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哥林多后书生命读经 · 第45篇

新约的执事（十四）

The Ministers of the New Covenant (14)
1读经：哥林多后书七章二至十六节。保罗在林后七章二至三节说，『你们要容纳我们，我们未曾亏负谁，未曾败坏谁，未曾占谁的便宜。我说这话，不是为定罪你们，因我先前说过，你们是在我们的心里，以至同死同活。』保罗在这里的话启示出他对哥林多人深挚、亲密的关切。这段话并不是仅仅所谓伦理、宗教、属灵、甚至爱心的话。你有时可以对人说些爱心的话，表达你的爱意，但你对他们仍然没有很多的关切。所以，我们对人的爱必须成为我们对人的关切。保罗对哥林
1Scripture Reading: 2 Cor. 7:2-16 In 7:2 and 3 Paul says, “Make room for us; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.” Paul’sword here reveals his deep, intimate concern for the Corinthians. This utterance is not merely something ethical, religious, spiritual, or even loving. It is possible to say a word of love and feel love for others, but still not have much concern for them. Our love for others must become our concern for them. Paul had such a concern for the believers at Corinth
2多的信徒就有这样的关切。母亲对自己的孩子不仅有爱，还有深挚的关切。有这种关切的妇人才有资格作正确的母亲。一个作母亲的，也许没有受过多少教育，但只要她对自
2A mother has not only love for her child; she also has a deep concern. Only a woman with such a concern is qualified to be a proper mother. A woman may be lacking in education, but if she has a deep concern for
3己 的孩子有极深的关切，她就有资格成为一个好母亲。当然，有知识和能力是有助益的，但这些不是先决条件。成为好母亲惟一的先决条件，是必须关切儿女。在照顾召会的事上，原则也是一样。长老对召会只有爱还不彀，这种爱必须成为一种关切，深深的关切一切年幼、软弱的弟兄姊妹。这种关切会使我们的劳苦有果效。我们都需要对人有这种亲密的关切。
3her children, she is qualified to be a good mother. Of course, knowledge and ability are helpful, but they are not prerequisites. The unique prerequisite for being a good mother is concern. The same principle is true regarding caring for the church. It is not adequate for the elders simply to love the church. This love must become a deep concern, a concern for all the young ones and weaker ones. This concern causes our labor to be fruitful. We all need this kind of intimate concern for others
4前些日子，我在准备写关于这章圣经的注解时，不知道要用甚么话描述保罗里面的感觉。我领悟保罗在这里的话不仅仅是伦理的、道德的、宗教的、属灵的，更是一种亲密的关切。他在这里所说的，乃是对信徒极深、极柔细、极富情感的关切。他在二节说，『要容纳我们，』在三节又宣告说，『你们是在我们的心里，以至同死同活。』这不是寻常人的话，乃是从诸天之上来的话，从神心里出来的言语。保罗所渴望的是，哥林多人怎样是在他的心里，他也能照样在哥林多人的心里。哥林多的信徒是在保罗的心里，以至同死同活。这样的话，的确表达出一种亲密的关切。
4Not long ago, when I was working on this chapter, I was wondering what word I could use to describe Paul’s feeling. I realized that Paul’sword here is not something that is merely ethical, moral, religious, or spiritual. What he says here is a matter of intimate concern, of deep, tender, affectionate concern for the believers. In verse 2 Paul says, “Make room for us,” and in verse 3 he declares, “You are in our hearts to die together and to live together.” These are not ordinary human words. Rather, they are words from the heavens, words from the heart of God. Paul’s longing was that just as he had the Corinthians in his heart, so he would be in their heart. The believers at Corinth were in Paul’she art both to live together and to die together. This surely is a word expressing an intimate concern.
5保罗在八节继续说，『我虽曾写信叫你们忧愁，我并不懊悔；虽然我曾懊悔过，（因我晓得那信曾叫你们忧愁，尽管是一时的。）』这里的信，是指保罗写给哥林多人的第一封书信。他说到自己曾懊悔，这指明他在第一封书信里，不但勇敢且率直的责备信徒，并且对他们也是亲切柔和的。八节『曾叫你们忧愁』这句话给我们看见，使徒的第一封书信对哥林多的信徒产生了果效。
5In verse 8 Paul goes on to say, “Because even if I caused you sorrow by the letter, I do not regret it, even if I did regret it; because I see that that letter, even if for an hour, caused you sorrow.” By the word “letter” Paul refers to his first Epistle to the Corinthians. His word concerning regret indicates that he was not only bold and frank in rebuking the believers in his first Epistle, but also tender and soft toward them. The words “caused you sorrow” in verse 8 show that the apostle’s first Epistle to the believers at Corinth was effective in regard to them.
