哥林多后书生命读经 · 第56篇

保罗为他使徒权柄的表白（七）

Paul’s Vindication of His Apostolic Authority (7)

1读经：哥林多后书十二章十一至十八节。

1Scripture Reading: 2 Cor. 12:11-18

给所有信徒的话

A WORD FOR ALL BELIEVERS

2今天许多基督教工人忽略了保罗在林后十二章十一至十八节的话。所有在主恢复里的圣徒都必须明白这些经节所启示的，因为这段话不仅适用于长老或同工，也适用于我们众人。我们不该认为，保罗在林后这里所说的与我们没有甚么关系。保罗的所是、所作并他的为人，不仅是领头之人的榜样，也是所有信徒的榜样。新约启示，所有在基督里的信徒，都该像保罗一样，过一个为著建造基督身体的生活。这件事在以弗所书里著重、强烈且明确的启示出来。根据以弗所书，身体上的每一部分，都必须过为著身体建造的生活。我们不知不觉、下意识里，还是非常受到我们宗教背景的影响，为传统观念所控制、指引并操纵。我们特别会因著这种影响，认为保罗在林后十二章所讲的只限于领头的人、长老、同工、执事和女执事。我们可能以为我们只是身体上的普通肢体，这一章与我们无关。事实上，保罗的话乃是为著我们众人的。因这缘故，我很难说，到底我有多少同工。我里面的领会是：所有在主的恢复里与我们一同聚会的，都是同工。然而，因著我们宗教背景的影响，我们可能认为，如果我们不是使徒、长老或执事，保罗在十二章十一至十八节的话就应用不到我们身上。我们读这些经节时，需要领会这些话是为著我们众人的。甚至我们中间的年轻人，也该看见这些经节是为著他们的。我们无法豫测主要带领我们的年轻人往前到甚么地步，将来主要使用他们到甚么程度。我说这话，作为我们思考这些经节中之启示的引言。

2What Paul covers in 12:11-18 is neglected by many Christian workers today. All the saints in the Lord’s recovery need to understand what these verses reveal, for they apply to all of us, not only to those who are elders or co-workers. We should not think that what Paul speaks of here has nothing to do with us. What Paul was, what he did, and how he conducted himself are a pattern for all believers, not only a pattern for the leading ones. The New Testament reveals that all believers in Christ should, like Paul, live a life for the building up of the Body of Christ. This is revealed emphatically, strongly, and definitely in the book of Ephesians. According to Ephesians, every part of the Body must live a life for the building up of the Body. Unconsciously and subconsciously, we are still very much under the influence of our religious background. We are under the control, direction, and manipulation of traditional concepts. In particular, because of this influence, we may think that what Paul speaks of in chapter twelve is limited to leading ones, elders, co- workers, deacons, and deaconesses. We may think that, as common members of the Body, this chapter has nothing to do with us. Actually, Paul’sword is for us all. For this reason, it is rather difficult for me to say how many co-workers I have. The understanding within me is that all of those who meet with us in the Lord’s recovery are co-workers. Nevertheless, because of the influence of our religious background, we may think that if we are not apostles, elders, or deacons, Paul’sword in 12:11-18 does not apply to us. We need to read these verses with the realization that they are meant for us all. Even the young ones among us should realize that these verses are for them. We are not able to predict how far along the Lord will take our young people and how much He will use them in the future. I say this as an introductory word to our considering what is revealed in these verses

3为别人说话保罗在十一节说，『我成了愚妄人，是你们强逼我的。我本该为你们所推荐，因为我即使算不了甚么，也没有一点赶不上那些超级的使徒。』保罗在这里说，哥林多人强逼他成了愚妄人；他们该为此负责。他们本该推荐保罗，但他们受了打岔，不这样推荐。他们的沉默是错误的。他们本该说些话来推荐保罗；因为要保罗被迫说到自己，是不合式的。毫无疑问，这就是保罗写十一节时，灵里的感觉。

3SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF OTHERS In verse 11 Paul says, “I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing I am inferior to the super-apostles, even if I am nothing.” Here Paul says that the Corinthians compelled Paul to become foolish. They bore the responsibility for this. They should have commended Paul, but they were distracted and withheld their commendation. Their silence was wrong. They should have done something to commend Paul, for it was not fitting for him to be compelled to speak concerning himself. This, no doubt, was the feeling in Paul’s spirit as he wrote verse 11.

