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哥林多前书生命读经 · 第69篇

对付收集餽送与结语

Dealing with the Collection of the Gift and Conclusion
1读经：哥林多前书十六章一至二十四节。在本篇信息中，我们要来看林前末了一章─十六章一至二十四节。在一至九节，保罗对付收集餽送。十至二十四节是这封书信的结语。
1Scripture Reading: 1 Cor. 16:1-24 In this message we shall consider 16:1-24, the last chapter of 1 Corinthians. In verses 1 through 9 Paul deals with the collection of the gift. Verses 10 through 24 are the conclusion of this Epistle
壹 对付收集餽送
I. DEALING WITH THE COLLECTION OF THE GIFT
一 使徒的吩咐
A. The Apostle’s Direction
2在一节保罗说，『关于为圣徒收集餽送，我从前怎样吩咐加拉太的众召会，你们也当怎样行。』这是使徒在本书里所对付的第十一件事，就是关于金钱、玛门和财物的事。所有堕落的人类，都在玛门和财物的辖制之下。（太19:21-六19～21，24～25，30，十九21～22，路十二13～19。）五旬节那天，在圣灵的能力下，所有的信徒都推翻了金钱的辖制，实行凡物公用，按所需用的分给各人。（徒二44～45，四，34～37。）但由于信徒堕落天性的软弱，（参五1～11，六1，）这种实行并没有持续很久，到使徒保罗的时候就已经过去了。因此，信徒需要恩典，胜过玛门和物质的权势，释放这些物质脱离撒但的管辖，好献给主，以完成祂的定旨。复活的生命乃是全备的供应，能使信徒活出这种生活，一种信靠神而不信靠财物，不为著今天而为著将来，不为著今世而为著来世（路十二16～21，提前六17～19）的生活，一种推翻了短暂无定之钱财霸占的生活。这对付，摆在论到复活生命的实际之后，原因也许就是在此。无论如何，这对付是与神在众召会中的行政有关。对付收集餽送是紧随著论到复活生命之实际的一章之后，这是非常重要的。复活不仅是胜过罪与死的能力；复活也是胜过玛门和财物的能力。因此，在论到复活这一章之后，保罗立刻转到财物的事上。从林前十六章一节我们看见，保罗怎样吩咐加拉太的众召会，也照样吩咐哥林多的召会。这再次有力的指明，所有的地方召会，在实行上都该是一样的。（七17，十一16，十四34。）
2In verse 1 Paul says, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you do also.” This is the eleventh matter dealt with by the apostle in this Epistle, a matter concerned with money, mammon, and material possessions. All of fallen mankind are under the domination of mammon and material possessions (Matt. 6:19-21, 24-25, 30; 22; Luke 12:13-19). At the day of Pentecost, under the power of the Holy Spirit, all the believers overthrew this domination and had all their possessions in common for distribution to the needy ones (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32, 3 4-3 7). That practice, due to the weakness of the 32 believers’ fallen nature (see Acts 5:1-11; 6:1), did not last long. It was already over by the Apostle Paul’st i me. Then the believers needed grace to overcome the power of mammon and material things and to release them from Satan’s domination for an offering to the Lord to fulfill His purpose. Resurrection life is the supply for the believers to live such a life, a life trusting in God, not in treasures of material possessions, a life not for today but for the future, not for this age but for the coming age (Luke 12:16-21; 1 Tim. 6:17-19), a life that overthrows the usurpation of temporal and uncertain riches. This may be the reason that this dealing follows the one concerning the reality of resurrection life. In any case this dealing is related to God’sad ministration among the churches. It is a crucial matter that this dealing follows a chapter concerning the reality of resurrection life. Resurrection is not only the power over sin and death; resurrection is a power over mammon and material possessions. Therefore, immediately following the chapter on resurrection, Paul turns to the matter of material possessions. From verse 1 we see that Paul gave the same direction to the church in Corinth as he did to the churches of Galatia. This strongly indicates that all the local churches should be the same in their practice (7:17; 11:16; 14:33).
