King James Bible Dictionary

Any kind of teaching, written or spoken, handed down from generation to generation. In Mark 7:3, 9, 13, Colossians 2:8, this word refers to the arbitrary interpretations of the Jews. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6, it is used in a good sense. Peter (1 Peter 1:18) uses this word with reference to the degenerate Judaism of the "strangers scattered" whom he addresses (comp. Acts 15:10; Matthew 15:2-6; Galatians 1:14).

The decisions and minor precepts taught by Paul
1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:6

Commandments of men
Matthew 12:1-8; Matthew 15:2-6; Mark 7:3-9; Luke 6:1-11; Colossians 2:8; 1 Peter 1:18

Not authoritative
Matthew 15:3-20; 1 Timothy 1:4; 1 Timothy 4:7

TRADI'TION, noun [Latin traditio, from trado, to deliver.]

1. Delivery; the act of delivering into the hands of another.

A deed takes effect only from the tradition or delivery.

The sale of a movable is completed by simple tradition

2. The delivery of opinions, doctrines, practices, rites and customs from father to son, or from ancestors to posterity; the transmission of any opinions or practice from forefathers to descendants by oral communication, without written memorials. Thus children derive their vernacular language chiefly from tradition Most of our early notions are received by tradition from our parents.

3. That which is handed down from age to age by oral communication. The Jews pay great regard to tradition in matters of religion, as do the Romanists. Protestants reject the authority of tradition in sacred things, and rely only on the written word. Traditions may be good or bad, true or false.

Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle. 2 Thessalonians 2:15.

Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your traditions? Matthew 15:2.

TRADI'TIONAL

TRADI'TIONALLY, adverb By transmission from father to son, or from age to age; as an opinion or doctrine traditionally derived from the apostles, is of no authority.

TRADI'TIONARY, noun Among the Jews, one who acknowledges the authority of traditions, and explains the Scriptures by them. The word is used in opposition to Cairite, one who denies the authority of traditions.

TRADI'TIONARY, adjective Delivered orally from father to son; communicated from ancestors to descendants by word only; transmitted from age to age without writing; as traditional opinions; traditional evidence; the traditional expositions of the Scriptures.

The reveries of the Talmud, a collection of Jewish traditionary interpolations, are unrivaled in the regions of absurdity.

2. Observant of tradition. [Not used.]

TRADI'TIONER

TRADI'TIONIST, noun One who adheres to tradition.