“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle“
and hold
The word “hold” carries the ideas of to be strong or mighty, to prevail, to hold on to something. Our context indicates that “hold” refers to holding on to the transmission of truth from the apostles.
Principle:
It is not enough to know truth; we must hold on to it.
Application:
When it comes to the teaching of God’s Word, it is not enough to put it into our minds, we must hold on to it. “Don’t let truth go,” Paul says. The idea is that we hold on to the teaching of truth to such an extent that it possesses or apprehends us. We must master the Word if we are going to be strong in the faith.
“But hold fast what you have till I come” (Revelation 2:25).
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown” (Revelation 3:11).
Few Christians take stands on truth today. The reason is that they probably have little stability in the Word themselves (Ephesians 4:14). Those with greater convictions about God’s Word take greater stands. They can be firm about what they believe.