3在二节保罗接著说，『每逢七日的第一日，你们各人要照所得的昌盛，拿出来储存著，免得我来的时候才收集。』七日的第七日，安息日，乃是神创造的记念。（创二1～3，出二十8，11。）七日的第一日，乃是主复活的表号，是主从死人中复活的日子，（约二十1，）称为主日。（启一。）新约的圣徒在这日，（徒二十7，）就是主复活的日子，聚集并奉献财物。这表征他们藉著主的复活，（彼前一3，）已经与主一同复活，（弗二6，）并且表征他们在复活里聚集记念祂，并带著所献上的敬拜神，是凭著祂复活的生命，不凭著他们天然的生命。我们的供给，必须是在复活的生命里，不在我们天然的生命里。然而，今天许多基督徒的供给，都是照著天然的生命。他们凭著天然的生命募款，这种作法绝对是在旧造里的。不仅如此，捐得多的常是众所周知，捐得少的就被忽视。我们的供给必须与这种作法完全不同。我们的奉献必须是在复活里，并且凭著复活献上。在三节保罗说，『及至我来到，你们称许谁，我就打发他们带著信，把你们的餽送送到耶路撒冷去。』餽送，直译，恩典。这是外邦众召会，与耶路撒冷召会，在使徒指导下的交通。（林后八1～2，罗十五25～27。）
3In verse 2 Paul continues, “On the first day of every week let each one of you lay aside by himself, storing up as he may be prospered, that no collections be made when I come.” The seventh day of the week, the Sabbath, was a memorial of God’s creation (Gen. 2:1-3; Exo. 20:8, 11). The first day of the week is a symbol of the Lord’s resurrection; it is the day the Lord resurrected from among the dead (John 20:1). It is called the Lord’s Day (Rev. 1:1 0). The New 10 Testament saints meet and offer their possessions on this day (Acts 20:7), the day of the Lord’s resurrection, signifying that they have been resurrected with the Lord (Eph. 2:6) through His resurrection (1 Pet. 1:3), and that they meet to remember Him and worship God with their offerings in resurrection by the resurrection life, not by their natural life. Our giving must be in resurrection life, not in our natural life. However, much of the giving by Christians today is done according to the natural life. Money is raised by the natural life in a way that is absolutely in the old creation. Furthermore, those who give large amounts are often publicly recognized, whereas those who give small amounts are ignored. Our giving must be completely different from this. Our offerings must be presented in resurrection and by resurrection. In verse 3 Paul says, “And when I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem.” The Greek word rendered gift can also be translated grace. This was a kind of fellowship, under the apostle’s direction, of the churches in the Gentile world with the church in Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:1-2; Rom. 15:25-27).
4我们已经一再指出，在林前的第二段，即十一至十六章，保罗对付一些在神圣行政范围里的事。这段落开始于神的作头，结束于一件表面看似无关紧要的事─给圣徒的物质餽送。我们是否真在神的行政里，真为著神的行政，并且真执行神的行政，可以从我们与物质事物的关系，以及我们如何处理我们的金钱上试验出来。我们若以属世的方式使用我们的金钱，那么我们不论如何谈论复活，都不是真正在神的行政里。我们在神圣的行政里，以及为著神圣行政的程度，决定于我们对金钱和财物的态度如何。
4We have pointed out again and again that in the second section of 1 Corinthians, chapters eleven through sixteen, Paul deals with matters in the realm of the divine administration. This section begins with the headship of God and consummates with a seemingly insignificant matter — the gift of material things for the saints. Whether or not we are truly in God’s ad ministration, or for God’s ad ministration, and are carrying out God’s ad ministration, can be tested by how we are related to material things and how we handle our money. If we use our money in a worldly way, then no matter what we may say about resurrection, we are not truly in God’sad ministration. The extent to which we are in the divine administration and for the divine administration is determined by how we care for money and material possessions.
