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罗马书生命读经 · 第51篇

在祂儿子福音上的事奉

SERVING IN THE GOSPEL OF HIS SON
1在罗马一章九节，保罗说，『我在祂儿子的福音上，在我灵里所事奉的神，可以见证…。』许多基督徒以为福音仅仅是好消息，说到基督如何是救主，为罪人死，使他们罪得赦免，有一天能彀上天堂。但是福音比这个丰富、深奥得多。一章九节所说的福音，包含了整卷罗马书。
1In Romans 1:9 Paul says, “For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son.” Many Christians think that the gospel is simply the good news of how Christ is the Savior who died that sinners may be forgiven and one day go to heaven. But the gospel is much richer and more profound than this. The gospel in 1:9 includes the whole book of Romans
罗马书中的福音
THE GOSPEL IN ROMANS
2保罗在罗马书头一节就说到，他是基督的奴仆和蒙召的使徒，『被分别出来归于神福音的。』这指明保罗写这卷书的目的，乃是要论到福音，这福音就是这封书信的主题。整卷书极其完满的把福音─神的喜信启示出来。保罗在罗马书里题到福音，比他在别的书信里题到的都多。在二章十六节他说，『就是在神藉耶稣基督，照著我的福音，审判人隐秘事的日子。』人天然、宗教的观念认为，神要照著律法审判人。但是这里保罗说，神要照著他的福音审判人。
2In the very first verse of Romans Paul says that as a slave of Christ and a called apostle, he was “separated to the gospel of God.” This indicates that Paul’sin tent i on in this book is to write concerning the gospel; the gospel is the theme of this Epistle. The entire book unfolds the gospel, the glad tidings of God, in its fullest way. In Romans Paul mentions the gospel much more than he does in any of his other Epistles. In 2:16 he says, “God shall judge the secrets of men according to my gospel by Jesus Christ.” According to the natural, religious concept, God will judge people according to the law. But here Paul says that God will judge them according to his gospel
3这福音不仅要人相信，更要人顺从。这在十章十六节可以得到证明；保罗在那里说，『只是人没有都顺从福音。』那些不顺从福音的人，可能会变成福音的仇敌。（十一28。）我们对福音的态度，决定我们是顺从的，还是不顺从的，以及我们是不是仇敌。保罗在罗马书中所宣扬的福音，不仅是传给不信的人，更是传给在主里相信的人。他在一章十五节说，『所以在我，我已经豫备好，要将福音也传给你们在罗马的人。』不仅如此，保罗相信神要照著他的福音坚固众圣徒：『神能照我的福音，就是关于耶稣基督的传扬，…坚固你们。』（十六25。）十五章十六节说，『使我为外邦人作基督耶稣的仆役，作神福音勤奋的祭司，叫所献上的外邦人，在圣灵里得以圣别，可蒙悦纳。』对保罗而言，传福音乃是祭司的职事、祭司的事奉。我们这些祭司都必须在祂儿子的福音上事奉神。
3The gospel is to be not only believed, but also obeyed. This is proved in 10:16, where Paul says that “not all obeyed the gospel.” Those who do not obey the gospel may become enemies of the gospel (11:28). It is our attitude toward the gospel that determines whether we are obedient or disobedient and whether or not we are enemies. The gospel that Paul proclaimed in Romans was to be preached not only to unbelievers, but also to the believers in the Lord. In 1:15 Paul says, “So, as far as depends on me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.” Furthermore, Paul believed that God would establish the saints according to his gospel: “Now to Him Who is of power to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ” (16:25). Romans 15:16 says, “That I should be a minister of Christ Jesus to the nations, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, that the offering of the nations might be acceptable, having been sanctified in the Holy Spirit.” For Paul, the preaching of the gospel was a priestly ministry, a priestly service. As priests, we all must serve God in the gospel of His Son.
