What is the Epistle of Barnabas?

Answer

Not to be confused with the Gospel of Barnabas, the Epistle of Barnabas, also known as the Letter of Barnabas, is an early Christian writing frequently mentioned by other church fathers. Although it is attributed to Barnabas, an associate of Paul, the letter itself does not mention its author. This connection was made by commentators such as Clement of Alexandria, dating it to the late first or very early second century. The text provides insights into Old Testament Jewish laws and traditions, comparing and contrasting them with Christian practices under the New Covenant.

The term “gnosis,” meaning “knowledge,” is used by the Epistle of Barnabas to convey its message. However, the content opposes early heresies like Gnosticism, reflecting an orthodox, early understanding of the faith. Some writers criticized it for relying heavily on oral traditions about the Old Testament—specifically the Mishnah—as well as the use of gematria or biblical numerology.

Early church fathers referenced the Epistle of Barnabas, including Origen, who considered it an authentic work of Barnabas. The text was included at the end of some early Bible copies, possibly as a reference. While most early Christians did not view it as inspired Scripture, they valued it for its insights into Jewish theology. This perspective involves interpreting the Old Testament through the early Christian lens, which comprises the majority of the letter.

The final section of the Epistle of Barnabas presents a series of positive commands followed by their opposites. These are contrasted as the Way of Light and the Way of Darkness, respectively. The Way of Light reflects a deeply Jewish understanding of Christian behavior and morals. This is followed by the Way of Darkness, also known as the Way of

The Black One, referring to Satan.

While not a part of the canon of Scripture, the Epistle of Barnabas remains a valuable resource. Early church fathers acknowledged its usefulness, even though they concurred that it was not divinely inspired. Regardless of whether the Epistle of Barnabas was indeed authored by Barnabas himself, contemporary believers can approach it with the same cautious perspective.