Introduction

In October 1873, theologian (and later Metropolitan of Nicomedia) Philotheos Bryennios made a monumental discovery in the depths of the library of the Great School of the Nation in Istanbul. He found a complete manuscript of the late first-century catechism known as the Didachḕ Kyríou dià tō̂n dṓdeka apostólōn toîs éthnesin or “The Lord’s Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations.”

This important document had been known by name since at least the fourth century, and it had been quoted in Christian literature including the Apostolic Constitutions, Didascalia, and the Stromata of Clement of Alexandria, (d. AD 215) but it was thought to have been lost to history, preserved only in fragments and quotations in other works.

The Didache falls into two parts. The first is a code of Christian morals, presented as a choice between the way of life and the way of death. The second part is a manual of church order which lays down some simple rules for the conduct of a rural congregation. It deals with such topics as baptism, the Eucharist, fasting, itinerant prophets, and the local ministry of bishops and deacons. It concludes with a warning paragraph on the approaching end of the world.

The “Two Ways”

The first part of the Didache bears a close relationship to several other early Christian writings. The moral catechism or “Two Ways” of chapters 1 to 5 appears in a rather different version at the end of the Letter of Barnabas (dated between AD 100 and 130), and has also come down to us as an independent document in a Latin translation. Some contend that the “Two Ways” was originally an independent catechism for proselytes, perhaps Jewish in origin, and that it has been incorporated in different forms by the various compilers.

The Church Order

The second part of the Didache, chapters 6 to 15, is a manual of Christian church order. The writer is familiar with Matthew’s Gospel, and quotes Barnabas and the Shepherd of Hermas, as well as books from the Christian Old Testament including Wisdom and Sirach.

The Teaching of the Lord to the Nations by the Twelve Apostles

1

There are two ways, one of life and one of death; and between the two ways there is a great difference.

Now, this is the way of life: “First, you must love God who made you, and second, your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37–39; Leviticus 19:18. And whatever you want people to refrain from doing to you, you must not do to them. Cf. Matthew 7:12.

What these maxims teach is this: “Bless those who curse you,” and “pray for your enemies.” Moreover, fast “for those who persecute you.” For “what credit is it to you if you love those who love you? Is that not the way the heathen act? But you must love those who hate you,”Matthew 5:44, 46, 47; Luke 6:27, 28, 32, 33. and then you will make no enemies. Abstain from carnal passions.1 Peter 2:11. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other too, and you will be perfect.Matthew 5:39, 48; Luke 6:29. If someone forces you to go one mile with him, go along with him for two; if someone robs you of your cloak, give him your tunic as well.Matthew 5:40, 41. If someone deprives you of your property, do not ask for it back.Luke 6:30. (You could not get it back anyway!) Give to everybody who begs from you, and ask for nothing in return.Ibid. For the Father wants his own gifts to be universally shared. Happy is the man who gives as the commandment bids him, for he is guiltless! But alas for the man who receives! If he receives because he is in need, he will be guiltless. But if he is not in need he will have to stand trial why he received and for what purpose. He will be thrown into prison and have his action investigated; and “he will not get out until he has paid back the last cent.”Matthew 5:26. This whole section 5 should be compared with Hermas, Mand. 2:4–7, on which it is apparently dependent. Indeed, there is a further saying that relates to this: “Let your donation sweat in your hands until you know to whom to give it.”Source unknown.

2

The second commandment of the Teaching: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not corrupt boys; do not fornicate; do not steal; do not practice magic; do not go in for sorcery; do not murder a child by abortion or kill a new-born infant. Do not covet your neighbor’s property; do not commit perjury; do not bear false witness;Exodus 20:13–17; cf. Matthew 19:18; 5:33. do not slander; do not bear grudges. Do not be double-minded or double-tongued, for a double tongue is a deadly snare.Proverbs 21:6. Your words shall not be dishonest or hollow, but substantiated by action. Do not be greedy or extortionate or hypocritical or malicious or arrogant. Do not plot against your neighbor. Do not hate anybody; but reprove some, pray for others, and still others love more than your own life.

3

My child, flee from all wickedness and from everything of that sort. Do not be irritable, for anger leads to murder. Do not be jealous or contentious or impetuous, for all this breeds murder.

My child, do not be lustful, for lust leads to fornication. Do not use foul language or leer, for all this breeds adultery.

My child, do not be a diviner, for that leads to idolatry. Do not be an enchanter or an astrologer or a magician. Moreover, have no wish to observe or heed such practices, for all this breeds idolatry.

