2 Thessalonians 2 15

2 Thessalonians 2:15 kjv

Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 nkjv

Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 niv

So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 esv

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 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.

2 Thessalonians 2 verses

2 Thessalonians 2 15 Meaning

Second Thessalonians 2:15 provides a clear apostolic imperative to the believers in Thessalonica. Following a detailed exposition on the great apostasy and the man of lawlessness, and a comforting reminder of God's sovereign election and call, Paul urges the Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and firmly adhere to the teachings they had already received from him and his co-workers. These teachings, referred to as "traditions," encompass the entire body of doctrine and instruction passed down to them, whether delivered orally through preaching and personal instruction or in written form through his previous epistle or other communicated letters. The verse underscores the importance of fidelity to the apostolic truth as a safeguard against error and deception.

2 Thessalonians 2 15 Context

The immediate context of 2 Thessalonians 2:15 follows a profound and eschatological discourse by the Apostle Paul concerning the "Day of the Lord." The Thessalonians had been distressed by false teachings claiming that this day had already come (2 Thess 2:1-2). Paul clarifies that before the Day of the Lord, a great apostasy must occur, and the "man of lawlessness" must be revealed, opposed and exalted against every so-called god or object of worship, ultimately being destroyed by the Lord Jesus at His coming (2 Thess 2:3-12). In stark contrast to those who perish because they refuse to love the truth, Paul turns his attention to the Thessalonian believers in verses 13-14. He gives thanks to God for their election unto salvation, sanctification by the Spirit, and belief in the truth, to obtain the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Against this backdrop of intense spiritual warfare, potential deception, and God's secure salvation for the elect, verse 15 emerges as a crucial call to action. It transitions from God's gracious work for them to their practical response of obedience and steadfastness. Having been called to glory, their immediate responsibility is to hold fast to the divine revelation they received, both orally and in writing, thus establishing a foundation against the deceptive currents prevalent in the world and false teachings disturbing the church. This anchors them in revealed truth in turbulent times.

2 Thessalonians 2 15 Word analysis

• So then (Ἄρα οὖν - Ara oun): A concluding logical conjunction, drawing a powerful inference or exhortation based on the preceding statements (the security of their salvation, God's choosing, and calling). It marks a transition from doctrinal explanation to practical exhortation.
• brothers (ἀδελφοί - adelphoi): A term of familial endearment, widely used by Paul to address fellow believers, emphasizing their shared spiritual kinship in Christ. It softens the authoritative command that follows.
• stand firm (στήκετε - stēkete): An imperative verb meaning "stand ye," derived from military language, implying maintaining a position, resisting attack, or being unmoving against opposing forces. It signifies steadfastness and unyielding perseverance in faith, especially relevant given the deceptive influences described earlier in the chapter. It implies an active posture of defense.
• and hold (καὶ κρατεῖτε - kai krateite): Another imperative, meaning "and hold fast," "grasp firmly," or "retain." This verb denotes an active and firm possession or adherence. It is a complementary command to "stand firm," emphasizing not only maintaining one's position but also actively retaining and refusing to let go of what has been given.
• to the traditions (τὰς παραδόσεις - tas paradoseis): This crucial term (paradosis) means "that which is handed down" or "received teaching." In this specific apostolic context, it refers to the authoritative body of truth, doctrine, and practices communicated directly by Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy. These are divine traditions, distinct from human traditions that sometimes oppose God's word (Mk 7:8, Col 2:8). For the early church, these traditions encompassed the initial, authoritative revelation of Christian truth delivered by the apostles, which later formed the basis of the New Testament Scriptures.
• that you were taught (ἃς ἐδιδάχθητε - has edidachthēthe): This phrase highlights that the Thessalonians were recipients of these traditions, indicating their origin not in human ingenuity but in apostolic instruction. The passive voice ("you were taught") further emphasizes the divine origin, as the apostles taught what they received from Christ and the Holy Spirit.
• by us (δι᾽ ἡμῶν - di' hēmōn): Clearly identifies the authorized apostolic source of these teachings – Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy – underscoring the authenticity and authority of the "traditions."
• either by our spoken word (εἴτε διὰ λόγου - eite dia logou): Refers to oral instruction, preaching, personal discussions, and teachings delivered face-to-face. This signifies the initial mode of transmitting apostolic truth in the nascent church.
• or by our letter (εἴτε δι᾽ ἐπιστολῆς - eite di' epistolēs): Refers to written instruction, specifically likely the first letter to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians), or any other written communication of apostolic truth. This confirms the complementary role of both oral and written communication in conveying divine truth in the apostolic era. The transition to primarily written revelation eventually solidified the body of Christian doctrine.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "stand firm and hold": This phrase combines defensive (standing firm against opposition) and preservative (holding fast to what is given) actions. It calls for active adherence and unwavering loyalty to the truth, rejecting deviation and embracing stability.
• "the traditions that you were taught by us": This highlights the specific and authoritative nature of the "traditions." They are not vague or evolving customs, but a definite body of divine truth received from the divinely appointed apostles, the founders of the church. This distinguishes them from non-apostolic or human traditions.
• "either by our spoken word or by our letter": This clearly establishes the dual means of apostolic transmission in the early church. It signifies the reliability and authority of both initial oral proclamation and subsequent written consolidation of divine revelation. Over time, the apostolic oral teachings were preserved and confirmed in the written New Testament, becoming the ultimate enduring standard.