亲切柔和的话
A SOFT, TENDER WORD
6保罗在八节，用了『虽』、『虽然』、『尽管』这些辞（原文为同一个辞用了三次）。他说，『我虽曾写信叫你们忧愁，』『虽然我曾懊悔过，』『尽管是一时的。』为甚么保罗一直用这样的辞？照我的领会，如果没有这样的辞，保罗的话就显得很严厉了。加上了这样的辞，话就柔和多了。不仅如此，若把这样的辞去掉，保罗就好像很厉害的在表白自己，为自己辩护。但是，加上了这样的辞，他给人的印象就不是那么在为自己表白。已婚的弟兄们可以学习保罗，好避免与妻子争吵。当弟兄要对妻子说话时，可以插进一些『虽然』、『尽管』，他的话就不会那么硬，也不会引起妻子的反感。再者，保罗用这样的辞，叫人对他的8话有甜美的感觉。保罗在八节用这样的辞，可以比作茶加蜜。一杯没有加蜜的茶可能味道太浓，照样，保罗的话若没有重复的使用这些辞，就会过于严厉，使人不能接受。保罗用了三次这样的辞，就使他的话变得柔和、甜美。
6In verse 8 Paul uses the expression “even if” three times. He says “even if I caused you sorrow,” “even if I did regret it,” and “even if for an hour.” Why does Paul keep saying “even if”? According to my understanding, if the words “even if” were removed, Paul’sword in this verse would be too hard. Adding in the phrase “even if” has the effect of softening his word. Furthermore, without the use of this phrase Paul in verse 8 would be strongly vindicating himself and arguing on his own behalf. By adding “even if” three times, he reduces the impression that he is vindicating himself. Married brothers may wish to learn of Paul in order to avoid arguments with their wives. As a brother is talking to his wife, he may find that by inserting the words “even if” he may soften his word to her and thereby keep from offending her. Moreover, by the phrase “even if” Paul gives a sweet taste to his words. Paul’su se of “even if” in verse may be compared to adding honey to a cup of tea. Just as the taste of tea may be too strong without honey, so Paul’swords may have been too strong to receive without the repeated use of “even if.” By using this phrase three times, Paul softens his word and sweetens it.
7保罗写信责备哥林多人，实在是理直气壮，而哥林多人根本无话可说。因著保罗是理直气壮的，他很容易写出一些叫哥林多信徒觉得很厉害、很难接受的话。因此保罗写信给他们时，又智慧、又柔和。假如我们有亲密的关切，我们对人就会很柔和。一个粗鲁、感觉迟钝的人，对人不会有亲密的关切。作丈夫的对妻子若没有合式的关切，就可能只会严厉的对待她、要求她。但他若有亲密的关切，就会柔软下来。我们一旦是柔软的，连我们说话的方式也是柔和、甜美的。
7As Paul was writing to the Corinthians, all the facts and the arguments were on his side. The Corinthians had no case whatever. Because Paul had won the case, he could easily have written something that would have been very hard for the Corinthians to accept. Therefore, in writing to them he was both wise and tender. If we have an intimate concern, we shall be tender with others. A crude, insensitive person does not have an intimate concern. If a husband does not have a proper concern for his wife, he may be very strict and demanding of her. But having an intimate concern will cause him to be tender. Once we become tender, our way of speaking will be soft and sweet.
