哥林多后书生命读经 · 第49篇

使徒关于供给缺乏圣徒的交通（四）

The Apostle’s Fellowship Concerning the Ministry to the Needy Saints (4)

1读经：哥林多后书8:1-5,15;9:6-15。保罗在林后九章六节说，『还有，那吝啬著撒种的，也必吝啬著收获；那带著祝福撒种的，也必带著祝福收获。』（直译。）这里的『带著』，原文的意思是『在…之上』。这里的祝福先是丰盈的给与，成为别人的祝福；然后是丰盈的收成，成为从神来的祝福。我们若吝啬著撒种，就要吝啬著收获；我们若带著祝福撒种，就要带著祝福收获。这是神所命定的自然律。

1Scripture Reading: 2 Cor. 8:1-5, 15; 9:6-15 In 9:6 Paul says, “But this: he who sows sparingly, sparingly also shall reap; and he who sows with blessings, with blessings also shall reap.” Literally, the Greek word rendered “with” means upon. The blessings here are first bountiful givings as blessings to others, and then bountiful harvests as blessings from God. It is a natural law ordained by God that if we sow sparingly, we shall also reap sparingly, but if we sow with blessings, we shall also reap with blessings

2保罗在七节继续说，『各人要照心里所酌定的，不要作难，不要勉强，因为神喜爱乐意施与的人。』我们给与的时候，不可作难，反而要喜乐。我们给与的时候若是作难，倒不如不给。不仅如此，我们给与的时候，也不要勉强。这里的『勉强』与六章的『贫困』，在原文是同字，意思是受压、被迫。出于勉强的给，指明给与对我们是一种灾难。我们给与，不是因为被迫；我们给与若有遭难的感觉，就不要给与。在有些人的想法中，给与财物就像遭难一样。我们给与的时候，必须不该有这些情形。正如保罗在这一节经文所说，神喜爱乐意施与的人。这里的『乐意』，原文可作高兴、愉快。我们给与的时候，必须是乐意的、愉快的、高兴的。九章八至九节说，『神能使各样的恩典向你们洋溢，使你们在凡事上常常十分充足，能洋溢出各样的善工。就如经上所记：「他分施赒济贫贱，他的义存到永远。」』有各种的恩典。提多在哥林多信徒中间，把各样的恩典带给他们。我们今天也需要各种的恩典，其中有一种，就是给与的恩典。在八至九节有一些宝贵、宝贝的思想，其中一个就是：慷慨的给与在神和人眼中乃是义。马太六章所记载主在山上所说的话，证实这一点。慷慨的给与，在主看来不仅是一种恩典，也是义。保罗在林后九章十节接著说，『那丰富供应种子给撒种者，并丰富供应粮食作食物的，必供应并繁增你们的种子，又增添你们义的果子。』我们在这里看见种子的源头：种子是从神来的，祂丰富供应种子给撒种者，并丰富供应粮食作食物。我们不该以为，用来作粮食的麦子是从地里自己长出来的。不，牠是从神来的。虽然我们必须撒种，但我们不该信靠自己的撒种。撒种是我们的责任，我们该为此撒种。然而，我们不该信靠我们的撒种。我们若信靠自己的撒种，神可能不降雨，或让暴风雨损坏庄稼。所以我们必须看见，神才是供应粮食者。祂给我们种子可以撒种，也给我们收成，使我们有粮食可作食物。不仅如此，神也供应并繁增我们的种子，又增添我们义的果子。

