Editor’s comment: Imagine yourself as a new believer in AD 95. You and your family have just become followers of Jesus Christ, and you wonder what to do now. What should you believe? How should you live? What is most important? You never had the chance to sit at the feet of Jesus or ask the apostles your questions. Some of the churches around you are teaching very different doctrines, and you have heard of a group of false teachers called the Gnostics. After everything that Jesus saved you from, the last thing you want to do is fall into false doctrine. If only you could learn directly from the apostles…

The “Didache” (pronounced DID-uh-kay) is a short document written for this exact reason. As the apostles traveled throughout the known world and were eventually martyred for their faith, church leaders realized the need to preserve their teachings. The word “didache” is Greek for “teaching,” and this anonymous text was written between AD 50 and AD 120 for the purpose of teaching new believers and local churches the basics of the Christian faith. Early Christian writers quoted frequently from the Didache, and several considered it to be part of inspired Scripture. As you read this epistle, may you be challenged, convicted, and encouraged to follow The Way of Life.

The text below has been edited for clarity, and the language has been updated for modern readers.

Chapter 1: The Two Ways; The First Commandment

There are two ways – one of life and one of death; and there is a great difference between the two ways. The way of life is this: First, you shall love the God who made you. Second, love your neighbor as yourself. Whatever you do not wish to happen to you, do not do to anyone else.

And of these sayings, the teaching is this: Bless those who curse you, 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 the Gentiles do the same? But love those who hate you, and you will not have an enemy.

Abstain from fleshly and worldly desires. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also, and you will be perfect. If someone forces you to go with him one mile, go with him two. If someone takes away your cloak, give him your coat as well. If someone takes from you what is yours, do not ask for it back, for you are not even able to do so.

Give to everyone who asks of you, and do not ask for it back; for the Father desires to give to all people from our own blessings. Blessed is the one who gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. Woe to him who receives; for if a person having need receives, he is guiltless; but he who receives without having need will stand trial, answering why he received and for what purpose. Being confined, he will be examined concerning what he has done, and he will not escape until he has paid back the last farthing.

Concerning this, it has also been said, “Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give.”

Chapter 2: The Second Commandment – Gross Sin Forbidden

This is the second commandment of the teaching: You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not commit pederasty. You shall not commit sexual immorality. You shall not steal. You shall not practice magic. You shall not practice witchcraft. You shall not murder a child by abortion or kill anyone who has been born. You shall not covet your neighbor’s possessions. You shall not commit perjury. You shall not bear false witness. You shall not speak evil. You shall not hold a grudge.

You shall not be double-minded or double-tongued, for to be double-tongued is a snare of death. Your speech shall not be false or empty, but fulfilled by your actions. You shall not be covetous, greedy, hypocritical, inclined to wickedness, or haughty. You shall not devise an evil plan against your neighbor. You shall not hate any person; some you shall reprove, for some you shall pray, and others you shall love more than your own life.

Chapter 3: Other Sins Forbidden

My child, flee from every evil thing, and from every likeness of it. Do not be prone to anger, for anger leads to murder. Neither be jealous, argumentative, or of a hot temper; for these can also lead to murder.

My child, do not be lustful; for lust leads to sexual immorality. Neither be a filthy talker, or a person of lofty eyes; for these can also lead to immorality.

My child, do not be an observer of omens, for it leads to idolatry. Neither be an enchanter, an astrologer, a sorcerer, or even willing to look at these things; for these can also lead to idolatry.

My child, do not be a liar, for a lie leads to theft. Neither be a lover of money or a lover of self, for these can also lead to theft.

My child, do not be a complainer, for it leads to blasphemy. Neither be strong-willed or evil-minded, for these can also lead to blasphemy.

But be meek, for the meek shall inherit the earth. Be long-suffering, compassionate, blameless, gentle, and good – always trembling at the teachings you have heard. You shall not exalt yourself or be overly confident. Do not join your soul with the lofty, but associate with the upright and lowly. Whatever happens to you, receive it as good, knowing that nothing happens apart from God.

Chapter 4: Various Precepts

My child, remember day and night the one who speaks to you the word of God. Honor him as you would honor the Lord; for where His Lordship is taught, the Lord is present. Daily seek out the faces of other believers, so that you may be refreshed by their words.

Do not seek division, but bring those who are contentious to peace. Judge righteously, and do not be a respecter of persons when you reprove others for sin. Do not be undecided whether to say yes or no.

