The Didache
Alternate title: The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
c. 60-100 AD
The Didache (prounced
“dih-dah-KAY” or sometimes “dih-dah-KEY”) is 
probably
the oldest surviving extant piece of Christian literature that did not make it
into the canon. It is a handbook of sorts for new Christian converts, packed
with instructions derived directly from the teachings of Jesus that were
practiced in the early church. There seem to be three sections—the first six
chapters are catechetical lessons that were probably orally recited by a
“membership
Chapters 7-10 give the richest descriptions of the first century church’s liturgy, including baptism, fasting and communion—perhaps especially related to the service of “first communion” the new convert received. The final six chapters outline the church organization including how to treat wandering prophets. In a sense the Didache is like finding a first century denominational Manual or Discipline –it has less authority than the Bible but more authority than Rick Warren or James Dobson.
The alternate title of the Didache (Greek for “Teaching”) is “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles” and some believe this. They believe this came down from the original Apostles. Some believe it might be the result of the first Apostolic Council, about. 50AD—the one recorded in Acts 15. Still others say it arose in one section of the church and spread everywhere due to its reasonable approach. Whatever, many early churches gave it apostolic authority though it did not make it into the Canon. The strongest scholarship now believes the work in its earliest form may have circulated as early as the 60's AD though additions and modifications may have taken place even into the third century. The work was never rejected by the Church, but was excluded from the canon. After reading it ask yourself why you think it was not adopted into the Cannon when so many churches used it and even listed it is their own canon.
The complete text of the Didache was discovered in the Codex Hierosolymitanus, though a number of other fragments exist, most notably in the Oxyrhynchus Papyri. It was originally composed in Greek. The following text is not the best and most recent text (that can be found in Aaron Milavec’s recent text including the Greek original text, a translation to English and a short commentary all for about ten dollars US). This text is more “King James-ish. While the following text may not be translated as well—it is at least in public domain and thus can be copied freely.
The Didache
The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles
Didache
1
Didache 1:1 There are two ways,
one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two
ways.
Didache 1:2 The way of life
is this. First of all, thou shalt love the God that
made thee; secondly, Thy neighbor as thyself. And all things whatsoever thou
wouldst not have befall thyself, neither do thou unto
another.
Didache 1:3 Now of these
words the doctrine is this. Bless them that curse you, and pray for your
enemies and fast for them that persecute you; for what thank
is it, if ye love them that love you? Do not even the Gentiles the same? But do
ye love them that hate you that hate you, and ye shall not have an enemy.
Didache 1:4 Abstain thou from fleshly and bodily
lusts. If any man give thee a blow on thy right cheek, turn to him the other
also, and thou shalt be perfect; If a man impress
thee to go with him one mile, go with him twain; if a man take away thy cloak,
give him thy coat also; if a man take away from thee that which is thy own, ask
it not back, for neither art thou able.
Didache 1:5 To every man
that asketh of thee give, and ask not back for the
Father desireth that gifts be given to all from His
own bounties. Blessed is he that giveth according to
the commandment; for he is guiltless. Woe to him that receiveth;
for, if a man receiveth having need, he is guiltless;
but he that hath no need shall give satisfaction why and wherefore he received
and being put in confinement he shall be examined concerning the deeds that he
hath done, and he shall not come out thence until he hath given back the last
farthing.
Didache 1:6 Yea, as touching this also it is said;
Let thine alms sweat into thine
hands, until thou have learnt to whom to give.
Didache 2
Didache
2:1 And this is the second commandment of the
teaching.
Didache 2:2 Thou shalt do
no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not corrupt boys, thou shalt
not commit fornication, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not deal in magic, thou shalt
do no sorcery, thou shalt not murder a child by
abortion nor kill them when born, thou shalt not
covet thy neighbors goods,
Didache 2:3 thou shalt not
perjure thyself, thou shalt not bear false witness,
thou shalt not speak evil, thou shalt
not cherish a grudge,
Didache 2:4 thou shalt not
be double-minded nor double-tongued; for the double tongue is a snare of death.
Didache 2:5 Thy word shall not be false or empty, but
fulfilled by action.
Didache 2:6 Thou shalt not
be avaricious nor a plunderer nor a hypocrite nor ill-tempered nor proud. Thou shalt not entertain an evil design against thy neighbor.
Didache 2:7 Thou shalt not hate any man but some thou shalt
reprove, and for others thou shalt pray, and others
thou shalt love more than thy life.