2In verse 7 Paul continues, “Each one as he has purposed in his heart, not out of sorrow or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.” We should not be sorrowful in giving. Instead, we should be joyful. If we are sorrowful in giving, it may be better not to give anything. Furthermore, our giving should not be of necessity. The Greek word rendered necessity here is the same as that used in chapter six. It means that we are pressed into something, forced into it. To give out of necessity indicates that giving is a calamity to us. We should not give because we are forced; neither should we give if we feel that giving is a calamity. In the thought of some, giving material possessions is like suffering a calamity. Giving should certainly not be like this with us. As Paul says in this verse, God loves a cheerful giver. The Greek word translated cheerful may also be rendered hilarious or gleeful. In our giving we should be cheerful, gleeful, hilarious. Verses 8 and 9 say, “And God is able to make all grace abound unto you, that, in everything always having all sufficiency, you may abound unto every good work; even as it is written, He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, his righteousness abides forever.” There are different kinds of grace. Titus was among the Corinthians to bring them the different graces. We today also need to have the various kinds of grace, one of which is the grace of giving. In verses 8 and 9 there are a number of dear and precious thoughts. One such thought is that generous giving is righteousness in the eyes of both God and man. This thought is confirmed by the Lord’sword spoken on the mountain and recorded in Matthew 6. The Lord regards generous giving not only as a grace, but also as righteousness. In verse 10 Paul goes on to say, “Now He Who bountifully supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and cause the fruits of righteousness to grow.” Here we see the source of seed: it comes from God who bountifully supplies seed to the sower and bread for food. We should not think that the wheat used to make bread comes automatically from reaping a harvest. No, it comes from God. Even though we must sow, we should not trust in our sowing. It is our duty to sow, and we should sow for this reason. However, we should not trust in what we sow. If we trust in our sowing, God may withhold the rain or allow a storm to damage the harvest. Therefore, we must see that God is the One who provides the bread. He gives us the seed for sowing and also bread from the harvest for food. Furthermore, it is He who multiplies our seed and causes the fruits of righteousness to grow.

保罗与圣徒的交通

PAUL’S FELLOWSHIP WITH THE SAINTS

3我愿意多交通一点保罗在八、九章中所用的两个事例：收取吗哪的事例，以及撒种并收获的事例。保罗不是一个肤浅的人，他知道要与众召会交通供给在远处之犹太地缺乏圣徒的事，是极其重要的。他知道马其顿和亚该亚的圣徒都在贫困中。这可由他在八章一至二节所指明：『还有，弟兄们，我们把神在马其顿众召会中所赐的恩典告诉你们，就是在患难中受大试验的时候，他们充盈的喜乐，和极深的贫困，汇溢出丰厚的慷慨。』保罗在这里说到极深的贫困。这话指明马其顿的经济情形并不好，毫无疑问，亚该亚的情形也一样。那两地的圣徒都很贫穷。在那种为难的情形中，保罗怎能鼓励他们，甚至恳求他们，在供给缺乏圣徒的事上有分？叫他们给与，必定使他们更贫穷。此外，圣徒将来如何？保罗知道有些穷困的圣徒会说，『我的将来怎么办？我所有的很少。如果我把所有的一部分给出去，我怎样顾到将来的生活？』因著保罗知道他们的情形，他也替他们著想，所以他处理这事时考虑非常周详。当他与信徒们交通到用财物供给缺乏圣徒的事，他考虑非常周详。

3I would like to say a further word concerning the two illustrations used by Paul in chapters eight and nine: the illustration of gathering manna and the illustration of sowing seed and reaping a harvest. Paul was not a superficial person. He knew that fellowshipping with the churches concerning the ministry to take care of the needy saints far away in Judea was a very important matter. He realized that the saints in Macedonia and Achaia were in poverty. This is indicated by his word in 8:1 and 2: “Furthermore, we make known to you, brothers, the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, that in much approvedness of affliction the abundance of their joy and the depth of their poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.” Here Paul speaks of the depth of poverty. This expression indicates that the economic situation in Macedonia, and no doubt in Achaia as well, was not good. The saints in Macedonia and Achaia were poor. Since this was their economic situation, how could Paul encourage them, even entreat them, to supply material things to others? This kind of giving would certainly cause them to be even more poor. Moreover, what about the saints’ future? Paul knew some of the poor saints might say, “What about my future? I have very little. If I give away part of what I have, how shall I take care of my living in the future?” Because Paul understood the situation and because he was thoughtful, he handled the matter in a very considerate way. When he fellowshipped with the believers about the material supply for the needy saints, Paul was very considerate.

