ετερον αγαπησει η ενος ανθεξεται και του ετερου καταφρονησει ου δυνασθε θεω δουλευειν και μαμωνα [gnt]

The historical usage of "mammon" in Hebrew is that of a confidence in one's own ability to do things (independent of God). That is a central idea of humanism. The modern Hebrew definition is that of "wealth".
The ancient Greek word "καταφρόνησις""hold in contempt, despise". Note that this can be done without the other person knowing. False leaders, false teachers, etc., will show an outward appearance that is different from their heart on the inside.

There appear to be some logical issues in the translation of what Jesus said. Let us investigate.

3. Matthew 6:24 Translations
Verse routeMatthew 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]
Verse routeουδεις δυναται δυσιν κυριοις δουλευειν η γαρ τον ενα μισησει και τον ετερον αγαπησει η ενος ανθεξεται και του ετερου καταφρονησει ου δυνασθε θεω δουλευειν και μαμωνα [gnt]

NIV (New International Version): No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

NLT (New Living Translation): No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

Berean Literal Bible: No one is able to serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and he will love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and he will despise the other. You are not able to serve God and mammon.

Does this mean that if one does not serve "money" one is serving God? Explain.

4. Matthew 6:24
   Matthew 6:24 
 All 
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.
Greek: ουδεις δυναται δυσιν κυριοις δουλευειν η γαρ τον ενα μισησει και τον ετερον αγαπησει η ενος ανθεξεται και του ετερου καταφρονησει ου δυνασθε θεω δουλευειν και μαμμωνα μαμωνα
Latin: nemo potest duobus dominis servire aut enim unum odio habebit et alterum diliget aut unum sustinebit et alterum contemnet non potestis Deo servire et mamonae
Wessex: Nemo potest duobus dominis seruire. R. Ne mayg nam man twam hlaferden þeowian. oððe he soðliche aenne hateð. & oþerne lufað. oððe he beoð anen gehersum. & oðren ungehersum. Ne magen ge gode þeowian & weorld-weolan.
Wycliffe: No man may serue tweyn lordis, for ethir he schal hate`the toon, and loue the tother; ethir he shal susteyne`the toon, and dispise the tothir. Ye moun not serue God and richessis.
Tyndale: No ma can serve two masters. For ether he shall hate the one and love the other: or els he shall lene to ye one and despise ye other: ye can not serve God and mammon.
Gothic: ni manna mag twaim fraujam skalkinon; unte jabai fijaith ainana, jah antharana frijoth; aiththau ainamma ufhauseith, ith antharamma frakann. ni maguth guda skalkinon jah mammonin.
Luther: Niemand kann zweien Herren dienen. Entweder er wird einen hassen und den andern lieben, oder wird einem anhangen und den andern verachten. Ihr könnt nicht Gott dienen und dem Mammon.
Slavonic: Никтоже может двема господинома работати: любо единаго возлюбит, а другаго возненавидит: или единаго держится, о друзем же нерадити начнет. Не можете Богу работати и мамоне.
Russian: Никто не может служить двум господам: ибо или одного будет ненавидеть, а другого любить; или одному станет усердствовать, а о другом нерадеть. Не можете служить Богу и маммоне.
Spanish: Ninguno puede servir a dos señores; porque o aborrecerá al uno, y amará al otro; o apreciará al uno, y menospreciará al otro. No podéis servir a Dios y a las riquezas.
Portuguese: Ninguém pode servir a dois senhores: ou não gostará de um deles e estimará o outro, ou se dedicará a um e desprezará o outro. Não podeis servir a Deus e ao dinheiro. »

5. Hebrew
The word "mammon", of Semitic origin and often had to do with money and what was associated with money. ממון - money
The ancient Greek word "μαμωνᾶς""mammon" and comes from the Hebrew (or Aramaic).

6. History
Dead sea scroll cave Dead sea scroll fragment

The Hebrew word for "mammon" is not in the Hebrew OT (Old Testament) but is found in the Dead Sea Scrolls or Qumran documents.

There is a Syrian deity by a similar name that is the god of "riches".

Augustine, whose native language was Punic in north Africa, states that a similar Punic word meant "profit".

7. Strongs - mammon

8. Treasured context
The context of this verse is the Sermon of the Mount a few verses after those on "treasure".

9. Matthew 6:19-21: A treasury of treasures of which to treasure
Verse routeMatthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [kjv]
Verse route6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [kjv]
Verse route6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. [kjv]

Many of the words in the KJV (King James Version) have a different meaning in the Greek. Jesus uses some play on word in these verses.