8八节的确有柔和的味道。保罗说，『我虽曾写信叫你们忧愁，我并不懊悔；虽然我曾懊悔过。』这里的话是柔和的。倘若他说，『我先前的信并没有冤枉你们，所以我并不懊悔。』这样的言辞必定叫人起反感。然而，保罗并没有这么说。他加上『虽』、『虽然』等辞，就使他的话柔软下来。这样，保罗把他对信徒柔细的感觉表露出来。保罗在这里说话的方式是柔和、甜美的，我们必须对这个事实有深刻的印象。因此，他不管怎么说，他说的话都不会叫人起反感。保罗在八节所用的辞没有得罪人。他的话不是严厉、苦涩的，反而是柔和、甜美的。保罗对哥林多信徒说话，一点不急促。通常，我们说话一急，火气就来了。譬如，姊妹对丈夫发怨言时，丈夫如果急促回答说，『我有甚么不对？你说明白，我到底错在那里？』这种话必定惹人生气。所以弟兄对妻子讲话不要那么急，才能使妻子平息下来。他需要和颜悦色的说话。这就是保罗在林后七章的态度。
8Verse 8 definitely has the element of softness. Paul says, “Even if I caused you sorrow by the letter, I do not regret it, even if I did regret it.” There is softness here. But suppose Paul had said, “In writing you the first Epistle I did not do anything wrong and I had no regrets about it.” Surely that way of speaking would have been offensive. Paul, however, did not express himself in such a manner. He softened his words by adding the phrase “even if.” In this way Paul expressed his tender feeling for the believers. We need to be impressed by the fact that Paul’sway of speaking in this verse is soft and sweet. Therefore, no matter what he says, he does not cause any offense. The kind of expression Paul uses in verse 8 does not offend others. Instead of being hard and bitter, it is soft and sweet. In writing to the Corinthians, Paul did not speak in a hasty manner. Often when we speak in haste we express anger. For example, if a sister complains to her husband about something he has done, he may hastily reply, “What’s wrong with me? Prove to me that I am mistaken!” This kind of word provokes anger. It is better for a brother not to be hasty in speech in order to calm down the situation with his wife. He needs to speak in a soft, pleasant manner. This is the way Paul wrote to the Corinthians in chapter seven
9在这一章里，我们看不到神学、伦理或宗教。就某一面意义说，甚至看不到所谓的属灵。我们若没有彀多的经历，就无法说明林后七章里所启示的。我开始了解这一章，不仅是藉著研究，也是藉著经历，虽然我的经历有限。从经历中我看见，保罗在这里所说的，不是神学或道理、伦理或道德、宗教或属灵。他所表达的是对哥林多信徒深挚、柔细且亲密的关切。他的话非常摸著人。保罗的话是柔和的，满了亲密的关切，却有能力和冲击力，能深深摸著哥林多的信徒。箴言二十五章十五节说，『柔和的舌头，能折断骨头。』温柔、柔和的话，甚至能把硬骨折断。保罗向哥林多信徒说实话、摆出事实时，知道他不能不责备他们。但由于他对他们柔细的关切，他说的话就柔和多了、甜美多了。愿我们都向保罗学习。
9In this chapter we do not find theology, ethics, or religion. In a sense, we do not even find spirituality. Without adequate experience, we are not able to describe what is revealed in 2 Corinthians 7. I have begun to understand this chapter not only through study, but also through experience, even though my experience has been limited. From experience I have realized that what Paul is speaking here is not theology or doctrine, ethics or morality, religion or spirituality. He is conveying a deep, tender, and intimate concern for the Corinthians. His word is very touching. Because Paul’s express i on is tender and filled with intimate concern, it has power and impact. It is able to touch the believers deeply. Proverbs 25:15 says, “A soft tongue breaketh the bone.” Even a hard bone can be broken by a soft word of meekness. In speaking the truth to the Corinthians and presenting the facts, Paul knew it was difficult for him to avoid condemning the Corinthians. But his tender concern for them caused him to speak soft words and sweet phrases. May we all learn of him.