My child, do not be a liar, for lying leads to theft. Do not be avaricious or vain, for all this breeds thievery.

My child, do not be a grumbler, for grumbling leads to blasphemy. Do not be stubborn or evil-minded, for all this breeds blasphemy.

But be humble, since “the humble will inherit the earth.”Psalm 36:11; Matthew 5:5. Be patient, merciful, harmless, quiet, and good; and always have respect for the teachingIsaiah 66:2. you have been given. Do not put on airs or give yourself up to presumptuousness. Do not associate with the high and mighty; but be with the upright and humble. Accept whatever happens to you as good, in the realization that nothing occurs apart from God.

4

My child, day and night “you should remember him who preaches God’s word to you,”Hebrews 13:7. and honor him as you would the Lord. For where the Lord’s nature is discussed, there the Lord is. Every day you should seek the company of saints to enjoy their refreshing conversation. You must not start a schism, but reconcile those at strife. “Your judgments must be fair.”Deuteronomy 1:16, 17; Proverbs 31:9. You must not play favorites when reproving transgressions. You must not be of two minds about your decision.

Do not be one who holds his hand out to take, but shuts it when it comes to giving. If your labor has brought you earnings, pay a ransom for your sins. Do not hesitate to give and do not give with a bad grace; for you will discover who He is that pays you back a reward with a good grace. Do not turn your back on the needy, but share everything with your brother and call nothing your own. For if you have what is eternal in common, how much more should you have what is transient!

Do not neglect your responsibilityLiterally, “Do not withhold your hand from…” to your son or your daughter, but from their youth you shall teach them to revere God. Do not be harsh in giving orders to your servants and handmaids. They hope in the same God as you, and the result may be that they cease to revere the God over you both. For when he comes to call us, he will not respect our station, but will call those whom the Spirit has made ready. You servants, for your part, must obey your masters with reverence and fear, as if they represented God.

You must hate all hypocrisy and everything which fails to please the Lord. You must not forsake the Lord’s commandments, but observe the ones you have been given, neither adding nor subtracting anything.Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32. At the church meeting you must confess your sins, and not approach prayer with a bad conscience. That is the way of life.

5

But the way of death is this: First of all, it is wicked and thoroughly blasphemous: murders, adulteries, lusts, fornications, thefts, idolatries, magic arts, sorceries, robberies, false witness, hypocrisies, duplicity, deceit, arrogance, malice, stubbornness, greediness, filthy talk, jealousy, audacity, haughtiness, boastfulness.Cf. Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21, 22; Romans 1:29–31; Galatians 5:19–21.

Those who persecute good people, who hate truth, who love lies, who are ignorant of the reward of uprightness, who do not abide by goodnessRomans 12:9. or justice, and are on the alert not for goodness but for evil: gentleness and patience are remote from them. They love vanity,Psalm 4:2. look for profit,Isaiah 1:23. have no pity for the poor, do not exert themselves for the oppressed, ignore their Maker, murder children, Wisdom 12:6. corrupt the image of God, turn their backs on the needy, oppress the afflicted, defend the rich, unjustly condemn the poor, and are thoroughly wicked. My children, may you be saved from all this!

6

See that no one leads you astrayMatthew 24:4. from this way of the teaching, since such a one’s teaching is godless.

If you can bear the Lord’s full yoke, you will be perfect. But if you cannot, then do what you can.

Now about food: undertake what you can. But keep strictly away from what is offered to idols, for that implies worshiping dead gods.

7

Now about baptism: this is how to baptize. Give public instruction on all these points, and then baptize in running water, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.Matthew 28:19. If you do not have running water, baptize in some other. If you cannot in cold, then in warm. If you have neither, then pour water on the head three times, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.Ibid. Before the baptism, moreover, the one who baptizes and the one being baptized must fast, and any others who can. And you must tell the one being baptized to fast for one or two days beforehand.

8

Your fasts must not be identical with those of the hypocrites.I.e., the Jews. Cf. Matthew 6:16. They fast on Mondays and Thursdays; but you should fast on Wednesdays and Fridays.

You must not pray like the hypocrites,Matthew 6:5. but pray in this mannerCf. Matthew 6:9–13. as the Lord commanded us in his Gospel:

“Our Father in heaven, may your name be hallowed. Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one, for yours is the power and the glory forever.”

You should pray in this way three times a day.

