Examining Human Traditions and Examples in Light of Scripture
The term "tradition" in biblical contexts refers to teachings, whether written or spoken, that are passed down through generations [1]. While sometimes used in a positive sense, as in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and 3:6, it often carries a negative connotation, particularly when referring to human interpretations that deviate from divine instruction [1]. Jesus himself critiqued the "tradition of the elders" for nullifying God's commandments (Mark 7:3, 9, 13; Matthew 15:2-6) [1].
In contrast to human traditions, the Scriptures are presented as divinely inspired and authoritative. The Bible is called "the Word of God" (Luke 11:28; Hebrews 4:12), "the Word of Christ" (Colossians 3:16), and "the Word of truth" (James 1:18) [2]. The Old Testament, in particular, was considered a definite collection of sacred books given by inspiration of God, a view consistently held in the New Testament (2 Timothy 3:15-16; John 20:9; Galatians 3:22; 2 Peter 1:20) [3]. God's purpose was to perpetuate His revealed will through these infallible records, which were enlarged over time to form the complete Scripture, encompassing both the Old and New Testaments [3].
The importance of Scripture is underscored by Christ's own example; he sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them (Matthew 4:4; Mark 12:10; John 7:42; Luke 24:27) [2]. The apostle Paul instructed Timothy to continue in what he had learned from the sacred writings, which were able to make him wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:14-15) [10]. These Old Testament Scriptures provided the wisdom necessary to receive Christ, and conversely, Christ is needed to fully understand the Old Testament [10].
The practice of publicly reading Scripture, transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church, highlights its central role in worship and instruction (Luke 4:16-20; Acts 13:15; Acts 15:21; 1 Thessalonians 5:27) [6]. Early Christians recognized the New Testament Gospels and Epistles as inspired and read them alongside the Old Testament [6].
The Scriptures are not merely historical documents but are described as "wonderful" due to their divine authorship, the profound truths they contain, and their beneficial impact [7]. They testify of God's will, recount creation and providential events, and declare miracles [7]. John Gill notes that "whatsoever things were written aforetime" in the Old Testament were "written for our learning," intended to instruct believers in the knowledge of Christ, his person, offices, grace, and righteousness [12]. The Scriptures also serve as a "testimony" of God's will and of Christ's person, office, sufferings, and death [13].
Jesus commanded, "Search the Scriptures" (John 5:39), indicating that they are a record that all have a right and a duty to examine [4, 8]. This diligent searching is for finding divine knowledge, improving in it, and testing doctrines [9]. While the Jews searched the Scriptures believing they would find eternal life there, Jesus pointed out that these very Scriptures bore witness to him, yet they were unwilling to come to him for that life [8, 9]. This highlights that the ultimate purpose of Scripture is to reveal Christ as the dispenser of eternal life [8].
The Bible also provides numerous examples of individuals whose lives illustrate faith and diligence, serving as patterns for believers [5, 11]. The apostle Paul, for instance, encouraged diligence in cultivating Christian graces and striving for perfection (Philippians 3:13-14; 2 Peter 1:5) [5]. The book of Hebrews presents a "cloud of witnesses" from the Old Testament, whose faith serves as an inspiration [11]. These examples, whether positive or negative, are recorded in Scripture for the learning and admonition of subsequent generations.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Tradition — Any kind of teaching, written or spoken, handed down from generation to generation. In Mark 7:3, 9, 13, Col. 2:8, this word refers to the arbitrary interpretations of the Jews. In 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6, it is used in a good sense. Peter (1 Pet. 1:18) uses this word with reference to the degenerate Judaism of the "strangers scattered" whom he addresses (comp. Acts 15:10; Matt. 15:2-6; Gal. 1:14).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Scripture — Invariably in the New Testament denotes that definite collection of sacred books, regarded as given by inspiration of God, which we usually call the Old Testament (2 Tim. 3:15, 16; John 20:9; Gal. 3:22; 2 Pet. 1:20). It was God's purpose thus to perpetuate his revealed will. From time to time he raised up men to commit to writing in an infallible record the revelation he gave. The "Scripture," or collection of sacred writings, was thus enlarged from time to time as God saw necessary. We have now a completed "Scripture," consisting of the Old and New Testa”
- John “John 5:39 (Rotherham) — Ye search the Scriptures, because, ye, think, by them, to have, life age-abiding; and, those [Scriptures], are they which bear witness concerning me:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 5:39: Search the scriptures, &c.--"In the Scriptures ye find your charter of eternal life; go search them then, and you will find that I am the Great Burden of their testimony; yet ye will not come to Me for that life eternal which you profess to find there, and of which they tell you I am the appointed Dispenser." (Compare Act 17:11-12). How touching and gracious are these last words! Observe here (1) The honor which Christ gives to the Scriptures, as a record which all have a right and are bound to search--the reverse of which the Church of Rome teaches; (2)”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 5:39: Search the Scriptures,.... The writings of Moses, and the prophets, which were of divine inspiration and authority, and are often appealed unto by Christ, and his apostles, for the truth of what they delivered; and were the standard of faith, and the test of doctrines; and therefore to be searched diligently into, for finding divine knowledge and improvement in it, and for the trial of doctrines. The words may be rendered in the indicative, as an assertion, "ye do search the Scriptures": the Jews had the sacred oracles committed to them, and these they read, not only th”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:14: 3:14-15 from childhood: Timothy’s Jewish grandmother and mother, Lois and Eunice (see Acts 16:1-3), provided his education in the Old Testament Scriptures (see 2 Tim 1:5), and their lives reinforced their teaching. • The Old Testament Scriptures give the wisdom to receive . . . Christ Jesus. In turn, Jesus Christ is needed to understand the Old Testament Scriptures fully.”
- Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 11:4: The apostle, having given us a more general account of the grace of faith, now proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in the Old Testament times, and these may be divided into two classes: - 1. Those whose names are mentioned, and the particular exercise and actings of whose faith are specified. 2. Those whose names are barely mentioned, and an account given in general of the exploits of their faith, which it is left to the reader to accommodate, and apply to the particular persons from what he gathers up in the sacred story. We have here those”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 15:3: For whatsoever things were written aforetime,.... In the books of the Old Testament; the apostle says this, to vindicate the pertinency of the above citation, and to prevent any objection that might be made against it; since whatsoever was written in that psalm did not belong personally to David, but to Christ; and what is written concerning him, is designed for the use and instruction of his people; yea, whatever is written anywhere in the sacred Scriptures, were written for our learning; to instruct in the knowledge of Christ, of his person, offices, grace, righte”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 78:5: For he established a testimony in Jacob,.... So the law is called, being a testification of the divine will, Exo 25:16 and the Scriptures, the writings of the Old Testament, which testify of Christ, his person, office, sufferings, and death, Isa 8:20 and particularly the Gospel, which is the testimony of God, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of his apostles, Ti2 1:8 which bears witness to the love and grace of God in the salvation of men by Christ; to the dignity of Christ's person, to the fulness of his grace, to each of the offices and relations he bears and stands in ”