Books
哥林多后书生命读经 · 第40篇

新约的执事（九）

The Ministers of the New Covenant (9)
1读经：哥林多后书六章三至十三节。我们在林后六章一至二节看见和好职事的工作，在六章三至十三节看见这职事的彀用生命。从六章三节到七章末了，使徒描述那为著完成新约职事、适应一切的生命。保罗在三节说，『我们凡事都不使人绊跌，免得这职事被人挑剔。』这里的职事就是新约的职事。（三8～9，四1。）在本篇信息中，我们要来看为著这种职事的彀用生命。这生命就是适应一切的生命。
1Scripture Reading: 2 Cor. 6:3-13 In 6:1 and 2 we see the work of the reconciling ministry and in 6:3-13, the adequate life for the ministry. From 6:3 to the end of chapter seven, the apostle depicts a life that is all-fitting for carrying out the new covenant ministry. In verse 3 Paul says, “We are giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that the ministry may not be blamed.” The ministry here is the ministry of the new covenant (3:8-9; 4:1). In this message we shall consider the life that is adequate for such a ministry. This life is an all-fitting life
第一种资格多方的忍耐
THE FIRST CATEGORY OF QUALIFICATIONS In Much Endurance
2保罗在六章四节说，『反倒在各样的事上，在多方的忍耐上、在患难上、在贫困上、在困苦上。』保罗在四至七节给我们看见神的众执事─新约众执事（三6）─的第一种资格。许多年前我读到这些经节，看到保罗所题的第一种资格是忍耐，这个事实，使我甚受困扰。我以为保罗论到新约众执事的资格时，应当以一些高大的事为开始。但他却以『在多方的忍耐上』这样的话为开始。今天若有一位信徒要申请担任医疗布道者，他一定会题到他所受的教育。他会自称有忍耐的资格么？然而，保罗所列出的第一项资格乃是忍耐。
2In verse 4 Paul says, “But in everything commending ourselves as ministers of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses.” In verses 4 through 7 Paul gives us the first category of qualifications of the ministers of God, the ministers of the new covenant (3:6). When I read these verses many years ago, I was bothered by the fact that the first qualification given by Paul is endurance. I thought that in speaking of the qualifications of New Testament ministers, Paul should have begun with something great. Instead, he begins with the words “in much endurance.” If a believer today were to apply to be a medical missionary, surely he would mention his education. Would he instead claim that he possesses the qualification of endurance? Nevertheless, the first qualification listed by Paul is endurance
3许多译者同意，六章四节的忍耐，原文含示耐心。有些译本用耐心而不用忍耐。但是将该辞繙成耐心是不彀的。耐心与忍耐是不同的。当然，耐心与忍耐都是正面的美德，但耐心还不及忍耐。耐心并不含示受苦，而忍耐却含示受苦。你若长时间与我交谈，我需要耐心来听。但我若必须受点苦，我就不只需要耐心，还需要忍耐。新约执事的第一项资格就是能彀忍受苦难。这样的执事必须能忍受压力、压迫、逼迫、贫困和任何的试炼。倪柝声弟兄曾说过，最有能力的人是最能忍耐的人。忍耐需要力量。我们若要忍受患难，就需要得到加强，并且满有能力。
3Many translators agree that the Greek word rendered endurance in 6:4 implies patience. Some versions use the word patience instead of endurance. However, to render the Greek word as patience is not sufficient. There is a difference between patience and endurance. Of course, both patience and endurance are positive virtues. But patience falls short of endurance. Patience does not imply suffering, whereas endurance does imply suffering. If you talk to me for a long period of time, I shall need patience in order to listen to you. But if it is necessary to undergo some kind of suffering, I would need endurance in addition to patience. The first qualification of a New Testament minister is the capacity to endure tribulation. Such a minister must be able to endure pressure, oppression, persecution, poverty, and any kind of trial. Brother Watchman Nee once said that the most powerful person is a person who can endure. Endurance requires strength. If we would endure tribulation, we need to be strengthened and become powerful.
