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At a glance
- Traditional author
- Barnabas
- Traditional date
- Late 1st–early 2nd century CE (medium confidence)
- Traditional audience
- Readers of Corpus Witness’s Canon & Books shelves
Listed in: Ethiopian related literature.
Meaning of Epistle of Barnabas
An early Christian treatise preserved after the New Testament in Codex Sinaiticus.
Traditional understanding
Attributed by Clement of Alexandria and Origen to Barnabas, Paul's companion. Codex Sinaiticus copies it after the New Testament, but Eusebius listed it among the books not received, and the church did not include it in Scripture.
Historical context
Athanasius and later lists treat it as useful or noncanonical, not as one of the 27.
Setting of the writing
Athanasius and later lists treat it as useful or noncanonical, not as one of the 27.
Literary shape
apostolic-fathers work curated for historical study.
Themes
- apostolic-fathers
- Barnabas
Epistle of Barnabas chapter by chapter
Opening
Epistle of Barnabas 1 — All hail and rejoicing
Barnabas greets the sons and daughters in the Lord, rejoicing that the fruits of righteousness abound among them. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: All hail and rejoicing. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Two Ways
Epistle of Barnabas 2 — The way of light and darkness
The epistle contrasts the way of light—truth, patience, humility—with the way of darkness and its works. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: The way of light and darkness. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Allegory
Epistle of Barnabas 3 — Food laws as allegory
The prohibition of swine, eagle, and hawk is read spiritually: do not live like the greedy or the predatory. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: Food laws as allegory. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Epistle of Barnabas 4 — Baptism and the cross
The cross is prefigured in Moses' outstretched arms; baptism in water, fire, and the Spirit marks entry into the new people. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: Baptism and the cross. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Epistle of Barnabas 5 — The scapegoat and the red heifer
Levitical types—the scapegoat, the red heifer, the brazen serpent—point to Christ's suffering and cleansing. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: The scapegoat and the red heifer. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Epistle of Barnabas 6 — Circumcision of the heart
True circumcision is of the heart in the Spirit; the letter kills but the new covenant writes law within. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: Circumcision of the heart. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Epistle of Barnabas 7 — The temple and the new people
God's temple is spiritual; the rejected stone becomes the cornerstone of the church God is building. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: The temple and the new people. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Epistle of Barnabas 8 — The Sabbath rest of the eighth day
The eighth day prefigures the resurrection; Jesus abolished not the law but the bondage of the old letter. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: The Sabbath rest of the eighth day. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Epistle of Barnabas 9 — Abraham and the covenant
Abraham received circumcision as a type; faith in the promise, not fleshly marks, makes one a child of Abraham. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: Abraham and the covenant. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Epistle of Barnabas 10 — Moses' veil and the new name
Moses veiled his face because Israel could not see the glory; believers receive a new name and an open vision. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: Moses' veil and the new name. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Epistle of Barnabas 11 — The golden calf and the broken tablets
Israel's idolatry at Sinai shows the old covenant broken; Christ is the living law written on hearts. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: The golden calf and the broken tablets. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Epistle of Barnabas 12 — The twelve apostles as twelve gates
Twelve apostles and twelve tribes image the one church gathered from every nation under Christ. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: The twelve apostles as twelve gates. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Eschatology
Epistle of Barnabas 13 — The final separation
The world is divided into two peoples: those who walk in light and those who love corruption. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: The final separation. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Epistle of Barnabas 14 — The kingdom prepared
God has prepared a kingdom for those who love him; the day of judgment will reveal each person's way. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: The kingdom prepared. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Polemics
Epistle of Barnabas 15 — Against Judaizing
The epistle warns against clinging to the old sacrifices while rejecting the one to whom they pointed. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: Against Judaizing. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Ethics
Epistle of Barnabas 16 — Love one another
Love your neighbor as yourself; do not return evil for evil but overcome malice with patience. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: Love one another. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Eschatology
Epistle of Barnabas 17 — Hope in the resurrection
Believe that Jesus rose and will raise you; the body sown in dishonor will be raised in glory. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: Hope in the resurrection. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Christology
Epistle of Barnabas 18 — The two advents of the Lord
Christ came in humility and will return in glory; both advents were foretold by the prophets. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: The two advents of the Lord. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Ethics
Epistle of Barnabas 19 — The new law of liberty
The yoke of the Lord is easy; his commandments are not burdensome to those who love him. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: The new law of liberty. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Closing
Epistle of Barnabas 20 — Final warnings
Flee idols, keep the commandments, and remain in the grace you received at baptism. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: Final warnings. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.
Epistle of Barnabas 21 — Conclusion and peace
The epistle closes with a blessing of peace and joy for those who walk in the Lord's teaching. Barnabas reads Israel's scriptures as signs of Christ and the new covenant people.
Meaning: Conclusion and peace. Allegory here serves ecclesial identity: the old types find their fulfillment in Christ's church.