10保罗在林后七章九节说，『如今我却喜乐，不是因你们忧愁，乃是因你们忧愁以致悔改，因为你们照著神忧愁，就不至于在任何事上，因我们受亏损了。』这里的悔改，就是保罗写第一封书信时所要得的结果。使徒的第一封书信，使哥林多信徒照著神忧愁，不是为著别的忧愁。这指明他们已被带回与神和好。九节看来好像只有这么一个小点要说，但保罗却刻意加长他的措辞。这也显明他的柔细、他的亲密关切。在这一节里我们看见，保罗的灵是柔和的，他整个人都非常甜美。你也许会问，我们如何得知这事。我们从保罗这一节所说的话，可以知道他是一个柔细的人，他的灵是柔和的，他里面的人是甜美的。然而，他不耍手腕，也不客套。柔细、柔和、甜美，完全不同于客套。一个人可能很客套，却一点也不柔和或甜美。那种客套，并不让人觉得舒服。一面说，一个人可能很有礼貌，一面却同时叫人觉得很刚硬、傲慢、骄傲。保罗完全不是这种人，他不客套，也不耍手腕（这是更糟的）。他是柔细、柔和、甜美的。
10In verse 9 Paul says, “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to God, that in nothing you might suffer loss from us.” The repentance mentioned here was the result the apostle sought in writing his first Epistle. The apostle’s first Epistle made them sorrowful according to God, not for anything else. This indicates that they have been brought back to God, reconciled to Him. It seems that in verse 9 Paul has only a small point to make, yet he deliberately lengthens his expression. This also shows his tenderness, his intimate concern. In this verse we see that Paul’s spirit was soft and that his entire being was filled with sweetness. You may wonder how we know this. By what Paul says in this verse we know that he is a tender person with a softened spirit and a sweet inner being. However, he is not political or even polite. To be tender, soft, and sweet is different from being polite. A person may be very polite, but may not be at all soft or sweet. That kind of politeness may be very uncomely. On the one hand, someone may be polite; on the other hand, at the same time he may be hard, haughty, and proud. Paul, on the contrary, was neither polite nor political, which is even worse. He was tender, soft, and sweet
照著神忧愁
sorrowful according to God
11十节说，『因为照著神忧愁，生出悔改以致得救，是没有后悔的，但世上的忧愁是产生死亡。』这里的得救是指与神和好，（五20，）带进更多与死亡相对的生命。使徒由此看见他写给哥林多信徒第一封书信的果子。
11Verse 10 says, “For the sorrow according to God works repentance unto salvation, a repentance without regret; but the sorrow of the world works death.” Salvation here refers to being reconciled to God (5:20). This results in more life, which is versus death. By this the apostle sees the fruit of his first Epistle to the Corinthian believers
12保罗在十一节继续说，『且看这事，你们照著神忧愁，在你们中间已产生何等的热诚、甚而自诉、甚而愤恨、甚而惧怕、甚而切望、甚而热心、甚而责罚。在各方面，你们都证荐自己在那件事上是纯洁的。』哥林多信徒照著神忧愁，就产生热诚。这里的热诚，在原文有殷勤的意思；指悔改的哥林多信徒向著使徒热诚的顾念，因为使徒在爱中关切他们与神的关系，以及他们在神面前的光景。先前他们毫不在意使徒对他们的关切，现今他们悔改了，就对这事既在意又热诚。本节所列，哥林多信徒悔改的忧愁所产生的七种结果，全是使徒给他们第一封书信的丰富收获。
12In verse 11 Paul continues, “For behold this very thing, your being made sorrowful according to God, what earnestness it wrought in you, moreover, what defense, moreover, what indignation, moreover, what fear, moreover, what longing, moreover, what zeal, moreover, what avenging! In everything you commended yourselves to be pure in the matter.” Being made sorrowful according to God wrought, produced, earnestness in the Corinthians. The Greek word rendered earnestness may also be translated diligence. It refers to the earnest care of the repentant Corinthian believers toward the apostle because of his loving concern for their relationship with God and condition before God. Formerly they were careless with regard to the apostle’s concern. Now in repentance they became careful and earnest concerning it. All seven results produced by the repentant sorrow of the Corinthian believers, as listed in this verse, are a rich reaping that came out of the apostle’s first Epistle to them.