2 Thessalonians 2 15 Bonus section

The use of paradosis (tradition) here is pivotal for understanding the development of early Christian doctrine. While later Jewish traditions often blurred divine revelation with human interpretation, and Jesus himself condemned "traditions of men" (Mk 7:8-13), Paul's usage distinctly refers to the apostolic deposit – the authoritative, Spirit-given teaching delivered directly by the apostles (1 Cor 11:2; 2 Thess 3:6). This authoritative apostolic teaching was the "rule of faith" for the nascent church. As the apostles passed off the scene, the written New Testament emerged as the permanent and universally accessible record of this "tradition." Thus, the verse does not sanction an ongoing extra-biblical oral tradition, but rather affirms the original dual mode of revelation during the apostolic era, leading ultimately to the established canon of Scripture as the preserved "tradition." It reinforces the concept of a closed, once-for-all delivered faith (Jude 3).

2 Thessalonians 2 15 Commentary

Second Thessalonians 2:15 acts as a powerful capstone to Paul's corrective and encouraging discourse, offering a foundational command for spiritual endurance. Having established God's unfailing call and election amidst looming deception, Paul instructs the believers on how to secure their position: by steadfastly clinging to the revealed truth. The command to "stand firm" (a military metaphor) implies a need for resilience against error and persecution, while "hold to" (grasp firmly) denotes active retention and commitment to the teachings received. These "traditions" are explicitly defined as originating "by us," referring to the apostles' authoritative transmission of divine revelation. Crucially, these are not generic or man-made traditions, but the specific deposit of Christian truth, the gospel, doctrine, and conduct handed down by inspired apostles. Paul recognizes two valid forms of this transmission during his time: "by our spoken word" (oral teaching, sermons, personal instruction) and "by our letter" (written epistles, which later became Scripture). This verse, therefore, affirms the divine authority of the apostolic message in both its oral and written forms. It underscores that remaining faithful requires unyielding adherence to this fixed body of truth as a bulwark against the spiritual delusion and apostasy prophesied. For believers today, this implies a foundational reliance on the New Testament, which contains the solidified and enduring form of the apostolic "traditions."

• Practical Usage Examples: When facing conflicting opinions on biblical truth, one must consult the apostolic "traditions" preserved in the Scriptures (holding fast). When tempted to abandon faith due to trials or popular trends, believers are called to remain unwavering (standing firm).