Click Here & Make this
Your Start Page!
Thank You!

Analyzing Pauline Traditions

Paul of Tarsus and the Origins of Syncretism in the Christian Church

—  Page 1  —

Chapter 1 — Introduction

Some professing followers of the Messiah assert that the only traditions they follow are those they find in the books called the New Testament, especially those contained in the letters of Paul of Tarsus. For example, 1 Corinthians 11:2 reads,

^11:2 Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.

It is clear that Paul delivered various traditions to professing Christians at Corinth. And to professing Christians among the Thessalonians Paul, Silvanus and Timothy wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2:15,

^2:15 So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word, or by letter.

And in 2 Thessalonians 3:6 & 14 they wrote,

^3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.

^3:14 If any man doesn't obey our word by this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.

So important were these traditions to Paul and his companions that if professing follower of Messiah did not abide by them they were cast out of the assemblies of Christians!

What traditions were these that Paul and his companions taught and delivered to professing Christians? Were these traditions in harmony or in conflict with the Commandments of the Heavenly Father — YHWH?

To professing Christians at Colossae Paul and Timothy wrote in Colossians 2:6-8,

^2:6 As therefore you received Christ Yeshua, YHWH, walk in him, ^2:7 rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving. ^2:8 Be careful that you don't let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.

Paul and Timothy warned professing Christians at Colossae to be careful lest human philosophy and vain deceit after human traditions took them away from Messiah. That Paul and Timothy so warned clearly indicates the existence of human traditions rooted in human philosophy and vain deceit.

Did human traditions rooted in human philosophy and vain deceit exist among professing Christians in Paul's day? Do human traditions rooted in human philosophy and vain deceit exist among professing Christians today? Do you follow human traditions rooted in human philosophy and vain deceit, despite also professing to follow Yah'shuah the Messiah? Are you worshipping YHWH the Heavenly Father in vain on account of your following human traditions rooted in human philosophy and vain deceit despite also professing to follow the Messiah?

And what about the traditions that Paul and his companions taught and delivered to professing Christians, of which those who rebelled against were cast out of the assemblies of Christians? Were these human traditions rooted in human philosophy and vain deceit, or were they rooted in YHWH's commandments? And do you follow these traditions today even as you worship YHWH the Heavenly Father?

Chapter 2 — Paul's Traditions

Is It Good For A Man Not To Touch A Woman?

1 Corinthians 7:1-5 reads,

^7:1 Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. ^7:2 But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. ^7:3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. ^7:4 The wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but the wife. ^7:5 Don't deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn't tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Why is it good for a man not to touch a woman? Does Paul provide an answer for this statement that he makes?

Does A Wife Have Authority Over Her Husband's Body?

On what basis does Paul say that a wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but her husband, and likewise the husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but his wife? If neither wife nor husband has authority over her or his respective body, but the other, then both are respectively head over the other. From where does Paul get this authority structure as between a husband and his wife?

Should Humans Avoid Marriage?

1 Corinthians 7:6-11 reads,

^7:6 But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. ^7:7 Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from Elohim, one of this kind, and another of that kind. ^7:8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am. ^7:9 But if they don't have self-control, let them marry. For it's better to marry than to burn. ^7:10 But to the married I command — not I, but YHWH — that the wife not leave her husband, ^7:11 (but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife.

Paul wished that all humans were single, even as he was single! He advised marriage only in cases where the parties concerned could not control their sexual passions. Implying that his only ground for advising marriage was to avoid burning on account of sexual passions! Is this why human beings should marry?

Are Yeshua's Assemblies To Obey Paul's Personal Opinions?

1 Corinthians 7:12-17 reads,

^7:12 But to the rest I — not YHWH — say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. ^7:13 The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband. ^7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now are they holy. ^7:15 Yet, if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but Elohim has called us in peace. ^7:16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? ^7:17 Only, as YHWH has distributed to each man, as Elohim has called each, so let him walk. So, I command in all the assemblies.

