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哥林多前书生命读经 · 第15篇

钉十字架的基督，是使徒职事的中心

Christ Crucified, the Focus of the Apostle’s Ministry
1读经：哥林多前书2:1-5，歌罗西书2:2,9，以弗所书1:9-10。在本篇信息中，我们要来看林前二章一至五节。照这几节经文看，钉十字架的基督是使徒职事的中心。不但如此，我们在这几节也看见使徒尽职事的路。
1Scripture Reading: 1 Cor. 2:1-5; Col. 2:2, 9; Eph. 1:9-10 In this message we come to 2:1-5. According to these verses, Christ crucified was the focus of Paul’s ministry. Furthermore, in these verses we see the way of the apostle’s ministry
保罗传讲的方式在一节保罗说，『弟兄们，从前
PAUL’SWAY OF PREACHING In verse 1 Paul says, “And I, when I came to you
2我到你们那里去，并没有照著高超的言论或智慧，对你们宣传神的奥秘。』高超，或，优越。保罗去哥林多，不是要在神的奥秘上，展示他高超优越的言论，或哲学的智慧。
2brothers, came not with excellence of speech or wisdom, announcing to you the testimony of God.” Literally, the Greek words rendered “with excellence” mean according to elevation or superiority. Paul did not come to Corinth to display excellent speech or philosophical wisdom in the testimony of God
3希利尼人喜爱哲学思想高超的发表。然而，保罗到哥林多去，并没有照著高超的言论或智慧。这指明保罗没有照著希利尼人智慧的方式对他们传福音。反之，他避免这样的实行。保罗传福音的方式，与今天传道人和牧师一般的方式不同。在圣经学院和神学院里，人受教导要照著听众的心理和哲学传讲。例如，到德国传福音的人受鼓励要学习研究德国人的心理和哲学，并在他们的传讲中用这些东西。然而，保罗到希腊去，没有这样传讲。保罗所关切的是，基督的十字架不该由于言论的智慧而落空。在中国我听过一些传教士用中国伦理哲学的方式传讲。虽然这些传教士用基督的名并题到圣经，但他们的说话没有使别人对基督或神的话有深刻的印象。反之，他们给有学问的中国人一个印象，福音实际上证实了他们本国的哲学。
3The Greeks delighted in excellent expressions of philosophical thoughts. Paul, however, did not come to Corinth with excellence of speech or wisdom. This indicates that Paul did not preach the gospel to the Greeks according to their way of wisdom. On the contrary, he avoided such a practice. Paul’sway of preaching the gospel was different from that common among ministers and pastors today. In Bible institutes and seminaries people are taught to preach using the psychology and philosophy of the people to whom their message is addressed. For example, those who go to Germany to preach the gospel are encouraged to learn German psychology and philosophy and to use these things in their preaching. However, when Paul went to Greece, he did not preach in this way. Paul was concerned that the cross of Christ should not be made void through the wisdom of speech. In China I heard certain missionaries preach in the way of using Chinese ethical philosophy. Although these ministers used the name of Christ and mentioned the Bible, their speaking did not impress others either with Christ or with the Word of God. Instead, they gave the impression to the learned Chinese that the gospel actually confirmed their native philosophy
神的奥秘
the testimony of God
4我们对别人说到基督和福音，必须确定我们说话的方式没有使听者偏离要点。与其使别人偏离基督和十字架这些基本的事，不如让人认为我们的说话是拙劣的。我们的目标不是要使人对我们的知识或言论有深刻的印象。我们的负担乃是要使他们对基督有深刻的印象。我们必须供应基督给他们，而不是展示我们的言语或知识。
4In speaking to others concerning Christ and the gospel, we must be certain that the way we speak does not cause the listeners to miss the crucial point. It is better that our speaking be considered awkward than that we should cause others to miss the basic matters of Christ and the cross. It is not our aim to impress people with our knowledge or speech. Instead, our burden is to impress them with Christ. We must minister Christ to them and not make a display of our language or knowledge.
