1. The Didache
Laindon Bible Class 16 June 2010

2. What is it?
• Pronunciation “did-arc-hay”
The Didache (pronounced /ˈd ɪdəkiˈ/; Koine Greek:
Διδαχή, Didachē "Teaching";[1] Modern Greek [ðiðaˈxi]) is
the common name of a brief early Christian treatise (dated
by most scholars to the late first/early second century[2]).
“The Didache of the Twelve Apostles” had been written and
widely disseminated by about 100 C.E., and became
increasingly important in the second and third Christian
centuries.[3] It is an anonymous work not belonging to any
single individual, and a pastoral manual "that reveals more
about how Jewish-Christians saw themselves and how they
adapted their Judaism for gentiles than any other book in the
Christian Scriptures.“ (Wikipedia)

3. Is it reliable?
• Published by P Bryennios 1883
• Re-discovered in a monastery in Constantinople
• Fragments found from 3rd century, widespread from
Egypt to Rome.
• Quotations widespread in 2nd and 3rd century church
literature (e.g.
Tertullian, Didymus, Eusebius, Athanasius)
• Earliest references to it in The Epistle of Barnabas
(130AD)
• Based on internal evidence scholars date it from
50AD to 150AD, general consensus c.100AD
• Most place its origin in Syria, possibly Antioch

4. How should we view it?
• It is not inspired
• A reflection of how the Apostles’ teaching was heard
and applied.
Original NT
Sources

5. Contents
1-6 The way of life and the way of death
7-15 A manual for ecclesial order and
practice
– Baptism
– Prayer
– Eucharist
– Apostles and prophets
– Appointment of ecclesial roles
16 Warning to watch for the day of the
Lord

6. The Way of Life and Death
1:3-5 based on Sermon on Mount
1:5 emphasis on giving/receiving
2:1-3 based on 10 commandments
3:1-6 avoid things leading to evil
5:1-2 the Way of Death
6:1-2 close of section
Many allusions to Old and New Testaments

7. Ecclesial Practice (1)
6:3 Food offered to idols – reflects an early
Gentile ecclesial issue
7:1-4 Baptism preparation and practice
8:1 Fasting
8:2 Regular prayers
9:1- Eucharist (thanksgiving meal), wine
before bread, no mention of what they
symbolise or forgiveness of sins

8. Ecclesial Practice (2)
11:3 teachers, apostles, prophets not to be
chargeable to ecclesias (2 Cor 11)
11:7 prophets to be tested (1 Jn 4:1, 3:7) by
both teaching and conduct
12:1 welcome visitors but examine them
13:1 prophet worthy of his hire – as double
honour (put a value on) in 1 Tim 5:17
14:1 confession of sins before break bread
15:2 appoint deacons etc as Acts 6:3

9. Conclusions
• Mostly sound, consistent use of scripture
• Recognisable NT ecclesial practice
• Emphasis on appropriate giving/receiving or
manifestation of fellowship in Acts 2:42
• Importance of testing consistency of both
teaching and conduct of those who come to
the ecclesia
• After 2,000 years – same struggles and the
same hope!