“Do not be one who stretches out the hands to receive but withdraws them when it comes to giving.” Sirach 4:31 If you earn something by working with your hands, you shall give a ransom for your sins. – Didache chapter 4
Clement of Alexandria
It is such an one that is by Scripture called a “thief.” It is therefore said, “Son, be not a liar; for falsehood leads to theft.” (Didache 3.5) – Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata 1.20
Origen of Alexandria
“That is why Divine Scripture teaches us to receive everything that happens to us as coming from God, knowing that without God nothing comes to be.” Origen, First Principals 3.2.7
- Receive the things that happen to you as good, knowing that nothing happens apart from God.” — Didache Chapter 3
- “Receive the things that happen to you as good, knowing that nothing happens without God.” — Epistle of Barnabas chapter 19
Athanasius of Alexandria
But for greater exactness I add this also, writing of necessity; that there are other books besides these not indeed included in the Canon, but appointed by the Fathers to be read by those who newly join us, and who wish for instruction in the word of godliness. The Wisdom of Solomon, and the Wisdom of Sirach, and Esther, and Judith, and Tobit, and that which is called the Teaching of the Apostles, and the Shepherd. But the former, my brethren, are included in the Canon, the latter being [merely] read; nor is there in any place a mention of apocryphal writings. — Athanasius, Letter 39.7
- This quote is confusing because the Fathers did call these books Holy Scripture, Athanasius himself quotes from Wisdom and Baruch and calls it Holy Scripture. Although here he just affirms the books were appointed to be read by the Fathers, including the Didache (The Teaching of the Apostles).
Didymus the Blind (of Alexandria)
“But if again it is said that the evil things must be guarded, and the good things cast out, this is not said in a literal sense, but rather in a more figurative or improper sense; for it is necessary to guard the good things — you have, after all, the saying: ‘With all diligence guard your heart.’ ‘A time to sew and a time to tear apart.’ In the Teaching of the Catechism of the Apostles it is said: ‘You shall make peace between those who are at strife.’ Behold, the ‘time to sew’: to restore friends to friends, so that from their unity the tunic of salvation may be sewn together. — Didymus the Blind, Commentary on Ecclesiastes (Gronewald, M. (ed.), Didymos der Blinde. Kommentar zum Ecclesiastes, pt. 2 [Papyrologische Texte und Abhandlungen 22] Bonn: Habelt, 1977: 2–224.) – taken from codex page 78
- Didache chapter 4: You shall not long for division, but shall bring those who contend to peace.
Thus, the Savior also says elsewhere, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). To be sons of God is to be peaceful. And by “peacemakers” he means those who make peace. When they bring into harmony and friendship those who have been divided in will, they are peacemakers. And they are peacemakers even with regard to themselves. Having first made peace within themselves, so as to have neither thoughts nor deeds at war with themselves, they then have made peace within themselves. And this peace they also bring to others; for as they themselves are, so they desire those they teach to be. They teach the soul to be at peace with the body and the body with the soul; for when “the soul buffets the body and brings it into subjection” (1 Corinthians 9:27), and the soul rules while the body is ruled, there is peace between body and soul. Just as they have established peace within themselves, so also they do this among others—those who love and are loved, or even those who are in conflict. For this reason, it is also said in the catechetical book of the Didache, “Bring peace to those who fight” (Didache 4.2). But the one who brings others who are fighting into peace and reconciliation has first made peace within himself; he has no conflict in himself, he has no warring thoughts. “They have opened their mouth wide against me” – Didymus the Blind, Commentary on Psalms 34:20, 227:26
Augustine
“In another place Scripture says: Let your alms sweat in your hand, until you find the just one to whom you may hand it over.” (Didache 1:6) — Augustine, In Psalmum 146.17 (Migne 37.1910):