THEDIDACHE——
(TheTeaching)
withcommentsby
BenH.Swett
30January1998
TheGreekworddidachemeans"teaching."TheDidacheistheshorttitleofanancientdocumentthatcontainssomeveryearlyChristiandoctrines.Althoughadocumentofthatnameisreferredtobyseveralancientwriters,itapparentlywaslost.Itwasre-discoveredinConstantinoplein1875,inamanuscriptdated1056thatalsoincludedseveralotherdocumentseitherknownorreferredtoashavingbeenwrittenbeforeAD150.
TheDidacheseemstoconsistoffiveparts,hereshownaschaptersalthoughthesedivisionsarenotinthedocument.ThefirstpartshowswhatagenuineteacherofChristianrighteousnesswillsayandhowheorshewillgoaboutteaching.Thesecondpartdealswiththequestionofcleananduncleanfoods,andoutlinesproceduresforbaptism,fasting,prayer,theEucharistandthelove-feast.Thethirdsetspoliciesonthetreatmentofapostlesandprophetsbymembersofthecongregation.Thefourthorganizesthechurch,andthefifthbrieflysummarizesteachingsconcerningthesecondcomingofChristatendoftheage.
ThistranslationoftheDidacheisnotcopyrighted.
ChapterI——OnRighteousness
1:1Therearetwoways,oneoflifeandoneofdeath,andthedifferencebetweenthetwowaysisgreat.
"Thetwoways"isanancientteaching.InhisfarewelladdresstothechildrenofIsrael,Mosessaid,"Ihavesetbeforeyoulifeanddeath,blessingandcurse;thereforechoselife,thatyouandyourdescendantsmaylive."(Deuteronomy30:19)ThesametwowaysarefoundinJeremiah21:8andMatthew7:13-14.
TheEpistleofBarnabasstatesitthisway:"Therearetwowaysofteachingandofpower,oneoflightandoneofdarkness,andthereisagreatdifferencebetweenthesetwoways.Forontheonearestationedthelight-givingangelsofGod;ontheothertheangelsofSatan.AndtheoneisLordfromalleternityandtoalleternity,whereastheotherisLordoftheseasonofiniquitythatnowis."(Barnabas18:1-2)
1:2Thewayoflifeisthis:first,youshalllovetheGodwhomadeyou;second,yourneighborasyourself,andwhateveryouwouldnothavedonetoyou,donotdotoanother.
Thesearethetwogreatcommandments(Deuteronomy6:4-5andLeviticus19:18)accordingtoJesus(Matthew22:37-40,Mark12:29-31,Luke10:25-28),plusthenegativeformoftheGoldenRule,"Donotdotoanotherwhatyouwouldnotwantdonetoyou."
ThenegativeformoftheGoldenRuleisnotintheNewTestament,althoughthethoughtisinRomans13:10.Itisfoundintheliteratureofmanyreligionsandphilosophies:Hindu,Buddhist,Confucian,Jewish,Greek,Roman,Islamic.Itprovidesabasisforself-restraint;andinpractice,itcanchangeapersonfromharmfultoharmless(fromnegativetoneutralintermsofeffectonothers).
JesustaughtthepositiveformoftheGoldenRule:"Doforanotherwhatyouwouldwantdoneforyou"(Matthew7:12,Luke6:31).Itprovidesabasisforpersonalinitiative;andinpractice,itcanchangeapersonfromharmlesstohelpful(fromneutraltopositiveintermsofeffectonothers).Thus,bytheresultitproduces,thepositiveformoftheGoldenRuleisahigherethic,properlyseenasbuildinguponandgoingbeyondthenegativeformoftheGoldenRule.
1:3Andtheteachingofthesemaximsisthis:blessthosewhocurseyou,andprayforyourenemies,andfastonbehalfofthosewhopersecuteyou;forwhatthanksisthere,ifyoulovethemthatloveyou?DonotevenGentilesdothesame?Butlovethosewhohateyou,andyouwillnothaveanenemy.
Matthew5:43-47,Luke6:27-35,Romans12:14
1:4Abstainfromfleshlyandbodilylusts.Ifanyonegivesyouablowonyourrightcheek,turntohimtheotheralso,andyouwillbeperfect[full-grown,fully-mature].Ifanyonecompelsyoutogoamile,gowithhimtwo;ifanyonetakesyourcloak,givehimyourcoatalso;ifanyonetakesfromyouwhatisyours,donotaskforitbacknortrytouseforce.
"Abstainfromfleshlyandbodilylusts"isaverytersesummaryofnumerousteachingsthroughouttheNewTestament.(e.g.,Matthew5:27-30,Ephesians4:22,IThessalonians4:3-5,IJohn2:16-17)."Turntheothercheek,gothesecondmile,andgiveyourcoatalso"areinMatthew5:39-41andLuke6:29.