旧约里所应许的
PROMISED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
4现在我们必须问一个基本、基要的问题：甚么是福音？保罗在罗马书所论到的福音既深入、又深奥。『福音』一辞的意思是好消息或喜信。福音乃是使听见的人喜乐的消息。1:2福音是从神来的、从天上来的好消息。保罗在一章二节说，神的福音是『神从前藉著祂的众申言者，在圣经上所应许的』。这指明我们若要明白福音这好信息的内容，就必须认识旧约。旧约不仅是创造和历史的记载，其中还启示出一些与福音有关的要素。
4Now we must ask a basic and fundamental question: What is the gospel? What Paul speaks regarding the gospel in the book of Romans is deep and profound. The word “gospel” means good news, or glad tidings. The gospel is news that gladdens those who hear it. It is good news from God, from the heavens. In Paul says that the gospel of God was “promised before through His prophets in the holy scriptures.” This indicates that if we would understand the content of the gospel as the good news, we must know the Old Testament. The Old Testament is not merely a record of creation and history. In it are revealed some crucial elements pertaining to the gospel.
5第一个要素是在创世记一章二十六节，那里告诉我们，人是照著神的形像造的。神的形像乃是福音内容的一部分。何等奇妙，我们这些土造的人，竟然能有神的形像！这是何等的好消息！谁的心不因这个好消息而喜乐？我们若真看见有神形像的意义，我们就会赞美主。与福音有关的第二件事是在创世记二章。那里我们看见，神所造的人乃是被摆在生命树跟前。这指明我们不仅外面有神的形像，我们里面也可以得著神的生命。在创世记三章，蛇进来引诱人去吃善恶知识树的果子。但是这章也把好消息告诉我们。十五节说，女人的后裔要伤蛇的头。蛇虽然进来了，这节经文却豫言女人的后裔要来对付蛇。
5The first of these elements is found in Genesis 1:26, where we are told that man was created in the image of God. The image of God is part of the content of the gospel. How marvelous that we men of clay can bear the image of God! What good news this is! Whose heart would not be gladdened by such good news? If we truly saw what it means to be in the image of God, we would praise the Lord. A second matter related to the gospel is found in Genesis 2. Here we see that the man created by God was placed in front of the tree of life. This indicates that not only do we have the image outwardly, but that we also may have the divine life inwardly. In Genesis 3 the serpent came in to seduce man to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But this chapter also tells us good news. Verse 15 says that the seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent. Although the serpent has come in, this verse prophesies that the seed of the woman will come to deal with the serpent
6第四个要素是在下一章。创世记四章四节说，亚伯『将他羊群中头生的，和羊的脂油献上；耶和华看中了亚伯和他的供物』。这指明我们这些堕落的罪人，藉著合式的供物，就蒙神悦纳。在创世记一章还有福音内容的许多方面。九节说，水要聚在一处，使旱地露出来。十一节接著说，『神说，地要发生青草，和结种子的菜蔬，并结果子的树木，各从其类，果子都包著核；事就这样成了。』许多种生命─植物生命，动物生命，甚至人的生命─都与表征包罗万有之基督的这地有关。这是神好消息的一部分。
6A fourth element is found in the next chapter. Genesis 4:4 says that Abel “brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.” This indicates that by the proper offerings we, the fallen sinners, are accepted by God. In chapter one of Genesis there are more aspects of the content of the gospel. Verse 9 says that the waters were gathered together into one place and that the dry land appeared. Verse 11 continues, “And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.” Many kinds of life—vegetable, animal, and even the human life— are related to this land, which typifies the all-inclusive Christ. This is part of God’s good news.
