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哥林多后书生命读经 · 第31篇

藉著十字架的杀死将生命显明出来（一）

The Manifestation of Life through the Killing of the Cross (1)
1读经：哥林多后书四章一至十八节。
1Scripture Reading: 2 Cor. 4:1-18
道理和经历
DOCTRINE AND EXPERIENCE
2林后三章与四章的性质不同。三章实际上是讲道理的一章。我知道就我们许多人来说，道理不是一个正面的辞。由于我们满了道理的宗教背景，我们不认为道理有甚么可喜爱，或是有甚么味道。我们在召会聚会中作见证的时候，喜欢这样说，『我要和你们所交通的，不是道理，乃是真实宝贵的经历。』我们都珍赏『经历』这个辞，只要我们一有机会，我们就会作见证，说到我们对主的经历，或我们在主里的经历。如果要我们站起来说，『我要和你们谈一些道理，』我们会犹豫不决。不过，我能放胆说，林后三章是讲道理的一章。按原则说，道理应当也包含经历。照样，所2有真实的属灵经历也包含道理。因此，我们可以说，林后三章是讲道理的一章，也有一些经历。我说林后三章是论及道理的，这有几个理由。八至九节说到那灵的职事和义的职事。因此，新约的职事首先是那灵的职事，然后是义的职事。这不是道理么？如果我们本著公平的态度，不受一般人对道理消极观念的影响，就会承认，事实上这就是道理。因著圣经是一本道理的书，所以我们无法避免道理，也不能忽视道理。特别是在林后三章，我们看见新约的职事是那灵与义的职事这个道理。
2Chapters three and four of 2 Corinthians are different in nature. Chapter three is actually a chapter of doctrine. I realize that for many of us doctrine is not a positive word. Because of our background, a background of religion full of doctrine, we do not regard doctrine as something pleasant or tasteful. In giving a testimony in a church meeting, we would want to say, “What I want to share with you is not a doctrine. It is a real and precious experience.” We all appreciate the word experience, and whenever we have the opportunity, we would testify concerning our experience of the Lord or our experience in the Lord. We would hesitate to stand up and say, “What I am about to present to you is a doctrine.” Nevertheless, I have the boldness to say that chapter three of 2 Corinthians is a chapter on doctrine. Of course, as a rule, doctrine should involve experience. In like manner, any genuine spiritual experience involves doctrine. Therefore, we may say that Corinthians 3 is a chapter on doctrine with some amount of experience. Let me give my reasons for saying that 2 Corinthians 3 is concerned with doctrine. Verses 8 and 9 speak of the ministry of the Spirit and of the ministry of righteousness. Thus, the new covenant ministry is first a ministry of the Spirit and then a ministry of righteousness. Is this not a matter of doctrine? If we are fair and if we are not influenced by a negative concept regarding doctrine, we shall admit that this is in fact a matter of doctrine. Because the Bible is a book of doctrine, we cannot avoid doctrine or ignore it. In chapter three, in particular, we have the doctrine that the new covenant ministry is a ministry of the Spirit and of righteousness.
3然而，三章也包含一些经历。譬如，保罗在十八节说，『但我们众人既然以没有帕子遮蔽的脸，好像镜子观看并返照主的荣光，就渐渐变化成为与祂同样的形像，从荣耀到荣耀，乃是从主灵变化成的。』这节经文包含了道理，也包含了经历。保罗在这里虽然是从经历的观点来说，但他的话里同时也包含了道理。
3Chapter three, however, also contains some amount of experience. For instance, in verse 18 Paul says, “And we all with unveiled face, beholding and reflecting as a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord Spirit.” This verse contains both doctrine and experience. Although Paul speaks here from the standpoint of experience, at the same time his word includes doctrine.