4倪弟兄坐监的二十年期间，在他身上显明了忍耐。一时的殉道是一回事，多年监禁完全是另一回事。一时的殉道也许从被捕、受审、处死，都是在极短的时间之内发生的，不需要太多的忍耐。但一个人若下到监里，长年受审问，就绝对需要忍耐。新约的每一位执事都必须学习如何忍耐。使徒、长老、执事都需要忍耐。有些圣徒擅长于把长老们弄得精疲力竭。在此我要对羡慕作长老的弟兄们说几句话：你们必须准备好长期受磨碾。你若被摆在长老的职任上，你就是被放在磨石之间。有些弟兄姊妹会不断磨碾你们。他们好像就是受『托付』来试验长老的属灵光景。藉著他们，你们会受试验，看你们到底能忍耐多久。然而，当我们忍耐时，我们就能将生命供应人。忍耐的人，就是将生命供应人的人。
4Endurance was manifested in Brother Nee during the twenty years of his imprisonment. It is one thing to be an instant martyr; it is something very different to be in prison for many years. An instant martyr may be arrested, tried, and executed, all within a short period of time. For this, endurance is not necessary. But if one is cast into prison and then made subject to trial over a period of years, endurance is absolutely necessary. Every minister of the New Testament must learn how to endure. The apostles, the elders, and the deacons all need endurance. Certain saints are very good at exhausting the elders. At this point let me say a word to those brothers who aspire to be elders: You must be ready for continual grinding. If you are put into the eldership, you will be placed between the grinding stones. Some brothers and sisters will grind you constantly. They seem to have a “commission” to test the spirituality of the elders. Through them you will be put on the test to see how long you can endure. But when we endure, we minister life to others. Those who have endurance are those who minister life
5患难保罗在一章八节说到他的患难：『弟兄们，关于我们在亚西亚所遭遇的患难，我们不愿意你们不知道，就是我们被压太重，力不能胜，甚至连活命的指望都绝了。』这是使他成为新约执事的另一项资格。贫困繙作『贫困』一辞的原文，真正的意义很难领会。达秘的译本也用『贫困』一辞。国语和合本繙作『贫穷』。每当我们有需要，缺乏食物、住处或衣服时，我们就贫困。在十二章十节，原文用了同一个字，国语和合本繙作急难。这辞原文意重压人的窘迫，急需；指由灾难和困境所产生的苦难。灾难的例子就是不久以前圣赫伦火山的爆发。对于火山附近的人，那是灾难。这种灾难的结果是缺乏日用的必需。保罗经过了许多灾难和困境，结果处在贫困之中。
5In Afflictions Paul refers to his afflictions in 1:8: “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, as to our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were excessively burdened, beyond our power, so that we despaired even of living.” This is another qualification for him to be a minister of the new covenant. In Necessities It is difficult to grasp the real meaning of the word rendered necessities. Darby in his translation also uses the word necessities. The Chinese version uses the word poverty. Whenever we are in want, short of food, lodging, or clothing, we are in necessities. In 12:10, where the same Greek word is used, the Chinese version uses a word meaning straits. The Greek word means constraints, urgent needs that press heavily. It refers to sufferings that result from calamities and straits. An example of calamity would be the eruption of Mount Saint Helens some time ago. That was a calamity to those in the vicinity of the volcano. The result of such a calamity is want, shortage of daily necessities. Paul passed through many calamities and straits and, as a result, was in necessities.
6今天基督徒不是以贫困的经历衡量神的仆人，而是以他是否富裕来衡量他。若某人赀财丰裕，人就认为他是蒙主祝福的。但若有一位信徒贫穷，缺乏食物、住处、衣服或其他必需，许多人就会这样说他：『这位弟兄不蒙神称许。神不喜悦他、不喜欢他，所以不祝福他。』若是这样，保罗处在贫困中，又怎么说？他必然是蒙神称许的。我们不该以为财富是我们蒙神祝福或称许的标记。相反的，缺乏、短缺、贫穷，乃是新约执事的真正资格。
6Today Christians evaluate one who is a servant of God not by his experience in necessities but by his riches. If someone possesses great riches, he is considered blessed by the Lord. But if a believer becomes poor, lacking in food, housing, clothing, or other necessities for daily living, many would say of him, “This brother is not approved by God. Because God is not happy with him or pleased with him, He does not bless him.” What, then, about Paul, who was in necessities? Surely he was approved by God. We should not think that riches are a sign that we are blessed by the Lord or approved by Him. On the contrary, it may be that want, necessity, and poverty are the true qualifications of a minister of the new covenant
困苦
in distresses
7保罗在六章四节也说到困苦。困苦，直译，场所狭窄。因此指困境、难处、困苦。我们很难说明患难与困苦的分别。有些繙译圣经的人甚至把四节这里辞句的顺序颠倒，把困苦说成患难，把患难说成困苦。我们可以说，困苦是内里的受苦，就是对于外面患难的反应。我们从保罗在四节所使用的种种辞句，知道他处在各种困扰之中。这节经文清楚指明，保罗的生活是患难、灾难、困境、贫困和困苦的生活。你是否乐意听到这话？当你听到保罗的难处与困扰时，你是否仍然愿意成为新约的执事？今天有许多青年人受鼓励要去读神学。他们在神学院毕业以后，可能会找到担任牧师或传道人的好职业；他们可能得到住宅和彀用的薪水。但保罗不是这样的执事，他不过那种生活。他的生活乃是使他有资格成为新约执事的生活，是一种忍耐、患难、贫困和困苦的生活。
