Early Christian Views on Cheating and Fraud

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...hem too, from which the servant of God must restrain himself: theft, lying, robbery, false witness, cheating, wicked desire, deceit, vainglory, boastfulness, and all other vices like these. Do you not think these are truly wicked? They are extremely wicked for the servants of God. The servant of God must restrain himself from all of these. Restrain yourself, then, from all these things, so that you may live to God, and you will be counted among those who restrain themselves in these matters. These, then, are the things from which you must restrain yourself."

Tertullian, Apology Supporting witness

for in the faithfulness which keeps us from fraud upon a brother, we make conscience of paying all their dues: so that, by ascertaining how much is lost by fraud and falsehood in the census declarations — the calculation may easily be made — it would be seen that the ground of complaint in one department of revenue is compensated by the advantage which others derive.

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

...at a few things out of many, so that from a few examples the rest may also be understood. Adultery, fraud, and murder are deadly crimes. Let patience be strong and steadfast in the heart. Then the sanctified body and temple of God is not defiled by adultery, innocence devoted to righteousness is not stained by the corruption of fraud, and the hand, after carrying the Eucharist in it, is not polluted with the sword and blood.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Direct teaching

...the side of injustice, and idol-makers, and thieves, and unjust publicans, and those who deceive by false balances and deceitful measures, and a soldier who is a false accuser and is not content with his wages, but does violence to the needy, a murderer, a cut-throat, and an unjust judge, a subverter of causes, one who lies in wait for men, a worker of abominable wickedness, a drunkard, a blasphemer, a sodomite, a usurer, and everyone who is wicked and opposes the will of God. For the Scripture says that all such as these are abominable with God. For those who receive from such persons, and thereby support the widows and orphans, shall be liable to the judgment seat of God; as Adonias the prophet, in the book of Kings, when he disobeyed God, and both ate bread and drank water in the place which the Lord had forbidden him, 1 Kings 13, because of the impiety of Jeroboam, was slain by a lion. For the bread that is distributed to the widows from labor is better, though it is short and little, than that from injustice and false accusation, though it is much and fine. For the Scripture says, "Better is a little to the righteous, than much riches of sinners." Now although a widow, who

1 Corinthians 6:8 Direct teaching

No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!

Leviticus 19:13 Direct teaching

‘You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.

2 Corinthians 4:2 Direct teaching

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Leviticus 19:11 Direct teaching

“You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.

1 Thessalonians 4:6 Direct teaching

that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

...he sacrifice acceptable to the Lord: a contrite heart that seeks its Maker. Isaiah 58:6. “Deceitful balances are an abomination before God, but a just balance is acceptable to Him.” Proverbs 11:1. From there Pythagoras urges people not to step over the balance. And the profession of heresies is called deceitful righteousness. “But the tongue of the unjust shall be destroyed, and the mouth of the righteous drops wisdom.” Proverbs 10:31. For they call the wise and prudent worthless. But it would be tedious to bring forward testimonies about these virtues, since the whole Scripture praises them. Since, then, they define manliness as knowledge of what is fearful, what is not fearful, and what lies between, and temperance as a state of mind that preserves the judgments of wisdom by choosing and avoiding rightly, and since patience, which is called endurance, is joined with manliness and is the knowledge of what can be endured and what cannot be endured, and magnanimity is the knowledge that rises above circumstances. With temperance also is joined caution, which is avoidance according to reason. And observance of the commandments, which is the harmless keeping of them, is the attaini

Tertullian, On Idolatry Direct teaching

...his is why the Holy Scriptures use the name of fornication when they rebuke idolatry. The nature of fraud, I think, is that a person takes what belongs to another, or refuses to another what is due to him. And of course, fraud against a human being is considered a very great crime. But idolatry commits fraud against God by refusing His honors to Him and giving them to others. So it joins insult to fraud as well. But if fraud, just like fornication and adultery, brings death, then in these cases too, just as in the first case, idolatry cannot be cleared of the charge of murder. After crimes so destructive and so consuming to salvation, all other crimes also, in one way or another, and each in its own order, have their true nature represented in idolatry. In it also are the sinful desires of the world. For what idolatrous festival is without clothing and decoration? In it are lust and drunkenness, since these festivals are attended mostly for the sake of food, the stomach, and appetite. In it is unrighteousness. For what is more unrighteous than that which does not know the Father of righteousness? In it also is vanity, since its whole system is empty. In it is falsehood, for its

Proverbs 11:1 Direct teaching

A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.

