Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions
Inspired traditions viewed in relation to the ministry and the Church
(Text and 2Th_2:13-14):--
I.
The doctrines which constitute these traditions.
1. That human redemption had its rise in sovereign favour (2Th_2:13).
2. That we are indebted solely to the Scriptures for our knowledge of salvation.
3. That Christ is the central truth of the Bible.
4. That sanctification by the Spirit through belief of the truth is obligatory on all Christians.
II. The duties of the Church in regard to these traditions.
1. Stability. “Stand fast.”
2. Fidelity. “Hold.” (J. Woodward.)
The Scripture sufficient without unwritten traditions
I. Our duty is to stand fast in the faith of Christ and profession of godliness whatever temptations we have to the contrary. “Stand fast,” being a military word, alludes to a soldier’s keeping his ground, and is opposed to two things--
1. A cowardly flight, i.e., our being overcome in the evil day. Wherefore we are exhorted to put on the armour of God (Eph_6:13), which helps us to withstand and to stand. The first is the act of a soldier, the second the posture of a conqueror. Here we make our way to heaven by conflict and conquest; hereafter we triumph.
2. A treacherous revolt, or yielding to the enemy, by complying with those things which are against the interest of Christ for advantage sake (2Ti_4:10; Heb_12:15-16).
II. The means of standing fast is to hold the traditions taught by the apostles.
1. The doctrine of Christianity is a tradition.
(1) Matters not evident by the light of nature or revelation must be either an invention or a tradition.
(a) An invention is something in religion not evident by natural light, nor agreeable to sound reason, but is some cunningly devised fable, obtruded by various artifices upon the belief of the world (Ecc_7:29; Rom_1:21-22).
(b) The gospel is none of this sort, but a tradition, or delivery of truth upon the testimony of One come from God to instruct the world, and reduce it to Him (Heb_2:3-4). Christ delivered it to the apostles, and the apostles to others (2Ti_2:2), until it came to us. This testimony is as binding as if we had heard Christ or the apostles, for we have their word in writing. And that these are their writings appears by the constant tradition of the Church, the acknowledgment of enemies, the blessing of God upon them to the conversion of souls, their power to protect the Church and promote its conquests, and their survival in spite of persecution and debate.
(2) The Christian religion must needs be a tradition.
(a) Because it is built on matter of fact, viz., that the Son of God came from God to bring us to God, confirming the truth of His mission by such miracles as showed Him to be the Son of God and the Saviour of the world. Now a testimony or tradition is needful in matters of fact which must be confined to some time or place. Christ could not be always working, dying, rising, etc., everywhere. Those things were once to be done in one place before competent witnesses. But because the knowledge of them concerned all the world they were by them attested to others (Act_1:8-22; Act_2:32; Act_3:15; Act_10:39-41.)
(b) Because it is matter of faith, or doctrine, built upon matter of fact. We cannot properly believe a thing but upon testimony. If one asks, “Do you believe the sun shines?” you answer, “No, I see it.” “Do you believe that twice two make four?” “No, I know it.” But if he should ask “Do you believe that the sun is bigger than the earth?” you reply, “Yes,” not because it appears so, but because competent judges tell you such is the case. Apply it now to the mysteries of the gospel. They cannot be seen by the eye, for they are invisible; nor comprehended by the reason, for they are above it; but we believe them because revealed to prophets and apostles. And this is more certain than sense. The eye may be deceived, and reason may err, but it is impossible for God to deceive or be deceived (1Jn_5:9).
2. The holding this tradition is the great means of standing fast in the faith of Christ and the confession of His name. For in it there is sure direction to walk by, and sure promises to build upon (2Pe_1:16-17; 1Jn_1:2-4). By this we have all that belongs--
(1) To faith. There can be no faith till we have a sure testimony of God’s revelation; for faith is a believing such things as God hath revealed, because He hath revealed them.
(2) Nor obedience, for that is doing what God commands, because He commands (1Th_4:3; 1Th_5:18; 1Pe_2:15).
(3) Nor certain expectation of happiness. We are never safe till we know by what rule Christ will judge us (Rom_2:16; 1Th_1:8).
III. Since the apostles have gone to God, and we cannot receive their doctrine by word of mouth, we must stick to the written word.
1. Because we are taught to do so by Christ and the apostles (Mat_15:2; Luk_16:31; Act_26:22; 2Pe_1:19).
2. Because these things were written for our sakes (1Jn_1:4). They knew the slipperiness of men’s memory, and the danger of corrupting Christian doctrine, if there were not a sure authentic record left; therefore they wrote fully.
3. Because the Scriptures are perfect, and give us a knowledge of those things which concern--
(1) Our faith. If there be enough written for that, we need not unwritten traditions to complete our rule (Joh_20:30-31). What would men have more?
(2) Our duty; that is sufficiently provided for (Tit_2:12); therefore we need no other rule.
(3) Our happiness: the doctrine that is able to make us wise unto salvation, is enough for us (2Ti_3:15; 2Ti_3:17). (T. Manton, D. D.)
Scripture and tradition
“Therewas a flute in the Temple,” says the Talmud, “preserved from the days of Moses; it was smooth, thin, and formed of a reed. At the command of the king it was overlaid with gold, which ruined its sweetness of tone until the gold was taken away. There were also a cymbal and a mortar, which had become injured in the course of time, and were mended by workmen from Alexandria, summoned by the wise men, but their usefulness was so completely destroyed by this process that it was necessary to restore them to their former condition.” Are not these things an allegory? Do they not imply that by overlaying the written Law with what they called gold, but what was in reality the dross and tinsel of tradition, the rabbis had destroyed or injured its beauty and usefulness. (Archdeacon Farrar.)
Stand fast
Let us stand fast as men who are appointed to keep their places until their guard is relieved by the coming of their Lord. If you have won the day, oh, do keep it! You must not suppose that the whole of religion is wrapped up in the day or two, or week or two which surround conversion. Godliness is a life long business.
1. Stand fast doctrinally. In this age all the ships are pulling up their anchors. Now, put your anchors down. Learn no teaching but what Christ teaches you. If you see a truth in God’s Word, grip it; and if it be unpopular, grip it the more. The one watchword now for the whole army of God is, “Stand fast.”
2. Stand fast practically. All the barriers are broken down. People try to make the Church and world meet. Therefore, it becomes Christians to gather up their skirts, and be more precise than ever they were.
3. Mind that you stand fast experimentally. Pray that your inner experience may be a close adhesion to your Master. Stand fast without wandering into sin. Only so will you be preserved from the vortex of iniquity. Stand fast without wearying. Stand fast without dallying with any kind of error. The weather is very bad just now spiritually. Stand fast because of your citizenship. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
