The Didache

Description

One hundred twenty-five years ago, Philotheos Bryennios discovered the text of the Didache in an eleventh-century manuscript version. In 1883 he edited the manuscript for publication, and its special fascination for scholars remains undiminished. One of the oldest extracanonical Christian documents, the Didache's origins can be traced to the first century. It is apparently a catechism, intended to provide basic instruction in the Christian lifestyle and worship for persons preparing for baptism. The Didache exhibits fascinating echoes of Jesus' teaching in its Matthean form, along with rare glimpses into the life of an early Christian community -- its values, its observance of the Eucharist, its leaders, and the character of its hope. Niederwimmer's wonderful commentary is a model of clarity and learning and a splendid addition to this premier commentary series. Excursuses Foreword to Hermeneia Preface Preface to the Second Edition Reference Codes 1. Abbreviations 2. Short Titles 3. Sigla in the Translation Editor's Note Introduction 1. Structure and Genre a. Structure b. Genre 2. Attestation of the Didache a. Reference in Ancient Canonical Lists b. Quotations in Early Church Literature c. Use of the Didache in Later Church Orders d. The Didache in Byzantine Authors of the Twelfth-Fourteenth Centuries 3. The Direct Tradition X xi xiii XV XVII xvn XX XXVl xxvii 1 1 1 4 6 13 17 a. The Bryennios Manuscript (H) 19 b. Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1782 (P) 21 4. The Versions a. The Coptic Fragment: Br. Mus. Or. 9271 (Copt.) 24 b. The Ethiopic Version (Eth.) 26 c. Appendix: The Georgian Version (Georg.) 27 5. The Indirect Tradition: Apostolic Constitutions 7 .1.2- 32.4 28 6. The Relationship of the Didache to the "Two Ways" Tractate a. The Findings 30 b. Further Details on the Hypothesis of an Independent "Ways" Tractate 35 7. Reconstruction of the Origin of the Didache a. The Sources and Their Redaction by the Didachist 42 b. Time and Place of Writing 52 The Title 56 I. Baptismal Catechesis: The Tractate on the Two Ways 1.1 1.2-3a 1.3b-4a 1.4b-5a 1.5b-2.1 1. Statement of the Theme 2. The Way of Life a. The Fundamental Commandment and Introduction to Its Performance b. The sectio evangelica The Commandment of Love of Enemies The Renunciation of Violence Almsgiving and Transition 2.2-7 3.1-6 3.7-10 4.1-11 4.12-14 5.1a 5.1b-2 5.2 [end] 6.1-3 7.1-4 8.1 8.2-3 9.1-5 10.1-7 Ill. The Church Order • 16.1-8 11.1-2 11.3-12 11.3 11.4-6 11.7-12 12.1-5 12.1 12.2 12.3-5 13.1-7 13.1-2 13.3-7 14.1-3 15.1-2 15.3-4 IV. Eschatological Conclusion 16.1-2 16.3-8 16.3-4a c. A List of Prohibitions d. The "Teknon" Sayings e. The "Anawim" Sayings f. Rules for Life in Society g. Epilogue on the "Way of Life" 3. The Way of Death a. Introduction b. Catalog of Vices c. Final Admonition 4. Epilogue and Appendix 1. On Baptism 1a. Addition: On Fasting and Prayer a. How to Fat b. How to Pray 2. On the Eucharist a. Prayers for the Full Meal b. Prayer of Thanksgiving (Eucharist) 1. Transition 2. On the Reception of Itinerant Apostles and Prophets a. Introduction b. On Itinerant Apostles c. On Itinerant Prophets 3. First Appendix: On the Reception of Other Traveling Brothers and Sisters a. Reception and Testing of New Arrivals b. Traveler Passing Through c. Persons Newly Arrived Who Desire to Remain 4. Second Appendix: On the Duty to Support Prophets Who Desire to Remain in the Community, and Dutie toward Teachers a. Fundamental Principles b. Directions for the Distribution 5. On Confession and Reconciliation 6. On the Election of Bishops and Deacons 7. On Church Discipline 1. Eschatological Parene is 2. The Apocalypse a. The Appearance of False Prophets and the Collap e of the Christian Community 16.4b-d b. The Appearance of the Antichrist 219 16.5 c. The Great Apostasy and the Preservation of the Faithful 221 16.6-7 d. The Revelation of the Three Signs of Truth 223 16.8 e. The Arrival of the Kyrios 226 Afterword 228 Bibliography 1. Editions and Commentaries 233 2. Editions of Writings Related to the Didache 234 3. Jewish Literature 235 4. Other Christian Literature 236 5. Gnostic Literature 236 6. Greco-Roman Literature 236 7. Secondary Literature 238 Select Bibliography from the Second Edition 252 Indices 1. Passages 255 2. Authors 280 3. Subjects 287 ix