Proverbs 20:23 Direct teaching

Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.

Proverbs 16:11 Direct teaching

A just balance and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.

Micah 6:11 Direct teaching

Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?

Proverbs 20:10 Direct teaching

Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

Leviticus 19:36 Direct teaching

Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 25:13 Direct teaching

Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small.

Hosea 12:7 Direct teaching

A merchant, in whose hands are false balances, he loves to oppress.

Ezekiel 45:10 Direct teaching

Ye shall have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath.

Deuteronomy 25:16 Direct teaching

For all who do such things, all who act dishonestly, are an abomination to the LORD your God.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...the following are those who believed. Some of them are rich, and others are deeply involved in many business matters. The thistles are the rich, and the thorns are those who are deeply involved in much business. Those who are tangled up in many different kinds of business do not stay close to the servants of God, but drift away, being choked by their business dealings. And the rich stay close to the servants of God only with difficulty, because they fear that these servants may ask something from them. Therefore, such people will have difficulty entering the kingdom of God. For just as it is unpleasant to walk barefoot among thistles, so it is also hard for such people to enter the kingdom of God. But repentance is open to all these people, if it is speedy, so that what they did not do in earlier times they may make up for in these days and do some good, and they shall live to God. But if they remain in their deeds, they shall be handed over to those women, who will put them to death.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

... nor examined the nature of the Divinity, but have simply believed, if they give themselves over to business, wealth, pagan friendships, and many other activities of this world, do not understand the parables of Divinity. For their minds are darkened by these things, and they are corrupted and become dried up. Just like beautiful vines, when they are neglected, wither because of thorns and other plants, so also people who have believed, and afterward fallen into many of the actions mentioned above, go astray in their minds and lose all understanding about righteousness. For if they hear about righteousness, their minds are occupied with their business, and they pay no attention at all. On the other hand, those who have the fear of God, and search after Godhead and truth, and have their hearts turned to the Lord, quickly understand what is said to them, because they have the fear of the Lord in them. For where the Lord dwells, there is great understanding. Therefore cling to the Lord, and you will understand and perceive all things."

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Direct teaching

...fore you should bear fruit, so that in that summer your fruit may be known. And keep away from much business, and you will never sin. For those who are occupied with much business also commit many sins, because they are distracted by their affairs and do not serve their Lord at all. How, then," he continued, "can such a person ask for anything from the Lord and receive it, if he does not serve Him? Those who serve Him will obtain what they ask for, but those who do not serve Him will receive nothing. And even in doing a single task, a person can serve the Lord. For his mind will not be turned away from the Lord, but he will serve Him with a pure mind. Therefore, if you do these things, you will be able to bear fruit for the life to come. And everyone who does these things will bear fruit."

Didache, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Direct teaching

... needed. But if he wants to stay with you, being an artisan, let him work and eat. But if he has no trade, according to your understanding see to it that, as a Christian, he shall not live with you idle. But if he does not want to do so, he is a Christ-monger. Watch that you keep away from such.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...treets without a good reason, spying on those who live wickedly. Instead, pay attention to your own trade and work, and try to do what is acceptable to God. Keep the sayings of Christ in mind, and meditate on them continually. For the Scripture says to you, "You shall meditate on His law day and night; when you walk in the field, and when you sit in your house, and when you lie down, and when you rise up, so that you may have understanding in all things." Joshua 1:8; Deuteronomy 6:7. No, even if you are rich and do not need a trade to support yourself, do not be someone who wanders about and walks around at random. Instead, go to some who are believers and of the same religion, and talk and discuss with them about the living oracles of God:

Ephesians 4:28 Direct teaching

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

Wisdom of Sirach 26:29 Supporting witness

A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; And a huckster shall not be freed from sin.