4如果说林后三章基本上是谈论道理的，四章的性质又是甚么？林后四章是说到经历的一章。我们怎么知道？一节就指出这章圣经与经历有关：『因此，我们既照所蒙的怜悯，受了这职事，就不丧胆。』保罗在这里题到『受了这职事』，甚至这句话也与道理和经历有关。但是『不丧胆』确定是与经历有关。甚至在说到经历的第四章里，也能找到一些道理。照样，在说到道理的第2三章里，也有一些经历。我们可以说，2林后三章是注重道理而带有经历，林后四章是注重经历而带有道理。我们对这两章圣经必须有这样的领会，才能了解本篇信息所要交通的。
4If 2 Corinthians 3 is basically a chapter on doctrine, what is the nature of chapter four? Second Corinthians 4 is a chapter on experience. How do we know this? Verse 1 gives us an indication that this chapter is concerned with experience: “Therefore, having this ministry, as we received mercy we do not lose heart.” Here Paul refers to “having this ministry.” Even this is related to doctrine as well as to experience. But the matter of not losing heart is definitely a matter of experience. Even in chapter four, a chapter on experience, we can find doctrine. Likewise, in chapter three, a chapter on doctrine, there is experience. We may say that Corinthians 3 is experientially doctrinal and that Corinthians 4 is doctrinally experiential. Having such an understanding of these two chapters is essential to grasping what we shall cover in this message.
生命的显明
THE MANIFESTATION OF LIFE
5四章所说的是那一种经历？不是得救、称义或赦罪的经历。有些人说，这章圣经里有十字架的经历。然而，这样说四章的经历是太消极了。这一章给我们看见的是生命的显明。这章圣经是论到生命显明的经历。基督徒可能读过林后四章，却不知道这章圣经是论到生命的显明。十至十一节说，『身体上常带著耶稣的治死，使耶稣的生命也显明在我们的身体上。因为我们这活著的人，是常为耶稣被交于死，使耶稣的生命，也在我们这必死的肉身上显明出来。』在这两节经文里，保罗没有用形容词『明显的』，却用了动词『显明出来』。明显的事物与显明出来的事物是不同的。『明显的』并不包括经历或过程；但『显明出来』却包括了一个过程、一道手续。在这两节经文里，保罗并没有说耶稣的生命是明显的。他若这样说，就没有包括甚么过程或手续，我们就不需要在经历中有所经过。但保罗说耶稣的生命显明在我们的身体上，这样说就包含了一个过程。耶稣的生命要显明出来，就需4:10-要一个过程、一道手续。在四章十至十二节，我们能明确看见生命的显明。这指明这章圣经是论到生命显明出来的经历。
5What kind of experience do we find in chapter four? It is not the experience of salvation, justification, or forgiveness. Some may say that in this chapter we have the experience of the cross. However, this is to speak of the experience in chapter four in a way that is too negative. What we find here is the manifestation of life. This chapter is on the experience of the manifestation of life. Christians may read 2 Corinthians 4 without realizing that this chapter is on the manifestation of life. Verses 10 and 11 say, “Always bearing about in the body the putting to death of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be manifested in our body. For we who live are always being delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be manifested in our mortal flesh.” In these verses Paul does not use the adjective manifest. Instead, he uses the verb “be manifested.” There is a difference between something that is manifest and something manifested. The word manifest does not involve experience or a process. But manifested involves a process, a procedure. In these verses Paul does not say that the life of Jesus may be manifest. If he had said this, no process or procedure would be involved. There would be no need for us to go through anything in our experience. But when Paul speaks of the life of Jesus being manifested in us, that involves a process. For the life of Jesus to be manifested requires a process, a procedure. In 12 we can definitely see the manifestation of life. This indicates that this chapter concerns the experience of the manifestation of life.