1:5Givetoeveryonewhoasksofyou,anddonotdemanditback;fortheFatherwantssomethingfromhisownfreegiftstobegiventoall.Blessedishewhogivesaccordingtothecommandment,forheisguiltless;butwoetohimwhoreceives;forifonewhoreceivesisactuallyinneed,heisguiltless;butwhoeverreceiveswhennotinneedwillhavetoexplainwhyhereceivedandforwhatpurpose;inprisonhewillbeinterrogatedconcerningthethingshehasdone,andhewillnotdepartfromthereuntilhehaspaidthelastpenny.
"Givetoeveryonewhoasksofyou"isinMatthew5:42andLuke6:30.PaulquotedJesusassaying,"Itismoreblessedtogivethanreceive."(Acts20:35)"Untilyouhavepaidthelastpenny"isinMatthew5:26butnotinthiscontext.
1:6Yes,trulyithasbeensaidaboutthis:"Letyouralmssweatinyourhandsuntilyouknowtowhomtogive."
AsfarasIcantell,thissayingisnotanywhereintheBible.
2:1Andtheteachingofthesecondcommandmentisthis:2Youshallnotmurder.Youshallnotcommitadultery;youshallnotseduceboys;youshallnotfornicate.Youshallnotsteal.Youshallnotbeafortune-teller;youshallnotpracticesorcery.Youshallnotkillachildbyabortionnorslayitwhenborn.Youshallnotcovetanythingthatbelongstoyourneighbor.3Youshallnotcommitperjury;youshallnotgivefalsetestimony;youshallnotspeakevil;youshallnotbearmalice;4youshallnotbedouble-mindedordouble-tongued,foradouble-tongueisasnareofdeath.5Yourwordshallnotbefalseorempty,butconfirmedbydeeds.6Youshallnotbegreedyorrapaciousorhypocriticalormaliciousorarrogant.Youshallnottakeupanevilplotagainstyourneighbor.7Youshallnothateanyone,butsomeyoushallrebuke,andsomeyoushallprayfor,andsomeyoushalllovemorethanyourownsoul.
Thisteacherstartsmoststatementsofmoralinstructionwith"Youshallnot"AlmosteverythoughtinthisparagraphisinBarnabas19,sometimesverbatim,althoughnotinthissequence.
3:1Mychild,fleefromeverythingthatisevilandeverythingthatislikeit.2Donotbewrathful,forwrathleadstomurder,norjealousnorcontentiousnorquarrelsome,forfromallthesemurderensues.3Mychild,donotbelustful,forlustleadstofornication,norafilthy-talkernoralewd-looker,forfromalltheseadulteriesensue.4Mychild,donotbeaninterpreterofomens,sinceitleadstoidolatry,noranenchanternoranastrologernoramagicalpurifier,norwishtoseethem,forfromalltheseidolatryarises.5Mychild,donotbealiar,forlyingleadstotheft,noravariciousnorconceited,forfromallthesetheftsareproduced.6Mychild,donotbeacomplainer,sinceitleadstoblasphemy,norself-willednorevil-minded,forfromalltheseblasphemiesareproduced.7Bemeek,forthemeekwillinherittheearth.8Belong-sufferingandmercifulandguilelessandpeaceableandgood,andreverealwaysthewordsyouhaveheard.
Thisisadifferentteacher.Hehabituallyaddressespeopleas"Mychild"andheincludescause-and-effectexplanationswithhismoralinstructions."Themeekshallinherittheearth"isinPsalm37:11andMatthew5:5.
3:9Youshallnotexaltyourself,norletyoursoulbepresumptuous.Yoursoulshallnotbejoinedwiththelofty,butwiththerighteousandhumbleyoushallwalk.10Youshallacceptwhatbefallsyouasgood,knowingthatwithoutGodnothinghappens.
Oops,thefirstteacherinterruptsthesecond.ThesethoughtsarefoundalmostverbatiminBarnabas(19:3,19:6).
4:1Mychild,remembernightanddayhimwhospeaksthewordofGodtoyou;honorhimastheLord,forwherehislordshipisproclaimed,thereistheLord.2Seekoutdailythefacesofthesaints,thatyoumayrestintheirwords.
Thesecondteacheragain.Thisdocumentcapturesspecificstylesofteachingsothoroughlyitinvokesthe"voice"oftheteacher.Whotaughtlikethis?SeethefirstepistleattributedtoJohn.Althoughtheauthorshipofthatletterisindoubt,whoeveritwascertainlysoundslikethis.
4:3Youshallnotdesireschism,butshallsetatpeacethosewhocontend.Youshalljudgerighteously;youshallnotshowpartialitywhenrebukingfortransgressions.4Youshallnotvacillateaboutwhetherathingwillbeorwillnotbe.5Youshallnotbeonewhostretchesouthishandstoreceivebutonewhodrawsthembackwhensomeoneisgiving.
Thefirstteacher.AllthesethoughtsareinBarnabas(19:12,19:11,19:4,19:7,19:9).
