A Bible Study Outline

TRADITIONS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO GOD:

Matthew 15:1-9;  Mark 7:1-13

  1. -- Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

  2. --Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.

  3. -- But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

  4. -- Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

  5. -- Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have of delivered.

Compare 1 Peter 1:18,  Colossians 2:8

  1. -- Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men,

  2. after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

 TRADITIONS WHICH ARE ACCEPTABLE TO GOD:

Traditions* -- the teachings and commandments that were delivered by the preaching and writings of the Apostles and the Prophets.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15;  3:6
Jude 3
2 Peter 2:21
2 Corinthians 11:1,2
Romans 6:17                 [*See word definitions at the end of this study outline.]

The Writings (Scriptures) contain all that is necessary for life and godliness.

2 Peter 1:1,2
2 Peter 3:1,2
Hebrews 1:1
John 5:39
2 Timothy 3:15-17
2 Timothy 2:15
1 Peter 1:22-25
We dare not add to, nor take away from, the Word of God.
Proverbs 30:5,6
Deuteronomy 4:2;  12:32
Revelation 22:18,19

TRADITIONS  (Word Definitions)

The Greek noun which is translated 'tradition, traditions, and ordinances' is paradosis (paradosis) and is defined as  "delivery, handing over, transmissions; in the New Testament what is transmitted in the way of teaching, precept, doctrine, 1 Corinthians 11:2;  2 Thessalonians 2:15;  3:6;  tradition, traditionary law, handed down from age to age, Matthew 15:2,3,6, et.al." (Harper's Lexicon).

 The Greek verb which is translated 'deliver up, betray, etc.' is paradidwmi (paradidomi) and is defined as "to give over, hand over, deliver up, Matthew 4:12; 5:25; 10:4,17, et.al.;  to commit, instruct, Matthew 11:27; 25:14, et.al.;  to commit, command, Acts 14:26; 15:40;  to yield up, John 19:30; 1 Corinthians 15:24; to abandon, Acts l7:42;  Ephesians 4:19;  to stake, hazard, Acts 15:26;  to deliver as a matter of injunction, instruction, etc.; Mark 7:13;  Luke 1:2;  Acts 6:14, et.al.;  absolutely to render a yield, to be matured, Mark 4:19" (Harper's Analytical Greek Lexicon).

 [The current definition of 'tradition' in English Dictionaries does not accurately reflect the Biblical/Greek definition where 'tradition' or 'traditions' is the translation.]

 Ron Rankin, May, 1998