7在创世记二章十八节，耶和华说，『那人独居不好。』二章十八节的人乃是基督的豫表。说那人独居不好，就是说基督独居不好。基督是新郎，渴望得著新妇来与祂相配。神产生一个新妇给基督，也是旧约所应许之福音的一个要素。
7In Genesis 2:18 the Lord said, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” Man in Genesis 2:18 is a type of Christ. To say that it is not good for man to be alone means that it is not good for Christ to be alone. As the Bridegroom, Christ is longing for a bride, someone to match Him. The matter of God’spr o ducing a bride for Christ is also an element of the gospel promised in the Old Testament
论到一位奇妙的人物
CONCERNING A WONDERFUL PERSON
8保罗在罗马一章三节说，福音乃是论到神的儿子，我们的主耶稣基督。福音主要不是为著赦罪，或得著灵魂，也不是拯救罪人上天堂。福音就是神的儿子基督这位人物。福音既不是道理，也不是教训或宗教；福音乃是一位奇妙的人物。这位奇妙的人物有两种性情─神性和人性。保罗在三节说，基督是神的儿子，这指明祂神性的一面。但是保罗在这节还说，基督『按肉体说，是从大卫后裔生的』。这是指著祂的人性说的。神的儿子藉著成为肉体，成了一个人，按肉体说，祂是大卫的后裔。四节说，『按圣别的灵说，是从死人的复活，以大能标出为神的儿子。』这里圣别的灵，与三节的肉体相对。三节的肉体怎样是说到基督人性的素质，照样，本节的灵不是指神圣灵的人位，乃是指基督神圣的素质，就是神格的丰满。（西二9。）基督这神圣的素质，就是灵神自己，（约四24，）就是基督的神性，是圣别的，满了圣别的性情和品质。按著这样一个灵，基督从死人中复活，以大能标明、标出为神的儿子。神的儿子基督藉著成为肉体，成了一个在肉体里的人；但祂这个在肉体里的人，按圣别的灵说，藉著复活被标出为神的儿子。
8In 1:3 Paul says that the gospel is concerning God’sS on, Jesus Christ our Lord. The main concern of the gospel is not forgiveness nor the winning of souls nor the saving of sinners for heaven; it is the very Person of Christ, the Son of God. The gospel is not a doctrine nor a teaching nor a religion. It is a wonderful Person. This wonderful Person has two natures, the divine nature and the human nature. In verse 3 Paul speaks of Christ as the Son. This indicates His divine nature. But Paul also says in this verse that Christ “came out of the seed of David according to the flesh.” This points to His human nature. By incarnation, the Son of God became a man, a descendant of David according to the flesh. Verse 4 says that He was “designated the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness out of the resurrection of the dead.” The Spirit of holiness here is in contrast with the flesh in verse 3. As the flesh in verse 3 refers to the human essence of Christ, so the Spirit in this verse refers not to the Person of the Holy Spirit of God, but to the divine essence of Christ, which is “the fullness of the Godhead” (Col. 2:9). This divine essence of Christ, being God the Spirit Himself (John 4:24), is of holiness, full of the nature and quality of being holy. According to such a Spirit, Christ was designated, marked out, the Son of God in power out of the resurrection of the dead. By incarnation Christ, the Son of God, became a man in the flesh, but by resurrection, as a man in the flesh, He was designated the Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness
9福音乃是论到一位奇妙的人物；祂成为肉体，并且按著圣别的灵，标出为神的儿子。基督按著圣别的灵被标出为神的儿子，与祂在永远里就是神的儿子这个事实有所不同。作为神在永远里的儿子，祂没有人性；但祂在复活里被标出为神的儿子，却与祂的人性大有关系。耶稣基督这位在肉体里的人，已经被标出为神的儿子。
9The gospel is concerned with a wonderful Person who became flesh and was designated the Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness. For Christ to be designated the Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness is different from the fact that He was the Son of God in eternity. As the eternal Son of God, He did not have the human nature. But His being designated the Son of God in resurrection has much to do with His human nature. Jesus Christ, a man in the flesh, was designated the Son of God.