5这些年来，我们在主的恢复里一直听见祂的话语，也一直在基督的丰富里被建造。我们实在得著了神圣话语的滋养。现在，我们若在顾到金钱和财物的事上，能忠信的为著神的行政而活，主的恢复就不会有任何财物的缺乏。例如，我们一定可以运用我们的灵和我们的意志，每周节省少许的钱，也许只是美金二元五角，而将这钱奉献给主，为著祂在地上的行动。一周里我们可以有一天不上馆子吃午餐，只吃自己家里准备的简单饭菜。这样省下来的钱就可以给主。想想看，如果我们周周都忠信的如此行，会有怎样的光景！在这一卷对付属灵、属天事物之属灵书信的末了，保罗至终转到财物这件非常实际的事上。谈论元首权柄是很容易的：『赞美主，我在基督的元首权柄之下！基督是我的头。对于祂的元首权柄，我没有任何难处。』但是你能说，对于保罗在十六章所题出的事，你没有难处么？我们可以谈论复活的得胜胜过罪与死，但是在复活里的得胜，胜过你如何使用金钱与财物么？我们谈到元首权柄，分辨那身体、恩赐、复活，很容易流于抽象而不切实际。为这缘故，保罗在神的智慧里，题到复活之后，立刻对付供给的事。我们若真是活在复活里，就不会有金钱或物质事物的难处。在二节保罗特别题到『每逢七日的第一日』。我们看见，这一天，就是主日，乃是基督复活的表号。我们不是一班在七日的第七日生活行动的人，因为那一天乃是旧造的一个记念。我们应当活在七日第一日的复活里。这就是说，我们不该作第七日的人；我们该是第一日的人。我们若活在复活里，活在七日的第一日里，主的恢复就不会有财物短缺的难处。
5Throughout the years, we in the Lord’s recovery have been hearing His Word and have been built up in the riches of Christ. We have surely been nourished by the divine Word. Now if we all would be faithful to live for God’sad ministration in caring for money and material matters, there would be no financial needs in the recovery. For example, certainly we can exercise our spirit and our will to save a small amount of money each week, perhaps just two dollars and fifty cents, and give this to the Lord for His move on earth. One day, instead of having our lunch at a restaurant, we may eat a simple meal prepared at home. Then the money saved could be given to the Lord. Imagine what the situation would be if we all were faithful to do something like this week by week! In such a spiritual book dealing with spiritual and heavenly matters, Paul eventually turns to the very practical matter of finances. It is quite easy to talk about the headship and say, “Praise the Lord, I am under the headship of Christ! Christ is my Head. Concerning His headship, I do not have any problems.” But can you say that you have no problem with the matter Paul brings up in chapter sixteen? We may talk about the victory of resurrection over sin and death, but what about the victory in resurrection over your use of your money and material possessions? It is easy for our talk to be abstract and impractical concerning the headship, discerning the Body, the gifts, and resurrection. For this reason, Paul, in God’s wisdom, deals with the matter of giving immediately after the matter of resurrection. If we truly live in resurrection, we shall not have a problem with money or material things. In verse 2 Paul specifically mentions “the first day of every week.” We have seen that this day, the Lord’s Day, is a symbol of Christ’s resurrection. We are not those who live and act in the seventh day of the week, for that day is a memorial of the old creation. We should be living in resurrection on the first day of the week. This means that we should not be seventh-day people; we should be first-day people. If we live in resurrection, in the first day of the week, then in the Lord’s recovery there will be no problem regarding financial need
二 使徒的意愿
B. The Apostle’s Willingness
64十六章四至九节给我们看见使徒的意愿。四节说，『若我去也合式，他们可以和我同去。』在六节他又接著说，『或许和你们同住几时，或者也过冬，以便我8无论往那里去，你们都可以给我送行。』在八节保罗告诉我们，他要仍旧住在以弗所，直等到五旬节。本书写于以弗所，使徒第三次出外尽职时，在那里留了三年。（徒十九21～22，二十1，31。）
6In 16:4-9 we see the apostle’s willingness. Verse says, “And if it is fitting for me also to go, they shall go with me.” In verse 6 he goes on to say, “And perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, that you may send me forward wherever I may go.” In verse Paul tells us that he would remain in Ephesus until Pentecost. This Epistle was written in Ephesus, where the apostle stayed for three years on the third journey of his ministry (Acts 19:21-22; 20:1, 31).