Do not be found stretching out your hands to receive but drawing them back when it comes to giving. If you have anything, use your hands to give a ransom for your sins. Do not hesitate to give or complain when you give, for you know the One who repays to all. Do not turn away from the person in need, but share all things with your brother, and do not say that anything is your own. For if you are partakers in that which is immortal, how much more in things that are temporary?

Do not remove your hand from your son or daughter, but teach them the fear of God from their youth. Do not add to the duties of those who are under you while you are bitter, for they hope in the same God as you. If you do so, they may not continue to fear God who is over both them and you. Remember that God does not call according to the outward appearance, but those whom the Spirit has made ready. Those in service ought to be subject to authority, as representatives of God, in respect and fear.

Hate all hypocrisy and everything that is not pleasing to the Lord. Forsake in no way the commandments of the Lord, but keep what you have received, neither adding to them or taking away from them. In the church, acknowledge your transgressions, and do not come to prayer with a guilty conscience. This is the way of life.

Chapter 5: The Way of Death

But the way of death is this: First of all, it is evil and wicked, full of murder, adultery, lust, sexual immorality, theft, idolatry, magic arts, witchcraft, violence, lying, hypocrisy, double-mindedness, deceit, haughtiness, depravity, pride, greediness, filthy talking, jealousy, over-confidence, arrogance, and bragging.

The way of death is found in persecuting what is good, hating truth, loving a lie, not understanding that there is a reward for righteousness, not holding fast to what is good and right, and looking for what is evil rather than what is good. Humility and perseverance are far from such people. They love vanity, pursue their own interests, lack compassion for the poor, and do not work hard to aid the afflicted. They do not know Him who made them.

Such people murder children, destroy the handiwork of God, turn away from the person who is in need, and oppress those who are hurting. They are advocates of the rich, unjust judges of the poor, and altogether sinful. Be delivered, my children, from these things.

Chapter 6: Keep These Commands

Take heed that no one leads you astray from the way of righteousness, for anyone who teaches contrary to this does not teach the commands of God. If you are careful to observe these teachings daily, you will draw near to the living God. But if you do not keep these commands, you will be far from the truth. Treasure all these things in your heart, and you will not be deceived; rather, through these struggles you will reach the crown.

Chapter 7: Baptism

Baptize in this manner. Having given all of these instructions, baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. If possible, baptize in living [running or moving] water. But if you do not have living water, baptize into other water. If you cannot use cold water, use warm water. If you do not have enough of either, pour water on the head three times in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Before baptism, the person baptizing and the one to be baptized should fast, and anyone else who is able. Be sure that the person to be baptized fasts one or two days prior.

Chapter 8: Fasting and Prayer

Do not fast when the hypocrites do, for they fast on the second and fifth days of the week. You should fast on the fourth day (Wednesday) and the Day of Preparation (Friday).¹

Do not pray as the hypocrites do, but pray as the Lord commanded in His Gospel:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debt as we also 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.

Pray this three times a day.

Chapter 9: The Eucharist or Communion

Concerning the Thanksgiving [the Eucharist or communion], give thanks in this manner. First, for the cup:

We thank You, our Father, for the holy vine of David Your servant, which You made known to us through Jesus Your servant. To You be the glory forever.

Then, for the broken bread:

We thank You, our Father, for the life and knowledge that You made known to us through Jesus Your servant. To You be the glory forever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together to become one, so let Your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Your kingdom. For Yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever.

Do not let anyone eat or drink of this Thanksgiving [Eucharist or communion], but only those who have been baptized in the name of the Lord. Concerning this, our Lord said, “Do not give what is holy to the dogs.”

Chapter 10: Prayer after Communion

After you are filled, give thanks in this manner:

We thank You, holy Father, for Your holy name that You allowed to reside in our hearts; and for the knowledge and faith and immortality that You made known to us through Jesus Your servant. To You be the glory forever.

You, Almighty Master, created all things for Your name’s sake. You gave food and drink to people for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to You. But to us You freely gave spiritual food and drink and eternal life through Your servant. Before all things, we thank You that You are mighty. To You be the glory forever.

Remember, Lord, Your church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in Your love; and gather it from the four winds, sanctified for Your kingdom which You have prepared for it. Yours is the power and the glory forever.

Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David. If anyone is holy, let him come. If anyone is not, let him repent. Our Lord, come. Amen.

Allow the prophets to offer thanksgiving as much as they desire.

