Commentary on the Didache and on 1-2 Clement

Rudolf Knopf (1874-1920) was a Professor of Protestant Theology at the University of Bonn, whose influential writings on early Christian texts remain relevant today. Jacob N. Cerone is a doctoral candidate at the University of Erlangen-Nuremburg, and has edited several books on early Christianity.

• Preface by Jacob N. CeroneForeword by Andreas LindemannDidacheIntroductionOutlineEditions and LiteratureTransmissionPoints of Contact and WitnessesSourcesDate and ProvenanceThe SuperscriptionI. The Two Ways: The Baptismal Catechism (1:1-6:2)A. There Are Two Ways (1:1)B. Description of the Way of Life (1:2-4:14)1. Basic and General Description (1:2)2. Love, Forgiveness, and Giving (1:3-6)3. A Catalog of Vices of the Sins of Action (2:1-7)4. A Catalog of the Sins of the Mind (3:1-6)5. Positive Exhortations toward Kindness and Humility (3:7-10)6. Congregational Obligations (4:1-14)C. The Way of Death (5:1-2)D. Concluding Exhortations and Advice (6:1-3)II. Cultic Regulations (7:1-10:6)A. Baptism (7:1-4)B. Fasting (8:1)C. Praying (8:2-3)D. The Celebration of the Eucharist (9:1-10:6)III. Rules for Congregational Life (11:1-15:4)A. The Wandering Charismatics, Their Examination, and Their Reception (11:1-12)B. How to Treat Unostentatious, Wandering Christians (12:1-5)C. Support of Local Prophets and Teachers (13:1-7)D. Celebration on Sunday (14:1-3)E. Election of the Congregation's Officials (15:1-2)F. Congregational Discipline (15:3-4)IV. Conclusion (16:1-8)A. Be Ready at Any Hour (16:1-2)B. For After a Time of Increasing Wickedness, the Lord Comes to Judge (16:3-8)First ClementIntroductionOutlineTransmissionEditions and LiteraturePoints of Contact and AttestationsOccasionProvenance, Date, and AuthorI. Prescript (1:0)II. Introduction: The Occasion of the Letter, Then and Now (1:1-3:4)A. Occasion of the Letter (1:1)B. The Once-Splendid State of the Corinthian Congregation (1:2-2:8)C. The Tragic Present State of the Congregation (3:1-4)III. The God-Fearing Life (4:1-39:9)A. Against Jealousy (4:1-6:4)B. Admonition to Repent (7:1-8:5)C. Obedience, Piety, Faith, Hospitality (9:1-12:8)D. Humility (13:1-19:1)E. God's Benefactions and His Order (19:2-22:9)F. Parousia and Resurrection (23:1-27:7)G. Transition (28:1-4)H. The Holy and Chosen Ones Must Flee from Slander, Discord, and Pride (29:1-30:8)I. The Way of Blessedness (31:1-36:6)J. Conclusion (37:1-39:9)IV. The Ugly Quarrel in Corinth Should Be Settled As Soon as Possible (40:1-61:3)A. The Congregational Office Is Appointed by God (40:1-44:6)B. Noble Men Are Only Deposed by Villains (45:1-46:9)C. Praise of Love (47:1-50:7)D. Direct Admonition to the Authors of the Quarrel: They Must Repent, Submit, and Depart (51:1-58:2)E. Conclusion of the Letter with a Long Prayer (59:1-61:3)V. The End of the Letter with a Concluding Admonition and Vows (62:1-65:2)A. Concluding Exhortations (62-63)B. Two Closing Vows and the Confirmation of the Emissaries (64-65)Second ClementIntroductionTransmissionLiterary Character and OutlineAuthor, Provenance, and Date of the SermonEditionsLiteratureIndividual StudiesSuperscriptionsI. The Surpassing Greatness of the Beneficence of Christ Who Called the Gentiles (1:1-2:7)II. The Return Payment We Can Offer Him: Not Word but Deed (3:1-4:5)III. Implications of Confessing God with Deeds (5:1-6:9)IV. The Toil of the Struggle Is Great, but the Reward Is Glorious (7:1-8:6)V. The Resurrection and Assorted Paraenesis (9:1-12:6)VI. Exhortation to Repentance (13:1-18:2)VII. Conclusion: Repentance, Suffering, Future Glory, and a Doxology (19:1-20:5)BibliographyIndex of AuthorsIndex of Ancient Sources

Jacob Cerone has provided English readers a gift-a readable translation of Knopf's classic commentary on the Didache and 1-2 Clement. As scholars of the Didache and Clement continue to study these ancient texts, English-only-speaking students will be able to engage with this classic study more easily. Cerone's translation is deeply welcomed, and students are encouraged to use this book.