Introduction: 2 Thessalonians

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." (2 Thess. 2:15.) Traditions are often handed down by word of mouth, but Paul includes things both by word of mouth and written. The Jews made a distinction between the Law that was written and oral traditions.

"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly and not after the tradition which he received of us." (2 Thess. 3:6.)

"Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God, so you would abound more and more." (1 Thess. 4:1.)

Paul made a distinction between the gospel received by revelation from the gospel received by tradition. "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Gal. 1:11-12.) "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he arose the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Cor. 15:3-4.) Paul received it by revelation, but we have received the Gospel by tradition.

The Greek word, paradosis, means simply transmission. It means the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth of by example from one generation to another. Every family has traditions; every culture, every church, every country. Traditions exist everywhere. It is not possible to live without traditions, because they mean simply that which has been handed down. Tradition is a descriptive word of our environ-ment, practices, and culture. Tradition is not a bad thing in itself.

Jesus criticized the Jews because they allowed their traditions to conflict with the commandments of God. He said, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" (Matt. 15:3.) "Thus have you made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition." (15:6.) "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (15:9.) Paul added, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." (Col. 2:8.)

In the two texts from second Thessalonians, Paul told the Christians to hold fast the traditions that they had been taught. He used the concept of tradition in a positive way. There are Christian traditions that we must accept and hold near. Some of them are singing, praying, assembling on the Lord’s Day, giving, immersing believers, partaking of the Lord’s Supper, studying the Scriptures, visiting the sick, preaching the Gospel, fellowship meals, etc.

The Christians at Thessalonica wore different styles of clothing than do we. They also spoke a different language, probably Greek. The food they ate and the festival days would all be so strange to us. Their wedding customs would be much different from ours. How they found their mates might be different. We would be lost in their culture and world, as they would be in ours. They did not have automobiles or talk on telephones. They never watched television! These cultural and traditional differences do not matter spiritually, as long as they do not conflict with God’s will for man everywhere.

I would also point out that those at Thessalonica did not read from the King James Version of the Bible! They had probably only the Greek version of the Hebrew Scriptures, the Septuagint. The church had people with miraculous spiritual gifts like tongue speaking, prophesying, word of knowledge, faith, etc. They heard eyewitnesses to the resurrection speak at their assemblies; we have never had such experiences.

There are many traditions that are optional. It does not matter whether we keep them or not. Paul urged them to keep the ones that he gave them because they were a part of the Christian faith.

In every culture, there is a mixture of Christian, necessary traditions and optional, non-significant traditions. This causes some confusion because some will not discern the difference and start binding things that are optional. Where we meet is optional---homes or public meeting places. The New Testament speaks often of "house churches." One cup or many cups to serve the wine is optional. Singing four-part harmony is a rather modern musical arrangement. Some churches practice responsive reading and singing. Whether you put a cross or steeple on or in the building to indicate that it is a religious place of worship does not matter as long as you do not bow down to these man-made things. Many tables have a symbol of the cross to remind us of the meaning of the communion. These are optional traditions.

Many conflicts have arisen over this very category of things. Some place some of these things in the "necessary" column; others see them as optional.

There are at least three major dangers with traditions. One is that we can make human traditions equal to the Law of God; thus binding upon all people. Another is that we can have traditions that violate the will of God. A third danger is that we are prone just to accept traditions without questioning the validity of them.

An example of the last danger was in the news this week (8/8/02). We have been told often that drinking eight glasses of water each day is necessary to maintaining good health. A doctor from Dartmouth University reported the result of a ten-month study. He could not find where such an idea originated. Someone started this saying and others repeated it. The idea apparently came from a report saying that mentioned eight glasses of water, but the next sentence said that most of that amount of water could come from food that we eat each day. No one bothered to give the whole report. The professor said that there was no reliable medical findings to support the common belief that every person needs that much water. Some do, but most people do not. In fact, the professor said that eight glasses of water might be harmful to some people. It can cause water intoxication and harm the kidneys. This report serves as an example for us that we need to check out the truthfulness of things before we repeat them. Have you searched the Scriptures for yourself, or do you just repeat what you have heard others say??

