When Paul talks about the traditions he “delivered over” to his churches, he makes the following comments on them: commends Corinth for holding firm to them (despite other spiritual issues in the local church) (1 Cor 11.2); exhorts Thessalonica to stand fast and hold to them (2 Thess 2.15); and warns against keeping company with every brother who leads a life not according to the tradition (2 Thess 3.6). In short, Paul lays great stress on the traditions he has taught. They are essential for the spiritual well-being of his churches.

In a recent reading of 1 Corinthians 11, the word “traditions” in verse 2 stuck out to me. (I’m reading the NASB, KJV has “ordinances” here.) The word occurs 13 times in the New Testament, 8 of them in the Gospels and the rest in Paul’s epistles. What are these traditions?

The Meaning of “Traditions.”

In the Gospels, the word always references the traditions of the Pharisees with a negative connotation. The KJV uses “tradition” or “traditions” in these instances. Paul uses it in Gal 1.14 to speak of the “ancestral traditions” he once was zealous for, i.e. the traditions of the Pharisees. Col 2.8 refers to the “tradition of men,” again referring to the systems of thought or belief that can take men captive contrary to good Christian doctrine and practice.

That leaves us with these three references:

1 Co 11.2 ¶ Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.

2 Thess 2.15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

2 Thess 3.6 ¶ Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.

Here Paul clearly refers to his own teaching as “traditions.” (The KJV only translates 11.2 with “ordinances.” It uses “tradition” in both Thessalonian passages.)

There are some parallel ideas in Paul’s writings that help us a bit. His traditions are the same as that word he preaches (1 Cor 15.2) which he received [he didn’t make it up] (1 Cor 15.3, 1 Cor 11.23). Any idea or preaching that runs contrary to what Paul received and passed on is to be refused — “see that no one takes you captive” (Col 2.8). The word Paul preached was the “gospel … not according to man” but that which he received “through a revelation of Christ” (Gal 1.11-12).

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