Can you take your treasure with you? Have you ever seen a hearse (on the way to a graveyard) pulling a U-Haul (with possessions, etc.)? Is treasure mental or physical (or both)? Jesus talks of a way to take you "treasure" with you.
Verse route1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry no thing out. [kjv]

Information sign More: Matthew 6:19-21: A treasury of treasures of which to treasure

10. Logical analysis
Verse routeMatthew 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]
Verse routeουδεις δυναται δυσιν κυριοις δουλευειν η γαρ τον ενα μισησει και τον ετερον αγαπησει η ενος ανθεξεται και του ετερου καταφρονησει ου δυνασθε θεω δουλευειν και μαμωνα [gnt]

Let us look at a logical analysis of the verse spoken by Jesus 3 verses later.

Hebrew or Aramaic sayings often use a semantic type of poetry whereby similar (or opposite, etc.) ideas are repeated. The redundancy acts as a fault tolerant way to communicate meaning.

11. Venn diagram
Sets G intersect MLet us use a Venn diagram to represent "you cannot serve God and mammon".
The intersection of the two sets is where one serves both "God" and "Money". Jesus says you cannot do this.

To understand this, we need the negation of that intersection of "God" and "Money". Let us first use a more formal way to prove the negation and then do it visually.

12. Negated conjunction
The negated conjunction can be expressed as the following.

Expression tree Truth table English
Expression tree for ! (G & M)
G M | ! ( G & M ) ----------------- 0 0 | 1 ( 0 0 0 ) 0 1 | 1 ( 0 0 1 ) 1 0 | 1 ( 1 0 0 ) 1 1 | 0 ( 1 1 1 )

It is not true that one can serve both God and Money. This Boolean logic is named after George Boole (1815-1864).

13. Equivalent disjunction
The negated conjunction can be expressed as the follows.

Expression tree Truth table English:
Expression tree for (!G) | (!M)
G M | ( ! G ) | ( ! M ) ----------------------- 0 0 | ( 1 0 ) 1 ( 1 0 ) 0 1 | ( 1 0 ) 1 ( 0 1 ) 1 0 | ( 0 1 ) 1 ( 1 0 ) 1 1 | ( 0 1 ) 0 ( 0 1 )

Either one does not serve God or one does not serve Money or neither.

"|" is inclusive "or".
"!" is "not".

This equivalence is named after Augustus De Morgan (1806-1871).

Information sign More: DeMorgan's Laws

14. DeMorgan build
 ▶ 
 + 
 - 
 1 
 2 
 3 



Information sign More: DeMorgan's Laws

15. Proof
These two sides can be proven to be equal using a truth table proof.

Expression tree Extended truth table
Expression tree for (! (G & M)) = ((!G) | (!M))
G M | ( ! ( G & M ) ) = ( ( ! G ) | ( ! M ) ) --------------------------------------------- 0 0 | ( 1 ( 0 0 0 ) ) 1 ( ( 1 0 ) 1 ( 1 0 ) ) 0 1 | ( 1 ( 0 0 1 ) ) 1 ( ( 1 0 ) 1 ( 0 1 ) ) 1 0 | ( 1 ( 1 0 0 ) ) 1 ( ( 0 1 ) 1 ( 1 0 ) ) 1 1 | ( 0 ( 1 1 1 ) ) 1 ( ( 0 1 ) 0 ( 0 1 ) )

The column under the "=" is always "1" so this is a "tautology".

16. Visual setup
Venn diagram with letters Expanded Venn diagram
Sets G intersect M Mammon

Let us now look at the above proof in visual terms using an expanded Venn diagram with text rather than just single letters.

Since one cannot serve the intersection, "God and Money", we need the logical negation of the intersection.

17. Visual negation
Before negation After negation
Mammon Mammon

The logical negation of the intersection "God and Money" can be that one serves "God", one serves "Money" or one serves "something else".

Positive logic often does not need to address the "something else". Negative logic does need to address the "something else".

18. Negation
Negation appears in the Greek with the prefix "a" or "α" in words such as "atheist". It appears in the many Greek words. The Greek word for "truth" can be interpreted as "not oblivion" or "reality".

Information sign More: Greek truth as reality
The Greek word for "sin" can be interpreted as anything that is "not a witness" to God.

Information sign More: A martyred witness to a translation error

19. Disjunction
Exclusive OR Inclusive OR

How do you reply what asked if you would like a piece of pie or a piece of cake? Most people are used to exclusive "or".

Computer programmers take the "or" as a "logical" or "inclusive" "or". The negation of a conditional (statement) is needed with an inclusive "or" in order to address the something else of the conditional (statement).

Information sign More: Two-valued logic: Operators

20. Algebra
Since ideas such as "negation" can become confusing, it is best to use logic rules as one does algebra - to transform equations and get results without having to think about what it means until the final result.