七个要紧的辞
SEVEN CRUCIAL WORDS
13十一节里有七个要紧的辞：热诚、自诉、愤恨、惧怕、切望、热心、责罚。另外还有六个『甚而』，原文意，不但如此，并且。我们仔细读十一节，会发现『热诚』这个辞是独立的，另外六个辞说出照著神而悔改的忧愁，所产生末了的六个结果，可分为三组：第一组与哥林多信徒的羞耻感有关，第二组与使徒有关，第三组与犯过者有关。（Bengel，本格尔。）卫斯特（Wuest）的译本也指明这点，三次用『是的，…事实是』的语法：『是的，你们在言辞上表白自己，事实是愤恨；是的，恐惧，事实是想念；是的，热心，事实是给与管教的责罚。』
13Verse 11 contains seven crucial words: earnestness, defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and avenging. The word “moreover” is used six times in this verse. Literally the Greek word means “but,” in the sense of “not only that, but also.” If we read this verse carefully, we shall see that earnestness stands by itself, whereas the last six results of the repentant sorrow according to God fall into three pairs: the first relating to the Corinthian believers’ feelings of shame, the second to the apostle, and the third to the offender (Bengel). Wuest’s translation also indicates this by the expression “Yes...in fact,” three times as follows: “Yes, verbal defense of yourselves, in fact, indignation, yes, fear, in fact, longing, yes, zeal, in fact, the meting out of disciplinary punishment
14十一节的『热诚』意思是热切的顾念。保罗好像对他们说，『哥林多信徒阿，你们一点没有想到我们这些使徒，更没有想到我。但在我写给你们的第一封书信中，我责备你们，结果使你们照著神忧愁。这样的忧愁，就生出悔改以致得救；也叫你们对我们有热切的顾念。现今你们对我们的热诚恢复了。我第一次到你们那里的时候，你们的确热切的顾念我。但有些假教师来，使你们受打岔、被误导，而失去对我们热切的顾念。现今，你们因忧愁而生出悔改以致得救，你们又重新对我们有热切的顾念。』事实上，保罗是在指出哥林多人的短处，但他表达得相当柔细、柔和、甜美。他陈明事实的方式非常柔细。假如我是哥林多信徒，读了这些话一定会很羞愧，我是因著使徒才得救的，竟然会被人迷惑、误导，失去了对使徒热切的顾念。
14The word earnestness in verse 11 means earnest care. Here Paul seems to be saying, “Corinthians, you did not have any care for us apostles, especially for me. But in the first Epistle I wrote to you I rebuked you, and that caused you to be sorrowful according to God. Such a sorrow works repentance unto salvation. This produced in you an earnest care for us. Now your earnestness concerning us has been recovered. When I came to see you the first time, you did have an earnest care for me. But certain false teachers distracted you and misled you, causing you to forsake your earnest care for us. Now because of sorrow producing repentance unto salvation, you have an earnest care for us again.” Actually, Paul was pointing out to the Corinthians their shortage, but he did this in a way that was tender, soft, and sweet. His way of presenting the facts was very tender. If I had been one of the Corinthian believers reading this word, I would have been full of shame at having been distracted and misled and having lost my earnest care for the apostle, the very one through whom I had been saved.
15十一节的『自诉』，原文有『表白』的意思。这是指哥林多的信徒藉著提多，向保罗表白他们自己在那过犯上是清白的。他们经历了悔改以致得救之后，就知道哥林多召会的光景是不对的。在前书中，保罗曾责备他们，要他们谦卑下来。他们中间发生了极严重的恶事，他们竟然不觉得羞耻；反而容让乱伦的大罪，还自认为有可夸的。所以，全召会都一同受责备。因著哥林多的信徒悔改，他们就与神和好，并且想要表明自己的清白。他们热切的要把他们的情形清楚的告诉使徒保罗。保罗在十一节也说到哥林多人的愤恨。这是对于过犯和犯过者的愤恨。他们在竭力表明自己的清白时，对那过犯和犯罪的人满了愤恨。他们知道自己的光景是有罪的，所以悔改了，他们要为此表白自己，并且对此满了愤恨。他们的感觉，一面是自诉，是为自己表白，一面又是愤恨。
15The Greek word for defense in verse 11 also means vindication. It refers to the Corinthian believers’ self-vindication, their clearing of themselves to Paul through Titus, their declaration of their innocence in the offense. After experiencing repentance unto salvation, the Corinthians realized that the situation of the church in Corinth was wrong. In his first Epistle Paul had rebuked them and charged them to humble themselves. An extremely serious evil had been present among them, but they did not feel ashamed. Rather, even with the existence of such a gross sin as incest, they had been proud. As a result, the entire church was rebuked. Because the believers at Corinth repented, they were reconciled to God and wanted to vindicate themselves. They were zealous to make the situation clear to the Apostle Paul. In verse 11 Paul also refers to the Corinthians’ indignation. This was an indignation at the offense and against the offender. As they were endeavoring to vindicate themselves, the Corinthians were indignant. They were angered by the offense and with the one who had caused it. They knew that their situation was sinful, they repented of it, they wanted to vindicate themselves concerning it, and they were indignant because of it. Their feeling of indignation was present along with their defense, their vindication of themselves
