The Didache (pronounced did-ah-khay) is an ancient Christian text that provides a fascinating glimpse into the beliefs, practices, and structure of the earliest Christian communities in the late 1st century AD. Its name comes from the Greek word for “teaching”, and it was likely used as an instruction manual for new converts to Christianity.
Discovery and Origins
The existence of the Didache was unknown until 1873 when a Greek Orthodox bishop discovered a manuscript containing the text in the Monastery of the Most Holy Sepulchre in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul). The manuscript, dated to 1056 AD, contained several early Christian writings including the Didache.
While the author is unknown, the Didache claims to convey “The Lord’s Teaching to the Gentiles (non-Jews) by the Twelve Apostles.” This suggests it originated from the Jewish Christian community, possibly in Syria or Egypt, in the decades immediately following the lives of Jesus’ original apostles.
Most scholars date the Didache to the late 1st century, somewhere between 70-100 AD, based on textual analysis and references in other ancient writings. It was clearly an important document, referenced by early church fathers like Clement of Alexandria and Athanasius.
Contents and Significance
The Didache is divided into four main sections:
- The Two Ways (Chapters 1-6)
- Rituals and Liturgy (Chapters 7-10)
- The Ministry (Chapters 11-15)
- The End Times (Chapter 16)
The first section, “The Two Ways”, lays out a basic framework of morality and ethics for Christian living, contrasting the “way of life” with the “way of death.” It includes sayings reminiscent of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as well as the earliest known reference to the “Golden Rule” teaching of Jesus.
The second section provides some of the earliest instructions for rituals like baptism, fasting practices, and the celebration of the Eucharist (Lord’s Supper). This gives modern scholars key insights into the liturgy and worship life of the ancient church.
Sections three and four give instructions about recognizing true teachers and ministers, the roles of apostles, prophets, bishops and deacons in the church, and a brief apocalyptic vision about the end times.
While not considered Scripture, the Didache was highly regarded by many early Christians and gives modern readers an unfiltered look at how the teachings of Jesus were understood and applied in the decades after his life.
The Two Ways of Life and Death
One of the most illuminating parts of the Didache is the opening section called “The Two Ways.” It lays out two paths – the way of life and the way of death – and contrasts the virtues and vices that characterize each way.
The way of life is summarized as: “First, you shall love God who made you, second, your neighbor as yourself, and all things whatsoever you would not have done to yourself, do not do to another.”
It then expands on ethical teachings like blessing those who curse you, praying for enemies, sharing with the needy, avoiding anger and jealousy, being humble and patient, and avoiding lying, greed, and evil desires.
In contrast, the way of death is characterized by things like murder, adultery, theft, idolatry, arrogance, hypocrisy, greed, and slander.
This two ways framework was a common style of ethical instruction in both Greek philosophy and Jewish wisdom literature of that era. But the specific ethical teachings show a clear link to the teachings of Jesus, especially the Sermon on the Mount. While not quoting directly from the Gospels, the Didache appears to capture the essence of Jesus’ ethical teachings that were being transmitted in the decades after his life.
A Living Manual for the Early Church
Beyond its ethical teachings, the Didache gives us a window into how the earliest Christian communities were structured, how they worshipped and celebrated rituals like baptism and the Eucharist meal, and how they recognized and supported traveling ministers and teachers.
Details like the Eucharistic prayers, the practice of fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays, and the roles of apostles, prophets, bishops and deacons, all point to a relatively organized Christian movement already taking shape by the late 1st century.
The Didache is a reminder that from its earliest days, the Christian faith was not just an individual spiritual philosophy, but a community on mission with defined practices, ethical standards, and leadership structures. While far from the institutional church that would develop centuries later, the Didache shows the seeds of that development taking root remarkably soon after the time of Christ.
In many ways, the Didache serves as a bridge between the apostolic era of the New Testament and the more established Christianity of the late 2nd century and beyond. It’s a living example of how the teachings of Jesus were being contextualized and applied in diverse communities in the years after his life and the lives of his apostles.
For those reasons, while not rising to the level of Scripture, the Didache provides modern Christians with a priceless look into the faith and practice of the earliest followers of Jesus. It’s a reminder that we are part of an ancient movement, built on the foundation of those who first answered the call to follow the way of life laid out by Christ.