Didachē: A Modern Translation
- James Collazo
- Oct 5
- 8 min read
Updated: Nov 2
Introduction to the Didachē
The Didachē, whose full Greek title is Didachē Kuriou dia tōn Dōdeka Apostolōn tois Ethnesin ("Teaching of the Lord through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations"), is one of the earliest Christian writings, dating to the late first century. Although the early church did not include it in the Bible, Christians still widely used it as a guide for new believers. It begins with the Two Ways, which teaches the distinction between the Way of Life and the Way of Death.
The Didachē also explains how early Christians worshiped, including baptism, prayer, fasting, and the Lord's table. It offers guidance on church life, including welcoming traveling teachers, selecting trustworthy leaders, and gathering regularly for confession, prayer, and communion. For historians, it offers a valuable glimpse into the beliefs, practices, and daily lives of the earliest Christian communities.
How to Read the Didachē Today
Modern readers should not treat the Didachē as Scripture. God inspired only the Bible, and it alone carries his authority (2 Tim. 3:16). The Didachē demonstrates how the earliest Christians exemplified the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. At times, its instructions feel surprisingly familiar; at other times, they reveal practices and concerns that differ from modern church life. Read it like an ancient sermon, a church manual, or a letter from early believers—writings that instruct, challenge, and encourage. Above all, let it remind you to walk faithfully in the Way of Life, to wait for Christ's return, and to love God and neighbor.
Teaching of the Lord to the Nations
c. AD 90
Chapter 1—The Two Ways
There are two ways: the Way of Life and the Way of Death. The difference between them is great. The Way of Life begins with two commands. Love the God who created you. Love your neighbor as yourself. Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you. Follow the Way of Life by blessing people who curse you, praying for people who hate you, and fasting for people who persecute you. Anyone can love people who love them, but Jesus Christ commands his disciples to love their enemies so that they have no enemies.
Follow the Way of Life by controlling your desires. Do not give in to lust. When someone strikes you, do not strike back—offer the other cheek. When someone forces you to walk one mile, walk two. When someone takes your coat, give your shirt also. When someone takes your possessions, do not demand them back. Give to everyone who asks, for God provides you with everything you need. God blesses those who give sincerely. God will judge those who take without need. If a person receives food or help because of need, God counts that person as innocent. If a person takes food or help without need, God will demand repayment. Hold your gift in your hand until you know the person who will receive it.
Chapter 2—The Commandments of Life
Avoid sins that destroy the soul. Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not practice sexual immorality. Do not steal. Do not use sorcery or magic. Do not kill children in the womb or after birth. Do not covet your neighbor's possessions. Do not lie. Do not break oaths. Do not gossip. Do not slander. Do not hold grudges. Do not speak one thing while meaning another. Let your words remain true and your deeds prove them. Avoid greed, arrogance, and hypocrisy. Do not plot evil against your neighbor. Do not hate anyone—correct those who wander away from the truth. Pray for those who struggle. Love everyone as much as you can.
Chapter 3—The Fruits of Sin
Avoid the company of evil people. Do not imitate them. Do not act proudly, jealously, or angrily. These sins lead to murder. Do not lust or speak filthily. These sins lead to adultery. Do not practice fortune-telling or witchcraft. These sins lead to idolatry. Do not lie. Lies lead to theft. Do not boast or desire money. Greed leads to theft. Do not complain. Complaining leads to blasphemy. Instead, act with meekness, patience, mercy, purity, peace, and kindness. Always remember the words of God. Do not seek social status. Do not think yourself greater than others. Walk with humble people, not with those who are proud. Accept blessings and hardships as coming from God, because God is the one who orders everything.
Chapter 4—Life in the Church
Honor your teachers who proclaim the word of God, because the Lord remains present when they speak truth. Seek fellowship with godly people daily, so their words strengthen you. Make peace instead of division. Judge fairly without favoritism. Do not take gifts while refusing to give them. Set aside a portion of your earnings as an offering for your sins. Give with joy. Do not complain when you give, because God rewards generosity. Do not turn away from those in need. Share what you have with your brothers and sisters. If you share eternal blessings, you should also share earthly goods.
Raise your children to fear God. Do not command your servants harshly, because you and your servants share the same Master who shows no favoritism. If you serve, obey your master as if you serve God. Hate hypocrisy. Hold tightly to the Lord's commands. Do not add to them or subtract from them. Confess your sins in the assembly. Do not pray with guilt on your conscience. This teaching is the Way of Life.
Chapter 5—The Way of Death
The Way of Death includes murder, adultery, lust, sexual immorality, theft, idolatry, sorcery, robbery, lies, hypocrisy, arrogance, jealousy, foul speech, greed, stubbornness, and pride. The Way of Death includes people who persecute good men, hate truth, love lies, ignore justice, stay awake planning evil, and seek the rewards of vanity. The Way of Death includes people who show no mercy to the poor, oppress workers, reject God their Creator, kill children, abuse God's creatures, reject the needy, exploit the weak, favor the rich, and oppress the poor. My children, avoid every one of these sins.