贰 结语
II. CONCLUSION
7一 亲切的嘱咐林前十六章十节说，『若是提摩太来到，你们要留心，叫他在你们那里无所惧怕，因为他作主的工像我一样。』要叫提摩太在哥林多人那里无所惧怕，哥林多人就必须顺从并服从保罗的话。在本节保罗似乎是说，『你们必须在七日的第一日里，就是活在复活里。你们也必须在基督与神的作头之下，你们必须分辨那身体，切慕那更大的恩赐，在爱里运用恩赐，还要在复活里。你们的光景若是这样，那么我年轻的同工在你们那里就无所惧怕。你们要留心，叫提摩太在你们那里无所惧怕，因为他作主的工像我一样。』
7A. Intimate Charges Verse 10 says, “Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear; for he is working the work of the Lord, even as I.” In order for Timothy to be with the Corinthians without fear, they would have to be obedient and submissive to Paul’sword. In this verse Paul seems to be saying, “You must be in the first day of the week, living in resurrection. You must also be under the headship of Christ and of God, you must discern the Body, desire the greater gifts, practice the gifts in love, and be in resurrection. If this is your situation, then my young co-worker will have no fear when he is with you. See that Timothy is with you without fear, for he is working the work of the Lord even as I am
8在十一节保罗接著说，『所以无论谁，都不可藐视他。但你们要送他平安前行，使他可以到我这里来，因我正等待他和弟兄们同来。』这里保罗劝崇尚哲学的希利尼信徒不要藐视他的年轻同工。除非哥林多人活在复活里，不然他们怎能送提摩太平安前行？这是不可能的。本节实在给我们看见一幅非常愉快的图画。保罗正等待提摩太和弟兄们同来，盼望哥林多人送他平安前行。在十二节保罗继续说，『至于亚波罗弟兄，我再三的劝他，要同弟兄们到你们那里去；但现在他绝不愿意去，几时有了机会他必去。』哥林多人藉此应当晓得保罗对亚波罗的态度，以及保罗与亚波罗的关系；这与他们的爱好成了明显的对比。（一11～12。）保罗对亚波罗的态度和关系保守了一，哥林多人的爱
8In verse 11 Paul continues, “Let no one therefore despise him. But send him forward in peace, that he may come to me; for I am awaiting him with the brothers.” Here Paul urges the philosophical Greek believers not to despise his younger co-worker. How could the Corinthians have sent Timothy forward in peace unless they were living in resurrection? This would have been impossible. In this verse we actually have a very pleasant picture. Paul was awaiting Timothy with the brothers, hoping that the Corinthians would send him forward in peace. In verse 12 Paul goes on to say, “Now concerning our brother Apollos, I urged him much that he would come to you with the brothers; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come whenever he has opportunity.” By this, the Corinthians should realize that Paul’s attitude toward Apollos and his relationship with him were in sharp contrast to their preferences (1:11-12). His attitude and relationship kept the oneness; their preferences caused division
9好造成了分裂。
9
10保罗和亚波罗都是活在那灵里的人，然而一位劝另一位去看望召会，另一位却不愿意去。这表明二人在那灵里都有自由，那灵在他们里面也有自由。这也表明没有人对主的工作施行控制。
10Both Paul and Apollos were persons living in the Spirit. Yet one urged the other to visit the church, but that one did not have the desire to do it. This shows that both had freedom in the Spirit, and the Spirit had freedom in them. This also shows that no one exercised any control over the work for the Lord.