10罗马书的中心信息，乃是说到罪恶、属肉体的人被作成神的众子，并且被模成神儿子的形像；这样，基督就成了许多弟兄中的长子。因此，福音的中心点不是罪得赦免，乃是产生神的众子，就是神儿子的许多弟兄。
10The central message of the book of Romans is that sinful, fleshly people are made sons of God and conformed to the image of the Son of God. In this way Christ becomes the Firstborn among many brothers. Thus, the central point of the gospel is not forgiveness of sins. It is the producing of the sons of God, many brothers of the Son of God
众子模成基督的形像
MANY SONS CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST
11基督是福音的模型、榜样。祂生在肉体里，却在圣别的灵里，藉著复活成为神的儿子。罗马书头三章揭露我们的罪，四章启示我们的称义，六章说到我们的死和埋葬，七章说到我们的肉体和天然生命的难处；但是八章启示，我们模成基督这许多弟兄中之长子的形像。基督被标出为神的儿子，我们也被标出为神的众子。这就是福音的要点。一章有模型、榜样，而八章有大量生产。在一章，有一位在肉体里的人被标出为神的儿子；然而在八章，有许多在肉体里的人被标出为神的众子。因此，至终神的儿子就成为许多弟兄中的长子，长兄。今天基督徒关于上天堂有许多谈论，但我们在罗马书里，一点也找不到这种观念。比较长进的基督徒，谈论所谓更深的生命与属灵。但是，就连更深的生命或属灵，也不是福音的终极结果。按照罗马书，许多曾经是属肉体的人，要成为神标出的众子。就某一面说，我对属灵不感兴趣。许多人以属灵自居，却没有彰显神儿子的形像。罗马书启示，我们不是模成属灵，乃是模成神儿子的形像。
11Christ is the model, the pattern, of the gospel. He was born in the flesh; yet He was made the Son of God by resurrection in the Spirit of holiness. The first three chapters of Romans reveal our sinfulness; chapter four reveals our justification; chapter six, our death and burial; and chapter seven, our problem with the flesh and the natural life. But chapter eight reveals that we are conformed to the image of Christ, the Firstborn among many brothers. Christ was designated the Son of God, and we also are designated the many sons of God. This is the main point of the gospel. In chapter one we have the model, the pattern, whereas in chapter eight we have the mass production. In chapter one we have one Person in the flesh designated the Son of God; however, in chapter eight we have many people in the flesh designated the sons of God. Hence, eventually the Son of God will be the Firstborn, the elder Brother, among many brothers. Christians today talk a great deal about going to heaven. But we cannot find this concept anywhere in the book of Romans. Those Christians who are somewhat advanced speak about the so-called deeper life and about spirituality. However, not even the deeper life or spirituality is the ultimate issue of the gospel. According to Romans, so many who once were fleshly will become the designated sons of God. In a sense, I have no interest in spirituality. Many who claim to be spiritual do not express the image of the Son of God. Romans reveals that we shall be conformed not to spirituality, but to the image of the Son of God
12一个人也许既仁慈又谦卑，却没有模成基督的形像。别人可能看见他的仁慈，却没有看见神儿子的形像。我再说，福音的中心点不是别的，乃是模成神儿子的形像。阿利路亚，有一天我们这些在肉体里的人，要成为神荣耀的众子！
12A person may be kind and humble without being conformed to the image of Christ. Others may see his kindness, but not the image of the Son of God. Again I say, the central point of the gospel is nothing less than conformity to the image of the Son of God. Hallelujah, one day we, people in the flesh, will become glorious sons of God!