4:6Ifyouhaveanythinginyourhands,givearansomforyoursins.7Youshallnothesitatetogive;neithershallyougrumblewhengiving,foryouknowwhoisthefairpaymasterofyourreward.8Youshallnotturnawayfromhimwhoisactuallyinneed,butsharewithyourbrotherinallthingsandnotsaythingsareyourown,forifyouarepartnersinwhatisimperishable,howmuchmoresoinperishablethings?
Barnabas19:11,19:8
4:9Youshallnotremoveyourhandfromyoursonoryourdaughter,butfromtheiryouthteachthemthefearofGod.
Barnabas19:6
4:10YoushallnotcommandinyourbitternessyourslaveoryourmaidwhohopeinthesameGodasyourself,lesttheyceasetofeartheGodwhoisoveryouboth;forhecomesnotwithregardforreputation,buttothosewhomtheSpirithasprepared.11Andyouslaves,subordinateyourselvestoyourmastersinshameandfear,astoanimageofGod.
Barnabas19:7——withthetwosentencesintheoppositeorder.
4:12Youshallhateallhypocrisy,andeverythingthatisnotpleasingtotheLord.13YoushallnotabandonthecommandmentsoftheLord,butguardwhatyouhavereceived,neitheraddingnorsubtractinganything.14Youshallconfessyourtransgressionsinthecongregation;andyoushallnotcometoprayerwithanevilconscience.Thisisthewayoflife.
Barnabas19:2b,19:11b,19:12b
5:1Butthisisthewayofdeath:firstofall,itisevilandfullofcurses,murders,adulteries,lusts,fornications,thefts,idolatries,fortune-tellings,sorceries,robberies;falsetestimony,hypocrisy,duplicity,deception,arrogance,malice,stubbornness,greed,filthy-talking,jealousy,audacity,pride,boastfulness;
Barnabas20:1reads,"Butthewayoftheblackoneiscrookedandcompletelycursed.Foritisawayofeternaldeathandpunishment,inwhichliethingsthatdestroymen-ssouls:idolatry,audacity,exaltationofpower,hypocrisy"followedbyalistofsinsverysimilartothoseintheDidache,butnotinthesamesequence.
5:2persecutinggoodmen,hatingtruth,lovingfalsehood,notknowingtherewardofrighteousness,notadheringtowhatisgoodnortorighteousjudgment;watchingnotforthatwhichisgoodbutforthatwhichisevil;farfromgentlenessandpatience,lovingworthlessthings,pursuingrecompense,havingnomercyfortheneedy,notworkingforhimthatisdistressed,notrecognizinghimwhomadethem;murderersofchildren,corruptersoftheimageofGod,turningawayfromhimthatisinneed,oppressinghimthatisdistressed,advocatesoftherich,unjustjudgesofthepoor,utterlysinful.Mayyoubedelivered,mychildren,fromallthese!
Barnabas20:2hasthisparagraphalmostverbatimandinthesamesequence,butitdoesnothavethelastsentence.Thelastsentencesoundslikeaspontaneousendorsementbythesecondteacher.
6:1Takeheedlestanyoneleadyouastrayfromthiswayofteaching,forhewhodoessoteachesyouawayfromGod.
ThissentencesumsupthethemeofChapterI.
6:2IfyoucancarrythewholeyokeoftheLord,youwillbeperfect[full-grown,fully-mature];butifyoucannot,thendowhatyoucan.
"Beyethereforeperfect"isinLeviticus19:2andMatthew5:48.Therestofthissentenceisapointofdeparture:thereisnosuchallowanceforcompromiseintheteachingsofJesus.Indeed,histeachingsarenotablyuncompromising.
6:3Concerningfood,bearwhatyoucan,butcarefullykeepawayfromfoodsacrificedtoidols,foritisaworship-servicetogodsfromtherealmofthedead.
TheprohibitionagainsteatingfoodsacrificedtoidolswasonepartofthedecisionoftheCouncilofJerusaleminAD49.Theentiredecisionwassentasalettertoallthechurches(Acts15:20-29,21:25),sowhydoesn-ttheDidacheincludeallofit?
ChapterII——OnPiety
7:1Concerningbaptism,baptizethus:havingfirstrecitedalltheseprecepts,baptizeinthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit,inrunningwater.2Butifyouhavenorunningwater,baptizeinotherwater,andifyoucannotbaptizeincoldwater,thenwarmwater;3butifyouhaveneither,pourwaterontheheadthreetimesinthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit.4Beforeabaptism,lethimwhobaptizesandhimwhoisbaptizedfast,andanyotherswhomaybeabletodoso.Andcommandhimwhoisbaptizedtofastoneortwodaysbeforehand.
TheTrinityformula"InthenameoftheFatherandoftheSonandoftheHolySpirit"appearsonlyonceintheNewTestament(Matthew28:19).Itisprobablyalaterinsert(redaction)inboththeDidacheandMatthew-sGospel,becausetheTrinitywasnotdefineduntilAD362.Theoriginalreadingwasprobably"InthenameoftheLord"(seetheDidache9:5).Fastingbeforebaptismdroppedoutofourtraditionsomewherealongtheline.