11在十节保罗直截了当的题到提摩太。但是他在十二节说到亚波罗的时候，却用了『弟兄』一辞。这是亲爱、亲切的措辞。从本书的前几章我们知道，有些哥林多人喜欢亚波罗过于保罗。他们的偏好是分裂的原因。现在保罗题到『亚波罗弟兄』，指明他和亚波罗之间没有甚么。保罗似乎是说，『你们哥林多人在亚波罗和我之间造成了差别。但是我愿意你们知道，我们之间没有甚么。亚波罗是我的弟兄；他是我们的弟兄。我极力劝他到你们那里去。』尽管保罗知道有些哥林多人比较喜欢亚波罗，他仍然鼓励亚波罗到哥林多去。事实上，他乃是再三的劝他去。然而，今天许多的基督徒工人，如果知道某地的人对另一位同工有偏爱，就不可能鼓励那位同工到那个地方去。我们已经指出，虽然保罗劝亚波罗到哥林多去，但那时亚波罗绝不愿意去。那么，是谁活在那灵里，是保罗，还是亚波罗？答案是：两个人都活在那灵里。虽然保罗和亚波罗都活在那灵里，可是他们对于亚波罗到哥林多去这件事，却有不同的感觉。有些人定罪我，控告我是独裁者；他们说我有统治的权柄，控制众召会与众圣徒。事实上，我并没有控制众召会或众圣徒。许多人能作见证，当别人来找我，寻求一些建议时，我鼓励他们到主面前去祷告。我告诉他们，他们该作甚么，不是由我来决定的。保罗没有控制人，今天我们也不控制人。
11In verse 10 Paul simply refers to Timothy. But when speaking of Apollos in verse 12, he uses the expression “our brother.” This is a dear, intimate expression. We know from the early chapters of this Epistle that certain of the Corinthians preferred Apollos over Paul. Their preferences were a cause of division. Now Paul’s reference to “our brother Apollos” indicates that there was nothing between him and Apollos. It seems as if Paul was saying, “You Corinthians make a difference between Apollos and me. But I would like you to know that there is nothing between us. Apollos is my brother; he is our brother. I urged him much that he would come to you.” Even though Paul realized that certain of the Corinthians preferred Apollos, he still encouraged him to go to Corinth. In fact, he urged him much to go. However, it is not likely that very many Christian workers today would encourage another worker to go to a certain place if they realized that those in that place had a preference for that other worker. We have pointed out that although Paul urged Apollos to go to Corinth, it was not Apollos’ desire to go at that time. Who, then, was living in the Spirit, Paul or Apollos? The answer is that both were living in the Spirit. But although both Paul and Apollos lived in the Spirit, they had different feelings about Apollos’ going to Corinth. Some have condemned me and accused me of being a dictator; they have claimed that I have autonomous authority to control all the churches and all the saints. It is a fact that I do not exercise control over the churches or over the saints. As many can testify, when others come to me for advice, I encourage them to go to the Lord and pray. I tell them that it is not for me to decide what they should do. Paul did not exercise control, and we do not exercise control today
12在十三节保罗说，『你们要儆醒，在信仰上站立得住，要作大丈夫，要刚强。』在此保罗嘱咐哥林多人不为任何异端，特别是说没有复活的异端所动摇。这节的信仰是客观的，指我们所信的。作大丈夫就是作长成的人，在信仰上刚强，并且站立得住，在领悟上不作小孩子，（十四20，）也不作婴孩为波浪漂来漂去，并为一切教训之风所摇荡。（弗四14。）这需要在生命里的长大，（林前三1，6，）是在哥林多的信徒所轻忽而缺乏的。
12In verse 13 Paul says, “Watch, stand firm in the faith, be a man, be strong!” Here Paul charges the Corinthians not to be shaken by any heresy, especially the heresy that says there is no resurrection. The faith in this verse is objective; it refers to what we believe. To be a man is to be a full-grown man, strong in the faith and firm in his standing, not like a child in understanding (14:20), or a babe tossed by waves and carried about by the wind of teaching (Eph. 4:14). Growth in life is needed (1 Cor. 3:1, 6
