Spiritual Gifts and Church Order

Didache 12 (apostles / false prophets)

The Didache · c. 100 AD

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Everyone who comes in the name of the Lord is to be received. But then test him, and you will know him, for you will have understanding to distinguish right from left. If the one who comes is just passing through, help him as much as you can. He should not stay with you more than two or three days, unless there is a real need. If he wants to settle among you and has a trade, let him work and earn his food. If he has no trade, use your judgment to make sure that no Christian lives among you idle. If he refuses to do this, he is a religious profiteer. Beware of such people.

Greek

Πᾶς δὲ ὁ ἐρχόμενος ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου δεχθήτω: ἔπειτα δὲ δοκιμάσαντες αὐτὸν γνώσεσθε, σύνεσιν γὰρ ἕξετε δεξιὰν καὶ ἀριστεράν.

εἰ μὲν παρόδιός ἐστιν ὁ ἐρχόμενος, βοηθεῖτε αὐτῷ, ὅσον δύνασθε: οὐ μενεῖ δὲ πρὸς ὑμᾶς εἰ μὴ δύο ἡ τρεῖς ἡμέρας, ἑὰν ᾖ ἀνάγκη.

εἰ δὲ θέλει πρὸς ὑμᾶς καθῆσθαι, τεχνίτης ὤν, ἐργαζέσθω καὶ φαγέτω.

εἰ δὲ οὐκ ἔχει τέχνην, κατὰ τὴν σύνεσιν ὑμῶν προνοήσατε, πῶς μὴ ἀργὸς μεθ̓ ὑμῶν ζήσεται Χριστιανός.

εἰ δ’ οὐ θέλει οὕτω ποιεῖν, χριστέμπορός ἐστι: προσέχετε ἀπὸ τῶν τοιούτων.

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