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To: dartuser
I think I’m missing something with your explanation. You seem to be saying that the thing delivered is a noun ... and the act of delivering or having it delivered to you is a verb ... nothing more?

Not too much more. St Paul repeatedly said hang on to what I delivered (παρέδωκα) to you:

1 Cor 11:2 I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions (παραδόσις) even as I have delivered (παρέδωκα) them to you.

How did he deliver them?

2 Thes 2:15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions (παραδόσις) which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth (λόγος) or by letter (ἐπιστολή).

So these traditions (παραδόσις) were delivered (παρέδωκα) to the particular churches (in this case, Thessaloniki) from the apostles (in this case St Paul) either in the form of a letter (ἐπιστολή) or orally, by word of mouth (λόγος). Regardless of how they were delivered (παρέδωκα), the churches were told to stand firm in them and maintain them.

And as I said in my previous post, there is a HUGE gulf between little "t" traditions that different churches have developed over the centuries, no matter how near and dear to our hearts, and the big "T" Sacred Tradition, either that which was delivered in the form of a letter (ἐπιστολή) or orally, by word of mouth (λόγος) by the Apostles, both preserved throughout the generations.

And I think that this is one major bone of contention between the Catholics (and the Orthodox) and our brethren is the fact that we don't really do that grand a job of explaining this.

17 posted on 12/08/2010 1:40:40 PM PST by markomalley (Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus)
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To: markomalley
OK, that helped alot ... But your bravo clear explanation brings me to another question. In the 2 Thess passage, it seems like you can quite easily (at least in the English, I'll have to look at the Greek later) read the passage and come away with the understanding that there are not two sets of traditions being referred to (oral and written) ... but rather, one set of traditions with two methods of delivery (oral or written)? Seems like its entirely plausable that Paul is saying "however you received these traditions, whether by word of mouth or by written letter ... keep them because they are from the Lord."
18 posted on 12/08/2010 1:56:22 PM PST by dartuser ("The difference between genius and stupidity is genius has limits.")
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