# Didache 15.1

- Author: Anonymous
- Work: [Didache](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/didache/) (*Doctrina duodecim apostolorum*)
- Date: ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) (disputed)
- Source: Lake, LCL 24:330; Kirsopp Lake, ed. and trans., The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 1, LCL 24 (London: Heinemann; New York: Macmillan, 1912), 308–333 (Greek text: K. Lake, The Apostolic Fathers (LCL, 1912-1913), digitized by the First Thousand Years of Greek project (Open Greek and Latin), CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-26
- Canonical URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/didache/15/1/

Summary: Choose worthy bishops and deacons, who also serve as prophets and teachers.

## Greek text

Χειροτονήσατε οὖν ἑαυτοῖς ἐπισκόπους καὶ διακόνους ἀξίους τοῦ κυρίου, ἄνδρας πραεῖς καὶ ἀφιλαργύρους καὶ ἀληθεῖς καὶ δεδοκιμασμένους· ὑμῖν γὰρ λειτουργοῦσι καὶ αὐτοὶ τὴν λειτουργίαν τῶν προφητῶν καὶ διδασκάλων.

## English translation (Claude)

Appoint, then, for yourselves bishops and deacons worthy of the Lord, men who are gentle and not lovers of money, truthful and proven; for they too perform for you the ministry of the prophets and teachers.

## Scripture references

- Phil 1:1: echo, medium confidence
- 1 Tim 3:2: echo, medium confidence
- 1 Tim 3:8: echo, medium confidence

## Translation notes

- “Bishops” is plural: several in one community. How this office relates to that of presbyter in this early period is debated (see the glossary).
- “Appoint” (χειροτονήσατε): literally “elect by raising hands.”

## Citation (SBL)

Did. 15.1 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/didache/15/1/).