4保罗与圣徒交通到给与的事是相当冒险的，他恳求他们给与是更冒险的。然而，保罗里面确实有信心，使他敢冒这个险。我们的观念以为，要有钱人供给缺乏的人比较容易；但要恳求那些贫穷、自身没有足彀养生之物的人给与财物，就是另一回事。我们曾指出，他们可能会为将来担忧，特别是他们一旦将自己所有的给出，他们将如何维生。然而，保罗认识神的经纶，也认识神的法则，所以他有信心，肯冒险鼓励贫穷的亚该亚圣徒，要他们供给犹太地缺乏的圣徒。

4It was risky for Paul to fellowship with the saints about giving and even more risky to entreat them to give. However, Paul had an assurance and a confidence within him that caused him to take the risk. In our opinion, it is rather easy to ask wealthy people to give to those in need. But it is another matter to entreat the poor, those who do not have a sufficient supply for their own living, to give of their possessions. As we have pointed out, they may wonder about their future, especially about how they will earn a living if they give of what they have. Nevertheless, because Paul knew God’secon o my and understood God’sway, he had the confidence to risk encouraging the poor saints in Achaia to give to the needy ones in Judea

蒙神奇妙的看顾

CARED FOR BY GOD IN A MIRACULOUS WAY

5保罗从他对旧约的研读中，知道神顾到祂子民的需要。神能用神迹𫗪养祂的子民。当时在那寸草不生的旷野、荒凉的野地中，有二百万以上的以色列人。旷野不适于耕种或牧放，但是四十年之久，神一直用神迹降吗哪𫗪养祂的子民。我不信有谁能解释吗哪是甚么，是从何处来的。但这是历史上的事实，就是在旷野的四十年间，神用吗哪𫗪养祂的子民。二百多万人能在旷野生存这样一段长时间，这真是个神迹。降吗哪与取用吗哪都很神奇。在林后八章十五节，保罗引用出埃及十六章十八节的话，说，『如经上所记：「多收的没有余，少收的也没有缺。」』根据出埃及十六章十八节，俄梅珥是用来量吗哪的量器。那些多收的和少收的，最后一量，发现都是一俄梅珥。这是神对祂子民中间所收取的吗哪属天的平衡。不论那些人收了多少俄梅珥的吗哪，最后一量，结果每人神奇的都是一俄梅珥。（16。）

5From his study of the Old Testament, Paul realized that God takes care of His people’s needs. God is able to feed His people in a miraculous way. There were more than two million children of Israel in a barren wilderness, in a wasteland where nothing grows. The wilderness was not a place suitable for farming or ranching. But throughout a period of forty years, God fed His people by miraculously raining down manna from heaven. I do not believe that anyone can explain what manna was or where it came from. But it is a fact of history that God fed His people with manna in the wilderness for forty years. It certainly was a miracle that more than two million people could survive in the wilderness for such a long time. Both the raining down of the manna and the application of the manna were miraculous. Paul refers to this in 2 Corinthians 8:15 where, quoting Exodus 16:18, he says, “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no lack.” According to Exodus 16:18, an omer was used to measure the manna. Both those who gathered much and those who gathered little eventually had an omer. This is God’she aven ly balancing of the manna gathered by His people. No matter how many omers certain ones may have gathered, after the manna was measured, the result was that miraculously there was an omer for every person (Exo. 16:16

6到第六天，以色列人可以收双分的吗哪，其中有一分是为著安息日的供应。只是在七日的其他日子，他们不能多收，只能照著自己一日的需要收取。若有多收的，留到次日早晨就生虫发臭了。这指明神的原则，祂不要祂的子民为自己积儹。那样积儹是由贪婪所鼓动的。

6On the sixth day of the week, the children of Israel were allowed to gather a double portion of manna to provide a supply for the Sabbath. But on other days of the week, they were not allowed to gather more than what they needed for one day. Those who tried to save manna for the next day found that it bred worms. This indicates that it is not God’spr i nciple for His people to save up something for themselves. To save in that way is to be motivated by greed.