Why is Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7:12, giving his own opinions, rather than YHWH's Word? Why is he, in 1 Corinthians 7:17, commanding the application of his own opinions in all assemblies, yet he himself clearly says that these are his opinions and not YHWH's Word? Was Paul right to command the application of his own opinions in all the assemblies even when these opinions were not YHWH's Word? Were the assemblies to be abiding by YHWH's Word, and also abiding by Paul's words when his were not necessarily YHWH's Word? And what of the cases that may have arisen of Paul's words — his opinions — having been different from YHWH's Word? What were the assemblies to do in such cases? Were they to abide by Paul's word and disregard or disobey YHWH's Word, or were they to abide by YHWH's Word and disregard, ignore and disobey Paul's word?

How Are The Children Of Mixed Marriages Deemed Holy?

On what basis does Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7:14, assert that the children of mixed marriages are holy, mixed marriages being defined as those between a believer and an unbeliever? Is he speaking on YHWH's Authority, or is he — as he has been speaking so far — just giving his own opinion? He clearly states in 1 Corinthians 7:12 that he is giving his own opinion, and not YHWH's Word. So how does Paul's opinion, different from YHWH's Word, grant holy status to the children of mixed marriages?

Does YHWH say that the children of mixed marriages are holy? Does he say that the unbelieving spouses of believers are holy? How, according to YHWH, does any human become holy? [ Holy means set-apart. ] Is this the manner that the children of mixed marriages become holy? Is this the manner that unbelieving spouses of believers become holy?

Does Marriage Transfer Holiness From A Believer To An Unbeliever?

According to Paul, one way an unbeliever becomes holy is by his or her marriage to a believer. In other words, marriage transfers the holiness of its believing party to its unbelieving spouse.

Should Each Person Remain In Whatever Condition They Were Called?

1 Corinthians 7:18-24 reads,

^7:18 Was anyone called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. ^7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the Commandments of God. ^7:20 Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called. ^7:21 Were you called being a bondservant? Don't let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it. ^7:22 For he who was called in YHWH being a bondservant is YHWH's free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Christ's bondservant. ^7:23 You were bought with a price. Don't become bondservants of men. ^7:24 Brothers, let each man, in whatever condition he was called, stay in that condition with God.

Paul's teaching is that each person should remain in the condition they were in when they were called to serve YHWH. In other words, don't progress or regress! Is this what YHWH teaches those he calls to himself?

Who Commanded Circumcision?

Paul's view is that circumcision is of no consequence, with the things of consequence being the commandments of YHWH. He implies that circumcision is not a Commandment of YHWH. If circumcision is not, as Paul implies, a commandment of YHWH, then whose commandment is it? Did YHWH command circumcision or did someone else command it?

Should People Always Remain In The Same Marital Status?

1 Corinthians 7:25-40 reads,

^7:25 Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from YHWH, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from YHWH to be trustworthy. ^7:26 I think that it is good therefore, because of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is. ^7:27 Are you bound to a wife? Don't seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don't seek a wife. ^7:28 But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you. ^7:29 But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none; ^7:30 and those who weep, as though they didn't weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn't rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn't possess; ^7:31 and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away. ^7:32 But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of YHWH, how he may please YHWH; ^7:33 but he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife. ^7:34 There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of YHWH, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world — how she may please her husband. ^7:35 This I say for your own profit; not that I may throw a snare on you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to YHWH without distraction. ^7:36 But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn't sin. Let them marry. ^7:37 But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own heart, to keep his own virgin, will do well. ^7:38 So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn't give her in marriage will do better. ^7:39 A wife is bound by Law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whoever she desires, only in YHWH. ^7:40 But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have Elohim's Spirit.

In 1 Corinthians 7:25 Paul clearly states that his comments are his own traditions, and not YHWH's Word. How harmonious are his traditions with YHWH's Word?

In 1 Corinthians 7:26 Paul opines that people should not change their marital status. He says that if one is single, one should remain single, and if one is married, one should remain married.

Does Marriage Bring About Oppression In The Flesh?

In 1 Corinthians 7:28 Paul gives the impression that marriage brings about oppression in the flesh. Therefore, to avoid such oppression, one should not marry if one is not married. For why should one assume hustle if one can avoid it? In other words, while Paul permits marriage, he gives a very dim view of it, and therefore discourages it.

Does YHWH Discourage Marriage?

Does YHWH discourage marriage? And why does marriage exist among humans?

In 7:32-33 Paul gives the impression that those who are married are not concerned with pleasing YHWH, being concerned only with pleasing their spouses. Is it the case that those who are married are not capable to being concerned with pleasing YHWH, even while they are concerned with pleasing their own spouses?