21. Completeness
MammonThere are two parts that Jesus needs to address to provide the Hebrew poetic semantic repetition for "you cannot serve God and Money". These are:
Case (1) handles "God" and "Money". Case (2) also appears to handle "God" and "Money". This leaves a hole in the logic. The "something else" is not addressed! Would Jesus leave such a logical hole? Perhaps the translation needs investigated.

22. Suggestion
One way to handle the "something else" is as follows.
The result of this is that "he" is serving "something else" besides "God" or "Money".

23. Two-valued logic
Omitting the "something else" is very convenient for anyone wanting to avoid violation of this verse. The logic goes as follows.
It appears that, in response to this (faulty) logic, the definition of "Money" or "Mammon" has been expanded over time to account for the otherwise unappreciated hole in the logic - as evident from the translation.

It might be better to fix the hole rather than just patch it with some revised definitions.

24. Unjust servant
Let us look at the verses after parable of the unjust servant in Luke since Luke uses "mammon" three times in five verses.

The unjust servant, knowing he was to be demoted, goes out and cancels debts so that he will be able to do better after his demotion. Jesus commends the behavior in a certain way.

Verse routeLuke 16:8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. [kjv]


25. Luke 16:8
   Luke 16:8 
 All 
KJV: And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
Greek: και επηνεσεν ο κυριος τον οικονομον της αδικιας οτι φρονιμως εποιησεν οτι οι υιοι του αιωνος τουτου φρονιμωτεροι υπερ τους υιους του φωτος εις την γενεαν την εαυτων εισιν

26. Luke 16:9-10 Mammon
Luke then uses the word "mammon" in 3 verses within a 6 verse span.

Verse routeLuke 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. [kjv]
Verse route και εγω υμιν λεγω εαυτοις ποιησατε φιλους εκ του μαμωνα της αδικιας ινα οταν εκλιπη δεξωνται υμας εις τας αιωνιους σκηνας [gnt]
Verse route16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. [kjv]
Verse routeο πιστος εν ελαχιστω και εν πολλω πιστος εστιν και ο εν ελαχιστω αδικος και εν πολλω αδικος εστιν [gnt]


27. Luke 16:9
   Luke 16:9 
 All 
KJV: 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.
Greek: καγω και εγω υμιν λεγω ποιησατε εαυτοις ποιησατε φιλους εκ του μαμωνα της αδικιας ινα οταν εκλιπητε εκλιπη δεξωνται υμας εις τας αιωνιους σκηνας
Latin: et ego vobis dico facite vobis amicos de mamona iniquitatis ut cum defeceritis recipiant vos in aeterna tabernacula
Wessex: And ic segge eow wyrceð eow freond of þisse werold-weolen unrihtwisnesse. þaet hyo un-fon eow on echen earding-stowen þonne ge ge-teoriað.
Tyndale: And I saye also vnto you: make you frendes of the wicked mammon that when ye shall departe they may receave you into everlastinge habitacions.
Luther: Und ich sage euch auch: Machet euch Freunde mit dem ungerechten Mammon, auf daß, wenn ihr nun darbet, sie euch aufnehmen in die ewigen Hütten.

28. Luke 16:10
   Luke 16:10 
 All 
KJV: He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Greek: ο πιστος εν ελαχιστω και εν πολλω πιστος εστιν και ο εν ελαχιστω αδικος και εν πολλω αδικος εστιν

29. Luke 16:11-12 Mammon
Verse routeLuke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? [kjv]
Verse routeει ουν εν τω αδικω μαμωνα πιστοι ουκ εγενεσθε το αληθινον τις υμιν πιστευσει [gnt]
Verse route16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? [kjv]


30. Luke 16:11
   Luke 16:11 
 All 
KJV: If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
Greek: ει ουν εν τω αδικω μαμωνα πιστοι ουκ εγενεσθε το αληθινον τις υμιν πιστευσει
Latin: si ergo in iniquo mamona fideles non fuistis quod verum est quis credet vobis
Wessex: Gyf ge on unrihtwisen weordwelan naeren ge-treowe. hwa be-taecð eow þaet eower is.
Luther: So ihr nun in dem ungerechten Mammon nicht treu seid, wer will euch das Wahrhaftige vertrauen?

31. Luke 16:12
   Luke 16:12 
 All 
KJV: And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
Greek: και ει εν τω αλλοτριω πιστοι ουκ εγενεσθε το υμετερον ημετερον τις υμιν δωσει υμιν

32. Luke 16:13-14 Mammon
Verse routeLuke 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. [kjv]
Verse routeουδεις οικετης δυναται δυσιν κυριοις δουλευειν η γαρ τον ενα μισησει και τον ετερον αγαπησει η ενος ανθεξεται και του ετερου καταφρονησει ου δυνασθε θεω δουλευειν και μαμωνα [gnt]

The next verse uses the Greek word for "love of silver" and translated in the KJV as "covetous".