8:1Donotletyourfastingbewiththehypocrites,fortheyfastontheseconddayandthefifthdayoftheweek[MondayandThursday],butyoushallfastonthefourthdayandthedayofpreparation[WednesdayandFriday].
Theword"hypocrite"occurs21timesintheNewTestament.Markusesitonce.Lukeusesitfourtimes.Inadditiontoparallels,Matthewusesiteleventimesinpassagesthatarefoundonlyinhisgospel.AllthesearesayingsofJesusinwhich"hypocrite"referstothemostreligiousJewsofhisday.Interestinglyenough,thiswordisnotfoundinActsoranyoftheepistles.
8:2Neitherprayasthehypocrites,butastheLordcommandedinhisgospel:"OurFatherinheaven,hallowedbeyourname.Yourkingdomcome.Yourwillbedone,asinheaven,soalsoonearth.Giveustodayourdailybread.Andforgiveusourdebt,aswealsoforgiveourdebtors.Andleadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil,foryoursisthepowerandtheglory,forever."3Praythiswaythreetimesaday.
WhichGospelisreferredtohere?TheLord-sPrayerisnotinMarkorJohn.ItiswordedthiswayinMatthew(6:9-13)butnotinLuke(11:2-4).
9:1Andconcerningthethanks-giving[Eucharist],givethanksthus:2first,concerningthecup:"Wethankyou,ourFather,fortheholyvineofyoursonDavid,whichyouhavemadeknowntousthroughyoursonJesus;toyoubethegloryforever."
Directcomparisonof"yoursonDavid"and"yoursonJesus"mustbeaveryearlydoctrine,predatingthedoctrinethatJesusistheonlysonofGodandthedoctrinesetforthbyAthanasiusinAD318thatJesuswasGodIncarnate.ThisisprobablyonereasonwhyAthanasiusexcludedtheDidachewhenhefinalizedthelistofNewTestamentbooksinAD367.PaulcomparedDavidandJesus(Acts13:16-41,Romans5:15-17,ITimothy2:5).
9:3Andconcerningthebrokenbread:"Wethankyou,ourFather,forthelifeandknowledgewhichyouhavemadeknowntousthroughyoursonJesus;toyoubethegloryforever.4Asthisbrokenbreadwasoncescatteredonthemountains,andgatheredtogetherbecameone,somayyourcongregationbegatheredtogetherfromtheendsoftheearthintoyourkingdom;foryoursisthegloryandthepower,throughJesusChrist,forever."5Butletnooneeatordrinkofyourthanks-givingexceptthosewhohavebeenbaptizedinthenameoftheLord,fortheLordhassaid,"Donotgivethatwhichisholytothedogs."
ThereisnothinglikethisintheNewTestament.Paul-sinstructionsconcerningtheLord-sSupperdonotincludeamodelprayer(ICorinthians11:20-34)."Givenotthatwhichisholytothedogs"isinMatthew(7:6),butnotinthiscontext.
10:1Andafteryouarefilled,givethanksthus:2"Wethankyou,holyFather,foryourholyname,whichyouhavecausedtodwellinourhearts,andfortheknowledgeandfaithandimmortalitywhichyouhavemadeknowntousthroughyoursonJesus;toyoubethegloryforever.3You,AlmightyMaster,createdallthingsforthesakeofyourname,andgivemenfoodanddrinktoenjoy,thattheymightgivethankstoyou,buttousyougivespiritualfoodanddrinkandeternallifethroughyourson.4Aboveall,wegivethanksthatyouarepowerful;toyoubethegloryforever.5Rememberyourcongregation,Lord,toredeemitfromallevilandperfectitinyourlove;andgatherittogether,theonethathasbeensanctified,fromthefourwindsintoyourkingdomwhichyouhavepreparedforit;foryoursisthekingdomandthegloryforever.6Maygracecome,andmaythisworldpassaway.HosannatotheGodofDavid!Ifanyoneisholylethimcome;ifanyoneisnot,lethimrepent.Maranatha.Amen."7Butlettheprophetsgivethankshowevertheywish.
Thephrase"theone(church)thathasbeensanctified"isprobablyaveryclumsyredactioninsertedsometimeaftertheRomanEmperorTheodosiusdeclaredtheNicenesectofChristianitytheonlysanctifiedChurchinAD380.
Paulprayed,"Yoursbethegloryforever."(Romans11:36,16:27,Galatians1:5,Ephesians3:20-21).
PaulusedtheSyrianexpressionmaran-athawhichmeans"OurLordcontinuestocome."ItappearsonlyonceintheBible(ICorinthians16:22).Paul-shome(Tarsus)wasintheSyrian-speakingpartofCilicia.Thus,maran-athamayverywellhavebeenPaul-ssignature——hispersonaltestimonythatJesuscontinuedtocometohimafterhisconversionontheroadtoDamascus.
