The constitutions consist of eight books. Judging by the text the first 6 books are of Syrian origin dating about 250-290 AD; and the 7th and 8th books were added to the rest some time before 325.

They report to be the commands of the apostles on setting up the church.
The books are titled as follows:

1. Concerning the Laity
2. Of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons
3. Concerning Widows
4. On Helping the Poor
5. Concerning the Martyrs
6. On Heresies
7. Concerning the Christian Life, and the Eucharist, and the Initiation into Christ
8. Concerning Gifts, and Ordinations, and the Ecclesiastical Canons

Reasons that this seems to have been tampered with are the statements that go against the teachings of Paul and the early church fathers.

• 1.1 States: if a believer continues in sin he is esteemed disobedient and to be treated like a heathen. Then it defines sin not only as Coveting and revenge, but adds wearing jewelry, having the wrong hair or beard stile, and then in
• 1.2 It describes what adornments are right for men.
• 1.3 Women are treated very strictly and must cover their head in public contradicting 1 Corinthians 11.
• 8.1 Gifts are for unbelievers not for our benefit. Not everyone will cast out demons, heal, or speak in tongues. Other gifts are: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, discerning of spirits, foreknowledge of things to come, the word of teaching, long-suffering, and continence according to the law: one can still find a prophet, or a worker of miracles. The gifts become superfluous if there is not an unbeliever present.
• 8.30 First fruits are for the bishops, presbyters, and deacons only. But the tithes are for the clergy and widows and the poor.
• 8.41 Paul commands prayer for the dead, praying that they be forgiven voluntary and involuntary sins.