paradosis

What it means

Something handed down: teaching or practice passed from one generation to the next. It isn't bad in itself. Paul praises good traditions and tells churches to hold them. Jesus' complaint in chapter 15 is about a particular tradition used to set aside a commandment.

Range of meaning

• What is handed onTeaching or custom passed down.
• The tradition of the eldersThe Pharisees' accumulated rulings on living out the law.

In Matthew

• Chapter 15

  "The tradition of the elders" versus the commandment of God (15:2-6).