ChapterIII——OnApostlesandProphets
11:1Therefore,whoevercomesandteachesyouallthesethingsaforesaid,receivehim.2Iftheteacherhimselfispervertedandteachesadifferentdoctrinetothesubversionthereof,donotlistentohim;butifheincreasesyourrighteousnessandknowledgeoftheLord,receivehimasyouwouldtheLord.3Andconcerningtheapostlesandprophets,doaccordingtothecommandoftheGospel.4LeteveryapostlewhocomestoyoubereceivedasyouwouldtheLord.5Hewillstayoneday,andifnecessary,asecondday,butifhestaysthreedays,heisafalseprophet.6Lettheapostlewhendepartingtakenothingexceptbreaduntilhearrivesathisnextlodging.Butifheasksformoney,heisafalseprophet.
ThisclearlyindicatesthatatleastsomeoftheapostleswerestilllivingwhentheDidachewaswritten.ItreflectswhatJesussaidwhenhetoldhisapostlesnottoprovideforthemselvesontheirjourneys(Matthew10:10-11),anditsuggeststhatsupportingapostlescouldbeaburdenonthepeoplewithwhomtheystayed.
Matthewusestheword"apostle"once(10:2),Markusesitonce(6:30),andLukeusesitsixtimesinhisgospel,butnoneofthesepassagescontainanycommand.Paulusedthephrase"apostlesandprophets"(Ephesians3:4-6).
"LeteveryapostlethatcomestoyoubereceivedastheLord"isakintosomethingJesussaid:"Hewhoreceivesyoureceivesme,andhewhoreceivesmereceiveshimwhosentme.Hewhoreceivesaprophetbecauseheisaprophetshallreceiveaprophet-sreward."(Matthew10:40-41)
11:7Donottemptordisputewithanyprophetwhospeaksinspirit,foreverysinwillbeforgiven,butthissinwillnotbeforgiven.8However,noteveryonewhospeaksinspiritisaprophet,butonlyhewhohasthedispositionoftheLord;therefore,bytheirdispositionsthefalseprophetandtheprophetshallbeknown.
TheunforgivablesinistoseetheworkofGodandsay,"ThatistheworkoftheDevil"(Matthew12:31-32,Mark3:29,Luke12:10)."Bytheirfruitsyoushallknowthem"referstodiscernmentoftrueandfalseprophetsinMatthew(7:15-20),buttheparallelinLuke(6:43-45)referstoagoodmanratherthanaprophet.
11:9Anyprophetwhoordersamealinspiritshallnoteatofit;ifhedoes,heisafalseprophet.10Ifanyprophetwhoteachesthetruthdoesnotdowhatheteaches,heisafalseprophet.11Andanyprophet,trueandapproved,whoperformsritestoasecretcosmicassembly,butdoesnotteachotherstoperformwhatheperforms,shallnotbejudgedbyyou,forhisjudgmentiswithGod;forlikewisealsodidtheprophetsofold.12Ifanyonesaysinspirit,"Givemesilver,"orwhateverelse,donotlistentohim;butifhetellsyouaboutothersinneed,thatyoushouldgivetothem,letnoonecondemnhim.
Theremusthavebeenaproblemwithfalseprophetswhotriedtogetthingsforthemselves.SeveralcommentariesnotethatDidache11:11isdifficulttointerpret.Thephrase"performsritestoasecretcosmicassembly"ismyliteraltranslation.ItprobablymeantthatthecongregationshouldnotbealarmediftheysawandheardaprophetconversingwithinvisiblemembersoftheKingdomofGod.PaulwrotetothechurchatCorinth:"Lettwoorthreeprophetsspeakandtheothersweighwhatissaid"(ICorinthians14:29-32).
12:1LeteveryonewhocomesinthenameoftheLordbereceived,andthenexaminehimjudiciously——rightandleft——fortheopinionsheholds.2Iftheonewhocomesisatraveler,assisthimasmuchasyoucan,butheshallnotstaywithyoumorethantwoorthreedays,unlessthereisanecessity.3Ifhewishestosettlewithyouandisacraftsman,lethimworkforhisliving.4Ifheisnotacraftsman,decideaccordingtoyourownjudgmenthowheshallliveasaChristianamongyou,butnotinidleness.5Ifhewillnotdothis,heisonewhomakesgainfromChrist.Fromsuchkeepaloof.
Paultaughtagainstlivinginidleness,inAD50or51(IIThessalonians3:6-12).
Theword"Christian"appearsonlythreetimesintheBible.ThediscipleswerefirstcalledChristiansatAntiochofSyriaaboutAD43(Acts11:26);KingHerodAgrippaIIsaidtoPaul,"InashorttimeyouthinktomakemeaChristian!"aboutAD59(Acts26:28);andSimonPeterwrote,"IfonesuffersasaChristian,lethimnotbeashamed"nolaterthanAD64or65(IPeter4:16).