6生命显明出来，乃是藉著十字架的杀死。为这缘故，本篇信息的题目是『藉著十字架的杀死将生命显明出来』。当然，我们在四章找不到十字架一辞，但十字架的观念却含示其中。譬如，十节所说『耶稣的治死』必定含示十字架。耶稣的死与耶稣的治死不同。我们不该以为治死与死一样。不，二者之间至少有点不同。生命显明出来的经历与耶稣的治死有关。保罗在三章多少是以道理的方式陈明新约的职事，接著又在四章陈明新约执事的经历。保罗这样作，为甚么又题到耶稣的治死，使耶稣的生命得以显明出来？毫无疑问，保罗和别的使徒都有各种不同的经历。那么他为甚么在四章题出这个特别的经历？这章圣经的中心点没有别的，就是藉著十字架的杀死，将生命显明出来。保罗在三章告诉我们，甚么是新约的职事。然后他在四章，从自己的经历里见证这个职事。为了见证新约的职事，就是那灵与义的职事，保罗必须陈明藉著十字架的杀死，将生命显明出来的经历。
6The manifestation of life comes through the killing of the cross. For this reason, the title of this message is “The Manifestation of Life through the Killing of the Cross.” Of course, in chapter four we cannot find the word cross. Nevertheless, the concept of the cross is implied. For example, the “putting to death of Jesus” in verse 10 surely implies the cross. The death of Jesus is not the same as the putting to death of Jesus. We should not think that putting to death is the same as death. No, there is at least some difference between them. The experience of the manifestation of life is related to the putting to death of Jesus. After presenting the ministry of the new covenant in a somewhat doctrinal way in chapter three, Paul goes on in chapter four to present the experience of a new covenant minister. In doing so, why does he refer to the putting to death of Jesus that the life of Jesus might be manifested? No doubt, Paul and the other apostles had many different kinds of experience. Why, then, does he present this particular experience in chapter four? The central focus of this chapter is nothing other than the manifestation of life through the killing of the cross. In chapter three Paul tells us what the new covenant ministry is. Then in chapter four he testifies of this ministry from his experience. In order to testify of the new covenant ministry, the ministry of the Spirit and of righteousness, it is necessary for Paul to present the experience of the manifestation of life through the killing of the cross
职事得著证实
THE MINISTRY CONFIRMED
7保罗在四章一节说，『因此，我们既照所蒙的怜悯，受了这职事，就不丧胆。』假如保罗用另一种写法来写这节经文：『因此，我们既得了洋溢的恩典，受了这事奉，就得了安慰。』这样写能证实保罗在三章所说的话么？当然不能。这话不彀美妙，也不彀丰富，不能符合三章所论到的事。保罗在林后三章说到几个美妙的点：那灵的职事、义的职事、从荣耀到荣耀的变化。四章里有一些话符合上述的每一点；这几个点描述了奇妙的新约职事，就是那灵的职事，义的职事，为著从荣耀到荣耀之变化的职事。在三章以道理的方式所描述的这个职事，需要加以证实。在四章，保罗以经历证实他刚才所说有关新约职事的各点。
7In 4:1 Paul says, “Therefore, having this ministry, as we received mercy we do not lose heart.” Suppose Paul had composed this verse differently and had said this: “Therefore, having this service, as we have received abundant grace, we are comforted.” Would this kind of writing confirm what Paul says in chapter three? Certainly not. There would be no beauty or riches to correspond to the matters covered in chapter three. In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul covers some marvelous points: the ministry of the Spirit, the ministry of righteousness, transformation from glory to glory. In chapter four there is something that corresponds to each of these points, points that describe the wonderful new covenant ministry, a ministry of the Spirit, a ministry of righteousness, a ministry for transformation from glory to glory. This ministry, described in a doctrinal way in chapter three, needs to be confirmed. In chapter four Paul gives us an experiential confirmation of the points he has just made regarding the new covenant ministry.