4我们该从这节经文学习，在某些场合，我们需要为长老们或在职事上有分的人说些话。如果一位弟兄成了攻击、反对的目标，他自己也许不能说甚么为自己辩护。在这种情形里，我们需要说些话推荐他。譬如，许多年前，倪弟兄是箭靶子的时候，我就作了一些事替他表白。年轻人特别需要学习在这种情形里推荐人；他们应该放胆说出来，他们不该沉默，不该退缩。在十一节，保罗被逼向哥林多人指出，他没有一点赶不上那些超级的使徒。要保罗这样为自己说话，当然不是那么叫他愉快。他既是反对的目标，这样的话本来不需由他来说。哥林多人中间应当有人为保罗说话。他们应该宣告：『你们这些热中犹太教的人要晓得，保罗无论在那一方面都不在你们以下。』我们已经指出，保罗领受了超越的异象和启示。他当然没有一点赶不上那些自大、自夸、自荐的热中犹太教者。但因著哥林多人沉默不言，保罗被逼为他自己说一些话。他坦率的说，他没有一点赶不上那些自夸的热中犹太教者。保罗在十一节说，他即使算不了甚么，也没有一点赶不上那些超级的使徒。当然，保罗并不是真的算不了甚么，他确实很了不起。然而，他不能这样说他自己。因此，他被迫指出，他即使算不了甚么，也没有一点赶不上热中犹太教的人。

4We should learn from this verse that there are occasions when we need to say something on behalf of the elders or those in the ministry. If a certain brother is the target of attack or opposition, he may not be able to say anything to defend himself. In such a situation we need to speak up and commend him. For example, years ago when Brother Nee was the target, I did something to vindicate him. The young ones especially need to learn to commend someone in such a situation. They should be bold to speak out. They should not be silent, and they should not beheld back. In verse 11 Paul was compelled to point out to the Corinthians that in nothing was he inferior to the super-apostles. It certainly was not pleasant for Paul to say this on his own behalf. It should not have been necessary for such a word to be uttered by him, since he was the target of the opposition. A number of those in Corinth should have said this for Paul. They should have declared, “You Judaizers must realize that Paul is not inferior to you in any way.” As we have pointed out, Paul had received transcendent visions and revelations. He surely was not inferior to those arrogant, boastful, self-commending Judaizers. But because of the silence of the Corinthians, Paul was compelled to say something on his own behalf. He said forthrightly that in nothing was he inferior to the boastful Judaizers. In verse 11 Paul says that he was not inferior to the super-apostles, even if he were nothing. Of course, it is not true that Paul was nothing. He really was something. However, he could not say this about himself. Hence, he was compelled to point out that, even if he were nothing, he was not inferior to the Judaizers

5使徒的记号保罗在十二节接著说，『我使徒的记号，确已在你们中间，以全般的忍耐，藉著神迹、奇事和异能，完全显出来了。』记号是指证实的神迹，给使徒的职分作凭据。奇事是令人惊讶、使人醒悟的神迹，而异能是表明神大能的神迹。

5THE SIGNS OF THE APOSTLE In verse 12 Paul goes on to say, “Indeed, the signs of the apostle were wrought among you in all endurance, by signs and wonders and works of power.” The signs are attesting miracles that furnish credentials of apostleship, the wonders are startling and awakening miracles, and the works of power are miracles that demonstrate God’s power.