5一节的第二个重点与神的奥秘有关。保罗在一节所说神的奥秘是甚么？奥秘，有些权威古卷作，见证。使徒所见证的，乃是神的奥秘，就是基督是神的具体化身，并召会是基督的彰显。（罗十六～26，西一26～27，二2，四3，弗三4～6，9。）事实上，神的见证与神的奥秘乃是一。神的奥秘就是神的见证。这见证，这奥秘，包括基督是神的具体化身，并召会是基督的彰显。今天许多人传讲基督并见证祂。但传讲基督的人多半不在意召会。然而，神完全的见证包括基督与召会。我们在出埃及记生命读经里看见，见证的柜，就是基督的豫表，其尺寸都是半个单位。这指明需要另一半。我们若传讲基督而不传讲召会，就只释放一半的信息，给人一半神的见证。今天大多数基督徒顶多只有一半的见证。事实上，许多人甚至没有完整的一半，因他们没有完整的基督。在新约里，神完全的见证是基督与召会。基督是头，召会是身体。基督是神的奥秘，召会是基督的奥秘。
5A second important point in verse 1 concerns the testimony of God. What is the testimony of God to which Paul refers in verse 1? Some of the best ancient authorities have mystery instead of testimony. What the apostle announced as the testimony of God was the mystery of God, which is Christ as the embodiment of God and the church as the expression of Christ (Rom. 25 16:25-26; Col. 1:26-27; 2:2; 4:3; Eph. 3:4-6, 9). Actually, the testimony of God and the mystery of God are one. The mystery of God is the testimony of God. This testimony, this mystery, includes Christ as the embodiment of God and the church as the expression of Christ. Today many preach about Christ and testify of Him. But most of those who preach Christ do not care for the church. However, the full testimony of God includes both Christ and the church. Recently, in the Life - study of Exodus we saw that the ark of the testimony, a type of Christ, has measurements which are half units. These dimensions indicate that a second half is needed. If we preach Christ without preaching the church, we give only half the message, only half of God’s testimony. The majority of today’s Christians at most have only one half of the testimony. Actually, many do not even have a complete half, for they do not have a complete Christ. In the New Testament the full testimony of God is Christ and the church. Christ is the Head, and the church is the Body. Christ is the mystery of God, and the church is the mystery of Christ.
6保罗到哥林多去，神见证的两半他都宣传；也就是说，他传讲基督与召会。这可由哥林多前书的内容得著证实。在这封书信我们看见头与身体。事实上，这卷书大部分与召会有关，而不是直接与基督有关。头两章启示基督，其余各章专注于召会。哥林多信徒中间的难处多半与召会有关。所以，保罗向他们陈明神完整的见证：基督作头，与召会作身体。不但如此，他乃是用简单的话宣传，而不是用带著哲学推理的高超言论。
6When Paul came to Corinth, he announced both halves of God’s testimony; that is, he preached concerning Christ and the church. This can be proved by the contents of 1 Corinthians. In this Epistle we see both the Head and the Body. In fact, the greater portion of this book is related to the church, not directly to Christ. In the first two chapters Christ is revealed, but all the remaining chapters concentrate on the church. Most of the problems among the believers at Corinth involved the church. Therefore, Paul presents to them the complete testimony of God: Christ the Head and the church, the Body. Furthermore, he announces this testimony in simple words, not in excellence of speech with philosophical speculations.
