As a Jew, Paul used technical terms from his heritage which his audience would understand. When the apostle says he “received”[1] certain teaching “passing it on”[2] the idea was one of transferring important information to be kept intact from one person to another. 1 Corinthians 15:3, for instance, records the key content of the Christian belief system which Paul had both received and passed on: Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection. But notice 15:1. The Corinthians themselves had also received this information. The Gospel which Paul preached to them was now a place of security for belief and life.[3]
Paul often tells his listeners that reception of his teaching should translate into a lived internal change.[4] The apostle’s teaching must also be applied to interpersonal relationships.[5] Paul sets himself up as a model to be followed in practice.[6] He then expects that others will follow the models which are based on Paul and his following of Jesus.[7] Of course, all reception of any Christian teaching is premised upon the reception of Jesus’ Lordship in one’s life.[8] Heavenly revelation is the source of all received teaching that is now accepted by believers.[9]
2 Thessalonians 2:15 summarizes the synthesis of Christian content and communication, “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” In order for the transfer of Truth to be generational, it is necessary to “entrust”[10] the teaching to others. What seems quite clear in summary is that the content of apostolic teaching is more important than the people who are transmitting the teaching.[11] It is clear from Scripture that the writings not the writers were inspired.[12] It is the “sacred command” that must be “passed on”.[13]
Receive It, Hold To It, Continue In It, Entrust It, Pass It On are the commands Mark follows as he teaches at Crossroads Bible College.
[1] 1 Co 11:23; 15:1, 3; Gal 1:9, 12; Col 2:6; Phil 4:9; 1 Thess 2:13; 4:1; 2 Thess 3:6.
[2] Oral transmission of religious instruction is meant. Fee NICNT First Corinthians, p. 499, n.29; p. 548.
References to “received,” “passed on,” “hold to,” “teaching,” and “tradition” all come from the same root word making the meaning of this word multidimensional: content and its communication are fused.
[3] “On which you had taken your stand” might be better understood as “in which”; the difference being not so much a change in location but our submissiveness to the Truth. See Romans 15:2 for the same construction.
[4] In 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Paul says they “received…the word of God, which is at work in you” to “we instructed you how to live”. “Received” and “instructed” is the same Greek word which in fact has similar crossover ideas: instruction of teaching or tradition is to be delivered, handed over to the control of another. Louw and Nida Lexicon 2:184.
[5] 2 Thessalonians 3:6 says brothers must agree to live by the instructions given by Paul.
[6] Philippians 4:9
[7] 1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:7-9.
[8] Colossians 2:6
[9] Galatians 1:9, 12.
[10] 1 Tim 6:20; 2 Tim 1:12, 14. “A treasure entrusted to a bank for safekeeping” is the idea. Kent, 201.
[11] Romans 6:17; 16:17; 1 Corinthians 3:1-11; Ephesians 4:14; 1 Timothy 4:6, 13; 5:17; 6:1, 3; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2:17; 3:10, 17; Titus 1:11; 2:7, 10; Hebrew 5:13;13:9; 2 John 1:9, 10; Revelation 2:14, 15, 20, 24.
[12] 2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21.
[13] 2 Peter 2:21.
As a teacher who focuses more on content than style, I appreciate reading these same thoughts in a recent Christian school teacher article on active listening. Now you give an even stronger basis – the Scripture itself. I’m thankful for your encouragement to press on in holding on.