Wisdom of Sirach 27:2 Supporting witness

As a nail sticketh fast between the joinings of the stones; So doth sin stick close between buying and selling.

Wisdom of Sirach 31:22 Supporting witness

He that taketh away his neighbor’s living slayeth him; And he that defraudeth the laborer his hire is a bloodshedder.

Tertullian, On Idolatry Direct teaching

...the servant of covetousness. I say nothing of false swearing, since even swearing is not lawful. Is trade suited to a servant of God? But even apart from covetousness, what is the motive for acquiring? When the motive for acquiring ceases, there will be no need for trading. Now suppose there is some righteousness in business, free from the duty of watchfulness against covetousness and lying. Even so, I think that trade which belongs to the very soul and spirit of idols, and pampers every demon, falls under the charge of idolatry. Rather, is it not the principal idolatry? If those same goods, I mean frankincense and all other foreign products used as sacrifice to idols, are also useful to men for medicinal ointments, and to us Christians besides, for burial uses, let them see to it. At all events, while the ceremonial displays, while the priesthoods, while the sacrifices of idols, are supplied by dangers, by losses, by inconveniences, by thoughts, by runnings to and fro, or by trades, what else are you shown to be but an agent of idols? Let no one argue that in this way an objection may be raised against all trades. The graver faults extend the need for careful watchfulness in pr

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

...hers they are kept. And others are promised to them by the diviners. They do not know that they are cheating themselves, and giving themselves up as a vessel of pleasure to those who wish to indulge in wantonness. Exchanging their purity for the foulest outrage, they think that the most shameful ruin is a great bargain. And there are many agents of this meretricious licentiousness, insinuating themselves, one from one direction, another from another. For the licentious rush readily into uncleanness, like swine rushing to the part of a ship's hold that is lower. Therefore Scripture most strongly exhorts, "Do not bring every one into your house, for the snares of the crafty are many." Sirach 11:29. And in another place, "Let just men be your guests, and let your boast remain in the fear of the Lord." Sirach 9:16. Away with fornication. For know this well, says the apostle, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Ephesians 5:5.

Hippolytus, Refutation of All Heresies Supporting witness

...er, I hesitated to tell about these tricks in this book, because I saw the danger that perhaps some dishonest person might take occasion from my account and try to practice these deceptions. But concern for many young people, who could be kept safe from such practices, persuaded me to teach and publish these things for their protection. For although one person may use them to learn evil, someone else, by being instructed about these practices, will be kept safe from them. And the magicians themselves, who corrupt life, will be ashamed as they practice their art. And when they learn these points that have already been explained by us, they may perhaps be held back from their folly. But so that this seal may not be broken, let me seal it with hog's lard and hair mixed with wax.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

...bench?" "I do, sir," I said. "These," he says, "are the faithful, and he who sits on the chair is a false prophet, ruining the minds of the servants of God. It is the doubters, not the faithful, that he ruins. These doubters then go to him as to a soothsayer, and ask him what will happen to them. And he, the false prophet, not having the power of a Divine Spirit in him, answers them according to their questions and according to their wicked desires, and fills their souls with expectations according to their own wishes. For since he is empty himself, he gives empty answers to empty inquirers, for every answer is made to the emptiness of man. Some true words he does occasionally speak, for the devil fills him with his own spirit, hoping that he may be able to overcome some of the righteous. As many, then, as are strong in the faith of the Lord and are clothed with truth have no connection with such spirits, but keep away from them. But as many as are doubtful in mind and repent often turn to soothsaying, just like the heathen, and bring greater sin on themselves by their idolatry. For he who asks a false prophet about any action is an idolater, devoid of the truth, and foolish. Fo

Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho Supporting witness

...and that the gifts that were once among your people have been transferred to us. Just as there were false prophets during the time of your holy prophets, there are now many false teachers among us, whom our Lord warned us to be cautious of. Thus, we lack nothing, as we know He foresaw all that would happen to us after His resurrection from the dead and ascension to heaven. He said we would be put to death and hated for His name’s sake, and that many false prophets and false Christs would appear in His name and deceive many—and this has happened. Many have taught godless, blasphemous, and unholy doctrines, claiming them in His name, and have taught, and are still teaching, those things that come from the unclean spirit of the devil, which were put into their hearts. Therefore, we are very anxious that you are not misled by such people, since we know that everyone who can speak the truth but does not will be judged by God, as God testified through Ezekiel, when He said, ‘I have made you a watchman to the house of Judah. If the sinner sins and you do not warn him, he will die in his sin, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn him, you shall be innocent.’ For thi

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...st and Moses, war against Christ and Moses, and who, clothed as sheep, hide the wolf. For these are false Christs, and false prophets, and false apostles, deceivers and corrupters, parts of foxes, the destroyers of the herbs of the vineyards. Because of them, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures steadfast to the end, the same will be saved, Matthew 24:12-13. Concerning them, so that He might make us secure, the Lord declared, saying: "There will come to you men in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruits. Take care of them. For false Christs and false prophets shall arise and shall deceive many."

Origen, Against Celsus Supporting witness

...hose who are easily deceived, and lead them wherever they want. So also, he says, is the case among Christians. And he claims that certain people, who do not wish either to give or receive a reason for their belief, keep repeating, "Do not examine, but believe!" and, "Your faith will save you!" And he alleges that such people also say, "The wisdom of this life is bad, but foolishness is a good thing!" To this we must answer that if it were possible for all to leave the business of life and devote themselves to philosophy, no other method should be adopted by anyone but this alone. For in the Christian system also, it will be found, not to speak arrogantly, that there is at least as much examination into articles of belief, and explanation of dark sayings found in the prophetic writings, and of the parables in the Gospels, and of countless other things that were either narrated or enacted with a symbolic meaning, as in other systems. But since this course is impossible, partly because of the necessities of life and partly because of the weakness of men, since only a very few people devote themselves earnestly to study, what better method could be devised for helping the multitude

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness

35. He has also said these things to show us that all others who may come after him will be false apostles and deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself is transformed like an angel of light. What great thing is it, then, if his ministers also are transformed into ministers of righteousness? Their end will be according to their works. He further shows what kind of men these were, and points out by whom they were being led astray. And when the Galatians were ready to turn away from the Gospel, he says to them, "I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him who called you to another gospel, which is not another; but there are some that trouble you and would turn you away from the Gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which has been delivered to you, let him be accursed." And again he says, "To me, who am the least of all the apostles, this grace is given," and, "I fill up in my flesh what was behind of the afflictions of Christ." And once more, in another place, he declares of himself that he was a minister of Christ more than all others, as though after him no oth

Archelaus, Disputation with Manes Supporting witness

...es himself. He will use threats against others, and mock them by changing his appearance and by his deceitful conduct. Yet he will go no farther than that, for his folly will be made plain to all people, just as it was with Jamnes and Mambres. The judges said: From what we have now heard from you, and as Paul himself also seems to tell us, and further, as we have also learned from the earlier account given in the Gospel, no one in this life, at least after the apostle's time, is offered the same kind of beginning for preaching, or teaching, or proclaiming the gospel, or prophesying. And if the opposite ever seems to happen, that person can only be considered a false prophet or a false Christ. Now, since you have claimed that the Paraclete was in Paul, and that He bore witness to all things in him, why is it that Paul himself said, "We know in part, and we prophesy in part; but when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part shall be done away"? Whom else was he looking for when he said these words? For if he declares that he is looking for some perfect one, and if someone must indeed come, show us who it is he is speaking about, lest his word perhaps seem to lead

2 Peter 2:3 Supporting witness

By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

Colossians 2:8 Supporting witness

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Titus 1:11 Supporting witness

whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.