8读第三章的人也许会说，『保罗，你刚才告诉我们，你的职事是甚么。你的职事是那灵与义的职事，要使我们变化，从荣耀到荣耀。这实在太好了。但你能从自己的经历中，向我们证实这超越的职事么？请你对我们讲一些经历来证实你的职事。』保罗好像豫知会有这类问题，所以在这卷书信里他似乎说，『在下一章─第四章里，我要把我的经历告诉你们。』因此，保罗在四章论到他经历的话，必定是强调三章中所论到的重点。这意思是说，他必须强调一些与那灵、义、变化、荣耀有关的事。我们读四章的时候，需要找出与三章所有这些重点相符合的事。四章里有甚么与三章的那灵相符合？是十三节所题到『信心的灵』么？不对，因为『信心的灵』另有所指。四章里与那灵相符合的乃是生命。这章里的生命是那灵的同义辞。在论道理的一章里，保罗是说到那灵；在论经历的一章里，保罗是说到生命。生命从道理上说是那灵，而那灵在我们的经历中乃是生命。我们可以用食品杂货与烹煮过之食物的分别，来说明那灵与生命的分别。我们豫备一顿饭以前，手上有的是各种不同的食品杂货。但我们不是吃这些食品杂货，乃是吃这些食品杂货经过处理、烹调后所成的食物。道理可比作食品杂货，我们属灵的经历可比作我们所吃3烹调过的食物。林后三章的那灵是『食品杂货』，而四章的生命是『烹调过的食物』。因此，我们可以说，生命乃是那灵经过了『烹调』，或是经过了过程，为要给我们经历。不仅如此，我们都是厨师，每当我们『烹调』那灵，那灵之于我们就成了生命。因此，我们现今所享受的乃是烹调过的食物。这就是说，四章的生命乃是经过过程的那灵。那灵经过过程、烹调以后，在我
8Someone reading chapter three might say, “Paul, you have just told us what your ministry is. Your ministry is of the Spirit and of righteousness, and it is for our transformation from glory to glory. This is wonderful. But can you confirm to us this excellent ministry from your own experience? Will you give us some experience as a confirmation of your ministry?” Almost as if to anticipate such questions, Paul seems to say in this Epistle, “In the following chapter, chapter four, I shall tell you of my experience.” What Paul says in chapter four regarding his experience, therefore, must emphasize the crucial points covered in chapter three. This means he must emphasize something related to the Spirit, righteousness, transformation, and glory. As we read chapter four, we need to find what matters correspond to all these points in chapter three. What in chapter four corresponds to the Spirit in chapter three? It would not be correct to say the “spirit of faith” mentioned in verse 13, for this refers to something else. The matter in chapter four that corresponds to the Spirit is life. Life in this chapter is a synonym of the Spirit. In a chapter concerning doctrine Paul speaks of the Spirit, but in a chapter concerning experience he speaks of life. Life in doctrine is the Spirit, and the Spirit in our experience is life. We may use the difference between groceries and cooked food to illustrate the difference between the Spirit and life. Before we prepare a meal, what we have on hand is different kinds of groceries. But we do not eat these groceries; we eat cooked food prepared from groceries. Doctrine can be compared to groceries, and our spiritual experience, to the cooked food we eat. The Spirit in 2 Corinthians is the “groceries,” but the life in chapter four is the “cooked food.” Thus, we may say that life is the Spirit “cooked” or processed for our experience. Furthermore, we are all cooks. Whenever we cook the Spirit, the Spirit becomes life to us. Therefore, we are now enjoying cooked food. This means that the life in chapter four is the processed Spirit. After the Spirit is processed, cooked, He becomes life to us in our experience.
9们的经历中就成了生命。
9
10现在，我们先不去找四章有甚么与三章中的义相符合，而要问甚么与变化相符合。正如生命与那灵是同义辞，照样，更新与变化也是同义辞。保罗在十六节说到更新：『里面的人却日日在更新。』虽然变化与更新是同义辞，二者之间仍然有一点分别。变化包含了一个过程。变化的过程在进行的时候，我们就渐渐更新了。四章有甚么与三章的荣光（荣耀）是同义辞？实际上没有同义辞。不论荣耀经过了怎样的过程，荣耀还是荣耀。保罗在三章和四章都说到荣光（荣耀）。然而，三章的荣耀不如四章的荣耀那样有分量。保罗在四章十七节说到『永远重大的荣耀』。三章的荣耀，在今世有时代性的分量，而四章的荣耀却是有永远的分量。换句话说，三章的荣耀有今世的分量，四章的荣耀有永世的分量。我们应当记得，三章十八节说，从一种程度的荣耀到另一种程度的荣耀。毫无疑问，四章的荣耀乃是达到最高的程度，至少比三章的荣耀水平要高。三章说到的那灵、变化和荣耀，多少是偏重道理的。但四章里同义的各点却是重在经历。我们已经看见，那灵成了生命，变化成了更新，而今世的荣耀成了永远的荣耀。
10For the time being, we shall not seek to find what element in chapter four corresponds to righteousness in chapter three. Instead, let us ask what corresponds to transformation. Just as life is synonymous with the Spirit, so being renewed is synonymous with being transformed. Paul speaks of renewing in verse 16 when he says that “our inward man is being renewed day by day.” Although transformation and renewal are synonyms, there is still a difference between them. Transformation involves a process. When the process of transformation takes place, it becomes renewing. What is the synonym in chapter four for glory in chapter three? Actually, there is no synonym. No matter how much glory is processed, it remains glory. In both chapters three and four Paul speaks of glory. However, the glory in chapter three is not as weighty as that in chapter four. In 4:17 Paul speaks of “an eternal weight of glory.” The glory in chapter three is dispensationally weighty in this age, but the glory in chapter four is eternally weighty. In other words, in chapter three glory has a weight for this age, but in chapter four glory has a weight of eternity. We should remember that 3:18 speaks of being from one degree of glory to another degree. No doubt, the glory in chapter four is the most advanced degree. At least, it is at a higher level than the glory in chapter three. In chapter three the matters of the Spirit, transformation, and glory are somewhat doctrinal. But in chapter four the synonymous points are experiential. As we have seen, the Spirit becomes life, transformation becomes renewing, and the dispensational glory becomes the eternal glory.