13十六章十四节说，『凡事你们都要在爱里作。』这里的爱正如十三章所说明的。在十六章十七至十八节保罗说，司提反、福徒拿都并亚该古『使我和你们的灵都畅快』。这应当是由于基督的丰富，藉著他们的灵，供应给别人，以摸著别人的灵。这指明我们与圣徒的接触和关系，必须是在我们的灵里，并且是藉著我们的灵，不是在我们属魂的情感里，也不是藉著我们属魂的情感。如果这些弟兄们到保罗这里来是满了闲谈，就不能使他的灵畅快。他们叫使徒和所有哥林多人的灵都畅快，这事实指明他们是活在灵里，并在灵里行事为人的人。
13Verse 14 says, “Let all you do be done in love.” This is the love defined in chapter thirteen. In verses 17 and 18 Paul says that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus “refreshed my spirit and yours.” This must have been by the riches of Christ ministered by their spirit in order to touch the spirit of others. This indicates that our contact with the saints and our relationship with them must be in and by our spirit, not our soulish emotion. If these brothers had come to Paul with a lot of gossip, they could not have refreshed his spirit. The fact that they refreshed the spirit of the apostle and of all the Corinthians indicates that they lived and behaved in the spirit
二 问安与警告
B. Loving Greetings and Warning
14十九节说，『亚西亚的众召会问你们安。亚居拉和百基拉，并在他们家中的召会，在主里多多的问你们安。』这是说，当亚居拉和百基拉住在以弗所时，在以弗所的召会是在他们家里聚集。（徒十八18～19，26。）当他们住在罗马时，在罗马的召会也是在他们家里聚集。（罗十六5，参西四15～16，门2。）林前十六章十至二十一节，陈示一幅美丽和谐，基督身体的生活实际实行的图画，这不仅在使徒和他的同工之间，也在他们和众召会之间，使基督的身体得著建造，这是十二至十四章所极力强调的。
14Verse 19 says, “The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you much in the Lord, with the church which is in their house.” This indicates that the church in Ephesus met in the house of Aquila and Prisca when they lived there (Acts 18:18-19, 26). When they lived in Rome, the church in Rome met in their home (Rom. 16:5; see Col. 4:15-16; Philem. 2). Verses 10 through 21 present a picture of the actual practice of the Body life in a beautiful harmony, not only among the apostle and his co-workers, but also between them and the churches for the building up of the Body. As we have seen, this building up is emphasized strongly in chapters twelve through fourteen
15在二十二节保罗宣告说，『若有人不爱主，他就是可咒可诅的。主来了！』可咒可诅，原文意，受咒诅的事或人，分别出来，专遭灾祸的。爱神使我们成为蒙神赐福的人，有分于祂所命定，为我们所豫备，过于我们所能领略的神圣福分。（二9。）不爱主使我们成为可咒可诅的人，被分别出来，遭受咒诅。这是何等的警告！『主来了！』这句话是源自亚兰文的辞句，也可译为，『我们的主来罢！』这呼求语题醒我们，主必再来施行审判。二十三节说，『愿主耶稣的恩，与你们同在。』如我们在前面有一篇信息里所指出的，恩典乃是复活的基督，成了赐生命的灵，将在复活里经过过程的神带进我们里面，作我们的生命和生命的供应。
15In verse 22 Paul declares, “If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed! The Lord comes!” The Greek word anathema denotes a thing or person accursed; set apart, devoted, to woe. To love God makes us those who are blessed of God to share the divine blessings He has ordained and prepared for us beyond our apprehension (2:9). Not to love the Lord makes us those who are accursed, set apart to a curse. This is a serious warning. The sentence, “The Lord comes!” is actually a translation of the Greek word maranatha, a phrase taken from Aramaic. It may also be rendered, “Our Lord come!” It is an exclamation that reminds us of the Lord’s second coming with judgment. Verse 23 says, “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.” As we pointed out in a foregoing message, this grace is the resurrected Christ becoming the life-giving Spirit to bring the processed God in resurrection into us to be our life and life supply.