神的大能
THE POWER OF GOD
13保罗在一章十六节说，福音本是神的大能。福音所以如此有大能，是因神的义在福音上显示出来。许多罗马书的注解都没有给神的义下合式的定义。说神的义就是基督，这是正确的；不过，这样的定义太道理了。
13In 1:16 Paul says that the gospel is the power of God. The reason the gospel is so powerful is that the righteousness of God is revealed in it. Many expositions of Romans do not give an adequate definition of the righteousness of God. It is correct to say that the righteousness of God is simply Christ. However, such a definition is too doctrinal
14神的福音所以有大能以拯救人，是因为牠显示神的义。许多基督徒以为福音的大能是圣灵或神的爱。还有人说，福音的大能是神的恩典。但是保罗在罗马书里并没有说，福音的大能是圣灵、神的爱或神的恩典。他乃是说，福音的大能是神的义。没有甚么比义更为扎实可靠。相反的，爱会改变，而且起伏不定；恩典也是如此。例如，我若喜欢你，可能会给你许多钱作礼物。但我若不喜欢你，我可能甚么也不想给你。同样，圣灵的赐与，多少与我们的顺从有关，因此不是没有条件的。然而，就义而言，是没有改变的机会和余地的。当我们照著义行动时，我们必须作某些事；这不是出于爱，乃是因著受义的约束。我们用付房租为例。一个人租了房子按月付房租，不是因著他爱房东，乃是因著他有义务履行租屋契约上义的要求。不论他个人对房东的感觉如何，他都必须付房租。从这一面来说，付房租乃是一件义的事。有一天我看见，我得救不仅是因著神的爱和神的恩典，更是因著神的义。我能彀很有信心的对主说，『主阿，不论你对我高不高兴，你都被你的义所束缚要拯救我。即使你不爱我，你还是必须拯救我，因为你是义的。你的爱是永远的，但我得救的根基不是你的爱；我得救的根基乃是你的义。』阿利路亚，这是福音的大能！
14The gospel of God is powerful to save people because it reveals the righteousness of God. Many Christians think that the power of the gospel is the Holy Spirit or the love of God. Others say that the power of the gospel is the grace of God. But in Romans Paul does not say that the power of the gospel is the Holy Spirit or the love of God or the grace of God. He says that it is the righteousness of God. Nothing is more solid and trustworthy than righteousness. Love, on the contrary, is changeable and may fluctuate. The same is true of grace. For example, if I like you, I may give you a large gift of money. But if I do not like you, I may not feel like giving you anything. Likewise, the giving of the Holy Spirit is at least somewhat related to our obedience and therefore is not unconditional. But with righteousness there is no room, no margin, for change. When we act according to righteousness, we do certain things, not out of love, but because we are bound by righteousness to do them. Consider the example of paying rent. A person who rents a house makes his monthly rental payment not because he loves his landlord, but because he is obligated to fulfill the righteous requirement of the rental agreement. No matter how he feels toward his landlord personally, he must pay the rent. In this sense, paying rent is a matter of righteousness. One day I saw that I was saved not only by the love of God and by the grace of God, but by the righteousness of God. I could confidently say to the Lord, “Lord, whether You are happy with me or not, You are bound by Your righteousness to save me. Even if You do not love me, You must still save me because You are righteous. Your love is eternal, but the basis of my salvation is not Your love. It is Your righteousness.” Hallelujah, this is the power of the gospel
15有时我们传福音，会面对一些有思想的人题出一些反驳。有些人听了论到神的爱的福音之后，会对我们说，『不错，神是爱，但我并不可爱。你们说神的爱是没有条件的，可是我怎么知道，祂对我的爱永不改变，特别是我作了一些恶事的时候？』在我们蒙光照看见神的义之前，我们很难回答这一类的问题。但是现在我们能彀放胆的宣告：神的义乃是神在福音上的大能。因为神是义的，所以我们若藉著基督来到祂面前，无论祂觉得如何，祂都受束缚，必须赦免我们。
15Sometimes in preaching the gospel we face certain objections from thoughtful people. After listening to the gospel concerning the love of God, some have said to us, “Yes, God is love, but I’m not lovable. You say that God’s love is unconditional, but how do I know that His love for me will not change, especially if I do something sinful?” Before we were enlightened regarding the righteousness of God, we had difficulty answering questions such as these. But now we can boldly proclaim the righteousness of God as the very power of God in the gospel. Because God is righteous, He is bound to forgive us if we come to Him through Christ, no matter how He may feel about it