Didache 3
Didache
3:1 My child, flee from every evil and everything that
resembleth it.
Didache 3:2 Be not angry,
for anger leadeth to murder, nor jealous nor
contentious nor wrathful; for of all these things murders are engendered.
Didache 3:3 My child, be not
lustful, for lust leadeth to fornication, neither
foul-speaking neither with uplifted eyes; for of all these things adulteries
are engendered.
Didache 3:4 My child, be no dealer in omens, since it
leads to idolatry, nor an enchanter nor an astrologer nor a magician, neither
be willing to look at them; for from all these things idolatry is engendered.
Didache 3:5 My child, be not
a liar, since lying leads to theft, neither avaricious neither vainglorious;
for from all these things thefts are engendered.
Didache 3:6 My child, be not
a murmurer, since it leadeth
to blasphemy, neither self-willed neither a thinker of evil thoughts; for from
all these things blasphemies are engendered.
Didache 3:7 But be meek,
since the meek shall inherit the earth.
Didache 3:8 Be
long-suffering and pitiful and guileless and quiet and kindly and always
fearing the words which thou hast heard.
Didache 3:9 Thou shalt not
exalt thyself, neither shalt thou admit boldness into
thy soul. Thy soul shall not cleave together with the lofty, but with the
righteous and humble shalt thou walk.
Didache 3:10 The accidents
that befall thee thou shalt receive as good, knowing
that nothing is done without God.
Didache 4
Didache 4:1 My child, thou shalt remember him that speaketh
unto thee the word of God night and day, and shalt
honor him as the Lord; for whencesoever the Lordship speaketh, there is the Lord.
Didache 4:2 Moreover thou shalt
seek out day by day the persons of the saints, that thou mayest
find rest in their words.
Didache 4:3 Thou shalt not make a schism, but thou shalt
pacify them that contend; thou shalt judge
righteously, thou shalt not make a difference in a
person to reprove him for transgressions.
Didache 4:4 Thou shalt not
doubt whether a thing shall be or not be.
Didache 4:5 Be not thou
found holding out thy hands to receive, but drawing them in as to giving.
Didache 4:6 If thou hast
ought passing through thy hands, thou shalt give a
ransom for thy sins.
Didache 4:7 Thou shalt not
hesitate to give, neither shalt thou murmur when
giving; for thou shalt know who is
the good paymaster of thy reward.
Didache 4:8 Thou shalt not
turn away from him that is in want, but shalt make
thy brother partaker in all things, and shalt not say
that anything is thy own. For if ye are fellow-partakers in that which is
imperishable, how much rather in the things which are perishable?
Didache 4:9 Thou shalt not
withhold thy hand from thy son or from thy daughter, but from their youth thou shalt teach them the fear of God.
Didache 4:10 Thou shalt not
command thy bondservant or thine handmaid in thy
bitterness who trust in the same God as thyself, lest haply they should cease
to fear the God who is over both of you; for He cometh, not to call men with
respect of persons, but He cometh to those whom the Spirit hath prepared.
Didache 4:11 But ye, servants, shall be subject unto
your masters, as to a type of God, in shame and fear.
Didache 4:12 Thou shalt
hate all hypocrisy, and everything that is not pleasing to the Lord.
Didache 4:13 Thou shalt
never forsake the commandments of the Lord but shalt
keep those things which thou hast received, neither adding to them nor taking
away from them.
Didache 4:14 In church thou shalt confess thy transgressions, and shalt
not betake thyself to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the way of life.
Didache 5
Didache 5:1 But the way of
death is this. First of all, it is evil and full of a curse; murders,
adulteries, lusts, fornications, thefts, idolatries, magical arts, witchcrafts,
plunderings, false witnessings,
hypocrisies, doubleness of heart, treachery, pride,
malice, stubbornness, covetousness, foul--speaking, jealousy, boldness, exaltation,
boastfulness;
Didache 5:2 persecutors of good men, hating truth,
loving a lie, not perceiving the reward of righteousness, not cleaving to the
good nor to righteous judgment, wakeful not for that which is good but for that
which is evil-from whom gentleness and forbearance stand aloof; loving vain
things, pursuing a recompense, not pitying the poor man, not toiling for him
that is oppressed with toil, not recognizing Him that made them, murderers of
children, corrupters of the creatures of God, turning away from him that is in
want, oppressing him that is afflicted, advocates of the wealthy, unjust judges
of the poor, altogether sinful. May ye be delivered, my children, from all
these things.
