Lexical Summary paradosis: Tradition Original Word: παράδοσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tradition, ordinanceFrom paradidomi; transmission, i.e. (concretely) a precept; specially, the Jewish traditionary law -- ordinance, tradition. see GREEK paradidomi HELPS Word-studies 3862 parádosis (from 3844 /pará, "from close-beside" and 1325 /dídōmi, "give over") – properly, give (hand over) from close-beside, referring to tradition as passed on from one generation to the next. [3862 /parádosis also refers to "tradition" in Plato, Epictus, etc.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom paradidómi Definition a handing down or over, a tradition NASB Translation tradition (1), tradition (8), traditions (4). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3862: παράδοσιςπαράδοσις, παραδοσεως, ἡ (παραδίδωμι), a giving over, giving up; i. e. 1. the act of giving up, the surrender: of cities, Polybius 9, 25, 5; Josephus, b. j. 1, 8, 6; χρημάτων, Aristotle, pol. 5, 7, 11, p. 1309{a}, 10. 2. a giving over which is done by word of mouth or in writing, i. e. tradition by instruction, narrative, precept, etc. (see παραδίδωμι, 4); hence, equivalent to instruction, Epictetus diss. 2, 23, 40; joined with διδασκαλία, Plato, legg. 7, p. 803 a. objectively, what is delivered, the substance of the teaching: so of Paul's teaching, 2 Thessalonians 3:6; in plural of the particular injunctions of Paul's instruction, 1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15. used in the singular of a written narrative, Josephus, contra Apion 1, 9, 2; 10, 2; again, of the body of precepts, especially ritual, which in the opinion of the later Jews were orally delivered by Moses and orally transmitted in unbroken succession to subsequent generations, which precepts, both illustrating and expanding the written law, as they did, were to be obeyed with equal reverence (Josephus, Antiquities 13, 10, 6 distinguishes between τά ἐκ παραδοσεως τῶν πατέρων and τά γεγραμμένα, i. e. τά ἐν τοῖς Μωϋσέως νόμοις γεγραμμένα νόμιμα): Matthew 15:2f, 6; Mark 7:3, 5, 9, 13; with τῶν ἀνθρώπων added, as opposed to the divine teachings, Mark 7:8; Colossians 2:8 (where see Lightfoot); πατρικαι παραδόσεις, precepts received from the fathers, whether handed down in the O. T. books or orally, Galatians 1:14 ((others restrict the word here to the extra-biblical traditions; cf. Meyer or Lightfoot at the passage). Cf. B. D. American edition under the word Six New Testament books employ the word translated “tradition” thirteen times. In the Gospels (Matthew and Mark) it is always on Christ’s lips in controversy with the Pharisees. In Galatians Paul speaks of his pre-conversion zeal for ancestral traditions. In Colossians and both Thessalonian epistles he refers to apostolic teaching—sometimes warning against counterfeit versions, sometimes commanding believers to hold fast to the genuine deposit. Usage in the Synoptic Gospels Matthew 15:2-6 and the parallel passage Mark 7:3-13 record the only Gospel occurrences. Here tradition is bound to the “elders” (Mark 7:3, 5) and is criticized for nullifying Scripture: “You have disregarded the command of God to keep the tradition of men” (Mark 7:8). The immediate issue—ritual hand-washing and the corban loophole—illustrates a larger principle: any custom, however venerable, must yield to the plain word of God. Contrast between Human Tradition and Divine Command Jesus’ rebuke (“You nullify the word of God by your tradition”––Mark 7:13) establishes a hermeneutical rule: Scripture’s authority is not merely higher than that of tradition; it is the criterion by which traditions are judged. Whenever the two collide, tradition must be abandoned. Paul’s Personal Testimony (Galatians 1:14) Paul reflects on his former life “advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries … being more extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers”. The statement explains both the vigor of his earlier persecution (tradition weaponized) and the depth of his later repentance. The verse also confirms that traditions can become idols when they displace the revealed gospel. Apostolic Tradition Commended 1 Corinthians 11:2 praises the Corinthians for remembering Paul “and for holding to the traditions, just as I passed them on to you.” These traditions include doctrinal summaries (for example 1 Corinthians 15:3-5) and practical instructions for congregational life. Paul treats them as authoritative because they embody Christ’s teaching delivered through His apostles. Danger of Worldly Philosophy (Colossians 2:8) “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, based on human tradition … rather than on Christ”. Here tradition is linked to spiritual captivity. Anything sourced in mere human speculation ultimately enslaves; Christ alone liberates. Pastoral Direction in Thessalonica 2 Thessalonians twice uses the term in opposite ways. Held together, these verses show that apostolic tradition defines the norm for faith and conduct, while deviation from it warrants church discipline. Historical Background: Rabbinic Tradition First-century Judaism prized the “oral law,” later codified in the Mishnah. Such traditions aimed to build a fence around the Torah, yet often substituted human authority for divine revelation. Jesus’ critique in Matthew 15 and Mark 7 stands in continuity with prophetic protests against externalism (for example Isaiah 29:13, which He cites). Development of Early Christian Tradition Unlike rabbinic halakha, apostolic tradition was not an autonomous body of teaching; it was the Spirit-inspired explanation of the once-for-all revelation in Christ. Creedal formulas (Philippians 2:6-11), baptismal confessions (Romans 10:9), and eucharistic words (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) illustrate how the church transmitted this deposit with fidelity to Scripture. Ministry Implications for Today 1. Evaluate every custom—liturgical, doctrinal, cultural—by the explicit teaching of Scripture. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 15:2 N-AFSGRK: παραβαίνουσιν τὴν παράδοσιν τῶν πρεσβυτέρων NAS: do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? KJV: transgress the tradition of the elders? INT: break the tradition of the elders Matthew 15:3 N-AFS Matthew 15:6 N-AFS Mark 7:3 N-AFS Mark 7:5 N-AFS Mark 7:8 N-AFS Mark 7:9 N-AFS Mark 7:13 N-DFS 1 Corinthians 11:2 N-AFP Galatians 1:14 N-GFP Colossians 2:8 N-AFS 2 Thessalonians 2:15 N-AFP 2 Thessalonians 3:6 N-AFS Strong's Greek 3862 |
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