在福音上供应基督
MINISTERING CHRIST IN THE GOSPEL
16我们若要正确的事奉神，就必须在福音上事奉祂。我们要作到这点，首先需要知道福音是甚么，然后需要经历福音所包含的一切项目。我们也需要学习如何将福音服事给人，也就是如何在供应神福音的职事上，尽祭司的功用。事奉神不仅是大家聚在一起唱诗、祷告、欢乐欢乐而已。同样，事奉神也不仅是得著灵魂，或是在某些方面帮助圣徒。事奉神乃是在福音上尽祭司的功用。这就是说，每当我们接触人，不论是信的人或是不信的人，我们都需要知道他在福音上的需要。例如，如果有一个人不清楚救恩，我们就必须帮助他清楚救恩，甚至因神的救恩喜乐。我们需要用福音来服事他。还有的人可能清楚救恩，但不清楚福音的其他方面。因此，我们必须对他们有所供应，以满足他们的需要。在召会生活中，服事最重要的点，乃是在福音上将基督服事给人，为此，我们都必须学习福音的元素和细节，我们也需要经历福音完满的内容。不仅如此，我们还必须照著我们所经历的，发展出合式的方法与技巧，在福音上供应基督。罗马书是福音完满的启示。我在本篇信息的负担是要指出，福音的中心点乃是：神要将在肉体里的罪人，变化成为在灵里被标出的神的众子。我们若要在福音上事奉神，就需要让这一件事成为我们的目标。我们为甚么要传福音？我们传福音不仅是为了使人得救、罪得赦免或是属灵，更是要他们能成为神的众子。这是我们的目标。
16If we would serve God in the proper way, we need to serve Him in the gospel. To do this, we firstly need to know what the gospel is, and then we need to experience all that the gospel includes. We also need to learn how to minister the gospel to others, that is, how to function as priests in ministering the gospel of God. Serving God is not simply a matter of gathering together to sing, to pray, and to rejoice. Likewise, it is not just to win souls or to help the saints in certain ways. To serve God is to function as a priest in the gospel. This means that whenever we contact anyone, whether a believer or an unbeliever, we need to know his need as far as the gospel is concerned. For example, if a person is not clear about salvation, we must help him to be clear and even joyful in God’ss alvation. We need to serve him with the gospel. Others may be clear about salvation, but not about other aspects of the gospel. Thus, we must minister something to meet their needs. The crucial point of the service in the church life is to minister Christ to others in the gospel. For this, we all must learn the elements and the details of the gospel, and we need to experience the full content of the gospel. Along with this, we must develop the proper technique and skill to minister Christ in the gospel according to what we have experienced. The book of Romans is a full revelation of the gospel. My burden in this message is to point out that the central point of the gospel is that God is transforming sinners in the flesh into the designated sons of God in the spirit. If we would serve God in the gospel, we all need to make this same matter our goal. Why do we preach the gospel? We preach the gospel not simply that people may be saved or be forgiven of their sins or become spiritual, but that they may become sons of God. This is our aim.
17罗马书当然不是停在八章，不是停在许多儿子模成基督的形像。保罗在十二章说到身体。基督的身体不能由在肉体里的人来建造，只能由神荣耀的众子来建造。这就是在十二章以前没有题到基督身体之建造的原因。为著身体的产生，在肉体里的人必须模成神儿子的形像。藉著在福音上所显示之神的义，神要将在肉体里的罪人，变化成为在灵里神的众子，为著建造基督的身体。这就是福音的目标。
17The book of Romans, of course, does not stop with chapter eight, that is, with the matter of the many sons being conformed to the image of Christ. In chapter twelve Paul speaks of the Body. The Body of Christ cannot be built up with people in the flesh; it can be built only with the glorious sons of God. This is the reason that the building up of the Body of Christ is not mentioned before chapter twelve. In order for the Body to be produced, people in the flesh must become conformed to the image of the Son of God. By the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel, God is transforming sinners in the flesh into sons of God in the spirit for the building up of the Body of Christ. This is the goal of the gospel