那灵与生命
the Spirit and life
11生命的显明就等于那灵的显明。保罗在三章八节说，他的职事─新约的职事─乃是那灵的职事。在四章，他用经历证实这一点。在这章圣经里，他的意思是说，『我要向你们证实我的职事就是那灵的职事。我到你们这里来，你们岂不看见我身上有所显明么？你们看见的是甚么？是犹太宗教么？是犹太人的作法、习惯和风俗么？不，你们没有看见这些。你们哥林多人必须承认，你们在我身上所看见的，乃是生命的显明，而不是犹太人的宗教、哲学、习俗或作法的显明。』在保罗身上所显明的生命，乃是被他经历的那灵，经过过程的那灵，经过烹调的那灵。
11The manifestation of life is equal to the manifestation of the Spirit. In 3:8 Paul says that his ministry, the ministry of the new covenant, is a ministry of the Spirit. In chapter four he presents an experiential confirmation of this. In this chapter he seems to be saying, “Let me confirm for you that my ministry is a ministry of the Spirit. When I came to you, didn’ty ou see something manifested in me? What did you see? Jewish religion? Jewish practices, habits, and customs? No, you did not see any of these things. You Corinthians must admit that what you saw in me was the manifestation of life, not the manifestation of any Jewish religion, philosophy, custom, or practice.” The life manifested in Paul was the experienced Spirit, the processed Spirit, the Spirit that had been cooked
12保罗与哥林多人同在的时候，又活又有能力；但他也是慈仁、谦卑而和蔼的。这些美德都是他所经历之那灵的一部分显明。他的职事乃是在他身上显明为生命之那灵的职事。所以保罗满了生命。生命不仅显明在他身上，也在哥林多信徒里面作工。
12When Paul was with the Corinthians, he was living and powerful, but he was also kind, humble, and forbearing. All these virtues were part of the manifestation of the Spirit experienced by him. His ministry was the ministry of the Spirit manifested in him as life. Therefore, Paul was full of life. Not only was life manifested upon him, but it also worked in the believers there at Corinth
13生命能在保罗身上显明出来，这是因为他经历了十字架的杀死。假如保罗没有遭遇任何难处、困难、反对或逼迫；假如他的身体也很健壮，他的健康从来没有甚么问题；若是这样，保罗身上就不大可能会有生命的显明。但是保罗与哥林多人同在的时候，实在有许多问题和难处，他也的确遭遇到反对和逼迫。有时候连哥林多的圣徒也找保罗的麻烦。保罗知道如果凡事都容易、都顺利的话，就不可能有同样生命的显明。当我们处在安逸的环境里，生命得以显明的机会就比较少。但是当我们遭受反对、逼迫、批评的时候；或是当我们生病，召会中的圣徒困扰我们的时候，这种处境正好让生命得著显明。保罗与哥林多人在一起时，他的处境就是那样。这提供他一个绝佳的机会，使他里面的那灵显明为生命。在八至九节里，保罗指明他所处的那种困难环境。他说，『我们四面受压，却不被困住；出路绝了，却非绝无出路；遭逼迫，却不被撇弃；打倒了，却不至灭亡。』在这两节经文里，保罗题到四件事。第一，他说他们四面受压，却不被困住。四面受压是指前、后、左、右都受压；但是，他们却不被困住、不受拦阻，这指明生命。在这种处境里不被困住，乃是叫生命显明出来。
13Life could be manifested in Paul because he experienced the killing of the cross. Suppose Paul did not have any problems, troubles, opposition, or persecution. Suppose he was also strong physically and never had any problems with his health. If such had been the case, it is not likely that there would have been the manifestation of life in Paul. But when Paul was with the Corinthians, he did have problems and difficulties, and he did encounter opposition and persecution. Sometimes even the saints in Corinth caused him trouble. Paul knew that if everything had been easy and comfortable, it would not have been possible