What does the Didache say about Final Judgment?
In our current study of how the Apostolic Fathers understood hell and final judgment, The Didache is one of the most important to analyze for two reasons. One, it’s arguably the earliest of all the writings. Two, it’s a manual for new converts to Christianity. For many who were interested in following Jesus, the instructions found in The Didache was an introduction to the Christian life.
Now, as discussed before, this manual is not an exhaustive catechism of Christian theology. The manual is not interested in giving a full systematic doctrine, and that includes its eschatology. But with that said, The Didache somewhat sets the stage for the convert, and so whatever it says about final judgment should be especially noted for our discussion on hell.
The Two Ways
The Didache opens with the Two Ways theology combined with the Great Commandment to love God and your neighbor. We’ve seen now that many of the Apostolic Fathers incorporate the Two Ways into their writings. However, The Didache stands particularly out because the Two Ways structures the entire writing. From the very opening all the way through, the Christian faith is presented in a dualistic mindset. You either choose the way that gives life and fellowship with God, or you choose sin that leads to self destruction and death.
Pay the Last Penny
In the very end of chapter 1, The Didache uses a warning very similar to Jesus’ in Matthew 5:26 about not being released from prison until you pay the last penny. However, in Matthew, Jesus says this in regard to not settling conflict with others. In The Didache, it is penalty for abusing charity and taking what you don’t need.
The promise from Jesus that one will not be released until they have paid the last penny has diverse interpretations, especially when it comes to hell. If one interprets the prison Jesus speaks of as hell, then it may be assumed that they will never be released. If one interprets the prison to be purgatory, then they may be eventually released. And then there is a more literal interpretation, which is definitely a far less popular understanding, that if one takes advantage of the other in the Christian community, they will face trial and pay back who they’ve taken advantage of.
Personally, I’m somewhat undecided. I don’t accept a literal interpretation, and I don’t believe in purgatory. However, I also don’t think Jesus would suggest one can be released if He is referring to hell. It’s a passage I need to study more before coming to a firm conclusion, and that also goes for the Didache’s version.
The Apocalypse
The last chapter of The Didache gives warnings of persecution to come. It has heavy similarities to the Olivet Discourse found in the Synoptic Gospels. The passage most likely comes from the same oral tradition of Jesus’ warning of the end times that the Gospel writers used. There is warning of false prophets, Christians being led astray, persecution, and a world “deceiver”, who is most likely the anti-Christ. (Wilhite, 2019, Pg. 256)
What is fascinating about the The Didache’s brief description of the end-times is how much the first-hand wrath of God and warning of hell is missing. There is warning of testing on earth, and the result is that those who persevere and keep the faith will be rescued by Jesus, and the rest will perish. The Didache describes this scene as a “fiery trial”. As with the “last penny” passage, there can be different ways to interpret this phrase, such as persecution, purgatory, or God’s wrath. However, as Wilhite points out in his commentary, the fiery trial is on all humanity, and The Didache promises salvation to be found in Jesus. It doesn’t describe God Himself bringing this trial, but rather only mentions God being the One to rescue His people from the trial while the rest perish. Wilhite’s conclusion, which I agree with, is that this “fiery trial” refers to persecution in the world. (Wilhite, 2019, Pg. 258)
There is promise that the wicked will not survive, but we must remember its description is in place within the Two Ways framework, making it less of God bringing destruction and more of God rescuing the saints from the wicked’s own self-destruction.
“While at first glance this chapter appears to be merely predicting future events surrounding Yeshua’s second coming, the material highlights the urgency that disciples must continue daily walking in the Way of Life and avoiding the Way of Death.”
We see in 16.6-7 a promise of the resurrection of the dead, but only for those who are saved by Christ. Its description bears similarity to Paul’s in 1st Thessalonians 3:13: “May he make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. Amen.” (CSB) It is after this resurrection and return of Jesus that the saints live together in peace, with the wicked having perished.
Incomplete Ending
It is worth pointing out that many believe the current ending we have of The Didache is incomplete. However, we do not have an earlier manuscript that gives more content to its apocalyptic ending. So for now, this is what we have to work with. (Jefford, 2021, Pg. 256)
Conclusion
There are many theological topics that we wish The Didache would expand more on so we could have a more complete picture of how the early Church understood such subjects. The doctrine of hell and eschatology is one of them. But with the information we have, it is my opinion The Didache strongly leans toward more of an understanding of Conditional Immortality and less of Eternal Conscious Torment. The Two Ways worldview dominates the writing, and the promise of God’s salvation is for His people to be saved from death.
Bibliography
Wilhite, S.J. (2019). The Didache: A Commentary. Eugene, OR. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Janicki, T. (2017). The Way of Life: The Rediscovered Teachings of the Twelve Jewish Apostles to the Gentiles. Marshfield, Missouri. Vine of David.
Jefford, C.N. (2021). Didache. In M. Bird and S. Harrower, The Cambridge Companion to the Apostolic Fathers. University Printing House, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press.
Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
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