定了主意只知道基督
DETERMINING TO KNOW ONLY CHRIST
7在二章二节保罗继续说，『因为我曾定了主意，在你们中间不知道别的，只知道耶稣基督，并这位钉十字架的。』钉十字架的基督，是使徒职事惟一的主题、中心、内容和本质。为此，当他要把神见证的话供应给推崇高言并崇拜智慧的希利尼人时，他定了主意不知道别的，只知道包罗万有的基督，并祂这位钉十字架的。这是何等的定意！这该是我们众人的榜样。
7In verse 2 Paul continues, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and this One crucified.” The crucified Christ was the unique subject, the center, the content, and the substance of the apostle’s ministry. For this he determined not to know anything but the all-inclusive Christ when he was about to minister the word of the testimony of God to the excellent-speech-exalting and wisdom-worshipping Greeks. What a determination! It should be a pattern to us all
8耶稣基督，是说明主的身位。这位钉十字架的，是说到主生活、行动、工作和道路的模式，指明祂的谦卑和低微。这里没有说到祂的复活得荣（路二四26）或升天高举，（徒二33，36，）因为保罗的目的是要推倒希利尼人高抬智慧所生的骄傲。照著林前二章二节，保罗曾定了主意，在哥林多人中间不知道别的，只知道耶稣基督，并这位钉十字架的。有些人也许根据本节，争辩保罗没有传讲召会，只见证基督。我们由哥林多前书的全文知道，保罗在三章说信徒是神的耕地，神的建筑，从这里开始，就有许多话说到召会。在这封书信里，他实际上讲论召会多于讲论基督。保罗在二节的意思是他曾定了主意，不知道哲学、文化、道理、宗教、或任何一种实行。他只在意基督。但保罗说到基督时，包括召会在内，因为基督是召会的头，召会是祂的身体。在十二章十二节保罗甚至指明，召会，身体，是基督的一部分。所以，若说保罗宣告他曾定了主意不知道别的，只知道基督时，是将召会排除在外，那是不正确的。在二章二节保罗似乎在说，『亲爱的哥林多弟兄们，你们仍非常崇尚哲学，你们照著你们的智慧过生活。但我到你们那里去供应神的奥秘，并宣传神的见证时，我不倚靠智慧或哲学。我的确没有强调宗教或文化。我对你们说到一个活的人位，就是神的儿子耶稣基督。我曾定了主意，在你们中间不知道别的，只知道这奇妙的人位。我特意离开哲学、智慧、和高超的言论。』
8The expression “this One crucified” indicates Christ’s humiliation and abasement. His resurrection in glory (Luke 24:26) and ascension in exaltation (Acts 2:33, 36) are not referred to here because Paul’s purpose is to overturn the pride of the Greeks in their elevated wisdom. According to verse 2, Paul determined not to know anything among the Corinthians except Christ and Him crucified. Some may appeal to this verse as a basis for arguing that Paul did not preach about the church, but only testified concerning Christ. We know from the context of the entire book of 1 Corinthians that, beginning with chapter three, where Paul says that the believers are God’s farm and God’s building, Paul has much to say about the church. In this Epistle he actually speaks more about the church than about Christ. Paul’s meaning in verse 2 is that he determined not to know philosophy, culture, doctrine, religion, or any kind of practice. He cared only for Christ. But when Paul spoke of Christ, he included the church, for Christ is the Head of the church, which is His Body. In 12:12 Paul even indicates that the church, the Body, is part of Christ. Therefore, it is not correct to say that Paul excluded the church when he declared that he determined not to know anything other than Christ. In verse 2 Paul seems to be saying, “Dear brothers in Corinth, you are still very philosophical, and you live a life according to your wisdom. But when I came to you ministering God’s mystery and announcing God’s testimony, I did not rely on wisdom or philosophy. I certainly did not emphasize religion or culture. I spoke to you of a living Person, the Son of God, Jesus Christ. I determined not to know anything among you except this wonderful Person. I deliberately stayed away from philosophy, wisdom, and excellence of speech.”
