2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brothers, stand fast, and hold the traditions which you have been taught, whether by word, or our letter. Therefore stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our Epistle. I. THE GROUND OF THIS EXHORTATION. It was their election and calling. There is a perfect consistency between the Divine election and the obligations of Christian duty. II. THE NECESSITY OF CHRISTIAN STABILITY. It was specially needful at Thessalonica, in the midst of the agitations and shakings and restlessness that prevailed on the subject of the second advent. Believers were not "to be carried about by every wind of doctrine," lest "being led away with the error of the wicked, they should fall from their own steadfastness." They were to "hold fast the beginning of their confidence," and not "be moved away from the hope of the gospel." 1. There is safety in stability. 2. There is comfort in it. 3. It gives glory to God. 4. It gives strength and encouragement to the weak and vacillating. III. THE MANIFESTATION OF THIS STABILITY. "Hold fast the traditions." 1. They were of two kinds, oral and written. "Whether by word, or our Epistle." (1) They included apostolic doctrines - "the form of doctrine delivered to them." (2) Apostolic ordinances, such as baptism and the Lord's Supper, which they had received from the apostles, as the apostles from the Lord. (3) Apostolic rules and usages for the government of the Church. 2. The traditions in question afford no warrant for the Roman, Catholic doctrine of traditions handed down through ages. Because: (1) The word is here applied to both oral and written teaching. (2) The traditions were not handed down from some one anterior to the apostle, and from the apostle handed down to the Thessalonians; nor were they committed to the Thessalonians to be handed down to future ages. They were handed over directly by the apostle to the Thessalonians. (3) The doctrine of tradition dishonours the Scriptures, because the traditions are said to be necessitated by the defectiveness and obscurity of Scripture. - T.C. Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. |
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