Fasting

The practice and purpose of fasting.

Passages that substantially address this topic, in date order.

• Didache 1.3Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Bless and pray for enemies, and love those who hate you.
• Didache 7.4Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Fast before baptism.
• Didache 8.1Anonymous · ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100) · Fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, not on the days the hypocrites fast.
• 1 Clement 53.2Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · God told Moses the people had made an idol.
• 1 Clement 55.6Clement of Rome · ca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100) · Esther risked her life and saved her people by fasting and prayer.
• Epistle of Barnabas 3.1Anonymous · ca. 70–135 (often ca. 130) · Isaiah on the fast God does not want.
• Epistle of Barnabas 3.2Anonymous · ca. 70–135 (often ca. 130) · Outward signs of fasting are not enough.
• Epistle of Barnabas 3.3Anonymous · ca. 70–135 (often ca. 130) · The true fast: justice, freeing the oppressed, feeding the hungry.
• 2 Clement 16.4Anonymous · ca. 100–150 · Almsgiving, fasting, prayer, and love: almsgiving lightens sin.
• To the Philippians 7.2Polycarp of Smyrna · ca. 110–135 · Believers should hold to the teaching handed down from the beginning, watching in prayer and fasting as the Lord taught.