9保罗也题醒哥林多人，他所传讲的基督是钉十字架的一位。一面，保罗没有用高超的言论或智慧；另一面，他不是宣扬得尊荣、被高举、得荣耀的基督，乃是宣扬被藐视、被弃绝、被打败、甚至被钉十字架的基督。这里保罗似乎在说，『你们相信了基督，并接受了祂，有起初的恩赐。但你们接受基督以后犯了错误，就是没有过钉十字架的生活。相反的，你们一直过荣耀自己、高举自己的生活。然而，我所传给你们的一位，并你们所接受的一位，乃是被弃绝、被藐视、且被钉十字架的基督。你们不该再以高举自己的方式生活。反之，你们该过钉十字架的生活，甚至活钉十字架的基督。你们不该夸耀你们的知识。反之，你们该愿意给人一个印象：你们不知道别的，只知道钉十字架的基督。你们众人说你们是属保罗的，属矶法的，属亚波罗的，或是属一位有限的基督的。这是照著人的样子，不是照著钉十字架的基督。你们该活这位钉十字架的。』地方召会的圣徒们想要知道基督以外的事，总会有难处。知道太多道理常常产生争论，甚至引起分裂。不知道别的，只知道基督，并钉十字架的基督，总是有益的；这是惟一安全的路。倘若地方召会里所有的圣徒都定了主意，不知道别的，只知道基督耶稣，召会生活里就不会有难处。最美妙的地方召会，是由不知道别的，只知道基督的圣徒们所组成的召会。每当人问他们问题，他们就回答，他们只知道基督，呼求主的名，祷告，并享受主耶稣。他们愿意显为愚拙，不知道别的，只知道基督并这位钉十字架的。
9Paul also reminded the Corinthians that the Christ he preached was One who had been crucified. On the one hand, Paul did not use excellence of speech or wisdom; on the other hand, he proclaimed not an honored, exalted, glorified Christ, but a Christ who had been despised, rejected, defeated, and even crucified. Here Paul seems to be saying, “You have believed in Christ and received Him with the initial gifts. But after receiving Christ, you made the mistake of not living a crucified life. On the contrary, you have lived a self-glorying and self-exalting life. But the One I preached to you and the One received by you was a rejected, despised, and crucified Christ. No longer should you live in a way to exalt yourselves. Rather, you should live a crucified life, even live the crucified Christ. You should not boast in your knowledge. Instead, you should be willing to give the impression that you do not know anything other than the crucified Christ. All of you are saying that you are of Paul, of Cephas, of Apollos, or of a limited Christ. This is according to man’sway, not according to the crucified Christ. You should live this One who was crucified.” There will always be trouble in a local church when the saints seek to know things other than Christ. Knowing too many doctrines often produces debates and even causes divisions. It is always profitable to know nothing but Christ and Christ crucified; this is the only safe way. If all the saints in the local churches determine to know nothing except Christ Jesus, there will be no problems in the church life. The most wonderful local church is a church composed of saints who do not know anything other than Christ. Whenever they are asked a question, they reply that they only know Christ, calling on the name of the Lord, praying, and enjoying the Lord Jesus. They are willing to appear foolish by not knowing anything except Christ and this One crucified.
10若说最好的地方召会是圣徒们不知道别的，只知道基督的召会，那么，难处最多的召会就是圣徒们知道太多事情，却不知道基督的召会。四十多年前，我花了很长的时期想要帮助这样的召会。我的努力都归徒然，因为每个人都知道得太多。我们要立定主意不知道事情，并学习说『我不知道』，这是非常重要的。要学习定了主意不知道别的，只知道耶稣基督。哦，我们都必须有这样的灵、态度和实行。我们若定了主意不知道别的，只知道基督，我们中间就不会有甚么难处或分裂。
10If the best local church is a church where the saints do not know anything except Christ, the church with the most problems is one where the saints know too many things other than Christ. More than forty years ago, I spent a long period of time trying to help this kind of church. My efforts were in vain, because everyone knew too much. It is very important for us to determine not to know things and to learn to say, “I don’t know.” Learn to determine not to know anything except Jesus Christ. Oh, we all must have such a spirit, attitude, and practice. If we determine not to know anything except Christ, there will not be any problems or divisions among us.