7毫无疑问，保罗读圣经时，圣经的这些观念和思想就进到他里面，感动他并管制他。至终，这些思想推动他写林后八至九章。在八章，他甚至鼓励贫困的圣徒供给犹太地缺乏的圣徒。他对神的经纶有非常深入的认识，所以他放胆要求圣徒这样行。在这一章保罗似乎在说，『你们不必为自己的贫穷忧急。你们只要给与，只要照顾缺乏的圣徒。事实上，你们不必顾到自己的需要。你们的天父会供应你们的需要。祂供应吗哪，祂也会这样照顾你们。我能向你们保证，你们不必担心自己的将来。你们的将来是由父看顾的，所以我鼓励你们给与缺乏的圣徒。父必会用神迹降吗哪给你们。』从以色列人在旷野收取吗哪的经历，我们看见我们的收入实际上是一种吗哪。吗哪的获得并不在于以色列人的收取；相反的，乃在于神将吗哪降下。神若不降吗哪，以色列人怎会有所收取？他们收取吗哪，全在于神降下吗哪。原则上，你的收入也是如此。你以为你的收入在于你的工作。但是，这工作是谁给你的？是神给的。你若认为是靠自己的学历和才干得来的，你过不久就要看见，神会在你的公司里兴起事情，使你失业。那时你就要看见，你的收入不在于你的才干，乃在于神的主宰权柄。我们都当认识这事实，这是非常重要的。我们若以为我们的收入是靠自己的学历、才干或技能，我们就太肤浅、太短视了。

7No doubt, as Paul studied the Scriptures, the thoughts and concepts of the Scriptures entered into him, inspired him, and governed him. Eventually these thoughts motivated him to write chapters eight and nine of 2 Corinthians. In chapter eight he was encouraging even the poor saints to give to the needy ones in Judea. Because he had a deep knowledge of God’secon o my, he had the courage to ask the saints to do this. In this chapter Paul seems to be saying, “You don’t need to consider your poverty. Simply give to take care of the needy ones. Actually, you do not take care of your own needs. Your heavenly Father is the One who supplies your needs. He supplies the manna, and in this way He takes care of you. I can assure you that you don’t need to worry about the future. Because your future is under the care of the Father, I encourage you to give to the needy ones. In a miraculous way, the Father will send manna.” From the children of Israel’s experience of gathering manna in the wilderness, we learn that our income is actually a kind of manna. The supply of manna did not depend on the gathering by the children of Israel. On the contrary, it depended on God’sr a in ing. If God had not sent down the manna, how could the children of Israel have gathered anything? Their gathering of manna was altogether dependent upon God’sr a in ing of the manna. The principle is the same with your income. You may think that your income depends on your working or on your job. But who gave you that job? The job was provided by God. But if you think that you obtained that job through your ability or education, God may cause something to happen in your company so that you lose your job. Then you may realize that your income does not depend on your ability, but depends on God’s sovereignty. It is very important for us all to understand this. If we think that our income depends upon our education, ability, or skill, we are superficial and shortsighted

撒种与收获

SOWING AND REAPING

8保罗在林后九章用撒种和收获的例证，叫我们看见神也用自然律来𫗪养祂的子民。撒种和收获都是自然律。事实上，给与就是撒种。但我们从那里得到撒种用的种子？种子是由神供应的，种子的来源乃是神自己。根据十节，神丰富供应种子给撒种者。

8By using the illustration of sowing and reaping in chapter nine, Paul shows that God also uses natural law to feed His people. Sowing and reaping are matters of natural law. To give is actually to sow. But where do we get the seed used in sowing? The seed is supplied by God. The source of seed is God Himself. According to 9:10, He bountifully supplies seed to the sower.

