Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 4
In the “traditions…delivered” word-study, he paraphrases it as “keep the handing-down just as I handed them down to you,” arguing it came to Paul from the Lord; what does that imply about how early Christians viewed apostolic “tradition” (paradosis) compared to how modern Protestants usually use the word “tradition”?
Another way to ask: If “traditions delivered” means Paul is passing on something he got from the Lord, what does that say about how early Christians viewed apostolic tradition? How is that different from how many Protestants use the word “tradition” now?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript implies early Christians viewed apostolic “tradition” as authoritative teaching handed down from the Lord through the apostles, not as optional customs. In contrast, the speaker says modern Protestants often hear “tradition” like human habits (his example: “Thanksgiving meal with turkey”).
- He highlights 1 Cor. 11:2: “keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you,” then does a word-study showing “delivered” and “tradition” are conceptually linked.
- He paraphrases it: “keep the handing down just as I handed them down to you,” and concludes: “this is something that was handed down to Paul… This comes from the Lord.”
- He supports this with 2 Thess. 2:15: “stand fast and hold to the traditions… whether by word or epistle.”
- He adds 2 Thess. 3:6 as strong enforcement: withdraw from a brother walking “not according to the tradition.”
- He explicitly contrasts apostolic tradition with a merely human custom: “tradition isn’t like our Thanksgiving meal with turkey.”