16保罗通常以恩典的话结束他的书信。但是本封书信却结束于爱的话：『我在基督耶稣里的爱，与你们众人同在。』（24。）这不是天然的爱，乃是在基督里的爱，在复活里的爱，（四21，）也是神的爱，藉著基督的恩，和那灵的交通，（林后十三14，）成了我们的爱。在保罗的十四封书信中，只有这一封结束在这样爱之确信的话上。这是因为使徒以严厉的责备，对付了他们。（林前一13，三3，四7～8，五2，5，六5～8，十一17。）他在基督里，在神的爱里，对他们是忠信、诚实、率直的，（林后二4，）一点不耍手腕。因此，主尊重他的对付，使哥林多人接受他的责备，并且悔改得了益处。（七8～13。）哥林多前书结束于一个愉快的灵，同一幅交通的愉快图画。虽然这是一卷对付和责备的书，却是这样愉快的结束。这给我们看见，古时众同工之间，众同工与众召会之间，以及众召会彼此之间，都有甜美的交通。众同工与众召会都在这样愉快的交通里。我们已经看见，这封书信的后半段论到关乎神行政的五件事：宇宙中的头、身体、恩赐、复活、以及财物。神的行政需要正确的作头。为著要在神的作头之下执行神圣的行政，就需要身体。如果身体要执行神的行政，身体上所有的肢体就需要有恩赐来尽功用。因此，我们看见神的作头、身体、恩赐、能力。不仅如此，还需要权能、力量。这就是复活的生命。复活的生命使众肢体能彀发挥他们的恩赐来尽功用，好使身体能彀运行，在神的作头之下执行神的行政。本段末了的一项─金钱与财物─乃是一项试验，验证我们活在复活的生命里有多少。
16As a rule, Paul concludes his Epistles with a word concerning grace. But in this Epistle he ends with a word of love: “My love be with you all in Christ Jesus” (v. 24). This is not natural love, but love in Christ, love in resurrection (4:21), the love of God that becomes ours through the grace of Christ and the fellowship of the Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14). Of Paul’s fourteen Epistles, only this one ends with such a word of the assurance of love. It is because of the apostle’s dealings with strong rebukes (1:13; 3:3; 4:7-8; 5:2, 5; 6:5-8; 11:17). He is faithful, honest, and frank to them in the love of God in Christ (2 Cor. 2:4), without any politics. Hence, the Lord honors his dealings so that the Corinthians accept his rebuke and gain much benefit through their repentance (2 Cor. 7:8-13). First Corinthians concludes in a pleasant spirit with a pleasant picture of fellowship. Although it is a book of dealings and rebukes, it ends in such a pleasant way. It shows us that in the ancient time there was a sweet fellowship among the co-workers, between the co-workers and the churches, and among all the churches. The co- workers and the churches were all in this pleasant fellowship. We have seen that the second section of this Epistle covers five matters related to God’sad ministration: headship, the Body, the gifts, resurrection, and material possessions . God’s ad ministration requires the headship. Then to carry out the divine administration under God’she ad ship, there is the need of the Body. If the Body is to carry out God’sad ministration, all the members of the Body need gifts for functioning. Thus, we have the headship, the Body, and the gifts, the abilities. Furthermore, there is the need for power, strength. This is resurrection life. Resurrection life enables the members to function with their gifts so that the Body may operate to carry out God’sad ministration under His headship. The last item covered in this section—money and material possessions—is a test to prove how much we are living in resurrection life
17财物这项非常实际的试验，与七日的第一日有关。日子指明我们的生活。我们过那一种生活，在于我们过那一种日子。如果我们的生活失败，就是说我们过著失败的日子。此外，我们若活在旧造里，就是活在第七日。但我们若活在复活的生命里，就是活在七日的第一日。我们若不在复活里，就著恩赐、身体、以及神的作头而言，我们就了了。然而，我们若活在七日的第一日，也就是活在复活的生命里，那我们必定是在神的作头之下，我们也在身体里，我们运用恩赐也是有益处的。这样，我们所过的日常生活就可以向全宇宙宣告说，我们是一班过一种绝对在复活里之生活的人。