Chapter 6—Guarding the Teaching
Guard this teaching. Do not let anyone lead you astray. If you can carry the whole burden, you will reach perfection. If you cannot, obey as much as you can. Concerning food, avoid what idol worshipers sacrifice, because you participate in idol worship when you eat it.
Chapter 7—Baptism
Baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Use running water if possible. If you do not have running water, use an alternative water source. If you cannot use cold water, use warm water. If you do not have enough water, pour water on the head three times in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Before baptism, the one baptizing, the one being baptized, and others who can join should fast. The one being baptized should fast for one or two days beforehand.
Chapter 8—Fasting & Prayer
Do not fast on Mondays and Thursdays, as the hypocrites do. Instead, fast on Wednesdays and Fridays. When you pray, do not use empty words. Pray like this, just as the Lord commanded his disciples:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed is your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we forgive those who owe us. Do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Pray this prayer three times each day.
Chapter 9—The Lord's Table (Part 1)
When you bless the cup at the Lord's table, pray: "Father, we thank you for the promise you gave through David, your servant, and for the life you revealed to us in Jesus Christ. To you belongs glory forever."
When you bless the bread, pray: "Father, we thank you for the life and knowledge you revealed through Jesus Christ. To you belongs glory forever. Just as one farmer scattered grain and many hands gathered it into one loaf, so gather your church into your kingdom from the ends of the earth. To you belongs glory and power forever."
Only baptized believers may eat or drink at the Lord's table.
Chapter 10—The Lord's Table (Part 2)
After the meal, give thanks by praying:
Holy Father, we thank you because your name lives in our hearts and because you revealed knowledge, faith, and eternal life through Jesus Christ. To you belongs glory forever. You created all things for the sake of your name. You gave food and drink to sustain joy in people's lives. You also gave spiritual food, drink, and eternal life through your Son. Above all, we thank you for revealing your power and greatness. To you belongs glory forever. Remember your church, Lord. Rescue your people from evil. Complete Your people in love. Gather your people from the four corners of the earth into your kingdom, which you prepared. To you belongs power and glory forever. Send your grace. Let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God of David! The one who lives holily may come. The one who does not live holy must repent. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Prophets may give thanks in their own words.
Chapter 11—Apostles & Prophets
When someone comes and teaches this teaching, welcome that teacher. When someone teaches something that destroys the faith, reject that teacher. When someone teaches to increase righteousness and knowledge of the Lord, receive that teacher as you would receive the Lord himself. Test apostles and prophets. When an apostle stays longer than one or two days or asks for money, count him as a false prophet. When an apostle asks you to help the poor, do not judge him. Not everyone who speaks in the Spirit speaks as a prophet. True prophets live as the Lord lived. You will recognize true prophets by their behavior.
Chapter 12—Traveling Believers
When a traveler comes, help that traveler as much as you can. Do not let that traveler stay longer than two or three days. When a traveler wishes to stay longer and has a trade, let him work. When a traveler refuses to work, count him as someone taking advantage of you. When a traveler wants only to pass through, help him as much as you can. Do not let anyone misuse the name of Christ to take advantage of you.
Chapter 13—Support for Prophets & Teachers
Support true prophets who choose to live among you just as priests in the temple shared in its offerings, so prophets deserve support from you. Give the first part of your harvest, wine, oil, money, or clothes to the prophets, because God counts prophets as your high priests. When no prophet lives among you, give to the poor.
Chapter 14—The Lord's Day
On the Lord's Day, gather as a church, break bread, and give thanks after confessing your sins so that your offering remains pure. Do not let anyone join until he settles grudges. The Lord has said, "In every place and time, bring Me a pure sacrifice."
Chapter 15—Bishops & Deacons
Appoint bishops and deacons who live in a way that honors the Lord. Choose gentle, generous, truthful, and tested men. They serve you as prophets and teachers. Show them respect, because God honors them. Correct one another without anger. Rebuke without favoritism. Settle disputes in peace.
Chapter 16—The End of the Age
Stay awake to protect your life. Keep your lamps burning. Stay ready, because you do not know the hour when the Lord will return. Gather together often to seek what strengthens your soul. Your faith will not save you if you do not remain faithful at the end.
In the last days, many false prophets will rise. Corruption will spread. Love will grow cold. Lawlessness will increase. The antichrist will appear as if he were a son of God, and he will deceive the world. Many believers will fall away, but those who endure to the end will find salvation. Then three signs will appear: first, the sign of truth, then the sound of a trumpet, and then the resurrection of the dead. Afterward, the Lord will come with all his saints, and the world will see his kingdom.
Bibliography
Janicki, Toby. The Way of Life—Didache: A New Translation and Messianic Jewish Commentary. Marshfield, MO: Vine of David, 2017.
O'Laughlin, Thomas. The Didache: A Window on the Earliest Christians. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010.
Richardson, Cyril C., trans. and ed. "A Church Manual—The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, Commonly Called the Didache." In The Library of Christian Classics, Vol. 1. Edited by John Baillie, John T. McNeill, and Henry P. Van Dusen. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1953.
Wright, N. T., and Michael F. Bird. The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the First Christians. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2019.