11有时我们访问另一地的召会，那里的圣徒们有关于某些道理和实行的问题。我们若答覆他们的问题，那将是个很大的错误，并且会浪费许多时间和精力。不但如此，我们也许失去将基督供应圣徒们的机会。我们该是只知道基督和神的话的人。这样，我们就会有更多的机会将基督供应别人。哥林多的难处是信徒有太多的知识。不但如此，他们宝贵知识，甚至到了一个地步，崇拜知识，并使知识成为偶像。所以，难怪保罗有意要贬低他们的知识，并将他们指向钉十字架的基督。
11Sometimes when we visit a church in another locality, the saints there have questions about certain doctrines and practices. To answer their questions would be a big mistake and would waste much time and energy. Furthermore, we may waste the opportunity to minister Christ to the saints. We should be those who know only Christ and the Word of God. Then we shall have more opportunity to minister Christ to others. The problem at Corinth was that the believers had too much knowledge. Furthermore, they treasured knowledge, even to the point of worshipping it and making it an idol. Therefore, it is not surprising that Paul’sin tent i on was to belittle their knowledge and point them to the crucified Christ
软弱，惧怕，战兢
WEAKNESS, FEAR, AND TREMBLING
12在三节保罗继续说，『我在你们那里，又软弱，又惧怕，又甚战兢。』这里的软弱，也许指使徒为福音受逼迫，身体因受苦而有的软弱。希利尼人不仅在哲学上寻求心理的强壮，也在体育上寻求身体的强壮；但使徒在他们中间，没有展示他是个身体强壮的人。保罗题醒哥林多人，他在他们那里，又惧怕，又甚战兢。惧怕是里面的感觉，战兢是外面的表现。使徒向寻求智慧的希利尼人尽职时，在里面惧怕失去基督，在外面战兢怕给他们对智慧热切的渴慕所影响。因著这样的恐惧、战兢，他就照著属天的异象，在神所指派他的职事里，避免任何偏差，忠心并稳固的站住。热心宗教的犹太人，以他们传统的宗教为荣；崇尚哲学的希利尼人，以他们属世的智慧为傲。当使徒把基督供应给这两班人时，他既惧怕，又甚战兢。使徒与他们是何等的对比！
12In verse 3 Paul goes on to say, “And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.” Weakness here refers to the apostle’s physical weakness due perhaps to his physical sufferings in the persecutions he endured for the gospel. Paul did not display himself as a physically strong man among the Greeks, who sought to be strong not only psychologically in their philosophies, but also physically in their gymnastics. Paul reminds the Corinthians that he was with them in fear and in much trembling. Fear is the inward feeling; trembling is the outward appearance. The apostle was in fear of missing Christ in his ministry to the wisdom-seeking Greeks and in trembling lest he be influenced by their prevailing aspiration. By such fear and trembling he stood faithfully and steadfastly in his God-appointed ministry according to the heavenly vision and avoided any deviation. The religious Jews were proud of their traditional religion, and the philosophical Greeks were haughty in their worldly wisdom. In ministering Christ to both, the apostle was in fear and in much trembling. What a contrast between him and them
13保罗领悟，要将基督传给崇尚哲学的人很难。我们很容易陷入哲学的网罗，或者受试诱想要征服别人。我们对别人讲论基督，最好忘掉他们是怎样的人，单单宣扬关于基督的见证。我们该和保罗一样，又惧怕，又战兢，免得我们与崇尚哲学的人谈话时失去基督。
13Paul realized that it is difficult to preach Christ to philosophical people. It is easy to be snared by philosophy or tempted to try to subdue the other person. When we speak to others about Christ, it is best to forget what kind of people they are and simply proclaim the testimony concerning Christ. Like Paul, we should be in fear and trembling lest we miss Christ as we talk to philosophical people
那灵和能力的明证
DEMONSTRATION OF SPIRIT AND POWER
四节说，『我说的话，讲的道，不是
Verse 4 says, “And my speech and my preaching
14用智慧动听的言语，乃是用那灵和能力的明证。』动听，或作说服。智慧动听的言语出于人的心思；那灵的明证来自我们的灵。使徒说的话，讲的道，不是出于心思，用那属于推测的话语，乃是出于灵，用那灵的释放与展示，所以是有能力的。
