In 2 Thessalonians 3:6 the Moffatt translation reads in part: " instead of following the rule you received from us." Other versions read "direction," "commandments," "teaching," and " instruction". Why does the New World Translation give preference to the word "tradition" in this text as also at 2 Thessalonians 2:15
The New World Translation endeavors to
be consistent in its renderings. In keeping with the rule noted
in the Foreword of the New World Translation of the
Christian Greek Scriptures ,as far as possible it uses just one
English word to render one original Greek word into English. The
Greek word here is par'edosis, which has the thought of
a transmitted precept. It is the same word as is used at Matthew
15:6, where Jesus told his religious opposers that they made the
Word of God void by reason of their tradition. While the word
"tradition" is frequently used in contrast to Bible
truth handed down in writing, it is not limited to such precepts.
The use of the word here as well as at 2 Thessalonians 2:15 shows
that there is a valid tradition by the apostles, which tradition
was committed to writing under inspiration. This, of course,
differs from uninspired tradition, tradition that invalidates
God's Word.
Thus the New World Translation, in rendering par'edosis
"tradition" at 2 Thessalonians 2:15 and 2Th 3:6, has
remained faithful to its rule. It has not let the opprobrium
usually attached to the term "tradition" by sincere and
enlightened Bible students cause it to use another word in this
and its related text. This is in contrast to the Diaglott,
which has been so influenced. In the interlinear translation It
uses the word "tradition" in both verses, but in its
English text it chose to use the word "instruction."
The Revised Standard Version, however, uses the word
"tradition," even as does the American Standard
Version.
Taken from The Watchtower, Question from Readers, May 1st, 1961, pp.287/8.