16哥林多人对保罗又惧怕、又切望。他们一面惧怕保罗会带著刑杖而来，（林前四21，）一面又切望使徒。悔改的信徒惧怕使徒，但也切望使徒。他们的确想要再见到使徒。保罗在林后七章十一节也题到热心和责罚。热心是要对犯过者给与公平的责罚；责罚是给与制裁，向各方公平施行管教的责罚。（二6。）我愿意再次强调，保罗论到哥林多信徒的情形，他的话非常柔细、柔和并甜美。当然，保罗把哥林多信徒的光景暴露出来，但他写给他们的话并不是严苛的；七章八节里满了柔和的成分，十一节里满了智慧。十一节展示保罗最佳的写作，但我们很难把这段话繙译得像原文那么好；特别是『甚而』一辞，原文是『不但如此，并且』，而钦定英文译本只能用『再者』或『是的』。
16With respect to Paul, the Corinthians had both fear and longing. They had fear of the apostle, lest he come with a rod (1 Cor. 4:21). But they also had a longing for him. The repentant believers had a fear of the apostle, yet they also had a longing desire for him. They surely wanted to see him again. In verse 11 Paul also speaks of zeal and avenging. The zeal was to mete out the punishment of justice to the offender, and the avenging was the meting out of justice, doing justice, to all parties, as disciplinary punishment (2:6). Once again I would emphasize that Paul’s word concerning the situation at Corinth is full of tenderness, softness, and sweetness. To be sure, the Corinthians were exposed. Paul, however, was not harsh in writing to them. Verse 8 is full of the softening element, and verse 11 is full of wisdom. Verse 11 demonstrates Paul’s best writing. It is difficult to translate into any language the Greek expressions used by Paul. This is true in particular of the word used for “moreover,” or “yea” in the King James Version. As we have seen, this Greek word means “not only so, but also.”
17十一节也巧妙的陈明哥林多的光景。保罗用了热诚、自诉、愤恨、惧怕、切望、热心、责罚这七个辞，叫哥林多信徒明白他们实际的情形。他这样说，就把哥林多召会的情形浮现出来，让人一览无遗。在这里我们看见保罗既柔细又智慧。这里没有粗鲁急躁的话，只叫人觉得细致、柔细、柔和、甜美。保罗的话满了亲密的关切。他没有冒犯哥林多人，却修补他们的破口，医治他们的创伤。这就是供应的生命。我们仅仅学传福音或讲道是不彀的。保罗当然是一个杰出的传福音者和伟大的神学家。他必然知道圣经中一切的道理。但在这里他没有运用传讲的能力，或炫耀自己道理的知识。他反而智慧的运用他对哥林多召会柔细、亲密的关切。
17In verse 11 we have a wonderful presentation of the situation at Corinth. By the use of seven words— earnestness, defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and avenging—Paul causes the believers at Corinth to know their actual situation. By speaking this way, he brings the situation to the surface and presents a full view of it. Here we see Paul’st ender wisdom. There is no roughness or harshness; instead, there is fineness, tenderness, softness, and sweetness. Paul’sword is full of intimate concern. Instead of offending the Corinthians, he mends them and heals their wounds. This is the ministering life. It is not sufficient that we learn to preach the gospel or teach doctrine. Paul, of course, was an outstanding preacher of the gospel and a great theologian. He certainly knew all the doctrines of the Bible. But here he does not exercise his ability in preaching or display his knowledge of doctrine. Instead, he exercises in wisdom his tender and intimate concern for the church in Corinth
显明哥林多信徒对使徒的热诚
THEIR EARNEST CARE MANIFESTED TO THEM
18保罗在十二节接著说，『因此，我虽曾写信给你们，却不是为那亏负人的，也不是为那受亏负的，乃是为要在神面前，向你们显明你们对我们的热诚。』保罗在这里说，他写信给哥林多人，不是为那乱伦的弟兄，（林前五1，）就是那亏负人的；也不是为那弟兄的父亲，就是那受人亏负的。既是这样，保罗为甚么要写信给他们？乃是要显明哥林多信徒对使徒的热诚。哥林多的信徒的确爱使徒，对使徒热诚顾念，但假教师使他们偏离了。因此，使徒写了第一封书信把他们带回，向他们显明他们对使徒的爱和热诚的顾念。（林后七7。）谁会想到这一点是保罗写信给哥林多人的原因？他写信给他们的目的，是要显明他们对使徒的热诚。保罗在这封书信所展示的，是何等的智慧！保罗的意思是说，『哥林多信徒们，你们的确对我们是热诚的。但这热诚埋藏起来，以致显明不出来。我写第一封书信，是要把你们对我们的热诚显明出来。』
