Matthew 15:9

In the original Greek according to Westcott-Hort for this verse is:

Μάτην δὲ σέβονταί με, διδάσκοντες διδασκαλίας ἐντάλματα ἀνθρώπων.

In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads:

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

The New International Version translates the passage as:

They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'"

This worship appears to allude to their superstitious observances. While in vain seems to mean that they do not obtain any fruit from their worship. This verse is sometimes used to attack various church traditions. Traditions handed down by the apostles are defended by St. Paul who tells the Thessalonians to honor them (2 Thess 2:14). Other traditions of more modern origin are more debatable, since they may or may not be opposed to the Divine law. The Catholic Church argues that their laws are ordinances enacted under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.^[1]