Lexical Summary patroparadotos: handed down from fathers, ancestral Original Word: πατροπαράδοτος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance inheritedFrom pater and a derivative of paradidomi (in the sense of handing over or down); traditionary -- received by tradition from fathers. see GREEK pater see GREEK paradidomi HELPS Word-studies 3970 patroparádotos (from 3962 /patḗr, "father" and 3860 /paradídōmi, "pass something on") – properly, tradition, handed down from forefathers; the "traditional" way of doing something, i.e. as passed down from ancestors. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3970: πατροπαράδοτοςπατροπαράδοτος, πατροπαραδοτον (πατήρ and παραδίδωμι), handed down from one's fathers or ancestors: 1 Peter 1:18 (Buttmann, 91 (79)). (Diodorus 4,8; 15, 74; 17,4; Dionysius Halicarnassus, Antiquities 5, 48; Theophil. ad Autol. 2, 34; Eusebius, h. c. 4, 23, 10; 10, 4, 16.) Topical Lexicon OverviewPatroparadotos denotes a mode of life, custom, or tradition received from previous generations. It appears once in the New Testament (1 Peter 1:18), where it describes the futile conduct believers formerly practiced before their redemption in Christ. Though a hapax legomenon, the concept of inherited tradition—especially when it clashes with divine revelation—threads through both Testaments, illuminating the apostolic call to evaluate all customs by the gospel. Context in 1 Peter 1 Peter addresses scattered believers facing social marginalization. Peter reminds them that they have been “redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18-19). In one sentence he • exposes the spiritual bankruptcy of mere ancestral tradition, Historical and Cultural Background 1. Jewish Roots Rabbinic Judaism revered ancestral customs (cf. Galatians 1:14). Yet Scripture warns against elevating human tradition above God’s command (Isaiah 29:13; Mark 7:8-13). Peter—a Jew steeped in such traditions—speaks with authority on the insufficiency of lineage apart from faith. 2. Greco-Roman Environment Roman society venerated the mos maiorum (“way of the ancestors”). Conformity to inherited values secured status and cohesion. Converts from paganism would feel pressure to honor ancestral rites, making Peter’s reminder crucial: redemption detaches believers from cultural obligations that conflict with holiness. Theological Significance • Redemption versus Tradition Patroparadotos underscores that redemption is liberation not only from sin’s guilt but also from cultural patterns that perpetuate emptiness. Salvation relocates believers from an identity rooted in heredity to one grounded in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). • Futility of Human Merit By calling ancestral ways “empty,” Peter declares the inability of heritage, ritual, or moralism to earn favor with God (Romans 3:20; Philippians 3:4-9). • Contrast of Perishable and Imperishable Silver and gold, universally prized, are “perishable.” Christ’s blood, unseen by the world, is imperishable. Thus the gospel reverses value systems formed by tradition (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). Intertextual Links – Proverbs 14:12 warns of paths that “seem right,” echoing the danger of trusting inherited norms. – Jeremiah 16:19 laments “worthless idols” passed down by fathers, paralleling Peter’s description of futility. – Matthew 15:3-9 records Jesus’ critique of traditions that nullify God’s word, setting precedent for Peter’s argument. Ministry Implications 1. Discipleship New believers often wrestle with cultural customs—festivals, superstitions, or family expectations. Pastoral care should affirm respect for parents (Ephesians 6:2) while encouraging loyalty to Christ above all. 2. Worship Purity Church practices must be weighed against Scripture, avoiding syncretism and ensuring that inherited forms serve, not supplant, the gospel message. 3. Identity Formation Patroparadotos invites believers to locate worth in divine adoption, countering shame or pride tied to earthly pedigree (Galatians 3:26-28). Contemporary Application • Evaluate traditions—family, denominational, or national—by their conformity to biblical truth. Summary Patroparadotos serves as a vivid reminder that the gospel delivers from the emptiness of merely human tradition. While honoring parents and appreciating cultural heritage, believers anchor their hope in the imperishable redemption secured by Christ’s blood. Forms and Transliterations πατροπαραδοτου πατροπαραδότου patroparadotou patroparadótouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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