7In verse 4 Paul also speaks of distresses. Literally the Greek word rendered distresses means narrowness of room; hence, straits, difficulties, distresses. It is not easy to explain the difference between afflictions and distresses. Some translators even reverse the order of these words in verse 4, using distresses for afflictions, and afflictions for distresses. We may say that distresses are the inward sufferings which come as a reaction to the outward afflictions. From the various words Paul uses in verse 4 we know that he was in different kinds of troubles. This verse clearly indicates that Paul’s life was a life of affliction, calamity, straits, necessities, and distresses. Do you like to hear about this? Do you still want to be a minister of the new covenant when you hear about Paul’s difficulties and troubles? Today many young men are encouraged to be ministerial students. After graduating from a seminary, they may find a good job as a pastor or minister. They may be provided housing and an adequate salary. Paul, however, was not that kind of minister, and he did not live that kind of life. Instead, his life, the life that qualified him to be a new covenant minister, was a life of endurance, affliction, necessities, and distresses
鞭打
In Stripes
8五节说，『在鞭打上、在监禁上、在扰乱上、在劳苦上、在不睡上、在不食上。』鞭打是指保罗所挨的打。他在十一章
8Verse 5 says, “In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings.” The stripes refer to the beatings Paul received. In 11:23 he refers to
9二十三节说，『论鞭打，是过重的。』过重的，直译，过度的。保罗在十一章
9“stripes excessively,” where the word excessively literally means above measure. In 11:24 Paul says,
10二十四节说，『我给犹太人鞭打五次，每次四十，减去一下。』不仅如此，根据行传十六章二十三节，保罗和西拉在腓立比被打了许多棍，并且被下在监里。监禁保罗在林后十一章二十三节说到：『论下监，是更多的。』保罗多次被下在监里。我们已经题到在腓立比的一次。在以弗所三章一节，保罗说到自
10From the Jews five times I received forty stripes less one.” Furthermore, according to Acts 16:23, in Philippi Paul and Silas had many stripes laid upon them and then were cast into prison (Acts 16:23). In Imprisonments In 11:23 Paul speaks of “imprisonments more abundantly.” Several times Paul was cast into prison. We have already referred to the occasion at Philippi. In Ephesians 3:1 Paul refers to himself as “the prisoner
己 是基督耶稣的囚犯；在以弗所四章
of Christ Jesus,” and in Ephesians 4:1, as “the prisoner
119一节，说到自己是『在主里的囚犯』。保罗在提后一章八节，和腓利门九节、
11in the Lord.” Again, in 2 Timothy 1:8 and Philemon and 23 Paul refers to imprisonment.
12二十三节里，又题到作囚犯与坐监。扰乱扰乱指叛乱、背叛与极大的混乱。行传十七章五节形容一次这类的扰乱。
12In Tumults Tumults refer to rebellions, revolts, and great disturbances. Acts 17:5 describes one such tumult
13十九章描绘在以弗所发生的大扰乱。
13Acts 19 describes a great tumult which occurred in
14二十三节说，『那时，关于这道路，起了不小的扰乱。』劳苦保罗在林后十一章二十三节说到自
14Ephesus. Verse 23 of that chapter says, “There arose no small stir about that way.” In Labors In 2 Corinthians 11:23 Paul says that he was “in
己 『论劳苦，是更多的』；二十七
labors more abundantly,” and in verse 27, speaks
151节说到『劳碌辛苦』。保罗在帖前
15of “in labor and hardship.” Paul mentions this in
16二章九节题到这事：『弟兄们，你们原记得我们的劳碌辛苦；我们是昼夜作工，把神的福音传扬给你们，免得叫你们任何人受累。』他在帖后三章八节又题到这事：『也未尝白吃任何人的饭，倒是劳碌辛苦，昼夜作工，免得叫你们任何人受累。』不睡不睡指儆醒不眠，如使徒们在行传
16Thessalonians 2:9: “For you remember, brothers, our labor and hardship: working night and day so as not to be burdensome to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.” He refers to this again in 2 Thessalonians 3:8, where he says, “Nor did we eat bread as a gift from anyone, but in labor and hardship we worked night and day that we might not be burdensome to any of you.” In Watchings Watchings refer to sleeplessness, such as those
十六章二十五节，二十章七至十一节、
experienced by the apostles in Acts 16:25; 20:7-11
172三十一节，及帖后三章八节所经历的。保罗在林后十一章二十七节曾题到这事，说到『论儆醒，是多次的』。这是指在一种境遇下无法或没空睡眠，这是保罗生活的一方面。不食
1731; and 2 Thessalonians 3:8. Paul refers to this in Corinthians 11:27, speaking of “in watchings often.” This refers to a situation where there is either no way to get sleep or no time to sleep. This was an aspect of Paul’s living. In Fastings
六章五节的不食不是为著祷告而
The fastings in verse 5 do not refer to fasting for
18禁食，乃是由于缺乏食物而不食。在十一章二十七节，不食是与劳碌辛苦、儆醒、饥渴相题并论。不食与辛苦并列，必是指由于缺乏食物，非自愿的禁食；因此这与饥饿不同。饥饿是指无法得著食物的光景；非自愿的不食，是指贫穷的光景。
18prayer. These are the fastings due to the lack of food. In 11:27 fastings are mentioned along with labor and hardship, watchings, and hunger and thirst. Since fastings are listed with hardships, they must refer to involuntary fasting due to lack of food. Hence, they differ from hunger. Hunger may refer to a situation in which there is no way to obtain food; involuntary fasting may refer to a situation of poverty.
