Chapters 1 through 6
To read the Didache for yourself click here.
Didache, Chapter 1
This chapter introduces the concept of the “two ways” one can live their life. The way of righteousness or that of death. It opens by re-iterating the first three of our ten commandments: the “first table” that asks us to worship and love God alone. It then re-hashes New Testament teachings that will be familiar to Christians — well known teachings by Christ on radical forgiveness:
“Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what reward is there, if you love those who love you? Do not also the Gentiles do the same?”
- Didache 1:3
It goes on repeating New Testament teachings on selfless giving and non-retaliation for wrong doing. There are 244 Greek words and 6 verses in this first chapter.
Didache, Chapter 2
The seven verses and 99 Greek words of the second chapter rehash the so-called “second table” of the ten commandments. Those pertaining to how to treat your neighbour. It ends with the admonition:
“Thou shalt hate no man; but some thou shalt reprove, and for some shalt thou pray, and some thou shalt love more than thine own life.”
- Didache 2:7
Didache, Chapter 3
The 185 Greek words over 10 verses of chapter 3 are the first portion of the Didache which do not closely resemble the repackaging of well known biblical passages. It warns against adultery, lying, theft and sorcery. Rather than simply listing sins it warns against disposition and habits that will lead to greater sins.
Didache, Chapter 4
With 14 verses and 244 Greek words, this chapter tells new converts (catechumens) how to behave within the church community. It asks them to honor the one who “teaches the word of the Lord” and treat them with the highest of honors. It encourages daily fellowship with other believers and church unity. Chapter 4 asks catechumens to be generous in giving to the church and the needy. It calls for the fair treatment of children and employees and ends with a warning against hypocrisy and a command to “confess your transgressions” within the congregation.
Didache, Chapter 5
This brief chapter (2 verses, 104 words) lists the attributes and behaviours of those who follow “the Way of Death.” A litany of sins are listed (e.g.: fornication, theft, idolatries, robberies, fraud, lying, murder, etc) as are the character traits of those who have given themselves over to this “Way:”
“…not cleaving to the good nor to righteous judgment, spending wakeful nights not for good but for wickedness, from whom meekness and patience is far, lovers of vanity, following after reward, unmerciful to the poor…”
- Didache 5:2
Didache, Chapter 6
The 54 Greek words of this chapter simply encourage the reader to stay on the path of the “Way of Life.” It ends with a warning to not eat “that which is offered to idols.” In Revelation 2:14, 20 Christ also warns against this but in the context of participating in idol worship ceremonies and the feasts that follow them. Chapter 6 of the Didache would have been written to fresh converts who had to be careful not to return to their previous pagan lifestyles. In 1 Corinthians 8:4-8 Paul says it is alright for mature Christians to eat meat that has previously been sacrificed to idols. He is not speaking of a feast within a pagan ceremony but of meat purchased at a market place that was procured from pagan temples. Paul says it’s not wrong to eat, it’s just wrong to eat it in front of a young or new convert who may be stumbled by it. Paul also states it is wrong to do so if it is part of the pagan ceremony itself.
These first six chapters of the Didache are aimed at directing believers to live in personal holiness. Chapters 7 to 10 are aimed at describing the manner in which Christians are to perform the liturgical life: sacraments of baptism and communion as well as how to pray and fast. This will be described in Part 3 of our series on the Didache.
