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.
[2370] This phrase connects the book with the Duæ Viæ; see Introductory Notice. Barnabas has "light" and "darkness" for "life" and "death."
[2371] Deut. xxx. 15, 19; Jer. xxi. 8; Matt. vii. 13, 14
[2372] Comp. Deut. vi. 5, which is fully cited in Apostolic Constitutions, vii. 2, though the verb here is more exactly cited from LXX.
[2373] Lev. xix. 18; Matt. xxii. 37, 39. Comp. Mark xii. 30, 31
[2374] Comp. Tobit iv. 15; and Matt. vii. 12; Luke vi. 31
[2375] These Old-Testament commands are thus taught by the Lord.
[2376] Matt. v. 44. But the last clause is added, and is of unknown origin; not found in Apostolic Constitutions
[2377] Matt. v. 46, 47; Luke vi. 32. The two passages are combined.
[2378] So Apostolic Constitutions. Comp. 1 Pet. iii. 13
[2379] 1 Pet. ii. 11. The Codex has somatikon, "bodily;" but editors correct to kosmikon
[2380] Matt. v. 39; Luke vi. 29.
[2381] Matt. v. 41
[2382] Matt. v. 40; Luke vi. 29
[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.
[2384] Luke vi. 30. The rest of the sentence is explained by the parallel passage in Apostolic Constitutions, which cites Matt. v. 45.
[2385] Bryennios finds a parallel (or citation) in Hermas, Commandment Second, [261]p. 20, vol. i. Ante-Nicene Fathers. The remainder of this chapter has no parallel in Apostolic Constitutions.
[2386] Gr. en sunoche. Probably = imprisonment; see next clause.
[2387] Matt. v. 26.
[2388] Codex: idrotato, which in this connection is unintelligible. Bryennios corrects into idrosato, rendered as above. There are various other conjectural emendations. The verse probably forbids indiscriminate charity, pointing to an early abuse of Christian liberality.
Chapter II. [2389] --The Second Commandment: Gross Sin Forbidden.
1. And the second commandment of the Teaching; 2. Thou shalt not commit murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, [2390] thou shalt not commit pæderasty, [2391] thou shalt not commit fornication, thou shalt not steal, [2392] thou shalt not practice magic, thou shalt not practice witchcraft, thou shalt not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is begotten. [2393] Thou shalt not covet the things of thy neighbour, [2394] 3. thou shalt not forswear thyself, [2395] thou shalt not bear false witness, [2396] thou shalt not speak evil, thou shalt bear no grudge. [2397] 4. Thou shalt not be double-minded nor double-tongued; for to be double-tongued is a snare of death. [2398] 5. Thy speech shall not be false, nor empty, but fulfilled by deed. [2399] 6. Thou shalt not be covetous, nor rapacious, nor a hypocrite, nor evil disposed, nor haughty. Thou shalt not take evil counsel against thy neighbour. [2400] 7. Thou shalt not hate any man; but some thou shalt reprove, [2401] and concerning some thou shalt pray, and some thou shalt love more than thy own life. [2402]
[2389] The chapter, except this opening sentence and part of verse 7, is found in Apostolic Constitutions, vii. 2-5; but the precepts are separated and enlarged upon.
[2390] Ex. xx. 13, 14.
[2391] Or, "corrupt boys," as in the version of Apostolic Constitutions.
[2392] Ex. xx. 15.
[2393] Comp. Ex. xxi. 22, 23. The Codex reads gennethenta, which Schaff renders "the new-born child." Bryennios substitutes gennethen, which is accepted by most editors, and rendered as above.
[2394] Ex. xx. 17.
[2395] Matt. v. 34.
[2396] Ex. xx. 16.
[2397] Rendered "nor shalt thou be mindful of injuries" in version of Apostolic Constitutions.
[2398] So Barnabas, xix.
[2399] Verse 5, except the first clause, occurs only here.
[2400] Latter half of verse 6 in Barnabas, xix.
[2401] Lev. xix. 17; Apostolic Constitutions.
[2402] Or, "soul." The last part of the clause is found in Barnabas; but "and concerning some...pray, and some" has no parallel. An interesting verse in its literary history.