Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Parallel translations
- WEB So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word, or by letter.
- BSB Therefore, brothers, stand firm and cling to the traditions we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.
- NKJV Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
- NASB So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
- NLT With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Therefore Paul urges them to stand firm and hold fast to the teachings he delivered, whether spoken or written. Assurance of God's grace leads to steadfast obedience, not passivity.
Overview
Because of God's saving work, believers are to "stand firm" and hold the apostolic "traditions," meaning the authoritative teaching Paul handed on by word and letter. Here "traditions" refers to the apostles' inspired instruction, the foundation that would become Scripture, not later human additions. The verse shows that being chosen by God energizes rather than excuses faithful perseverance.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 1 Cor 11:2Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
- 2 Th 3:6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
- 2 Th 2:2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
- 1 Cor 16:13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
- Phil 4:1Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
- Rom 16:17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
- 1 Cor 15:58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
- 2 Th 3:14And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
- Jude 1:3Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
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Christ at the center
Christ will be revealed from heaven in flaming fire, glorified in his saints, overthrowing the lawless one — the certain hope that steadies the suffering church.
How 2 Thessalonians 2:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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