ChapterIV——OnOrganization
13:1Everytrueprophetwhodesirestosettleamongyouisworthyofhisfood.2Likewise,atrueteacheralsoisworthy,butlikethecraftsman,heworksforhisliving.3Therefore,takethefirst-fruitsofeveryproductofthewine-pressandthreshing-floor,ofoxenandsheep,andgiveittotheprophets,fortheyareyourchiefpriests.4Andifyouhavenoprophet,giveittothepoor.5Ifyoumakebread,takethefirst-fruitsandgiveaccordingtothecommandment.6Inlikemanner,whenyouopenajarofwineoroil,takethefirst-fruitsandgiveittotheprophets.7Yes,andofmoneyandclothingandeverypossession,takethefirst-fruits,asseemsgoodtoyou,andgiveaccordingtothecommandment.
Therewere"prophetsandteachers"inthechurchatAntioch(Acts13:1-3).Paulwrote,"Godhasappointedinthechurch,firstapostles,secondprophets,thirdteachers,thenworkersofmiracles,healers,helpers,administrators,speakersinvariouskindsoftongues."(ICorinthians12:28-31)
PaulandBarnabasearnedtheirownliving,butPeterdidnot——andPauldidnotpreachwhathepracticedinthatregard.Onthecontrary,hestronglymaintainedthattheworkmanisworthyofhiswage(ICorinthians9:1-27).However,IfindnothingintheNewTestamentaboutgivingthefirst-fruitstothelocalprophets.
14:1GathertogetherontheLord-sday,breakbreadandgivethanks,havingfirstconfessedyoursinssothatyoursacrificemaybepure.2Butdonotletanyonewhohasaquarrelwithacompanionjoinwithyouuntiltheyhavebeenreconciled,sothatyoursacrificemaynotbepolluted;3forthiswasspokenbytheLord:"Ineveryplaceandtimeoffermeapuresacrifice,forIamagreatking,saystheLord,andmynameiswonderfulamongtheGentiles."
TheLord-sDaywasestablishedasthefirstdayoftheweek(Sunday)veryearlyinthehistoryofthechurch."Reconcilebeforecomingtothealtar"isinMatthew5:23-24.ThequoteonpuresacrificeisslightlyparaphrasedfromMalachi1:11.
15:1Therefore,electforyourselvesbishopsanddeaconsworthyoftheLord,menwhoaremeekandnotloversofmoney,trueandapproved,fortheyalsoperformforyoutheministryoftheprophetsandteachers.2Therefore,donotdespisethem,fortheyareyourhonorablemen,alongwiththeprophetsandteachers.
Paulused"bishop"asequivalentto"elder"(Philippians1:1,ITimothy3:1-18,Titus1:5-14).InGreek,bishopmeans"overseer"anddeaconmeans"servant".
"Electforyourselves"isinstarkcontrasttothedoctrinethatbishopsmustonlybeconsecratedbybishops,andthedoctrineof"apostolicsuccession".Thefactthatitincludesthisdemocraticdoctrine,laterreplacedbythehierarchy,wasprobablyanotherreasonwhyAthanasiusexcludedtheDidachewhenhefinalizedthelistof27NewTestamentbooksinAD367.
15:3Andreproveoneanother,notinangerbutpeaceably,asyouhaveitintheGospel,andletnoonespeaktoanyonewhowrongshisbrother,neitherlistentohim,untilherepents.4Andyourprayersandalmsgivingandallyourdeeds,doasyoufinditintheGospelofourLord.
ThisisJesus-sprocedureforreprovingabrother(Matthew18:15-17).Whenyougivealmsandwhenyoupray:(Matthew6:2-8).Whenyoufast:(Matthew6:16-17).
ChapterV——OntheFuture
16:1Bewatchfulforyourlife;donotletyourlampsbequenchedoryourloinsbeungirded,butbeready,foryoudonotknowthehourinwhichourLordcomes.2Beoftengatheredtogether,seekingwhatisfitforyoursouls,forthewholetimeofyourfaithwillnotprofityouifyouarenotperfect[full-grown,fully-mature]attheendoftheseason.3Forinthelastdaysfalseprophetsandseducerswillbemultiplied,andthesheepwillbeturnedintowolves,andlovewillbeturnedintohate.4Foraslawlessnessincreases,theywillhateandpersecuteandbetrayoneanother.AndthenthedeceiveroftheworldwillappearasasonofGod,andhewilldosignsandwonders,andtheearthwillbedeliveredintohishands,andhewilldounlawfulthingssuchasneverhappenedsincetheworldbegan.5Thenthecreationofmanwillcometothefierytrialoftesting,andmanywillstumbleandperish,butthosewhoendureinthefaithwillbesavedalivefromunderthecurse.6Andthenwillappearthesignsofthetruth:firstthesignofanopeningintheheavens,thenthesignofthesoundofthetrumpet,andthirdlyaresurrectionofthedead:7notofall,butasitissaid:"TheLordwillcomeandallhissaintswithhim."8ThentheworldwillseetheLordcomingonthecloudsofheaven.
