Jump to: ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Scope: Tradition, in the biblical context, refers to teachings, practices, and beliefs handed down from one generation to another. These can be oral or written and often encompass religious, cultural, and social elements. In the Bible, tradition can be seen both positively and negatively, depending on its alignment with God's commandments and revelation. Old Testament Context: In the Old Testament, tradition is often associated with the transmission of God's laws and commandments. The Israelites were instructed to teach their children the statutes and ordinances given by God. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 emphasizes this: "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Tradition also included cultural practices and rituals, such as the Passover, which served as a memorial of God's deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12:24-27). These traditions were intended to remind the people of their covenant relationship with God and His mighty works. New Testament Context: In the New Testament, tradition takes on a more complex role. Jesus Christ often confronted the religious leaders of His time regarding their adherence to human traditions that contradicted God's commandments. In Mark 7:8-9 , Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and scribes: "You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men. He went on to say, 'You neatly set aside the commandment of God to maintain your own tradition.'" The Apostle Paul, however, speaks of tradition in a positive light when it aligns with apostolic teaching. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15 , Paul exhorts the believers: "Therefore, brothers, stand firm and cling to the traditions we taught you, whether by speech or by letter." Here, tradition refers to the teachings and practices established by the apostles, which were rooted in the gospel of Christ. The Role of Tradition in the Early Church: The early church grappled with the role of tradition, especially as it related to Jewish customs and the inclusion of Gentile believers. The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 addressed these issues, determining that Gentile converts were not bound by all Jewish traditions but were to abstain from certain practices that were inconsistent with Christian faith. Tradition also played a role in the formation of the New Testament canon and the development of creeds and doctrinal statements. These traditions were intended to preserve the core truths of the Christian faith and provide a standard against heretical teachings. Theological Implications: From a theological perspective, tradition is valuable when it serves to uphold and transmit the truths of Scripture. However, it becomes problematic when it supersedes or contradicts biblical revelation. The challenge for believers is to discern between traditions that are beneficial and those that are merely human constructs. Practical Application: In contemporary Christian practice, tradition can be seen in liturgical forms, denominational distinctives, and cultural expressions of faith. Believers are encouraged to evaluate traditions in light of Scripture, ensuring that they enhance rather than hinder their relationship with God. As Paul advises in Colossians 2:8 , "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ." ATS Bible Dictionary TraditionColossians 2:8 Titus 1:14, a doctrine, sentiment, or custom not found in the Bible, but transmitted orally from generation to generation from some presumed inspired authority. In patriarchal times, much that was valuable and obligatory was thus preserved. But tradition has long been superseded by the successive and completed revelations of God's will which form the inspired Scriptures, the only perfect and sufficient rule of belief and practice. With this, even before the time of the Savior, Isaiah 8:20, all traditions were to be compared, as being of no value if they conflicted with it, added to it, or took from it, Revelation 22:19. The Jews had numerous unwritten traditions, which they affirmed to have been delivered to Moses on Mount Sinai, and by him transmitted to Joshua, the judges, and the prophets. After their wars with the Romans under Adrian and Severus, in view of their increasing dispersion over the earth, the Jews desired to secure their traditions by committing them to writing. Accordingly Rabbi Judah "the Holy," composed the Mishna, or second law, the most ancient collection of the Hebrew traditions, about A. D. 190-220. To this text two commentaries were afterwards added: the Gemara of Jerusalem, probably about A. D. 370; and the Gemara of Babylon, A. D. 500; forming, with the Mishna, the Talmud of Jerusalem and that of Babylon. The contents of these voluminous works poorly remunerate the student of the laborious task of reading them. Our Savior severely censured the adherents of such legendary follies in his own day, and reproached them with preferring the traditions of the elders to the law of God itself, and superstitiously adhering to vain observances while they neglected the most important duties, Matthew 15:1-20 Mark 7:1-13. The traditions of the Romish church, with less apology than the ancient Jews had before the New Testament was written, are still more in conflict with the word of God, and still more deserving of the Savior's condemnation. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15 3:6, "tradition" means inspired instructions from the lips of those who received them from God, and were authorized to dispense them in his name. These apostolic sayings were obligatory only on those who received them as inspired directly from the apostles. Had any of them come down to our times, the only means of endorsing them must be by showing their agreement with the word of God, since inspiration and miracles have ceased. Easton's Bible Dictionary Any kind of teaching, written or spoken, handed down from generation to generation. In Mark 7:3, 9, 13, Colossians 2:8, this word refers to the arbitrary interpretations of the Jews. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6, it is used in a good sense. Peter (1 Peter 1:18) uses this word with reference to the degenerate Judaism of the "strangers scattered" whom he addresses (Comp. Acts 15:10; Matthew 15:2-6; Galatians 1:14). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of delivering into the hands of another; delivery.2. (n.) The unwritten or oral delivery of information, opinions, doctrines, practices, rites, and customs, from father to son, or from ancestors to posterity; the transmission of any knowledge, opinions, or practice, from forefathers to descendants by oral communication, without written memorials. 3. (n.) Hence, that which is transmitted orally from father to son, or from ancestors to posterity; knowledge or belief transmitted without the aid of written memorials; custom or practice long observed. 4. (n.) An unwritten code of law represented to have been given by God to Moses on Sinai. 5. (n.) That body of doctrine and discipline, or any article thereof, supposed to have been put forth by Christ or his apostles, and not committed to writing. 6. (v. t.) To transmit by way of tradition; to hand down. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia TRADITIONtra-dish'-un: The Greek word is paradosis, "a giving over," either by word of mouth or in writing; then that which is given over, i.e. tradition, the teaching that is handed down from one to another. The word does not occur in the Hebrew Old Testament (except in Jeremiah 39 (32):4; 41 (34):2, used in another sense), or in the Septuagint or the Apocrypha (except in 2 Esdras 7:26, used in a different sense), but is found 13 times in the New Testament (Matthew 15:2, 3, 6 Mark 7:3, 5, 8, 9, 13 1 Corinthians 11:2 Galatians 1:14 Colossians 2:8 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6). Greek 3862. paradosis -- a handing down or over, a tradition ... a handing down or over, a tradition. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: paradosis Phonetic Spelling: (par-ad'-os-is) Short Definition: an ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3862.htm - 7k 3970. patroparadotos -- one who kills one's father 1485. ethos -- custom, a usage (prescribed by habit or law) 1486. etho -- to be accustomed, part. custom Strong's Hebrew 4687. mitsvah -- commandment... command (15), commanded (7), commandment (34), commandments (118), commands (2), obligation (1), prescribed (2), terms (1), things (4), tradition* (1), what (1 ... /hebrew/4687.htm - 6k 376. ish -- man Library The Influence of Tradition. Tradition The Tradition of the Apostles Secured by Other Excellent ... The one Tradition of the Faith, which is Substantially Alike in ... The Tradition of the Church Prior to that of the Heresies. Papal Infallibility Explained, and Tested by Tradition and ... Since Custom and Ancient Tradition have Prevailed that the Bishop ... Rejection of the Tradition of the Elders. Concerning the Pharisees and Scribes who came and Inquired, Why do ... The Heretics Follow Neither Scripture nor Tradition. Thesaurus Tradition (13 Occurrences)... committed to writing. 6. (vt) To transmit by way of tradition; to hand down. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TRADITION. tra-dish'-un ... /t/tradition.htm - 17k Mamre (10 Occurrences) Golgotha (4 Occurrences) Traditional (3 Occurrences) Nahum (3 Occurrences) Deluge (17 Occurrences) Melchizedek (12 Occurrences) Melchisedec (10 Occurrences) Lamentations (6 Occurrences) Noah (55 Occurrences) Resources Should Catholic tradition have equal or greater authority than the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian view tradition? | GotQuestions.org How much of the Bible was transmitted by oral tradition? | GotQuestions.org Tradition: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Tradition (13 Occurrences)Matthew 15:2 Matthew 15:3 Matthew 15:6 Mark 7:3 Mark 7:5 Mark 7:8 Mark 7:9 Mark 7:13 Colossians 2:8 2 Thessalonians 3:6 1 Peter 1:18 2 Chronicles 35:25 Isaiah 29:13 Subtopics Tradition: Commandments of Men Tradition: The Decisions and Minor Precepts Taught by Paul Related Terms |