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加拉太书生命读经 · 第26篇

除去面酵，以及不将自由当作放纵肉体的机会

GETTING RID OF THE LEAVEN AND NOT TURNING FREEDOM INTO AN OCCASION FOR THE FLESH
1读经：加拉太书五章七至十五节。我们在前一篇信息中看见，保罗对加拉太信徒说，不要与基督隔绝。（加五4。)这是保罗对承受应许者说到他们日常行事为人的第一项嘱咐。我们在本篇信息中要分别来看第二项和第三项的嘱咐─除去面酵，以及不将自由当作放纵肉体的机会。
1Scripture Reading: Gal. 5:7-15 In the foregoing message we saw that Paul spoke to the Galatian believers about not being brought to nothing from Christ (5:4). That was Paul’s first charge related to the daily walk of the heirs of promise. In this message we shall consider the second and third charges respectively: the charge to get rid of the leaven and not to turn freedom into an occasion, an opportunity, for the flesh
壹 除去面酵
I. GETTING RID OF THE LEAVEN
一 不受劝诱而不信服真理
A. Not Dissuaded from Obeying the Truth
2保罗在五章七至八节说，『你们向来跑得好，有谁拦阻你们，叫你们不信服真理？这劝导不是出于那召你们的。』保罗在四章二十节告诉加拉太人，他为他们心里作难。在五章七至八节这里，保罗的口气相当温和。他夸他们向来跑得好，然后问他们，有谁拦阻他们，叫他们不信服真理。这里的真理不是道理，乃是在基督里的实际，正如保罗所传给加拉太人的。在这二节经文里，很难说保罗是温和还是放胆。他一面称赞他们，另一面又似乎在责备他们。保罗对加拉太信徒说话是非常的小心。保罗在五章八节说，『这劝导不是出于那召你们的。』保罗在这里题到的劝导，乃是犹太教徒劝诱的教导，使加拉太人偏离基督，转去遵守律法。这样的劝导不是出于神，就是那召他们的。因此，这样的劝导必定是出于另一个源头─撒但。保罗这里的话强烈的指明，犹太教徒与撒但是一，抵挡神的经纶。
2In 5:7 and 8 Paul says, “You were running well; who hindered you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion is not of Him Who calls you.” In 4:20 Paul told the Galatians that he was perplexed about them. Here in 5:7 and 8 Paul assumes a rather mild tone. He praises them by saying that they were running well. Then he asks them who hindered them that they should not obey the truth. Truth here does not refer to doctrine, but refers to the reality in Christ, as preached to the Galatians by Paul. In these verses it is difficult to tell whether Paul is mild or bold. On the one hand, he praises them, but, on the other hand, he seems to rebuke them. In talking to the Galatian believers Paul was very careful. In 5:8 Paul says, “This persuasion is not of Him Who calls you.” The persuasion Paul mentions here is that of the Judaizers’ teaching, which was distracting the Galatians from Christ to the observances of the law. This persuasion was not of God, the One who had called them. Thus, it must have been from another source, from Satan. Paul’sword here is a strong indication that the Judaizers were one with Satan in acting against God’secon o my
3我们可以把这个原则应用在我们今天的光景里。反对者以及异议者的劝导，不是出于那召我们的。因此，这劝导的源头必定是撒但。这是一件非常严肃的事。所以听到异议者的劝导时，要谨慎小心。不要光听他们所说的话，而要察验他们所说的，是不是出于那召我们的，要分辨他们的劝导是不是出于神的。不要被甜言蜜语所误导。欺骗者常常是说花言巧语的人，他们用安抚人、安慰人、诱惑人的话来劝导你，但在这些话语里藏有毒药。异议者说一些包里糖衣的话，要诱惑软弱的人离开对基督的享受，离开正当的召会生活。这样的话不是出于那召我们的，而是出于另一个源头，就是神的仇敌撒但。这劝导的目的，是要使我们与对基督的享受隔绝。我们要小心这种劝导背后所藏仇敌的诡诈。
3We may apply this principle to our situation today. The persuasive talk of the opposers and the dissenting ones is not of the One who has called us. Therefore, its source must be Satan. This is a very serious matter. Be careful when listening to the persuasive speech of dissenting ones. Do not just listen to their words, but check whether or not their speech is of the One who has called us. Discern whether or not their persuasive talk is of God. Do not be misled by pleasant words. Deceivers are often sweet talkers. They use soothing, comforting, enticing words in their attempt to persuade you. But concealed within these words there is poison. Speaking with sugar- coated words, the dissenting ones may try to entice the weak ones away from the enjoyment of Christ and from the proper church life. Such talk is not of the One who called us. It issues from another source, from Satan, God’se ne my. The goal of this persuasion is to bring us to nothing from the enjoyment of Christ. Beware of the subtlety of the enemy behind this kind of persuasion.