Didache 6
Didache 6:1 See lest any man lead you astray from
this way of righteousness, for he teacheth thee apart
from God.
Didache 6:2 For if thou art
able to bear the whole yoke of the Lord, thou shalt
be perfect; but if thou art not able, do that which thou art able.
Didache 6:3 But concerning
eating, bear that which thou art able; yet abstain by all means from meat
sacrificed to idols; for it is the worship of dead gods.
Didache 7
Didache 7:1 But concerning
baptism, thus shall ye baptize. Having first recited all these things, baptize
in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit in living
(running) water.
Didache
7:2 But if thou hast not living water, then baptize in other water; and if thou
art not able in cold, then in warm.
Didache 7:3 But if thou hast
neither, then pour water on the head thrice in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Didache 7:4 But before the baptism let him that baptizeth and him that is baptized fast, and any others
also who are able; and thou shalt order him that is
baptized to fast a day or two before.
Didache 8
Didache 8:1 And let not your fastings
be with the hypocrites, for they fast on the second and the fifth day of the
week; but do ye keep your fast on the fourth and on the preparation (the sixth)
day.
Didache 8:2 Neither pray ye as the hypocrites, but as
the Lord commanded in His Gospel, thus pray ye: Our Father, which art in
heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, as in heaven,
so also on earth; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debt, as
we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
the evil one; for Thine is the power and the glory for ever and ever.
Didache 8:3 Three times in the day pray ye so.
Didache 9
Didache 9:1 But as touching the eucharistic thanksgiving give ye thanks thus.
Didache 9:2 First, as regards the cup: We give Thee
thanks, O our Father, for the holy vine of Thy son David, which Thou madest known unto us through Thy Son Jesus; Thine is the
glory for ever and ever.
Didache 9:3 Then as
regarding the broken bread: We give Thee thanks, O our Father, for the life and
knowledge which Thou didst make known unto us through Thy Son Jesus; Thine is
the glory for ever and ever.
Didache 9:4 As this broken bread was scattered upon
the mountains and being gathered together became one, so may Thy Church be
gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom; for Thine is the
glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
Didache 9:5 But let no one
eat or drink of this eucharistic thanksgiving, but
they that have been baptized into the name of the Lord; for concerning this
also the Lord hath said: Give not that which is holy to the dogs.
Didache 10
Didache 10:1 And after ye are
satisfied thus give ye thanks:
Didache 10:2 We give Thee thanks, Holy Father, for
Thy holy name, which Thou hast made to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the
knowledge and faith and immortality, which Thou hast made known unto us through
Thy Son Jesus; Thine is the glory for ever and ever.
Didache 10:3 Thou, Almighty Master, didst create all
things for Thy name's sake, and didst give food and drink unto men for
enjoyment, that they might render thanks to Thee; but didst bestow upon us
spiritual food and drink and eternal life through Thy Son.
Didache 10:4 Before all
things we give Thee thanks that Thou art powerful; Thine is the glory for ever
and ever.
Didache 10:5 Remember, Lord, Thy Church to deliver it
from all evil and to perfect it in Thy love; and gather it together from the
four winds-- even the Church which has been sanctified-- into Thy kingdom which
Thou hast prepared for it; for Thine is the power and the glory for ever and
ever.
Didache 10:6 May grace come and may this world pass
away. Hosanna to the God of David. If any man is holy, let him come; if any man
is not, let him repent. Maran Atha. Amen.
Didache 10:7 But permit the
prophets to offer thanksgiving as much as they desire.
Didache 11
Didache 11:1 Whosoever therefore shall come and teach
you all these things that have been said before, receive him;
Didache 11:2 but if the teacher himself be perverted
and teach a different doctrine to the destruction thereof, hear him not; but if
to the increase of righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as
the Lord.
Didache 11:3 But concerning the apostles and
prophets, so do ye according to the ordinance of the Gospel.
Didache 11:4 Let every apostle, when he cometh to
you, be received as the Lord;
Didache 11:5 but he shall not abide more than a
single day, or if there be need, a second likewise; but if he abide three days,
he is a false prophet.
Didache 11:6 And when he departeth let the apostle receive nothing save bread, until
he findeth shelter; but if he ask money, he is a false
prophet.
Didache 11:7 And any prophet speaking in the Spirit
ye shall not try neither discern; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin
shall not be forgiven.
Didache 11:8 Yet not every
one that speaketh in the Spirit is a prophet, but
only if he have the ways of the Lord. From his ways therefore the false prophet
and the prophet shall be recognized.