9

Now about the Eucharist:I.e., “the Thanksgiving.” The term, however, had become a technical one in Christianity for the special giving of thanks at the Lord’s Supper. One might render the verbal form (“give thanks”), which immediately follows, as “say grace,” for it was out of the Jewish forms for grace before and after meals (accompanied in the one instance by the breaking of bread and in the other by sharing a common cup of wine) that the Christian prayers of the Lord’s Supper developed. This is how to give thanks: First in connection with the cup:It is a curious feature of the Didache that the cup has been displaced from the end of the meal to the very beginning.

“We thank you, our Father, for the holy vineThis may be a metaphorical reference to the divine life and knowledge revealed through Jesus (cf. ch. 9). It may also refer to the Messianic promise (cf. Isaiah 11:1), or to the Messianic community of the Church (cf. Psalm 79:9-10). of David, your child, which you have revealed through Jesus, your Child.Cf. Acts 4:27. Greek païs has both the meanings child and servant; it is applied to Christ in light of the Servant passages of Isaiah (42:1–9, 49:1–7, 50:4–9, and 52:13–53:12). To you be glory forever.”

Then in connection with the pieceAn odd phrase, but one that refers to the Jewish custom (taken over in the Christian Eucharist) of grace before meals. The head of the house would distribute to each of the guests a piece of bread broken off a loaf, after uttering the appropriate thanksgiving to God. broken off the loaf:

“We thank you, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you have revealed through Jesus, your child. To you be glory forever. As this piece of bread was scattered over the hillsThe reference is likely to the sowing of wheat on the hillsides of Judea. and then was brought together and made one, so let your Church be brought together from the ends of the earth into your Kingdom. For yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever.”

You must not let anyone eat or drink of your Eucharist except those baptized in the Lord’s name. For in reference to this the Lord said, “Do not give what is sacred to dogs.”Matthew 7:6.

10

After you have finished your meal, give thanks in this way:

“We thank you, holy Father, for your sacred name which you have lodgedFor the phrase cf. Nehemiah 1:9. in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality which you have revealed through Jesus, your child. To you be glory forever. Almighty Master, you have created everythingWisdom 1:14; Sirach 18:1; Revelation 4:11. for the sake of your name, and have given men food and drink to enjoy that they may thank you. But to us you have given spiritual food and drink and eternal life through Jesus, your child. Above all, we thank you that you are mighty. To you be glory forever.

“Remember, Lord, your Church, to save it from all evil and to make it perfect by your love. Make it holy, and gather it together from the four windsMatthew 24:31. into your Kingdom which you have made ready for it. For yours is the power and the glory forever.

Let grace come and let this world pass away.

Hosanna to the God of David!Cf. Matthew 21:9, 15.

If anyone is holy, let him come. If not, let him repent.Or perhaps “be converted.”

Our Lord, come!Cf. 1 Corinthians 16:22.

Amen.These terse exclamations may be verses and responses.

In the case of prophets, however, you should let them give thanks in their own way.I.e., they are not bound by the texts given.

11

Now, you should welcome anyone who comes your way and teaches you all we have been saying. But if the teacher proves himself a renegade and by teaching otherwise contradicts all this, pay no attention to him. But if his teaching furthers the Lord’s righteousness and knowledge, welcome him as the Lord.

Now about the apostles and prophets: Act in line with the Gospel precept.Matthew 10:40, 41. Welcome every apostle on arriving, as if he were the Lord. But he must not stay beyond one day. In case of necessity, however, the next day too. If he stays three days, he is a false prophet. On departing, an apostle must not accept anything save sufficient food to carry him till his next lodging. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.

While a prophet is speaking in the spirit,This whole passage (ch. 11:7–12) is a sort of parallel to Matthew 12:31ff. There is an interpretation of the sin against the Holy Ghost, followed by a comment on good and evil conduct (cf. Matthew 12:33–37), and concluded by the prophets’ signs which are suggested by the sign of the Son of Man (Matthew 22:38 ff.). you must not test or examine him. For “every sin will be forgiven,” but this sin “will not be forgiven.”Matthew 12:31. However, not everyone who speaks in a spirit is a prophet, but only if he behaves like the Lord. It is by their conduct that the false prophet and the true prophet can be distinguished. For instance, if a prophet marks out a table in the Spirit,The sense is not clear, but suggests a dramatic portrayal of the Messianic banquet. It was characteristic of the Biblical prophets to drive home their teaching by dramatic and symbolic actions (cf. Jeremiah ch. 19; Acts 21:11; etc.). he must not eat from it. If he does, he is a false prophet. Again, every prophet who teaches the truth but fails to practice what he preaches is a false prophet. But every attested and genuine prophet who acts with a view to symbolizing the mystery of the Church,Literally, “acts with a view to a worldly mystery of the Church.” The meaning is not certain, but some dramatic action, symbolizing the mystical marriage of the Church to Christ, is probably intended. The reference may, indeed, be to the prophet’s being accompanied by a spiritual sister (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:36ff.). and does not teach you to do all he does, must not be judged by you. His judgment rests with God. For the ancient prophets too acted in this way. But if someone says in the Spirit, “Give me money, or something else,” you must not heed him. However, if he tells you to give for others in need, no one must condemn him.