9我们不该以为我们撒了种，就必定有丰富的收获。反之，我们需要祷告说，『主阿，种子撒下去了，但是我能不能有好的收成，完全在于你的怜悯。』所撒的种子长大，乃是在于神。祂若改变天气，我们所种的就不会有收成。结果，我们就不会有食物。所以我们都要敬拜主，说，『主，即使我的供应是从收成来的，但我的食物实在是你所给的。』

9We should not think that just because we sow seed, we are sure to have a rich harvest. Rather, we need to pray, “Lord, I have sown the seed. But whether or not I have a good harvest depends on Your mercy.” The growth of the seed sown depends on God. If He changes the weather, what we have sown may not yield anything. As a result, we would not have any food. Therefore, we need to worship the Lord and say, “Lord, even if my supply seems to come from reaping, the food is actually given by You

神是独一的源头

GOD AS THE UNIQUE SOURCE

10我们这些神的儿女，乃是在祂的看顾之下。神是用神迹和自然律这两个方式看顾并𫗪养我们。我们都要为著主神迹的看顾而感谢祂。你看见神一直以神迹的方式看顾你么？你看见你也是靠祂的神迹活著么？你有个好工作这个事实，就是一个神迹。不仅如此，你有个舒适的住处，并且蒙保护、保守直到今天，也都是神迹。这些都是来自神用神迹所降下的吗哪。我们每天所作的，只是履行我们的责任去收取吗哪。你每天去上班，就是去收取吗哪。但是吗哪本身来自神的神迹。你现在若不信这事，总有一天会信。你会看见，甚至你肉身的生命也在于神的神迹。神𫗪养祂子民的头一个方式，就是用神迹。但愿我们都对这事有深刻的印象，并为这事敬拜神！我们必须看见，我们在地上生活，不是靠我们的学历和才干，而是靠神降下吗哪。

10We as God’s children are under His care. God cares for us and feeds us in two ways: the way of miracle and the way of natural law. We need to thank the Lord for taking care of us in a miraculous way. Do you not realize that God has miraculously taken care of you and that you live by His miracles? The fact that you have a good job is a miracle. Furthermore, having a suitable dwelling place and being protected and preserved until now are also miracles. All these things come from God’s miraculous sending of manna. What we do each day is simply to fulfill our responsibility to gather manna. When you go to work each day, you gather manna. But the manna itself came from God’s miracles. If you cannot believe this now, someday you will believe it. You will see that even your physical life is dependent on God’s miracles. The first way God feeds His people is by miracles. May we all be impressed with this and worship Him for it! We need to realize that we are living not by our education or ability, but by God’sr a in ing of manna

11神看顾我们的第二个方式，是用撒种和收获的自然律。当然，我们都要撒种，但是供应种子给我们的乃是神。不仅如此，乃是神叫种子长大，使我们有收获。我们能撒种，却不能叫种子生长。神供应种子，叫种子生长，祂也供应粮食作食物。不论是由于神迹或自然律的供应，神都是源头。一面，祂赐下吗哪；另一面，祂供应种子给人撒种，供应粮食作食物。我们若对这点有深入的领会，就不会担心我们的前途。主耶稣说，『不要为明天忧虑。』（太六34。）保罗知道我们有神作我们供应的源头，信徒根本不必为将来忧虑，所以他放胆鼓励贫穷的圣徒供给缺乏的圣徒。我们该顾到神的需要和祂的定旨，然后神会顾到我们的前途。我们的前途不在我们手中，而在父的看顾之下。不是靠我们的收取，乃是靠神降下吗哪。不仅如此，也不是靠我们的撒种，乃是靠祂的供应。神若不供应我们种子，我们用甚么撒种？我们的前途也不在于我们的收获，乃在于神叫种子生长，直到长成庄稼。保罗对这事有深切的看见，并对神的经纶有彻底的认识，所以他有把握和平安，鼓励贫穷的圣徒把他们所有的给出去，以应付别人的需要。