6我信是哥林多人先用『使徒的记号』这辞，而不是保罗先用这辞。可能哥林多信徒在讨论使徒的记号这件事。他们也许彼此互问，保罗是使徒的记号是甚么？如果他们没有先题起这个问题，保罗是不会在这里题起的。『使徒的记号』这辞，我们听起来也许很奇怪，但对哥林多人来说并不奇怪，反而很熟悉；因为这辞很可能是他们发明的。他们有些人也许认为热中犹太教者的记号比保罗多。这就是保罗在十二节说到他使徒职分之记号的原因。论到使徒的记号，保罗所题的第一件事就是『全般的忍耐』。这指明忍耐是使徒最主要的记号。保罗忍耐哥林多人的毁谤。他们有人甚至说保罗很狡猾诡诈，用诡计占他们的便宜。保罗在十六节用了『诡计』一辞。达秘在他的圣经新译本中有一个注解指出：『使徒并不是说他用了诡计；他在这里乃是回答一个指控，控告他自己不取分文来维持体面，却知道怎样打发提多从他们收取捐项，来掩饰自己。其实，就像他在下文所表明的，这个指控是不实的。』哥林多人说保罗自己不愿到哥林多来收取捐款，所以打发提多为他作这事，利用提多来掩饰他自己。有些哥林多人毁谤保罗到这种地步，真是令人难以置信。现在我们可以明白，保罗为甚么要强调忍耐这件事。在十二章十二节，保罗似乎对哥林多人说，『你们要我告诉你们我使徒职分的记号。头一个记号就是我的忍耐。你们批评我、毁谤我，但我都能忍耐。』然后保罗继续题到神迹、奇事和异能。这些都是神奇的事。但照上下文来看，虽然保罗说到这些事，但他并不强调这些事。反而他似乎是说，『你们说神迹是使徒职分的记号。我与你们同在的时候，有许多神迹、奇事和异能。但我不强调这样的事，我第一要说的，是我的忍耐。』

6I believe that the expression “the signs of the apostle” was used first by the Corinthians, not by Paul. Perhaps the believers at Corinth were discussing the matter of the signs of an apostle. They may have asked themselves what were the signs of Paul’s being an apostle. If they had not raised this question, Paul would not have mentioned it here. The expression “the signs of the apostle” may sound strange to us, but it did not seem strange to the Corinthians. On the contrary, this expression was familiar to them, since they were probably the ones who invented it. Some of them may have thought that the Judaizers had more of these signs than Paul did. This was the reason in verse 12 Paul speaks of the signs of his apostleship. Regarding the signs of the apostle, the first thing Paul mentions is “all endurance.” This indicates that endurance is the leading sign of an apostle. With respect to the Corinthians, Paul endured defamation. Some of them went so far as to say that Paul was crafty and with guile took advantage of them. Paul uses the word “guile” in verse 16. In a note on this verse in his New Translation, Darby points out, “The apostle is not saying that he did this, but is answering a charge that he had kept up appearances by taking nothing himself, but knew how to indemnify himself by using Titus in order to receive from them. The charge was false, as he proceeds to show.” The Corinthians were saying that Paul would not come to Corinth to collect money himself. Therefore, he sent Titus to do this for him and thereby used Titus to cover himself. It is hard to believe that certain of the Corinthians would defame Paul to such an extent. Now we can understand why Paul emphasizes the matter of endurance. In 12:12 Paul seems to be saying to the Corinthians, “You ask me to tell you the signs of my apostleship. The first sign is my endurance. You have criticized me and defamed me, but I have been able to endure it.” Then Paul goes on to mention signs, wonders, and works of power. These are miraculous things. But according to the context, although Paul speaks of these things, he does not emphasize them. Rather, Paul seems to say, “You talk about miracles as signs of apostleship. When I was with you, there were many signs, wonders, and works of power. But instead of emphasizing such things, I would first speak of my endurance.”

7对待他们没有不及别人之处保罗在十三节继续说，『因为除了我自己不累著你们以外，你们还有甚么事不及其余的召会？这不公之处，你们饶恕我罢！』保罗对待哥林多召会并没有不及或弱于其余的召会。指出这点以后，保罗讽刺的说，『这不公之处，你们饶恕我罢！』这不公之处，指他没有累著信徒。

7NOT TREATED AS INFERIOR In verse 13 Paul continues, “For what is it in which you were treated in an inferior manner to the rest of the churches, except that I myself was not an encumbrance to you? Forgive me this injustice.” The church at Corinth was not treated as inferior to the other churches or weaker than they. After pointing this out, Paul says, ironically, “Forgive me this injustice,” referring to not being an encumbrance to the believers.