Chapter 11: Teachers, Apostles, and Prophets

If anyone comes and teaches you the things that have been said here, receive him. But if the teacher turns away and teaches another doctrine to the destruction of this one, do not hear him. But if he teaches to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as you would receive the Lord.

Concerning the apostles and prophets, follow the commands of the Gospel. Receive every apostle who comes to you as you would receive the Lord. He shall remain with you one day, or two days if necessary. However, if he remains three days, he is a false prophet. When the apostle leaves, let him take nothing but bread until he lodges next. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.

Do not try or judge any prophet who speaks in the Spirit; for every sin shall be forgiven, but this sin shall not be forgiven. Not everyone who speaks in the Spirit is a prophet, but only those who follow the ways of the Lord. Therefore, by their actions you will know the false prophet and the true prophet. No prophet who orders a meal in the Spirit should eat of it; if he does, he is a false prophet. Any prophet who teaches the truth but does not practice what he teaches is a false prophet.

If a prophet has been approved and found true and works for the earthly ministry of the church, yet does not teach others to do what he himself does, he shall not be judged by you. Rather, his judgment is before God, for the ancient prophets did likewise. If anyone says in the Spirit, “Give me money” or anything else, you shall not listen to him. But if he asks you to give for the sake of others who are in need, let no one judge him.

Chapter 12: Reception of Christians

Receive everyone who comes in the name of the Lord, and test him afterwards; for then you will have knowledge and understanding. If the person who comes to you is a traveler, assist him as much as you can. He should not remain with you longer than two or three days, if necessary. But if he wishes to live with you as a craftsman, let him work and eat. However, if he does not have a craft or trade, see to it that, as a Christian, he does not live with you idle. If he does not wish to abide by these requirements, he is taking advantage of Christ. Beware of such people.

Chapter 13: Support of Prophets

Every true prophet who wishes to abide among you is worthy of his support. In the same way, a true teacher is worthy, just as the laborer, of his support.

Therefore, every firstfruit of the winepress and threshing-floor, and of your oxen and sheep, you shall give to the prophets, for they are your high priests. But if you do not have a prophet, give to the poor. If you make a batch of dough, take the firstfruit and give according to the commandment. In the same way, when you open a jar of wine or oil, take the firstfruit and give
to the prophets. Also of money, clothing, and every possession, take the firstfruit, as it seems appropriate to you, and give according to this commandment.

Chapter 14: Christian Assembly on the Lord’s Day

Every Lord’s day, gather together and break bread, and give thanksgiving after you have confessed your transgressions, so that your sacrifice may be pure. No one who has a dispute with his companion should come together with you until they are reconciled, so that your sacrifice may not be defiled. For this is the sacrifice that was spoken of by the Lord: “‘In every place and time, offer to Me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King,’ says the Lord, ‘and My name is wonderful among the nations.’”

Chapter 15: Bishops and Deacons; Christian Reproof

Therefore, appoint for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord – men who are meek, not lovers of money, truthful, and tested; for they also render to you the service of prophets and teachers. Do not look down on them, for they are to be honored among you with the prophets and teachers.

Reprove one another, not in anger but in peace, as you have read in the Gospel. If anyone acts wrongly toward another person, let no one speak to him, nor let him hear anything from you until he repents.

Regarding your prayers and alms and good deeds, do them as you have read in the Gospel of our Lord.

Chapter 16: Watchfulness; The Coming of the Lord

Watch for the sake of your life. Do not let your lamps be quenched or be unprepared, but be ready; for you do not know the hour when our Lord will come. But come together often, seeking the things pertaining to your souls; for the whole time of your faith will profit you nothing if you are not made perfect in the last days.

For in the last days, there will be many false prophets and corruptors, and the sheep will be turned into wolves, and love will be turned to hate. For when lawlessness increases, they will hate and persecute and betray one another.

At that time, the world-deceiver will appear as a son of God. He will do signs and wonders, and the earth will be delivered into his hands; and he will do unlawful things that have never happened since the beginning of time. Then mankind will come into the fire of testing, and many will stumble and perish; but those who endure in their faith will be saved from the curse.

Then the signs of the truth shall appear: first, the sign of the heavens opening; then the sound of the trumpet; and third, the resurrection of the dead. This is not the resurrection of all, but as it is said, “The Lord will come and all His holy ones with Him.” Then the world will see the Lord coming upon the clouds of heaven.

Endnote:

1. From the Apostolic Constitutions: “He [Jesus] commanded us to fast on the fourth and sixth days of the week; the former on account of His being betrayed, and the latter on account of His passion.”