17The very practical test of material possessions is a matter related to the first day of every week. A day refers to our living. The kind of living we have depends on the kind of day we have. If we are defeated in our living, this means that we have a day of defeat. Moreover, if we live in the old creation, we are living in the seventh day. But if we are living in the resurrection life, we are living in the first day of the week. If we are not in resurrection, we are through with the gifts, the Body, and God’she ad ship. However, if we live in the first day of the week, that is, live in resurrection life, then we are surely under God’she ad ship, we are in the Body, and we exercise our gifts in a profitable way. Then we shall have a daily living that declares to the universe that we are those who live a life absolutely in resurrection.
18对基督来说，末了的仇敌乃是死。但是对我们来说，末了的仇敌是玛门，就是财物。复活的生命使我们能胜过罪的权势。复活也是一种大能，使基督能掌管背叛者，征服祂一切的仇敌。基督末了所征服的仇敌就是死。十六章是十五章的延续，指明我们里面复活的生命，胜过我们最后的仇敌─财物。从我的观察和经历，我能见证在许多属灵的人身上，末了一件要胜过的事，就是金钱。有些基督徒胜过了他们的脾气、他们的软弱和他们的罪，但他们在财物这件事上，却无法得胜。从我年轻作基督徒的时候开始，主就在金钱和财物的事上训练我。主训练我为著祂使用金钱。当我还是青年人的时候，就用我仅有的钱，去印制自己所写的福音单张。有过一些经历之后，我真能作见证说，财物是末了的仇敌。
18To Christ, the last enemy is death. But to us, the last enemy is mammon, material possessions. Resurrection life enables us to overcome the power of sin. Resurrection is also the power for Christ to rule over the rebellious ones and subdue all His enemies. The last enemy that will be subdued by Him is death. As the continuation of chapter fifteen, chapter sixteen indicates that the resurrection life in us overcomes our final enemy—material possessions. From observation and experience, I can testify that with many spiritual people, the last matter to be overcome is the matter of money. Some Christians are victorious over their temper, their weakness, and their sin, but they are not victorious in the area of material possessions. From the time I was a young Christian, the Lord began to discipline me in the matter of money and material possessions. The Lord trained me to use money for Him. Even as a young person, I used any money I had to print gospel tracts I had written. After some experience, I can truly testify that material possessions are the last enemy
19因此，我从经历中领悟，十六章所说胜过物质的事物，乃是十五章所论复活一事的延续和总结。为著神的作头、身体、恩赐、复活、以及胜过财物，我们赞美主！得胜证明我们是活在七日的第一日。我们不是一班活在安息日，活在旧造里的人。我们乃是一班属于主日，活在复活里的人。藉著复活的生命，我们已经胜过一切，一切都在我们的脚下。
19Therefore, from experience I realize that the overcoming of material things in chapter sixteen is both a continuation and a conclusion of the matter of resurrection dealt with in chapter fifteen. Praise the Lord that we have the headship, the Body, the gifts, the resurrection, and the victory over material possessions! The victory proves that we are living in the first day of the week. We are not those living in the Sabbath, that is, in the old creation. We are a people of the Lord’s Day living in resurrection. By resurrection life, we have overcome everything, and everything is under our feet