ThisabbreviatedversionoftheapocalypseisthesimplestandclearestIhaveeverseen,butitdoesnotcopyanyotherversionoftheapocalypseIcanfind.Alsoworthnoting:nothingintheDidacheindicatesanyawarenessoftheJewishrebellioninAD66orthedestructionofJerusaleminAD70.
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ContentAnalysis
TheDidachecontainssomematerialthatisalsoinMatthewandLuke,ratheralotthatisonlyinMatthew,andmuchthatisnotinanyofthecanonizedgospels,but——andthisisremarkable——itcontainsvirtuallynothingthatisfoundinMark.
Howcouldthathavehappened?IftheDidachewasbasedonMatthew,asmostNewTestamentscholarsassume,howdidthewritermanagetoexcludevirtuallyeverythingthatMatthewcopiedfromMark?Andevenifhehadbothofthosegospelsopeninfrontofhim,whywouldhewanttodothat?
Amorelikelyhypothesisis:
SayingsofJesuswereprobablyinwidecirculationinbothoralandwrittenform.TheDidachereferstoacollectionofthesayingsofJesusknownas"TheGospeloftheLord"butnoneofthefourcanonizedgospels.MarkwrotehisGospelbasedonthepreachingofPeter,asmostNewTestamentscholarsmaintain.MatthewhadtheDidacheandcopiedfromitashedidfromMark:thatwouldexplaintheoriginofthepassagesthatareonlyintheDidacheandMatthew.LukecompiledhisGospelfromseveralsources,includingMark,buthedidnothavetheDidache.
MuchofthematerialintheDidacheisalsoinActsand/ortheEpistlesofPaul.ThestyleofthesepartsistypicalofPaul.
ThecommonsourceforpartsoftheDidacheandtheEpistleofBarnabasisnotverydifficulttoascertain.IfweweretocomparetwosermonsbyBillyGraham,onegiveninthe1950sandtheotherinthe1990s,manyphrasesandevenwholesentenceswouldbevirtuallyidentical,butnotinthesamesequence——whichispreciselywhatwefindintheDidacheandtheEpistleofBarnabas.Therefore,themostprobablesourceisBarnabashimself,earlyandlateinhiscareer.
TheDidacheshowsseveralabruptchangesinvocabulary,phrasing,andwaysofaddressinganaudiencethatcapturethe"voices"ofthreedifferentspeakers.Insum,itreadslikeasetoflecturenotestakenbysomeonelisteningtothreepeople.
HistoricalContext
ManystrongparallelspointtoPaulandBarnabasastheapostlesinvolvedinthisteaching.Ifso,whatweknowaboutthemfromothersourcesbracketsthetimeandplaceinwhichtheDidachewaswritten.
ThefollowersofJesusfirstpreachedthegospelonlytoJews.Afterseveralyears,someofthemstartedpreachingtoGentilesinAntiochofSyria,manyofwhomwereconverted.WhentheleadersofthechurchinJerusalemheardaboutthis,theysentBarnabastoAntioch.HefoundasizablecongregationandmanymorepeopleeagertohearaboutJesus.SoBarnabaswenttoTarsusandbroughtPaultoAntioch.Theytaughttheretogetherforayear.(Acts11:19-26)
NowinthesedaysprophetscamedownfromJerusalemtoAntioch.AndoneofthemnamedAgabusstoodupandforetoldbythespiritthattherewouldbeagreatfamineoveralltheworld,andthistookplaceinthedaysofClaudius.Andthedisciplesdetermined,everyoneaccordingtohisability,tosendrelieftothebrethrenwholivedinJudea;andtheydidso,sendingittotheeldersbythehandofBarnabasandPaul.(Acts11:27-30)
HistoricalsourcessaytherewasagreatfamineinJudeainAD47.Therefore,Acts12:1-23maybemisplacedinLuke-sotherwisechronologicalreport."Aboutthattime"KingHerodkilledJamesthebrotherofJohnandarrestedPeter;butPeterescapedfromprison,andKingHeroddiedatCaesarea.TherearehistoricalrecordsthatKingHerod(AgrippaI)diedduringafestivalatCaesareainAD44.Lukeaddsatime-space:"ButthewordofGodgrewandmultiplied"(Acts12:24).