8保罗在十三节似乎是说，『就著接受恩赐、恩典和神的祝福来说，你们哥林多人没有甚么事不及其余的召会。我在基督里生了你们，并尽全力养育你们，使你们成为一无所缺的召会。我对待你们并没有甚么事不及其余的召会。我尽全力在基督里生了你们，又养育你们为召会，并建造你们。在神的救恩和祝福、神圣的恩典和属灵的恩赐上，你们没有甚么不及其余的召会。这样，你们还有甚么不及其余的召会？只有一件事，就是我不累著你们。我并没有加给你们担子。这不公之处，你们饶恕我罢！』保罗不得不这样说，这乃是哥林多人的羞耻。他惟一没有替他们作的，就是使他自己成为哥林多人的担子。保罗在别处甚至说，他从别的召会取了工价，好在哥林多人中间作工。保罗虽然为哥林多人作工，哥林多人却甚么都没有给他。因此，他对他们惟一的不公之处，就是没有把任何担子加给他们。十三节这段话并不令人愉快，但保罗还是放胆的说了。

8In verse 13 Paul seems to be saying, “In the matter of receiving gifts, grace, and God’s blessing, you Corinthians are not inferior to other churches. I begot you in Christ, and I did my best to raise you as a church that was not short of anything. I did not treat you in a manner inferior to the rest of the churches. I did my best to beget you in Christ, to raise you up as a church, and to build you up. Regarding God’ss alvation and blessing, divine grace, and spiritual gifts, you are not inferior to any other church. In what way, then, were you treated in an inferior way? Only in that I was not an encumbrance to you. I did not burden you. Forgive me this injustice!” It was a shame to the Corinthians that Paul had to speak this way. The only thing he failed to do for them was to make himself a burden to them. Elsewhere Paul even says that he took wages from other churches in order to work among the Corinthians. Although Paul worked for the Corinthians, they did not give him anything. Thus, his only injustice toward them was not placing any burden on them. Verse 13 is not a pleasant word, but Paul was nonetheless bold in saying it

所寻求的不是他们的东西

NOT SEEKING WHAT IS THEIRS

9十四节说，『看哪，这是我第三次豫备好，要到你们那里去，也必不累著你们，因我所寻求的不是你们的东西，乃是你们自己。因为儿女不该为父母积蓄，父母乃该为儿女积蓄。』这节经文有一句很重要的话：『我所寻求的不是你们的东西，乃是你们自己。』我们都需要对这句话有深刻的印象，并且牢牢记住。无论甚么时候我们为主作工，我们都不该寻求属于别人的东西，只该寻求他们自己。这意思是说，我们不该寻求别人的金钱，或想要他们的金钱。保罗能放胆对哥林多人说，『我所寻求的并所要的是你们自己，而不是你们的东西─你们的财富、你们的赀财、你们物质的东

9Verse 14 says, “Behold, this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be an encumbrance; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for the children ought not to store up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” In this verse we have a very important word: “I do not seek what is yours, but you.” We all need to be deeply impressed with this word and remember it. Whenever we work for the Lord, we should not seek what belongs to others — we should seek them. This means that we should not seek others’ money or want their money. Paul could say boldly to the Corinthians, “I seek after you and I want you. I do not seek what is yours—your wealth, your possessions, your material things. I seek you.”