The New Testament gives us some examples of Jewish traditions that violate the will of God. One is the practice of Corban, which means a gift. Some Jews who did not want to spend their money on their older parents would dedicate their belongings to God to avoid supporting their parents. But the Bible taught them to honor their father and mother. (Matt. 15:1-9.) Jesus said that they made the commandment of God of non-effect by this tradition. It showed a callused disregard for their aged parents. Paul later wrote that if any did not take care of their own household they were worse than infidels having denied the faith. (1 Tim. 5:8.) We need a compelling and sound reason to reject the assistance and support of orphans. What is our real motive? The Jewish motive was covetousness and a lack of love for their parents. We have sons and daughters today that just as sinful and greedy as the Jews. They do not care about their aged parents; they want the money that their parents have and cannot wait for them to die! Remember that the love of money is the root of all evil. (1 Tim. 6:10.)

Another way God’s will was made of non-effect was by making hundreds of laws governing how to keep the Sabbath Day. These numerous laws showed no mercy for those in need on the Sabbath. It caused the Jews to argue with Jesus about the lawfulness of healing on the Sabbath Day. (Luke 13:14.) The prophet of God said, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. Jesus said, Go and learn what this means. (Hosea 6:6, Matt. 9:13.)

What traditions among us violate God’s will? Are there any? It should disturb us if we cannot think of one possible contradiction between our established traditions and God’s will! That should send a warning signal from the start. I have already named one contradiction; that is, the rule that we cannot take money out of the treasury and support orphans. Another one is that we cannot take money out of the treasury and help non-Christians. The money, they say, is for Christians only. (Matt. 5:47.) Some have a tradition of judging others and not waiting on the final judgment of our Lord. That violates Matthew 7:1-5 and 1 Cor. 4:3-5. We often violate John 13:35 because we claim that our allegiance to God over-rides our love for our brother. We have, in effect, an obligation to be mean and ugly to a brother with whom we disagree. We are doing God a favor, "doing God service" by attacking our brother. (John 16:2.) Any time that we emphasize the physical and the outward over the heart, we are making void the will of God by our traditions. We often emphasize the right forms like singing without an instrument. But we say little about cold, indifferent worship that does not come from the heart. If their worship is wrong, non-biblical for having an instrument, then isn’t ours wrong if we do not worship God in spirit and from the heart? Some Christians do not sing at all. They do not even worship God in song. Isn’t that wrong?

Paul wrote, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us." (2 Thess. 3:6.)

This puts a very different light on traditions. We should withdraw fellowship from those who do not keep the traditions Paul gave to them. We have already pointed out that these were Christian traditions---teachings and practices. Paul would never agree with withdrawing from a brother over optional traditions that are just a part of our culture or our generation. The Jews stoned people for violating their added-on traditions about the Sabbath Day. Can you imagine putting a fellow Jew to death based upon your own man-made rules?? Withdrawing fellowship is serious business. It should be done only when Christian traditions are violated, not man’s traditions. If you are not willing to withdraw fellowship from the person violating what you consider to be God’s will, then maybe you should stop regarding that tradition as God’s will.

If we are convinced that the KJV is the only translation acceptable to God, then why do we not withdraw fellowship from those who use it? That kind of question helps us to make clear the difference between things that belong to the will of God as essential to the Christian faith from those things that do not fit in that category.

In the context of 2 Thessalonians 3:5-15, Paul is addressing the behavior of some that was very different from the example of Paul. They were living off the converts while in their area. Paul reminded them of his behavior that he did not eat their food for nought, but rather he worked with his hands. If any man does not work, neither should he eat. (3:10.) If any would not listen to what Paul wrote, the Christians were to stop having company with such a person that he might be ashamed. He was not to be counted as an enemy, but as a brother. (3:15.)