2 Thessalonians 2:15

Stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught.

Take comfort: God's electing love delivers Christians from the deceits of Satan and the destruction of the world.

Because Christians are loved by God, He will jealously guard them from the delusions of Satan and the destruction of the world.

1John 4:9 "We love Him because He first loved us."

Deut 32:9-12

Zechariah 2:8 For thus says the LORD of hosts: "He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.

Because Christians are chosen from the beginning nothing can deprive them of God's salvation in the end.

2Thess 2:13

Westminster Shorter Catechism Q. 30

Because God elects in love, he brings His people to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ

2Thess 2:14

2 Thess 1:11-12; And not for destruction: 2 Thess 2:8

Take heed: God's salvation is effected through a call by the gospel.

The "gospel of God" is "our gospel."

Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom...

1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, 1 Thessalonians 2:2 ... we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 ... you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 2 Thessalonians 1:8

There is no other teaching that will bring to you the salvation ordained by God.

Those who reject the gospel are rejected by God: 2 Thessalonians 1:8

Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

Rev 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth -- to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people --

The Holy Spirit admonishes us to "stand fast" and to "hold" our teaching.

2Thess 2:10; 2Thess 2:2, 3; 1Thess 5:20-21

1 Corinthians 16:13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Philippians 1:27; Philippians 4:1

1 Thessalonians 3:8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

Colossians 2:18-19

Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

To Pergamos: Revelation 2:13; To Thyatira: Revelation 2:25; To Philadelphia: Revelation 3:11 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown."

Take care: hold only the traditions which are teachings of the Word of God.

"Traditions" in the New Testament.

Jewish: Mark 7:8 "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men -- the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."

Galatians 1:14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

Human: Colossians 2:8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Apostolic: 1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

In 2Thessalonians Paul uses the word three times, in the present verse, and later in 2Thess 3:6

Related teaching: Romans 6:17; Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: Also 1Cor 11:23

Philippians 4:9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

There can be no difference between oral and written biblical traditions: what matters is the source and purpose, not the means.

1Thess 1:5; 2Thess 2:15 compared with 2:5

Matthew 21: 13 And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.' "

When the Church teaches oral traditions that oppose the written Word of God, these are unrighteous deceptions of Satan aimed at corrupting the gospel.

Take your stand in the truth in every dimension of your life.

Remember God's love in times of conflict:

Psalm 17:7-8 "... Keep me as the apple of Your eye..."

Proverbs 7:2 Keep my commands and live, And my law as the apple of your eye.

Remember God's Word in times of conflict:

Matthew 4:4, 6, 7, 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written,...

Remember God's Word in every situation; live as a Christian, one who is set free by Christ to run in the path of God's commands.

Psalm 119:32 I will run the course of Your commandments, For You shall enlarge my heart.

Luke 24:45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.