Verse route16:14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. [kjv]
Verse routeηκουον δε ταυτα παντα οι φαρισαιοι φιλαργυροι υπαρχοντες και εξεμυκτηριζον αυτον [gnt]

Information sign More: Matthew 13: A pointed discussion of thorny riches

33. Luke 16:13
   Luke 16:13 
 All 
KJV: 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.
Greek: ουδεις οικετης δυναται δυσιν κυριοις δουλευειν η γαρ τον ενα μισησει και τον ετερον αγαπησει η ενος ανθεξεται και του ετερου καταφρονησει ου δυνασθε θεω δουλευειν και μαμωνα
Tyndale: No servaunt can serve. ii. masters for other he shall hate ye one and love ye other or els he shall lene to the one and despyse the other. Ye can not serve God and mammon.
Luther: Kein Hausknecht kann zweien Herren dienen; entweder er wird einen hassen und den andern lieben, oder wird einem anhangen und den andern verachten. Ihr könnet nicht Gott samt dem Mammon dienen.

34. Luke 16:14
   Luke 16:14 
 All 
KJV: And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
Greek: ηκουον δε ταυτα παντα και οι φαρισαιοι φιλαργυροι υπαρχοντες και εξεμυκτηριζον αυτον
Latin: audiebant autem omnia haec Pharisaei qui erant avari et deridebant illum
Wycliffe: But the Farisees, that weren coueytous, herden alle these thingis, and thei scorneden hym.
Tyndale: All these thinges herde the pharises also which were coveteous and they mocked him.
Spanish: Y oían también todas estas cosas los fariseos, los cuales eran avaros, y se burlaban deÉl.

35. Ecclesiastes 5:10 Totally devoted to agape love
Verse routeEcclesiastes 5:10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. [kjv]
Verse routeαγαπων αργυριον ου πλησθησεται αργυριου και τις ηγαπησεν εν πληθει αυτων γενημα και γε τουτο ματαιοτης [lxx]

In English, one says things like "I love pizza", "I love football", etc. Agape love is usually taken as meaning an unconditional form of love.

A better definition is that of being totally devoted to something, is in "totally devoted to football", etc. This same idea is found in many Bible verses in the GNT (Greek New Testament) and LXX (Septuagint).

One could add examples such as the following.

36. Ecclesiastes 5:10
 All 
KJV: He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
Hebrew: אהב כסף לא ישבע כסף ומי אהב בהמון לא תבואה גם זה הבל׃
Greek: αγαπων αργυριον ου πλησθησεται αργυριου και τις ηγαπησεν εν πληθει αυτων γενημα και γε τουτο ματαιοτης

37. Jeremiah 9:23-24 Mammon
Jeremiah has some verses that appear to describe an expanded idea of "mammon" in Jeremiah 9:23-24.

Verse routeJeremiah 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: [kjv]
Verse route9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. [kjv]


38. Jeremiah 9:23
 All 
KJV: Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Hebrew: כה אמר יהוה אל יתהלל חכם בחכמתו ואל יתהלל הגבור בגבורתו אל יתהלל עשיר בעשרו׃
Greek: ταδε λεγει κυριος μη καυχασθω ο σοφος εν τη σοφια αυτου και μη καυχασθω ο ισχυρος εν τη ισχυι αυτου και μη καυχασθω ο πλουσιος εν τω πλουτω αυτου

39. Jeremiah 9:24
 All 
KJV: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Hebrew: כי אם בזאת יתהלל המתהלל השכל וידע אותי כי אני יהוה עשה חסד משפט וצדקה בארץ כי באלה חפצתי נאם יהוה׃
Greek: αλλ η εν τουτω καυχασθω ο καυχωμενος συνιειν και γινωσκειν οτι εγω ειμι κυριος ποιων ελεος και κριμα και δικαιοσυνην επι της γης οτι εν τουτοις το θελημα μου λεγει κυριος

40. Proverbs 3:5 Mammon
Proverbs 3:5 appears to address part of the expanded idea of "mammon".

Verse routeProverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [kjv]
Verse routeισθι πεποιθως εν ολη καρδια επι θεω επι δε ση σοφια μη επαιρου [lxx]


41. Proverbs 3:5
   Proverbs 3:5 
 All 
KJV: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Hebrew: בטח אל יהוה בכל לבך ואל בינתך אל תשען׃
Greek: ισθι πεποιθως εν ολη καρδια επι θεω επι δε ση σοφια μη επαιρου
Brenton: Trust in God with all your heart; and be not exalted in your own wisdom.

42. End of page

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