The apostle Paul used an interesting turn of phrase in exhorting his readers, in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”
His exhortation is to be a response to the calling of God. The elect of God are eligible to obtain “the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (14). Because of what God has done for us as Christians, and the hope we enjoy, we have a responsibility to “stand fast.”
The rather interesting aspect of this exhortation regards what they were to “stand fast” in, what they were to “hold” – “the traditions which you were taught.” What did Paul intend in the word “traditions”?
Let’s start with the definition of the word. The Greek word paradosis is defined by Thayer — “what is delivered; the substance of the teaching.” In the context of our passage, Thayer states, “the particular injunctions of Paul’s instructions.”
Such an exhortation certainly could not refer to traditions that were established by uninspired men. In fact, such was a source of great conflict in Jesus’ time. Our Lord spoke boldly against the rabbinic traditions that governed the actions and thoughts of the Pharisees and scribes. For example, “For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and may other such things you do” … “making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do” (Mark 7:8,11).
His admonition against them was extremely strong in Matthew 15:7-9, “Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'”
The word tradition is most often tied to such man made directives. Sometimes traditions are this, but our traditions can be grounded in the divine instructions we receive. This is that to which Paul speaks in his letter to the Thessalonians. He had given them directives through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. These directives were to be commonly followed, and to become second nature. Christians are to “stand fast” in them, to “hold” them.
Many examples could be given. Our worship, the organization of our churches, our intercession for one another, our hospitality, the expression of our love for one another, the divine call to share the gospel with the world, the call to commune with one another in remembering the death of our Lord — these divine traditions, and many others like them, serve to ground us, to strengthen us, even to identify us as His disciples.
Why would anyone seek to stand fast in, and hold traditions that have their origin in the minds of men rather than the will of our God? The question is germane, as it is typically so in the Christian denominations. It has even reached the point in the Catholic faith that such tradition is codified and given equal standing with scripture!
What Paul is calling for is a reading and embracing of scripture. He desires that it guard our hearts, and instruct us in our actions. As we persist in submitting to God’s will, we establish in practice His worship, His teaching, His priorities, His will. As time passes, these thing are established as our traditions — beneficial to us, pleasing to our Lord.
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