InhisepistletotheGalatians,Paulwrote:
Thenafterfourteenyears,IwentupagaintoJerusalemwithBarnabas,takingTitusalongwithme.Iwentupbyrevelation;andIlaidbeforethem(butprivatelybeforethosewhowereofrepute)thegospelwhichIpreachamongtheGentiles,lestsomehowIshouldberunningorhadruninvain.(Galatians2:1-2)
FourteenyearsafterPaul-sfirstvisittoJerusalemprobablyequatestoAD47.TheDidachemaybewhatPaullaidbeforetheleadersinJerusalem——asummarydocumentpreparedinadvanceforjustthatpurpose——ormorelikelyfromthewayitsounds,asetoflecturenotestakenwhileBarnabasandPaulandTituswerespeaking.IneithercaseitisworthnotingthatintheDidacheandinActs15:12Barnabasspeaksfirst.HewastheleaderatAntioch.Paulwashisassistant.
whentheyperceivedthegracethatwasgiventome,JamesandPeterandJohn,whowerereputedtobepillars,gavetomeandBarnabastherighthandoffellowship,thatweshouldgototheGentilesandtheytothecircumcised.(Galatians2:9)
ThiswaswhenBarnabasandPaulreceivedtheircharteras"TheApostlestotheGentiles."TheyreturnedfromJerusalemtoAntioch,bringingMarkwiththem.(Acts12:25)Shortlythereafter,allthreeofthemsetoutonPaul-sfirstmissionaryjourney,whichscholarsdateinAD47.(Acts13:1-4)
TheywentfromAntiochtoandthroughtheislandofCyprus,andthennorthtowhatisnowthesoutherncoastofTurkey.ThereMarkleftthemandwentbacktoJerusalem.PaulandBarnabaswentonestablishingnewchurchesintheRomanprovinceofGalatia.Theyreturnedtothecoastbythewaytheycame,sailedbacktoAntiochofSyria,and"remainednolittletimewiththedisciples."(Acts13-14)
ButsomemencamedownfromJerusalem[toAntioch]andwereteachingthebrethren,"UnlessyouarecircumcisedaccordingtothecustomofMoses,youcannotbesaved."(Acts15:1)
Paul-slettertotheGalatianswasprobablywrittenatthistime.Nodoubt,menfromJerusalemalsotoldhisconvertsinGalatiathattheyhadtobecircumcised.PaulwasangrybecausetheleadersinJerusalemhadbrokentheiragreementbysendingmentotheGentiles.Thus,hislettertotheGalatianswaswritteninlateAD48orearlyAD49.
PaulandBarnabasandsomeoftheotherswereappointedtogo[fromAntioch]uptoJerusalemtotheapostlesandtheeldersaboutthisquestion.(Acts15:2b)
ScholarsdatetheApostolicCouncilofJerusaleminAD49.ThecontroversywasnotbetweenPaulandPeter.Afterall,PeterwastheonewhofirstpreachedthegospeltoGentiles(Acts11:1-3).ItwasbetweenPauland"thecircumcisionparty"ledbyJamesofJerusalem,thebrotherofJesus(Galatians2:12).
Peterspokefirst,infavorofpreachingthegospeltoGentiles.ThenBarnabasandPaulpresentedtheircase.Finally,JamesofJerusalemyielded.ThedecisionwasthatGentilesdidnothavetobecomeJewsinordertobeChristians,buttheymust:"Abstainfromwhathasbeensacrificedtoidolsandfrombloodandfromwhatisstrangledandfromunchastity."(Acts15:6-21,29)ThefirstpartofthisdecisionisintheDidache(6:3);theotherthreeprovisionsapparentlywereaddedtoitbythe"apostlesandelders"inJerusalem.
Withtheircharterthusreaffirmed,PaulandBarnabaswerereadytocarrythedecisionoftheApostolicCouncilbacktothechurchestheyestablished.BarnabaswantedtotakeMarkwiththemagain,butPaulobjectedbecauseMarkleftthemduringtheirpreviousjourney.PaulandBarnabasquarreled.Finally,BarnabastookMarkwithhimandwentbacktoCyprus(Acts15:36-39).ThisisthelastwehearofBarnabasintheNewTestament,exceptforanindicationthathewasstillpreachingthegospelseveralyearslater(ICorinthians9:6).
ThelongtitleoftheDidacheinthemanuscriptdated1056reads:"TheTeachingoftheLordbytheTwelveApostlestotheGentiles"butIbelievetheoriginaltitlewas"TheTeachingoftheApostlestotheGentiles"andtherestwasinsertedlater.
CertainlyBarnabasandPaulwere"TheApostlestotheGentiles."IftheDidacheisasampleoftheirteaching,asitcertainlyseemstobe,thenitmustbedatednolaterthanAD49becausethatwaswhentheywenttheirseparateways.ThemostprobabledateiseitherAD44orAD47.Ineithercase,thosedatesareearlierthananythingintheNewTestament.Therefore,IbelievetheDidacheistheearliestChristiandocumentwehave.AlthoughrightlyregardedasachurchhandbookandnotaGospelorabsolutelybasedontheteachingsofJesus,itprovidesvaluableinsightsconcerningthemoraldoctrines,theology,rituals,esotericoperationsandcongregationaltestingofapostlesandprophets,andthebasicorganizationofFirstCenturyChristianity.