Should Fathers Avoid Giving Their Daughters Away In Marriage?

As far as Paul is concerned in 7:35, marriage is a distraction to serving YHWH and should therefore be avoided! Paul therefore urges fathers not to give their unmarried daughters in marriage, that they may serve YHWH without the distraction that married life would entail. But he is not dogmatic on this view of his, conceding that they may indeed give their daughters in marriage if doing so will avoid their daughters entering into sin, or burning with passion.

Are The Opinions Of Those Possessing The Holy Spirit Always In Harmony With The Holy Spirit's?

In 7:40 Paul opines that his views are respectable due to the fact that he has the Holy Spirit. Is it the case that anyone who has the Holy Spirit has opinions that are in harmony with those of the Holy Spirit? In other words, is it the case that once one has the Holy Spirit, one's opinions can no longer be different to those of the Holy Spirit, suggesting that the Holy Spirit takes over one's mind, denying that one freedom of choice or thought? Were Paul's opinions here expressed in 1 Corinthians 7 in harmony with those elsewhere expressed by the Holy Spirit, or were there differences between them?

Are Yeshua's Followers Permitted To Eat Food Sacrificed To Idols?

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 reads,

^8:1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ^8:2 But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he doesn't yet know as he ought to know. ^8:3 But if anyone loves Elohim, the same is known by him. ^8:4 Therefore, concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other Elohim but one. ^8:5 For though there are things that are called "gods," whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many "gods" and many "lords;" ^8:6 yet to us there is one Elohim, the Father, of whom are all things, and we to him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him. ^8:7 However, that knowledge isn't in all men. But some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. ^8:8 But food will not commend us to Elohim. For neither, if we don't eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. ^8:9 But be careful that by any means this liberty of yours doesn't become a stumbling block to the weak. ^8:10 For if a man sees you who have knowledge sitting in an idol's temple, won't his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? ^8:11 And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died. ^8:12 Thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. ^8:13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forevermore, that I don't cause my brother to stumble.

Paul's tradition delivered to the Corinthians is that it is okay to eat food sacrificed to idols, seeing that idols are non-entities in his eyes, and therefore food sacrificed to idols is food sacrificed to nothing! Nevertheless, what is YHWH's opinion? Is YHWH's opinion in harmony with Paul's tradition as delivered to the Corinthians?

Are Idols Nothing, Or Are They Demons?

1 Corinthians 10:19-33 reads,

^10:19 What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 10:20 But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to Elohim, and I don't desire that you would have communion with demons. ^10:21 You can't both drink the cup of YHWH and the cup of demons. You can't both partake of the table of YHWH, and of the table of demons. ^10:22 Or do we provoke YHWH to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? ^10:23 "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are profitable. "All things are lawful for me," but not all things build up. ^10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor's good. ^10:25 Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience, ^10:26 for "the earth is YHWH's, and its fullness." ^10:27 But if one of those who don't believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience. ^10:28 But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," don't eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For "the earth is YHWH's, and all its fullness." ^10:29 Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other's conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience? ^10:30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for that for which I give thanks? ^10:31 Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of Elohim. ^10:32 Give no occasions for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God; ^10:33 even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

Is Paul's theology to the Corinthians consistent? One the one hand he says that idols are nothing, and on the other hand he says that they are demons! Which is which? Are demons nothing, or are they valid entities?

Is It Possible To Abide By Paul's Inconsistent Traditions?

If Paul's previous rationale was that one can eat food sacrificed to idols, seeing that idols are nothing, and his current rationale is that food sacrificed to idols is sacrificed to demons, and therefore not sacrificed to nothing, what should one who abides by Paul's traditions do? Should one who upholds Paul's traditions delivered to Christians eat food sacrificed to demons or refrain from eating food sacrificed to demons, seeing that Paul allows it in once instance and disallows it in another instance? Is it possible to abide by Paul's inconsistent traditions? Paul further argues that one can still eat food sacrificed to demons, provided it doesn't harm another person's conscience. Why is it that Paul's traditions delivered to Christians are not consistent? How are those who try to uphold Paul's traditions delivered to them to succeed in abiding by inconsistent traditions?

And what is YHWH's view on these traditions of Paul?