12

Everyone who comes to you in the name of the LordMatthew 21:9; Psalm 117:26; cf. John 5:43. must be welcomed. Afterward, when you have tested him, you will find out about him, for you have insight into right and wrong. If it is a traveler who arrives, help him all you can. But he must not stay with you more than two days, or, if necessary, three. If he wants to settle with you and is an artisan, he must work for his living. If, however, he has no trade, use your judgment in taking steps for him to live with you as a Christian without being idle. If he refuses to do this, he is trading on Christ. You must be on your guard against such people.

13

Every genuine prophet who wants to settle with you has a right to his support. Similarly, a genuine teacher himself, just like a workman, has a right to his support.Matthew 10:10. The provision for the prophet or teacher to settle and to be supported by the congregation implies the birth of the monarchical episcopate. Note the connection of this with the high priesthood (cf. Hippolytus, Apost. Trad. 3:4) and tithing. No provision is made for the support of the local clergy in ch. 15. Hence take all the first fruits of vintage and harvest, and of cattle and sheep, and give these first fruits to the prophets. For they are your high priests. If, however, you have no prophet, give them to the poor. If you make bread, take the first fruits and give in accordance with the precept.Deuteronomy 18:3–5. Similarly, when you open a jar of wine or oil, take the first fruits and give them to the prophets. Indeed, of money, clothes, and of all your possessions, take such first fruits as you think right, and give in accordance with the precept.

14

On every Lord’s Day – his own dayLiterally, “On every Lord’s Day of the Lord.” – come together and break bread and give thanks, first confessing your sins so that your sacrifice may be pure. Anyone at variance with his neighbor must not join you, until they are reconciled, lest your sacrifice be defiled. For it was of this sacrifice that the Lord said, “Always and everywhere offer me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is marveled at by the nations.”Malachi 1:11, 14.

15

You must, then, elect for yourselves bishops and deacons who are a credit to the Lord, men who are gentle, generous, faithful, and well tried. For their ministry to you is identical with that of the prophets and teachers. Therefore you must not despise them, for along with the prophets and teachers they enjoy a place of honor among you.

Furthermore, do not reprove each other angrily, but quietly, as you find it in the Gospel. Moreover, if anyone has wronged his neighbor, nobody must speak to him, and he must not hear a word from you, until he repents. Say your prayers, give your charity, and do everything just as you find it in the Gospel of our Lord.

16

Watch over your life: do not let your lamps go out, and do not keep your loins ungirded; but be ready, for you do not know the hour when our Lord is coming.Matthew 24:42, 44; Luke 12:35. Meet together frequently in your search for what is good for your souls, since “a lifetime of faith will be of no advantage”Barnabas 4:9. to you unless you prove perfect at the very last.

For in the final days multitudes of false prophets and seducers will appear. Sheep will turn into wolves, and love into hatred. For with the increase of iniquity men will hate, persecute, and betray each other. And then the world deceiver will appear in the guise of God’s Son. He will work signs and wondersMatthew 24:24. and the earth will fall into his hands and he will commit outrages such as have never occurred before.

Then mankind will come to the fiery trial and many will fall awayMatthew 24:10. and perish, but those who persevere in their faith will be savedMatthew 10:22; 24:13. by the Curse himself.Possibly referring to Christ who suffered the death of one accursed (Galatians 3:13; Barnabas 7:9). Then there will appear the signsMatthew 24:30. of the Truth: first the sign of stretched-out hands in heaven, then the sign of a trumpet’s blast,Matthew 24:31. and thirdly the resurrection of the dead – though not of all the dead, but as it has been said: “The Lord will come and all his saints with him. Then the world will see the Lord coming on the clouds of heaven.”Zechariah 14:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Matthew 24:30.