18In verse 12 Paul goes on to say, “So then, even if I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of him who did the wrong, nor for the sake of him who was wronged, but for the sake of manifesting to you your earnestness on our behalf before God.” Here Paul says that he wrote to the Corinthians not for the sake of the brother who had committed incest (1 Cor. 5:1), the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of that brother’s father, the one who was wronged. Why then did Paul write? He wrote them for the purpose of manifesting to them their earnestness on the apostles’ behalf. The Corinthian believers did love the apostles and had earnest care toward them, but they had been turned aside by false teachers. Hence, the apostle wrote the first Epistle to bring them back, that their love and earnest care toward the apostles might be made manifest to them (2 Cor. 7:7). Who would have imagined that this was Paul’s reason for writing to the Corinthians? He wrote for the purpose of manifesting to them their earnestness for the apostles. What wisdom Paul displays in his writing! Here Paul seems to be saying, “Corinthian believers, there was in you an earnestness for us. But it was buried and thus was not manifested. I wrote the first Epistle in order to manifest to you the earnest care which you have for us
得了安慰，
ENCOURAGED
并且越发喜乐
AND REJOICING ABUNDANTLY
19十三节继续说，『所以我们得了安慰，并且在这安慰之外，我们因提多的喜乐，就越发更加喜乐，因他的灵从你们众人得了畅快。』达秘（Darby）曾说，这里不可能把原文的用语准确繙译出来。保罗说，他因提多的喜乐，就越发更加喜乐；这指明使徒供应生命时，富有人性和情感。二章十二节至七章十六节这主要的一段，是关于使徒新约的职事，和他们自己这些新约的执事。这段开始于使徒因著在爱中关切在哥林多的信徒，渴望遇见提多，（二13，）结束于提多带来那里信徒的好消息，叫使徒得了安慰和鼓舞。在七章十三节，保罗说到提多的灵从哥林多的众信徒得了畅快。这证明虽然使徒富有人性和情感，他们仍然留在灵里供应生命。
19Verse 1 3 continues, “Therefore we have been encouraged. And in our encouragement we rejoiced more abundantly over the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.” Darby says that here it is impossible to render the Greek idiom exactly into English. Paul’s saying that he rejoiced more abundantly over the joy of Titus indicates that he was very human and emotional in his ministering of life. This major section, from 2:12 through 7:16, concerning the apostles’ ministry of the new covenant and themselves as the ministers of the new covenant, begins with the apostle’s being anxious to meet Titus because of his loving concern for the Corinthian believers (2:13) and ends with his being encouraged by the coming of Titus with positive news concerning them. In verse 13 Paul says that the spirit of Titus had been refreshed by all the Corinthians. This indicates that even though the apostles were human and emotional, they still remained in their spirit in their ministering of life.
20在十四节保罗说，『因为我若对提多夸奖了你们甚么，也不觉得羞愧。相反的，我们对你们所说的一切事，怎样是真实的，我们在提多面前所夸奖你们的，也怎样成了真实的。』保罗必定曾在提多面前夸奖哥林多人。现在，保罗说他在提多面前的夸奖，都成了真实的。十五节说，『并且提多想起你们众人的顺从，就是怎样恐惧战兢的接待他，他的心肠就越发倾向你们了。』这里的心肠，原文和六章十二节者同字。
20In verse 14 Paul says, “Because if I have boasted anything to him on your behalf, I was not put to shame; but as we spoke all things in truth to you, so also our boasting before Titus turned out to be truth.” It is certain that Paul had boasted to Titus concerning the Corinthians. Now Paul says that his boasting before Titus turned out to be truth. Verse 15 says, “And his affections are abundantly toward you, remembering the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling.” The Greek word rendered “affections” here literally means bowels; it is the same word rendered “inward parts” in 6:12
21在七章十六节，保罗总结说，『我如今喜乐，能在凡事上为你们放心。』原文这里的『为你们放心』，也可以译为『对你们有把握』。如今使徒得了哥林多信徒的安慰，能对他们有把握。保罗对他们有何等深挚、亲密的关切！
21In verse 16 Paul concludes, “I rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you.” The Greek words translated “of good courage concerning you” can also be rendered “confident in you.” The apostle was encouraged by the Corinthian believers and could now have confidence in them. What a deep, intimate concern Paul had for them