Is It Enough To Follow Anyone Who Professes To Belong To The Messiah?

1 Corinthians 11:1-10 reads,

^11:1 Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ. ^11:2 Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and hold firm the traditions, even as I delivered them to you. ^11:3 But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is Elohim. ^11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. 11:5 But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved. ^11:6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. ^11:7 For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of Elohim, but the woman is the glory of the man. ^11:8 For man is not from woman, but woman from man; ^11:9 for neither was man created for the woman, but woman for the man. ^11:10 For this cause the woman ought to have authority on her head, because of the angels.

Paul tells his audience, in 1 Corinthians 11:1, to imitate him, on account of his belonging to Christ. In other words, he tells his audience to imitate anyone who belongs to Christ, especially him, seeing that he was the one delivering some traditions for their observance. Should we copy or imitate anyone simply because they assert that they belong to Christ? Is one's assertion that he or she belongs to Christ sufficient or us to imitate that one? Is this what YHWH teaches us?

How Does A Wife Have Authority Over Her Husband's Body If He Is Head Over Her?

In 1 Corinthians 11:3 Paul seems to contradict what he had earlier said in 1 Corinthians 7. For in 1 Corinthians 7 he asserted that a husband has no authority over his own body, but his wife has authority over his body, but here he assets that the head of the woman is the man. If Paul asserts that a man's wife has authority over his own body, and then also asserts that the man is the head over the woman, and not vice versa, how does the woman have authority over the man's body? Isn't Paul here contradicting himself? Aren't the traditions Paul delivered to the Corinthians here seen to be in contradiction? Seeing that these two traditions are in contradiction, which one of them are followers of Paul's traditions to uphold? Also, what does YHWH say concerning these traditions of Paul, here delivered to the Corinthians?

Does One Dishonour YHWH By Praying With One's Head Covered Or Uncovered?

In 1 Corinthians 11:4 Paul says that every man praying or prophesying with his head covered dishonours his head. Does YHWH uphold this tradition of Paul? In 1 Corinthians 11:5 Paul says that every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonours her head. Does YHWH uphold this tradition of Paul? If, as Paul teaches, woman is under man, and man under Christ, why should there be a distinction between woman and man in relation to praying or prophesying with their heads covered, seeing that both are under the authority of someone? If a woman, being under authority, needs to pray with her head covered, why doesn't a man, also being under authority, need to pray with his head covered? Why the distinction between men and women, yet their circumstances are similar? And what does YHWH say of these traditions that Paul delivered to the Corinthians and other assemblies?

Was It Proper For Paul To Be Dogmatic About His Own Traditions?

1 Corinthians 11:11-16 reads,

^11:11 Nevertheless, neither is the woman independent of the man, nor the man independent of the woman, in YHWH. ^11:12 For as the woman is from the man, so is the man also by the woman; but all things are from Elohim. ^11:13 Judge for yourselves. Is it appropriate that a woman pray to Elohim unveiled? ^11:14 Doesn't even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? ^11:15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering. ^11:16 But if any man seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither do Elohim's assemblies.

Paul is pretty dogmatic on his traditions. In 1 Corinthians 11:16 he shows that he is unwilling to accommodate anyone who challenges his traditions as he delivered them to the Corinthians and other assemblies. Nevertheless, these were just his traditions!

Why Didn't Paul Appeal To YHWH's Word In Trying To Establish His Traditions?

In 1 Corinthians 11:13 Paul appeals to the judgment sense of his audience in an effort to establish a tradition he is delivering to them. He doesn't appeal to YHWH's Word to establish the tradition, but to the judgement sense of his audience. Is this the manner that traditions should be established among the assemblies of YHWH? In 1 Corinthians 11:14 Paul appeals to nature as an authority of the tradition he is here delivering to the assemblies. Is "nature" an authority those in YHWH's assemblies should rely on in establishing traditions that they should abide by? Is this what YHWH teaches them that they should do? And why is Paul not appealing to YHWH's word, but is instead appealing to the judgement sense of his audience and to "nature?"

Why Did Some Contend Against Paul's Traditions?

And why is Paul so unaccommodating of those who contend against his traditions as here delivered to the assemblies? Was it that those who contended against these traditions of Paul so contended because they saw no backing in YHWH's Word for these traditions or customs?