Jul 20, 2026 · 6 min · 6 segments
Erik Jones discusses 2 Thessalonians 2:15—“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.” 🔗 Check out our Learning Center for all…
Erik JonesHost
If you were to assemble a list of scriptures that talk about traditions, you might come away a bit confused.
On one hand, you'll find scriptures, some even direct statements from Christ himself, that speak very negatively about traditions.
Some examples include Mark 7, verse 8, where Christ says, "...for laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men." Or Matthew 15, verse 6, Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
Or Colossians 2, verse 8, where Paul writes, Beware lest any cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit according to the tradition of men.
By reading those scriptures in isolation, we could conclude that the Bible is very much anti-tradition.
Because our scripture of focus today, written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica, offers a very different take on traditions.
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold their traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
So which is it? Beware of traditions? Or stand fast and hold on to traditions? Well, the answer is, it depends.
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If you were to assemble a list of scriptures that talk about traditions, you might come away a bit confused.
On one hand, you'll find scriptures, some even direct statements from Christ himself, that speak very negatively about traditions.
Some examples include Mark 7, verse 8, where Christ says, "...for laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men." Or Matthew 15, verse 6, Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
Or Colossians 2, verse 8, where Paul writes, Beware lest any cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit according to the tradition of men.
By reading those scriptures in isolation, we could conclude that the Bible is very much anti-tradition.
Because our scripture of focus today, written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Thessalonica, offers a very different take on traditions.
Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold their traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
So which is it? Beware of traditions? Or stand fast and hold on to traditions? Well, the answer is, it depends.