Didache 11:9 And no prophet
when he ordereth a table in the Spirit shall eat of
it; otherwise he is a false prophet.
Didache 11:10 And every prophet
teaching the truth, if he doeth not what he teacheth,
is a false prophet.
Didache 11:11 And every prophet approved and found
true, if he doeth ought as an outward mystery typical of the Church, and yet teacheth you not to do all that he himself doeth, shall not
be judged before you; he hath his judgment in the presence of God; for in like
manner also did the prophets of old time.
Didache 11:12 And whosoever shall say in the Spirit,
Give me silver or anything else, ye shall not listen to him; but if he tell you
to give on behalf of others that are in want, let no man judge him.
Didache 12
Didache 12:1 But let every one that cometh in the
name of the Lord be received; and then when ye have tested him ye shall know
him, for ye shall have understanding on the right hand and on the left.
Didache 12:2 If the comer is a traveler, assist him,
so far as ye are able; but he shall not stay with you more than two or three
days, if it be necessary.
Didache 12:3 But if he
wishes to settle with you, being a craftsman, let him work for and eat his
bread.
Didache 12:4 But if he has
no craft, according to your wisdom provide how he shall live as a Christian
among you, but not in idleness.
Didache 12:5 If he will not
do this, he is trafficking upon Christ. Beware of such men.
Didache 13
Didache 13:1 But every time prophet desiring to
settle among you is worthy of his food.
Didache 13:2 In like manner a true teacher is also
worthy, like the workman, of his food.
Didache 13:3 Every firstfruit then of the produce of the wine-vat and of the
threshing-floor, of thy oxen and of thy sheep, thou shalt
take and give as the firstfruit to the prophets; for
they are your chief-priests.
Didache 13:4 But if ye have
not a prophet, give them to the poor.
Didache 13:5 If thou makest bread, take the firstfruit
and give according to the commandment.
Didache 13:6 In like manner,
when thou openest a jar of wine or of oil, take the firstfruit and give to the prophets;
Didache 13:7 yea and of money and raiment and every possession
take the firstfruit, as shall seem good to thee, and
give according to the commandment.
Didache 14
Didache 14:1 And on the Lord's own
day gather yourselves together and break bread and give thanks, first
confessing your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure.
Didache 14:2 And let no man, having his dispute with
his fellow, join your assembly until they have been reconciled, that your
sacrifice may not be defiled;
Didache 14:3 for this sacrifice it is that was spoken
of by the Lord; In every place and at every time offer me a pure sacrifice; for
I ama a great king, saith
the Lord, and My name is wonderful among the nations.
Didache 15
Didache 15:1 Appoint for
yourselves therefore bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are meek
and not lovers of money, and true and approved; for unto you they also perform
the service of the prophets and teachers.
Didache 15:2 Therefore
despise them not; for they are your honorable men along with the prophets and
teachers.
Didache 15:3 And reprove one another, not in anger
but in peace, as ye find in the Gospel; and let no one speak to any that has
gone wrong towards his neighbor, neither let him hear a word from you, until he
repent.
Didache 15:4 But your
prayers and your almsgiving and all your deeds so do ye as ye find it in the
Gospel of our Lord.
Didache 16
Didache 16:1 Be
watchful for your life; let your lamps not be quenched and your loins not ungirdled, but be ye ready; for ye know not the hour the
hour in which our Lord cometh.
Didache 16:2 And ye shall gather yourselves together
frequently, seeking what is fitting for your souls; for the whole time of your
faith shall not profit you, if ye be not perfected at the last season.
Didache 16:3 For in the last
days the false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall
be turned into wolves, and love shall be turned into hate.
Didache 16:4 For as
lawlessness increaseth, they shall hate one another
and shall persecute and betray. And then the world-deceiver shall appear as a
son of God; and shall work signs and wonders, and the earth shall be delivered
into his hands; and he shall do unholy things, which have never been since the
world began.
Didache 16:5 Then all
created mankind shall come to the fire of testing, and many shall be offended
and perish; but they that endure in their faith shall be saved by the Curse
Himself.
Didache 16:6 And then shall
the signs of the truth appear; first a sign of a rift in the heaven, then a
sign of a voice of a trumpet, and thirdly a resurrection of the dead;
Didache 16:7 yet not of all, but as it was said The
Lord shall come and all His saints with Him.
Didache 16:8 Then shall the
world see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven. .
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