2 Thessalonians 2:15

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15 Therefore [ara], [oun] brethren, [adelphos] stand fast, [steko] and [kai] hold [krateo] the traditions [paradosis] which [hos] ye have been taught, [didasko] whether [eite] by [dia] word, [logos] or [eite] [dia] our [hemon] epistle. [epistole]    KJV-Interlinear

15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.    NASB

The word for traditions, ‘paradosis,’ means very simply, things handed down.  This is the information disseminated from one person to another, whether by speech or by written communication, which provides the communication of the content of the scriptures, or Biblical information.

Remember that in Pauls day, the only written documents available were the Old Testament scriptures.  The New Testament as you and I know it, did not exist, then.  So, there was the communication of the written word from the Old Testament scriptures, the verbal communication from when Paul and others spoke, and of course the letters which Paul wrote or was writing back then.

Typically the tradition of learning back then, was when information was handed down from parents to their children, or family members and so forth.

But be clear on the differences between the traditions of man verse the traditions of God.  They are not the same and have been clearly identified in the Bible as follows.

Col. 2:8

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.    NASB

Isa 29:13-14

13 Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,

14 Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; And the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the discernment of their discerning men shall be concealed."    NASB

Matt 15:3

3 And He answered and said to them, "And why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?    NASB

Mark 7:8-9

8 "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men."

9 He was also saying to them, "You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.   NASB

Mark 7:13

13 thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that."    NASB

The traditions of humanity are strongly aligned with culture, cult, religion, various beliefs that you have grown up with, philosophies that are all contrary with the Bible, and so forth.  These traditions, are not what Paul is speaking of.

Therefore, learn truth, and then hold fast to truth.  Somewhere along the line you have to get rid of the worldly baggage that you have been raised up on, and transform yourself into a new way of thinking.  And getting rid of ones emotional baggage is not an easy thing to do.  Because in many respects, emotions are tied into ones worldly attitudes and beliefs, making detachment difficult.

However, if you decide to stick with your daily studies, and pursue a commitment to advancing in your spiritual life, then get off the old habits of signing up with this thing or that, bickering over this or that, mocking life in general, then there might be some hope for you. 

But your commitment on a daily basis is your decision and yours only. No one else can learn doctrine for you. You cannot delegate your spiritual responsibilities to someone else.

The tradition of man is nothing more than the habitual practice of doing something over and over again. Something that yields no spiritual benefit for you, whatsoever.  And moreover, you must discard any pretended or rationalized good in the habits you have, that are really a waste of time, and not good.

1 Tim. 6:20

20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you [doctrine], avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge" —     NASB

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