10西。我所寻求的乃是你们自己。』

11倪弟兄至少有几次指给我们看见，一个为主作工的人若在钱财的事上不忠信，他在主的工作上也绝不会忠信、刚强。许多基督教工人，一遇到钱财的事就软弱。他们因著怕财物的支持会断绝，有些事情就不敢传讲，有些真理就不敢教导，有些罪恶的事也不敢斥责。不仅如此，有些事情他们也不愿意对付，因为他们怕那样作，财物的支持就会断绝。有这样难处的人，都是被钱财征服了。不要以为只有我们才知道主话中所启示关于召会的真理。至少还有一些人也知道这个真理；然而，他们不敢那样实行。他们知道一个地方应该只有一个召会。但他们怕钱财的供应会断绝，就不愿意这样教导或这样实行。我很担心你们真正服事主并面对金钱问题的时候，可能不会刚强壮胆的维护真理。受金钱左右实在是个失败。这是羞耻，也是败在仇敌面前。我们都必须接受恩典，忘掉对金钱的考虑，放胆对信徒说，『我所寻求的不是你们的东西，乃是你们自己。』

11At least a few times Brother Nee pointed out to us that if one who works for the Lord cannot be faithful in the matter of money, he cannot be faithful or strong in the Lord’s work. Many Christian workers, when they come to the matter of money, immediately become weak. Because they are afraid that their financial supply would be cut off, they dare not preach certain things, teach certain truths, or rebuke certain sins. Furthermore, they will not deal with certain matters, also because they are afraid that if they do so, the supply of money will be cut off. Those who have this problem are subdued by money. Do not think that we are the only ones who know the truth concerning the church revealed in the Word. At least some others know this truth; however, they dare not practice it. They know that in every locality there should be just one church. But, fearing that their supply of funds will be cut off, they are not willing to teach this or practice it. I am concerned that when you enter into the genuine ministry for the Lord and are faced with the matter of money, you may not be bold for the truth. It is indeed a failure to be influenced by money. This is a shame and a defeat before the enemy. We all must receive grace to forget considerations about money and have the boldness to say to the believers, “I do not seek what is yours—I seek you.”

12在这些经节中没有道理，却有一些非14常实际的事。保罗在十四节说，儿女不该为父母积蓄，父母乃该为儿女积蓄。这里我们又一次看见保罗是坦率而诚实的。他不放弃他对哥林多人的立场。在这节里保罗似乎告诉他们：『哥林多人哪，你们不能否认我是你们属灵的父亲。我在基督里藉著福音生了你们，并且把你们当作我的儿女抚养。我既是你们的父亲，所寻求的就不是你们的东西。父母寻求儿女的钱财是可耻的。儿女不该为父母积蓄，父母乃该为儿女积蓄。哥林多人哪，我不要从你们得任何东西，我要给你们。』

12In these verses we do not have doctrines, but we do have a number of very practical matters. In verse Paul says that the children should not store up for the parents, but the parents for the children. Here we see once again that Paul was frank and honest. He would not give up his standing with regard to the Corinthians. In this verse Paul seems to be telling them, “Corinthians, you cannot deny that I am your spiritual father. I begot you in Christ through the gospel, and I have raised you as my children. As your parent, I do not seek what is yours. It is a shame for parents to seek their children’s money. The children ought not to store up for the parents, but the parents for the children. Corinthians, I do not want to receive anything from you—I want to give to you.”

完全花上自己

UTTERLY SPENT

13保罗在十五节接著说，『我极其喜欢为你们花费，并完全花上自己。难道我越发爱你们，就越发少得你们的爱么？』这节经文里，『花费』的意思，是指花费他所有的，指他的财物。『完全花上』的意思，是指花费他所是的，指他这人。保罗愿意为信徒牺牲自己─他的魂、他的生命、他整个人。他也愿意舍弃他所有的钱财和物质的赀财。主耶稣为我们舍己；祂为我们完全花上了自己。照样，保罗也渴望为哥林多人完全花上自己。所有在主恢复里的圣徒，都需要学这个重要的功课：接受恩典，好为著圣徒、为著召会，花费我们所有的，并完全花上我们自己。

13In verse 15 Paul goes on to say, “But I will most gladly spend and be utterly spent on behalf of your souls, even if loving you more abundantly, I am loved less.” In this verse “spend” means to spend what he has, referring to his possessions. To be utterly spent means to spend what he is, referring to his being. Paul was willing to sacrifice himself—his soul, his life, his entire being—for the believers. He was also willing to give all his money and material possessions. The Lord Jesus gave His soul for us; He was utterly spent for us. In like manner, Paul’s desire was to be utterly spent for the Corinthians. All the saints in the Lord’s recovery need to learn this crucial lesson: to receive grace to spend what we have and to be utterly spent for the saints and for the churches