to have the same manifestation of life. When we are in a comfortable environment, there is less opportunity for life to be manifested. But when we are opposed, persecuted, and criticized, when we have problems with our health, and when we are troubled by the saints in the church, we are in a proper situation for the manifestation of life. When Paul was with the Corinthians, he was in that kind of situation. This afforded him an excellent opportunity to have the Spirit within him manifested as life. In verses 8 and 9 Paul indicates the kind of difficult situation he was in. He says, “We are afflicted in every way, but not straitened; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” In these verses Paul mentions four things. First, he says that they were afflicted in every way, but not straitened. The Chinese version says that they were attacked in every way, attacked from four directions: the front, the rear, the right, and the left. Nevertheless, they were not straitened, cramped. This indicates life. Not to be straitened in such a situation is to have the manifestation of life
14第二，保罗说他们出路绝了，却非绝无出路。使徒们被封锁，没有出路；但他们却非绝无出路。八节里这一句话在原文有一点在玩文字游戏。保罗先是说他们出路绝了，又说却非绝无出路。这又是生命的故事。他们似乎出路绝了，但是因著那灵在他们里面作生命，他们并非绝无出路。第三，保罗说他们遭逼迫，却不被撇弃。这就是说，他们被仇敌追赶，却不被弃绝、不被遗弃；也就是说，他们没有被撇下（在恶劣的困境中）。末了，保罗在九节说，他们被打倒，却不至灭亡。他们虽然被打倒，却不至灭亡。保罗遭受苦难、出路绝了、遭逼迫又被打倒。这些都提供机会，让生命得以显明出来。生命胜过这一切。保罗虽然经历了苦难、出路绝了、遭逼迫、并被打倒，但他还是非常的活。他没有被困住、没有失望，也没有被撇弃或灭亡。生命的确在他身上显明出来。
14Second, Paul says that they were perplexed, unable to find a way out, but not despairing. The apostles were shut up; they did not have a way out. However, they were not utterly lacking a way out. This part of verse 8 contains in Greek a play on words. First Paul speaks of being unable to find a way out, and then, of not being utterly unable to find a way out. Once again, this is life. Seemingly they were unable to find a way out. But because of the Spirit in them as life, they were not utterly unable to find a way out. Third, Paul says that they were persecuted, but not forsaken. This means they were pursued by enemies, but they were not abandoned, deserted; that is, they were not left behind in an evil plight. Finally, in verse 9 Paul says that they were cast down, but not destroyed. Although they were struck down, they did not perish. Paul was afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down. All this provided an opportunity for life to be manifested. Life overcomes all these things. Even though he experienced affliction, perplexity, persecution, and being cast down, Paul was still very living. He was not straitened or despairing, and he was not forsaken or destroyed. Life certainly was manifested in him.