14were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power.” Persuasive words of wisdom issue from the human mind; demonstration of the Spirit comes from our spirit. The apostle’s speech and preaching were not from his mind with words of speculation, but from his spirit with the release and exhibition of the Spirit, hence of power
15在五节保罗说，『叫你们的信不在于人的智慧，乃在于神的能力。』人的智慧是初级的哲学，神的能力是包罗万有的基督。（一24。）在二章四至五节，保罗乃是重复他先前所说过的。他的话虽然不同，但他的观念是同样的。保罗不是用智慧动听的言语，乃是用那灵和能力的明证。保罗所证明的能力是钉十字架的基督。这样一个明证的结果，乃是信徒的信不是由于保罗的智慧胜过他们的智慧，而是在于神的能力，就是钉十字架的基督。在已过的世纪里，景教和耶稣会的传教士想要使有学问的中国人归服基督教。因著他们的努力，有些中国人的确欢迎基督教；然而，他们并没有真正接受基督。他们主要的是在文化和学问的一些方面受影响。藉此我们看见，我们向人传讲基督时，降到人的水平，想要用他的言语和哲学，乃是错误的。在传讲基督时，我们需要维持我们的水平，这水平就是基督自己。让愿意的人搆上这水平，并接受基督。这样，他们就会成为在基督的真信徒。景教和耶稣会传教士的努力都终归失败，只因为他们降到当地的伦理和哲学的水平。今天许多基督徒也犯类似的错误，这是我们必须学习避免的。
15In verse 5 Paul says, “That your faith may not be in men’s wisdom, but in God’s power.” Men’s wisdom is the elementary philosophy; God’s power is the all- inclusive Christ (1:24). In verses 4 and 5 Paul repeats what he has said previously. His words are different, but his concept is the same. Paul did not exercise persuasive words of wisdom, but the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. The power demonstrated by Paul was Christ crucified. The result of such a demonstration was that the believers’ faith would not be the result of Paul’s wisdom overcoming their wisdom, but would be in God’s power, the crucified Christ. In centuries past both the Nestorians and the Jesuits attempted to convert the learned Chinese to Christianity. Some Chinese did embrace the Christian religion because of their efforts; however, they did so without actually receiving Christ. Mainly they were influenced in certain aspects of culture and learning. By this we see that it is a mistake to come down to someone’s level when we preach Christ to him and try to use his language and philosophy. In preaching Christ we need to maintain our level, and this level is Christ Himself. Let those who are willing come up to this level and receive Christ. Then they will become genuine believers in Christ. The efforts of both the Nestorians and the Jesuits ended in failure simply because they came down to the level of local ethics and philosophy. Many Christians today are making a similar mistake, a mistake we must learn to avoid
神经纶的异象我们在主的恢复里必须对神的经纶有
A VISION OF GOD’SECON O MY We in the Lord’s recovery must have a clear vision
16清楚的异象。然后我们需要被这异象管治、控制并指引。因著我看见了这异象，并受其指引，历年来我从来没有改变我的腔调。我知道我所看见的是甚么，我知道我所教导的是甚么，我也知道我供应给主子民的是甚么。我们若有神经纶的异象，自然会只有一个拣选、爱好、口味和职事。我们-会只在意包罗万有、延展无限的基督，以及真正、正确的召会生活。今天我们在主的恢复里，在神的经纶，神永远的旨意上，必须刚强，不可摇动。因著保罗看见了这异象，并忠于这异象，他就能非常刚强。我们都需要这样刚强并稳固。
16of God’s economy. Then we need to be governed, controlled, and directed by this vision. Because I have seen this vision and am directed by it, I have never changed my tone throughout the years. I know what I have seen, I know what I am teaching, and I know what I am ministering to the Lord’sp eople. If we have the vision of God’secon o my, we shall automatically have only one choice, preference, taste, and ministry. We shall care only for the all - inclusive and all extensive Christ and for the genuine and proper church life. Today we in the Lord’s recovery must be strong and unshakable in the vision of God’secon o my, God’s eternal will. Because Paul had seen this vision and was faithful to it, he could be very strong. We all need to be strong and steadfast in this way.