纯洁
In Pureness
19六章六节继续说，『以纯洁、以知识、以恒忍、以恩慈、以圣别的灵、以无伪的爱。』这里的纯洁与动机有关，保罗的动机是纯洁的。
19Verse 6 continues, “In pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in a holy spirit, in unfeigned love.” Pureness here is related to motive. In his motive Paul was pure
20这节的纯洁含意很多。我们的动机若不单一，就不纯洁。我们的动机若是为著主自己以外的事物，我们的动机就不纯洁。照样，我们的目标若是要得著神的荣耀以外的事物，我们的目标就不纯洁。纯洁指明，我们甚么都不在意，只在意神和祂的荣耀。
20The word pureness in this verse implies a great deal. If our intention is not single, it is not pure. If in our motive we are for something other than the Lord Himself, our motive is not pure. Likewise, if our goal is to gain something other than the glory of God, our goal is not pure. Pureness indicates that we care for nothing except God and His glory
知识
In Knowledge
21知识当然是心思的事。保罗把知识包括在内，指明没有一个新约的执事是愚拙、迟钝的。我们既是新约的执事，就需要相当有知识。因此，我鼓励青年人要接受适当的教育，还要学习外语。你若要给主使用，就特别需要懂得希腊文或希伯来文。读历史也是有帮助的。当然，我们也需要研读圣经，学习正确的圣经启示。我们若要成为新约的执事，就必须有知识。
21Knowledge, of course, is a matter of the mind. Paul’s inclusion of “in knowledge” indicates that no minister of the New Testament should be an unintelligent person. As new covenant ministers, we need to be quite knowledgeable. For this reason, I encourage the young people to get a proper education and to learn foreign languages. In particular, if you would be used by the Lord, you need to gain the knowledge of Greek or Hebrew. It is also helpful to study history. No doubt, we need to study the Bible and learn the proper biblical revelation. In order to be new covenant ministers, we need to be knowledgeable
恒忍
in longsuffering
22忍耐与恒忍很难分别。忍耐强调受苦的能力或性能，而恒忍则强调受苦的时限。我们若要成为新约的执事，就必须知道，若不受苦，神永远的定旨便不能完成。自从人堕落以后，人生的每一件事都是藉著受苦完成的。照创世记三章的记载，女人生产必须受苦。抚养孩子也需要受苦；当然我们作父母的会以我们的孩子为乐。当母亲抱著孩子或是注视孩子睡觉时的神情，便会非常高兴。然而，孩子为父母带来麻烦却是一个事实。在养育孩子的过程中，可能苦多于乐。再者，根据创世记三章，人必须劳苦才能维生，因为地长出荆棘和蒺藜来。田间的杂草似乎总比我们所栽种的农作物长得好。这是人生困扰和苦难的表号。
22It is difficult to differentiate endurance from longsuffering. Endurance may emphasize the strength or capacity to bear suffering, and longsuffering may emphasize the duration of that suffering. In order to be a minister of the New Testament, we must realize that nothing can be accomplished for God’s eternal purpose without suffering. From the time of man’s fall, everything in human life is accomplished through suffering. According to Genesis 3, women suffer in childbearing. Suffering is necessary in raising our children. Of course, we who are parents enjoy our children. When a mother embraces her little child or looks upon him while he is sleeping, she is very happy. Nevertheless, it is a fact that children cause trouble to their parents. It may be that in the raising of children there is more suffering than enjoyment. Moreover, also according to Genesis 3, man must labor to earn a living, for the ground brings forth thorns and thistles. It seems that in a field weeds always grow better than the things we plant. This is a sign of the troubles, the sufferings, of human living
23不论贫富，所有的人都有困扰。如果我们这些新约的执事要在别人受苦时帮助他们，我们怎能逃避苦难？我们不能例外，我们需要受苦，最终经历恒忍。不要以为你作了执事，就可以免受苦难。你的婚姻生活或家庭生活虽然有一些喜乐，但你也会受苦，可能苦多乐少。实际上，新约的执事比别人受苦更多。一个执事应当像主耶稣一样过著正确的为人生活。主比任何人受苦更深。要过真正的为人生活，就要受苦。为人的生活主要不是享受的生活，乃是受苦的生活。我们越是过一种把基督供应人的生活，就越会受苦。因此，我们需要恒忍这个资格。