14保罗在十五节说，他愿意花上自己，虽然他越发爱信徒，却越发少得他们的爱。保罗仍然愿意为哥林多人花上自己，虽然他越发爱信徒，却越发少得他们的爱。保罗不在意他们的情形；他们的情形不能改变保罗对他们的态度。在这里保罗似乎是说，『不管你们对我的态度怎样，我仍然爱你们，并且喜欢为你们花费我的所有和所是。』

14In verse 15 Paul says that he was willing to be spent, even if loving the believers more abundantly, he was loved the less. Paul was still willing to be spent for the Corinthians even if he loved them more and they loved him less. Paul did not care about their condition. Their condition could not change his attitude toward them. Here Paul seems to be saying, “No matter what your attitude is toward me, I still love you, and I am glad to spend what I have and what I am for you

控告保罗狡猾诡诈

PAUL ACCUSED OF CRAFTINESS

15十六节说，『罢了！我并没有加给你们担子，你们却有人说，我是狡猾诡诈，用诡计牢笼你们。』我们已经指出，这是有些哥林多人对使徒的诬责。他们说，他用诡计得利，打发提多收取供给贫困圣徒的捐项，藉此掩饰自己。『罢了』的意思是，让以前的事过去罢；就是忘记已往，让已往过去。虽然保罗并没有加给哥林多人担子，他们有些人却说他是狡猾诡诈，用诡计牢笼他们。他们说保罗不愿意自己来，却在幕后利用提多当作遮盖来掩饰自己。他们控告保罗说，事实上，他是靠提多来收取损项；他们认为那是保罗的狡猾诡诈。保罗在这事上受了里面的警告，所以不只打发一个人和提多同去收取捐款。他这么作，是要使那些毁谤的舌头静默。然而，保罗虽然行事谨慎，并且豫先有设想，有些哥林多人仍然毁谤他。我们从保罗的经历中学到：虽然圣徒是诚实的，然而撒但还是会埋伏在他们中间。撒但利用钱财破坏尽职的人与圣徒之间的关系。在受打岔的哥林多人中间，有些人批评保罗，说他在钱财的事上狡猾诡诈。

15Verse 16 says, “But let it be so, I did not burden you, but being crafty I took you with guile.” As we have pointed out, this is what some Corinthians charged against the apostle. They said he was crafty in making gain, indemnifying himself by sending Titus to receive the collection for the poor saints. The words “let it be so” mean to let the former matter go. This is to forget about the past, to let the past go. Although Paul did not burden the Corinthians, some of them were saying that he was crafty and took them with guile. They said that Paul would not come himself, but used Titus as a cover to indemnify himself while he hid behind the scene. They were accusing Paul of being the one who actually collected the money through Titus. In their judgment, that was Paul’s craftiness. Having been inwardly warned concerning the matter, Paul sent more than one person with Titus to collect the money. He did this in order to silence the defaming tongues. However, even though Paul acted carefully and with forethought, some of the Corinthians still defamed him. We learn from Paul’s experience that even though the saints may be honest, Satan is nonetheless crouching among them. Satan uses money to damage the situation between the ministering ones and the saints. Among the distracted Corinthians, some were criticizing Paul for being crafty in money matters.