11The second way God takes care of us is by the natural law of sowing and reaping. Yes, we need to sow, but it is God who gives us seed for sowing. Furthermore, God causes the seed to grow so that we may have a harvest. We can sow the seed, but we cannot make anything grow. God supplies the seed, He causes the seed to grow, and He also gives us bread for food. Concerning the supply both by miracles and by natural law, God is the source. On the one hand, He sends the manna. On the other hand, He supplies the seed for sowing and the bread for food. If we have a deep realization of this, we shall not worry about our future. The Lord Jesus said, “Do not be anxious for tomorrow” Matt. 6:34). Knowing that the believers need not worry about the future because we have God as our source of supply, Paul had the boldness to encourage the poor saints to give to the needy ones. We should take care of God’s need and His purpose. He then will take care of our future. Our future is not under our own care; it is under the care of our Father. It is not according to our gathering, but according to God’sr a in ing of manna. Furthermore, it is not according to our sowing, but according to His supplying. If God does not supply seed, what shall we sow? Our future also does not depend on our reaping; it depends on God’s causing the seed to grow until there is a harvest. Having a deep realization concerning this and possessing a thorough knowledge of God’secon o my, Paul had the assurance and the peace to encourage the poor saints to give what they had to meet the needs of others

12保罗的确信现在我们能明白保罗在林后八章和九章的思想。他在八章用收取吗哪为根据，与圣徒们交通到供给缺乏圣徒的事。保罗在九章用撒种和收获的事为根据，继续交通到这事。所以，保罗在与圣徒交通到供给财物的事上，有双重的根据。这使他有确信、有信心告诉圣徒，如果他们尽可能的给与，他们就不必为前途担心。保罗在这里似乎是说，『圣徒们，你们要尽量给与。不必为明天忧虑。你们的前途完全在神照顾之下。因为我在这事上有信心，所以我鼓励你们给与。我要你们给与缺乏的人，这一点也不是冒险。你们若肯照我的话作，就会有加倍的感谢可以归给神。并且，你们若乐意藉著给与而撒种，神就会加增你们的收获，增添你们义的果子。』

12PAUL’S ASSURANCE Now we can understand Paul’s thought in chapters eight and nine. In chapter eight Paul used the gathering of manna as a basis for fellowship with the saints about giving the supply of material things to needy ones. In chapter nine Paul used the matter of sowing and reaping as a basis for this fellowship. Paul, therefore, had a twofold basis on which to fellowship with the saints about the ministry of material things. This gave him the assurance and the confidence to tell the saints that if they gave as much as possible, they need not worry about the future. Here Paul seems to be saying, “Saints, give as much as you can. There is no need to worry about tomorrow. Your future is altogether under God’s care. Because I have the confidence concerning this, I encourage you to give. I do not run any risk in asking you to give to the needy ones. If you take my word and act on it, there will be a multiplication of thanksgivings to God. Also, if you are willing to sow by giving, God will send an increase in your harvest. He will increase your fruit of righteousness

13保罗为甚么能放胆鼓励贫穷的圣徒给与？他之所以能放胆，因为他认识神的话。不仅如此，他也认识神的经纶和祂神圣的法则。保罗知道，要求这些在经济上贫穷的召会帮助缺乏的人，乃是一件严肃的事。他不是要单个的信徒去作这事，他乃是鼓励在欧洲的众召会一同帮助犹太地的众召会。保罗似乎在冒险，因为这些圣徒日后可能会受苦。但是保罗并不认为他在冒险，因为他深信神会来降下吗哪，供应种子给人撒种，并供给粮食作食物。这是对保罗在林后八章和九章中所说的话正确的领会。

13Why did Paul have the boldness to encourage poor saints to give? He had boldness because he knew the Word of God. Furthermore, he knew God’s economy and His divine way. He realized that it was a serious matter to ask churches in a poor economic situation to help others in need. He was not asking one individual to help another. He was encouraging the churches in Europe to help the churches in Judea. It may seem that Paul was taking a risk, for the saints could have suffered in the future. Paul knew, however, that he was not taking a risk, because he had the assurance that God would come in to rain down the manna, to supply seed for sowing, and to give bread for food. This is the proper way to understand Paul’sword in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9.