Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
2 Thessalonians 2:15 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 15. 15Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
Draws the inference: stand firm and hold the apostolic teaching received by speech or letter.
Beloved people are held by God's choice, the Spirit, and the truth they believed
This verse is one part of that explanation in 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15 as a complete movement. Verse 13 turns from those who reject truth to thanksgiving for beloved readers; verses 14–15 describe their calling, hoped-for glory, and duty to stand firm. Verse 16 begins a coordinated prayer-wish. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy thank God for beloved readers whose salvation is described through divine choice, the Spirit's sanctifying work, and belief in truth; called through the gospel toward Christ's glory, they must stand firm and hold the received teaching.
Why This Verse Appears Here
'Therefore' turns divine love, choosing, sanctification, belief, calling, and glory into the practical command to remain stable in received teaching.
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15 together
Why these verses belong together: Thanksgiving for salvation and gospel calling reaches its inference in standing firm and holding received teaching.
Verse 13. 13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
Verse 14. 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 15. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Follow the Context
- The writers owe continuing thanks because the Lord loves the brothers and sisters.
- Salvation is described through God's choosing, sanctification by the Spirit, and belief in truth.
- The gospel call aims at sharing the glory of Jesus Christ.
- Therefore the readers must stand firm and hold the traditions taught by spoken word or letter from the apostolic team.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“hold the traditions which ye have been taught”
In plain language: The readers must retain teaching handed on by the apostolic team.
The verse specifies instruction received by spoken word or their letter, not every later custom that acquires the label tradition.
Why it matters: It defines the command's authority and boundary.
How certain? strongWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
This verse does not validate every later custom, institutional rule, rumor, or teacher simply because it is called tradition.
What Remains True
Standing firm means holding the apostolic teaching actually transmitted to this church, not accepting every later claim labeled tradition.
How It Can Shape Life
- Test a claimed tradition by its traceable relation to the apostolic gospel and correct it when it contradicts that witness.
Teach It Back
Explain 2 Thessalonians 2:15's exact contribution to 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15. Include its surrounding argument, one material wording or major alternative, what remains uncertain, and what this verse does not permit.
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Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15 — Beloved and Called, the Church Must Stand FirmSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? probable
Where care is needed
The content was taught orally as well as by letter, so later readers do not possess a transcript of every spoken instruction and must not invent one.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: The exact pinned KJV wording and immediate English context for 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15.
Exact location: eBible/CrossWire eng-kjv2006 USFM, source files dated 2026-08-19, 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15; archive and normalized-corpus SHA-256 values are recorded in the library policy.
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: The critically edited Greek wording, connective structure, lexical forms, and variation markers.
Exact location: Official SBLGNT repository, data/sblgnt/text/2Thess.txt, 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15.
Open the 2 Thessalonians Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — 2 Thessalonians with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005–2026 online edition
Supports: Material translation choices, syntax, and textual variants checked at the cited verses.
Exact location: NET Bible official 2 Thessalonians PDF, chapter 2, translator, study, and textual notes attached to verses 13–15; PDF pp. 2–3.
Open NET 2 Thessalonians 2 ↗modern open commentary
2 Thessalonians
David W. Chapman
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, 2023
Supports: A complete modern evangelical commentary check on literary flow, historical setting, theology, and major interpretations.
Exact location: David W. Chapman, The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary, “2 Thessalonians,” Thanksgiving and Prayer (2:13–17), verses 13–15.
Open source ↗modern annotated new testament
2 Thessalonians introduction and annotations in The Jewish Annotated New Testament
Adam Gregerman; edited by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler
Oxford University Press, 2011
Supports: A modern Jewish-context and historical-critical check on authorship, apocalyptic language, persecution, judgment, ethics, and textual questions.
Exact location: Adam Gregerman, “2 Thessalonians,” in The Jewish Annotated New Testament (2011 first edition), print p. 381.
Open source ↗modern scholarly dictionary entry
2 Thessalonians
Sydney E. Tooth
Critical Dictionary of Apocalyptic and Millenarian Movements, 2023
Supports: A modern research synthesis on authorship, letter relations, apocalyptic reception, the lawless figure, temple, restraint, and interpretive history.
Exact location: Sydney E. Tooth, “2 Thessalonians,” Codex Database of Ancient Manuscripts and Material culture, 2023, Reception and Theology sections.
Open source ↗