16在同一的灵里行事保罗在十七至十八节问：『我所差到你们那里去的人，我藉著其中一个占过你们的便宜么？我劝了提多，又差了那位弟兄同去。提多占过你们的便宜么？我们行事，不是在同一的灵里么？不是在同一的脚踪里么？』十八节的『灵』，指我们重生的灵，由圣灵所内住，在我们基督徒的行事为人中，管治、管理、指引、规律并带领我们。（罗八4。）使徒们乃是在这样的灵里行事为人。

16WALKING IN THE SAME SPIRIT In verses 17 and 18 Paul asks, “Did I take advantage of you through anyone whom I have sent to you? I entreated Titus and sent with him the brother. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Not in the same steps?” The spirit in verse 18 denotes our regenerated spirit indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This spirit should govern, rule, direct, regulate, and lead us in our Christian walk (Rom. 8:4). The apostles walk in such a spirit

17保罗在林后十二章十六、十七和十八节里的话，帮助我们明白有些哥林多人所说关于保罗和提多的话。他们指控保罗打发提多收取捐款，来欺哄、欺骗他们、占他们的便宜。保罗写这样的事一定不愉快。我们可能以为，这样的话不该出现在一个从主领受高超职事托付之圣别使徒的著作里。在哥林多后书这段话里，保罗是在给哥林多召会动手术。保罗把他们剖开，除去腐烂的部分。哥林多召会病得太重，无法用药物治愈，非动手术不可。所以，保罗这个属灵的外科医生给召会动手术，为要治愈召会，使其康复、复原。只要信徒与使徒之间的关系没有调整好，召会就继续是在病中。因此，动一次手术是必需的。在这章圣经中，我们看见保罗这位神的仆人是何等诚实。根据本篇信息的标题，我们在这里看见保罗为他使徒权柄的表白。事实上，我不喜欢用表白这个辞。保罗很可能不觉得是在表白自己，乃是在给哥林多人动手术，从身体上切除一切腐烂的东西，为要医治他们。

17Paul’sword in verses 16, 17, and 18 helps us to understand what some of the Corinthians had been saying concerning Paul and Titus. They were accusing Paul of deceiving them, cheating them, and taking advantage of them by sending Titus to collect money. It surely was not a pleasant matter for Paul to write about such things. It may seem to us that words such as these should not be found in the writings of a holy apostle, one who had received from the Lord the commission of a high ministry. In this portion of 2 Corinthians Paul is performing surgery on the church at Corinth. He cut them open and removed the parts that were corrupt. The church in Corinth was so seriously ill that medicine could not cure them. They could only be helped by surgery. Therefore, Paul, a spiritual surgeon, performed surgery in order to heal the church and restore it, recover it. As long as the relationship between the believers and the apostle had not been adjusted, the church would continue to be sick. Therefore, an operation was necessary. In this chapter we see how honest Paul was as a servant of God. According to the title of this message, here we have Paul’s vindication of his apostolic authority. Actually, I do not like to use the word vindication. Probably Paul did not have the feeling that he was vindicating himself. On the contrary, he was seeking to heal the Corinthians by operating on them, by cutting out anything corrupt from the Body

18我信本篇信息能帮助所有对主的恢复有心的人，特别是帮助年轻人。年轻人至终都要在主的手中。所以他们需要对钱财有正确的领会。我们都必须学习不贪婪，反该为别人花费我们的所有，甚至花上我们自己、我们这个人。我们该乐意为基督的身体倾倒我们的全人─灵、魂、身体。这样，我们所作和所是的，就会叫身体得益处。每当我们来摸主为著祂身体的工作时，都必须有纯洁的动机和正确的态度。我们不该寻求别人的东西，乃该求他们自己，盼望为著主的身体得著他们，并为著身体完全花费我们的所是和所有。这样，基督的身体就会得著医治，我们也会得蒙保守。

18I believe that this message can be helpful to all those, especially the young, who have a heart for the Lord’s recovery. Eventually, the young ones will be in the hand of the Lord. It certainly will be necessary for them to have a proper understanding concerning money. We all must learn not to be greedy, but instead, to spend what we have for others, even to spend ourselves, our very being. We should be willing to pour out our whole being—spirit, soul, and body— for the Body of Christ. Then what we do and what we are will be a benefit to the Body. Whenever we touch the work of the Lord for His Body, we must have a pure motive and a proper attitude. Instead of seeking what others have, we should seek only them and desire to gain them for the Lord’s Body and to spend utterly what we are and have for the Body. Then the Body will be healed, and we shall be preserved.