The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (Didache) - The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles

Chapter XIII.—Support of Prophets

Chapter XIII. ^[2485] —Support of Prophets.

1. But every true prophet that willeth to abide among you ^[2486] is worthy of his support. ^[2487] 2. So also a true teacher is himself worthy, as the workman, of his support. ^[2488] 3. Every first-fruit, therefore, of the products of wine-press and threshing-floor, of oxen and of sheep, thou shalt take and give to the prophets, for they are your high priests. ^[2489] 4. But if ye have not a prophet, give it to the poor. 5. If thou makest a batch of dough, take the first-fruit and give according to the commandment. 6. So also when thou openest a jar of wine or of oil, take the first-fruit and give it to the prophets; 7. and of money (silver) and clothing and every possession, take the first-fruit, as it may seem good to thee, and give according to the commandment.

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[2485] A large part of this chapter is found in Apostolic Constitutions, vii. 28, 29, but with modifications and additions indicating a later date.

[2486] "Who will settle among you" (Hitchcock and Brown). The itinerant prophets might become stationary, we infer. Chaps. xi.-xv. point to a movement from an itinerant and extraordinary ministry to a more settled one.

[2487] Lit., "nourishment," "food."

[2488] Matt. x. 10; comp. Luke x. 7.

[2489] This phrase, indicating a sacerdotal view of the ministry, seems to point to a later date than that claimed for the Teaching. Some regard it as an interpolation: others take it in a figurative sense. In Apostolic Constitutions the sacerdotal view is more marked. [1 Pet. ii. 9. If the plebs = "priests," prophets = "high priests."] Here the term is restricted to the prophets: compare Schaff in loco.

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