Chapter I.—The Two Ways; The First Commandment

Chapter I.—The Two Ways; The First Commandment.

1. There are two ways, ²³⁷⁰ one of life and one of death; ²³⁷¹ but a great difference between the two ways. 2. The way of life, then, is this: First, thou shalt love God ²³⁷² who made thee; second, thy neighbour as thyself; ²³⁷³ and all things whatsoever thou wouldst should not occur to thee, thou also to another do not do. ²³⁷⁴ 3. And of these sayings ²³⁷⁵ the teaching is this: Bless them that curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for them that persecute you. ²³⁷⁶ For what thank is there, if ye love them that love you? Do not also the Gentiles do the same? ²³⁷⁷ But do ye love them that hate you; and ye shall not have an enemy. ²³⁷⁸ 4. Abstain thou from fleshly and worldly lusts. ²³⁷⁹ If one give thee a blow upon thy right cheek, turn to him the other also; ²³⁸⁰ and thou shalt be perfect. If one impress thee for one mile, go with him two. ²³⁸¹ If one take away thy cloak, give him also thy coat. ²³⁸² If one take from thee thine own, ask it not back, ²³⁸³ for indeed thou art not able. 5. Give to every one that asketh thee, and ask it not back; ²³⁸⁴ for the Father willeth that to all should be given of our own blessings (free gifts). ²³⁸⁵ Happy is he that giveth according to the commandment; for he is guiltless. Woe to him that receiveth; for if one having need receiveth, he is guiltless; but he that receiveth not having need, shall pay the penalty, why he received and for what, and, coming into straits (confinement), ²³⁸⁶ he shall be examined concerning the things which he hath done, and he shall not escape thence until he pay back the last farthing. ²³⁸⁷ 6. But also now concerning this, it hath been said, Let thine alms sweat ²³⁸⁸ in thy hands, until thou know to whom thou shouldst give.  

Footnotes

377:2370

This phrase connects the book with the Duæ Viæ; see Introductory Notice. Barnabas has “light” and “darkness” for “life” and “death.”  

377:2371

Deut. 30:15, 19; Jer. xxi. 8; Matt. 7:13, 14  

377:2372

Comp. Deut. vi. 5, which is fully cited in Apostolic Constitutions, vii. 2, though the verb here is more exactly cited from LXX.  

377:2373

Lev. xix. 18; Matt. 22:37, 39. Comp. Mark 12:30, 31  

377:2374

Comp. Tobit iv. 15; and Matt. vii. 12; Luke vi. 31  

377:2375

These Old-Testament commands are thus taught by the Lord.  

377:2376

Matt. v. 44. But the last clause is added, and is of unknown origin; not found in Apostolic Constitutions  

377:2377

Matt. 5:46, 47; Luke vi. 32. The two passages are combined.  

377:2378

So Apostolic Constitutions. Comp. 1 Pet. iii. 13  

377:2379

1 Pet. ii. 11. The Codex has σωματικῶν, “bodily;” but editors correct to κοσμικῶν  

377:2380

Matt. v. 39; Luke vi. 29.  

377:2381

Matt. v. 41  

377:2382

Matt. v. 40; Luke vi. 29  

377:2383

Luke vi. 30. The last clause is a peculiar addition: “art not able,” since thou art a Christian; otherwise it is a commonplace observation.  

377:2384

Luke vi. 30. The rest of the sentence is explained by the parallel passage in Apostolic Constitutions, which cites Matt. v. 45.  

377:2385

Bryennios finds a parallel (or citation) in Hermas, Commandment Second, p. 20, vol. i. Ante-Nicene Fathers. The remainder of this chapter has no parallel in Apostolic Constitutions.  

377:2386

Gr. ἐν συνοχῇ. Probably = imprisonment; see next clause.  

377:2387

Matt. v. 26.  

377:2388

Codex: ιδροτάτω, which in this connection is unintelligible. Bryennios corrects into ιδροσάτω, rendered as above. There are various other conjectural emendations. The verse probably forbids indiscriminate charity, pointing to an early abuse of Christian liberality.