15保罗的生活与他的职事保罗摆出自己的经历来证实他的职事，藉此指明他和他的职事乃是一。保罗的所是和他所过的生活，就是他的职事。保罗的职事就是他的所是，而不仅仅是他所作的或他所完成的工作。保罗所过的是这样的生活，所以他的生活就证实了他的职事。保罗的职事是那灵的职事，他的生活满了生命。这意思是说，他的生活是经过过程之那灵，经过烹调之那灵的显明。保罗凭著那灵生活，生命就从他里面出来。生命向著哥林多人显明出来，并且供应给他们。这生命进到他们里面，立即就成了那灵。当他们活出那灵时，那灵就对别人成为生命。这就证实了保罗新约的职事。
15PAUL’S LIVING AND HIS MINISTRY By presenting his own experience as a confirmation of his ministry, Paul indicated that he and his ministry were one. What Paul was and what he lived were his ministry. The ministry was what Paul was and not merely what he did or the work he accomplished. Paul lived in such a way that his living was a confirmation of his ministry. Paul’s ministry was a ministry of the Spirit, and his living was full of life. This means that his living was the manifestation of the processed Spirit, the cooked Spirit. Paul lived by the Spirit, and life came out of him. Life was manifested to the Corinthians and ministered to them. When this life entered into them, it immediately became the Spirit. Then when they lived out the Spirit, the Spirit became life to others. This was the confirmation of Paul’s new covenant ministry
16在林后四章，保罗似乎是对哥林多人说，『我们的生活和我们的所是，证实了我们的职事。我们与职事乃是一；这意思是说，我们就是那职事，那职事就是我们的所是，我们的人位，我们的生活。我们所过的生活证实了这职事。我曾经告诉你们，那职事乃是那灵的职事。现在我证实我所宣称的，因为我可以向你们见证，我在困境中经历了生命的显明。』
16In 2 Corinthians 4 Paul seems to be telling the Corinthians, “Our living and our being are the confirmation of our ministry. We and the ministry are one. This means that we are the ministry. The ministry is our being, our person, our living. What we live is the confirmation of the ministry. I have told you that the ministry is the ministry of the Spirit. Now I confirm this claim by testifying to you of my experience of the manifestation of life in the midst of a difficult environment
四面受压
afflicted from every side
17有时候主许可一种环境临到我们，使我们四面受压。你在这种环境中感觉喜乐么？有时候主好像把我们撇在这种环境里，攻击从前、后、左、右而来。我们四面受压，就是在各方面都受压。这是为了叫生命显明出来。你也许想知道攻击你的人是谁，是谁叫你四面受压。攻击你最厉害的人也许就是你自己家里的人。你的丈夫、妻子、孩子、姻亲等等会叫你为难。你若呼求主怜悯你，祂会指明，最大的怜悯就是把你放在这种环境里，好叫生命显明出来。生命，就是烹调过的那灵，乃是那灵的彰显。因著保罗把生命显明出来，所以他的生活和他的所是就证实了他的职事。他与那灵的职事乃是一。
17Sometimes the Lord allows us to be in a situation where we are afflicted on every side. Do you feel happy when you are in such an environment? Sometimes it seems as if the Lord drops us into the midst of this kind of environment, an environment where we are attacked from the front and the rear, from the left and the right. We are afflicted in every way, that is, according to the meaning of the Greek, we are afflicted from every side. This is for the manifestation of life. Perhaps you are wondering who the attackers are, who are those who cause affliction on every side. The ones who attack you the most may be those in your own family. Your husband or wife, your children, and your in-laws may make things difficult for you. If you cry out for the Lord to have mercy on you, He may indicate that the greatest mercy is for you to be in such a situation in order to have the manifestation of life. Life, the cooked Spirit, is the expression of the Spirit. Therefore, because Paul manifested life, his living and his being were the confirmation of his ministry. He and the ministry of the Spirit were one.
18保罗在三章指明，所有的使徒都与他们的职事是一。然后他在四章摆出一种生活，来证实他所宣称新约众执事与新约的职事乃是一。他们的所是与他们的生活就是他们的职事。他们把生命供应人，不仅是藉著说话，更是藉著生活。他们的生活证实了他们所说的话，加强了他们的职事。因此，众执事与职事乃是一。
18In chapter three Paul indicates that the apostles were all one with their ministry. Then in chapter four he presents a life that confirms the claim that the new covenant ministers and the new covenant ministry are one. What they are and what they live is their ministry. They minister life to others not merely by speaking, but even more by living. Their living confirms their speaking and strengthens their ministry. Thus, the ministers and the Spirit are one