“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle“
the traditions
The word “traditions” is something handed down or over. The idea is the transmission of truth, the institutions of truth, the teaching of the apostles (1 Corinthians 11:2,23; 15:3; 2 Thessalonians 3:6). This is not the tradition of men but the content that Paul and his gospel team taught when they were in Thessalonica. The team handed over divine truth to the Thessalonians for their possession and protection.
“Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions [instructions] just as I delivered them to you” (1 Corinthians 11:2 ).
Principle:
Christians should be diligent in keeping their spiritual moorings.
Application:
Are you getting looser with your theology? Is syncretism taking hold of you? Has the idea of tolerance-at-all-costs seized your soul as an all-encompassing approach to life? If it has, then you are headed for spiritual doom, not eternal doom, but spiritual destruction in your life.
The principle of this verse demands that we stand fast and hold fast to God’s Word, not loosen our grasp of it. If you abandon your Bible-based beliefs, you will head into spiritual distortion or at least spiritual immaturity. Dr. Harry Ironside, pastor of Moody Church, years ago, used to make this statement about interpretations about the Bible, “If it’s new, it’s not true, and if it’s true, it’s not new.”
“…holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9).
“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).