23All people, the rich and the poor alike, have troubles. If as ministers of the new covenant we would help others in their suffering, how can we avoid suffering? We cannot be an exception. Instead, we must suffer and eventually experience longsuffering. Never think that as a minister you can avoid suffering. You will have some joy in your married life or family life, but you will also have suffering, probably more suffering than joy. Actually, a new covenant minister suffers more than others do. As a minister, he is one who should live a proper human life as the Lord Jesus did. The Lord suffered more than anyone else. To live a genuine human life is to suffer. Human life is a life not mainly of enjoyment but of suffering. The more we live a human life to minister Christ to others, the more we shall suffer. Hence, we need the qualification of longsuffering
恩慈
In Kindness
24我相信在保罗的思想中，恒忍与恩慈是有关联的。我们受苦时，常常无力顾到别人。但恩慈含示我们是顾到别人的。我相信保罗的观念是这样：当我们受苦时，我们也需要顾到别人，对人有恩慈。我们是在恒忍中，也是在恩慈中。甚至在我们受苦时，仍然应当对人有恩慈。
24I believe that in Paul’s thought there is a connection between longsuffering and kindness. Usually when we are suffering we do not have the capacity to care for others. But kindness implies that we are for others. I believe that Paul’s concept is that while we are suffering, we also need to take care of others and be kind to them. We are in longsuffering and also in kindness. Even when we are suffering, we should still be kind to others
圣别的灵
in a holy spirit
25多数的译本将林后六章六节的灵当作是指圣灵。但按照上下文的意思，保罗在这里并不是指神的灵，乃是指我们的灵。这意思是说，我们的灵必须是圣别的。『圣别的灵』一辞是指使徒重生的灵。
25Most versions understand the spirit in verse 6 to refer to the Holy Spirit. Thus, they capitalize the words holy and spirit. But here, according to the context, Paul does not refer to God’s Spirit, but to our spirit. This means that our spirit must be holy. The words “a holy spirit” refer to the apostles’ regenerated spirit
无伪的爱
in unfeigned love
26爱是心的事。我们在这一节里有动机、心思、心与灵。使徒的身体受鞭打，（5，）心思有知识，心中有爱，他们在生活中用上了全人，包括体、魂和灵，为要完成他们的职事。我们要成为新约的执事，我们的整个人─体、魂和灵，都必须是对的。
26Love is a matter of the heart. In this verse we have the motive, the mind, the heart, and the spirit. With stripes on the body (v. 5) and knowledge of the mind and love of the heart, the entire being of the apostles, including body, soul, and spirit, is exercised in their life for carrying out their ministry. In order to be ministers of the new covenant, our whole being, our body, soul, and spirit, must be right.
27真实的话保罗在七节说，『以真实的话、以神的大能。』这里的真实是指新约的实际，也指明神的话所启示的一切真实事物，主要的是指基督是神的具体化身，召会是基督的身体。真实的话就是新约所启示之神圣实际的发表与说明。神的大能神的大能与真实的话相配。有真实的话而没有神的大能，就仅仅是字句的知识。真实的话在神的大能中就成为实际了。大能乃是神的灵，甚至就是神自己。
27In the Word of Truth In verse 7 Paul says, “In the word of truth, in the power of God.” Truth here refers to the reality of the new covenant. Truth means reality and denotes all the real things revealed in God’sWord, which are mainly Christ as the embodiment of God and the church as the Body of Christ. The word of truth is the utterance, the expression, of the divine reality as revealed in the New Testament. In the Power of God The power of God matches the word of truth. The word of truth without the power of God is merely knowledge in letters. In the power of God it becomes reality. The power is the Spirit of God, even God Himself