二 不让一点面酵使全团都发起来
B. Not Allowing a Little Leaven to Leaven the Whole Lump
4保罗在九节接著说，『一点面酵能使全团都发起来。』这里的面酵，指犹太教徒虚假的教训；（参太十六12；)全团是集体的指所有的信徒，就是召会。事实上，保罗并不以为犹太教徒虚假的教训只是一点点、极少量的面酵。不过，有些加拉太信徒可能认为犹太教徒的劝导是相当小的事。为这缘故，保罗在此指出，甚至一点面酵也会使全团都发起来。
4In verse 9 Paul goes on to say, “ A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” Leaven here refers to the false teachings of the Judaizers (see Matt. 16:12), and the lump, to all the believers collectively. The whole lump is the church. Actually, Paul did not regard the false teachings of the Judaizers merely as a small amount of leaven, a little leaven. Certain of the Galatian believers, however, may have considered the persuasive speech of the Judaizers as something rather small. For this reason, Paul pointed out that even a little leaven leavens the whole lump
5撒但用诡诈的战术，利用反对者和异议者，藉著他们的劝导，将一点面酵注射到信徒里面。这点面酵的作用就像刺激物，在消极方面激起我们的欲望。加拉太书前四章所说消极的点不只是一点面酵，乃是大量的面酵。但是当保罗对付那些被犹太教徒的教训所打岔的信徒时，他说话的态度十分谨慎，他乃是说『一点面酵』。不论量有多少，酵就是酵；面酵就像细菌一样会繁增，会使全团都发起来。我们需要从加拉太人的经历中学习，不要将自己向甚至一点点的面酵敞开，因为一点面酵就能使全召会发起来。
5In his subtle strategy, Satan uses the opposing ones and the dissenting ones to inject a little leaven through their persuasive speech. This leaven works as an appetizer that stirs up our desire in a negative way. The negative points covered in the first four chapters of Galatians were not merely a little leaven, but a large amount of leaven. But in dealing with those believers who had been distracted by the teaching of the Judaizers, Paul speaks in a careful way and refers to a little leaven. Whether the amount is large or small, leaven is leaven. Leaven is like germs in that it multiplies; it causes the whole lump to be leavened. We need to learn from the experience of the Galatians not to open ourselves to even a little leaven, for a little leaven is capable of leavening the whole church
三 不会有别的念头
C. In Nothing Otherwise Minded
6保罗在十节说，『我在主里深信，你们不会有别的念头。』这话指明保罗的信心是大的。但是要注意这里保罗的信心不在于加拉太人，而在于主。保罗不是说，『我对你们有信心。』他乃是说，『我在主里深信。』因著保罗一直为加拉太人祷告，所以他能在主里对他们有信心，不至于失望。保罗尤其深信加拉太人不会有别的念头。
6In verse 10 Paul says, “I have confidence as to you in the Lord that in nothing you will be otherwise minded.” This word indicates that Paul had great faith. Notice, however, that Paul’s confidence was not in the Galatians, but in the Lord. Paul did not say, “I have confidence in you”; rather, he said, “I have confidence as to you in the Lord.” Because Paul had been praying for the Galatians, he could have confidence in the Lord concerning them and not be disappointed. In particular, Paul was confident that the Galatians would not be otherwise minded.
7保罗说到有别的念头这件事，摸著召会生活中各种难处最重要的根源─有不同的心思，有别的念头。只要召会中没有拜偶像的事、不道德的事、以及分门别类的事，我们就不该对任何事有别的念头。相反的，不论召会追求的方向是甚么，我们都应当与召会是一，跟随召会往前。我们对于道理与作法，都不要有别的念头。例如，不要说你同意某一种排椅子的方法，而不同意另外一种排法。我们也不该说，我们喜欢在家里聚会，不喜欢在会所聚会。这样有别的念头，绝对不是出于神的，其源头必定是仇敌撒但。我们都不该让别的念头有地步，可以潜入召会生活。我们需要向著仇敌这样的入侵关闭自己。我们也都有责任，不要有别的念头。召会如果拜偶像，我们应当起来反对。但即使我们这样作，也必须有正确的灵，好帮助别人。我再说，凡拜偶像、不道德、或分门别类的事，我们都不应该同意；但我们不该对其他的事有异议。假定我们参加一个聚会，发现椅子排得很奇特；如果没有甚么圣徒批评这种椅子的排法，这就表明召会生活很强。这清楚的指明，我们在意基督，而不在意某种椅子的排法。我们若真的看见对基督的享受以及召会的一，就不会有别的念头。我们不会在意甚么特别的意见、方式和作法。相反的，我们只会在意对基督的享受和身体的一。
7In referring to the matter of being otherwise minded, Paul touches the most important source of problems in the church life—that of having a different mind, of being otherwise minded. As long as there is no idolatry, immorality, or divisiveness in the church, we should not be otherwise minded concerning anything. Instead, we should be one with the church and go along with the church, no matter what direction the church may pursue. Regarding doctrines and practices, do not be otherwise minded. For example, do not say that you agree with arranging the chairs in a particular way, but not with arranging them in some other way. Also, we should not say that we prefer to meet in homes instead of in the meeting hall. It is absolutely not of God to be otherwise minded in this way. The source of this is the enemy, Satan. None of us should give ground for a different kind of mind to enter into the church life. We need to close ourselves to such an invasion of the enemy. We all must take the responsibility not to be otherwise minded. If the church practices idolatry, we should stand against it. But even in this we must have a proper spirit in order to be helpful to others. To repeat, we should not agree with anything idolatrous, immoral, or divisive. However, we should not be dissenting about other things. Suppose we come to a meeting and find the chairs arranged in a very unusual way. If none of the saints speak critically of this arrangement, this will be a sign that the church life is very strong. It will be a clear indication that we care for Christ and not for a particular way of arranging the chairs. If we have truly seen the enjoyment of Christ and the oneness of the church, we shall not be otherwise minded. We shall not care for any particular opinion, way, or practice. Instead, we shall care only for the enjoyment of Christ and for the oneness of the Body
8在召会生活中，我们不该运用心思去收集不必要的消息。我们不该像探子一样，专想收集资料。我们的生命越软弱，我们作探子的倾向就越强烈。如果这样一个软弱的人去访问别地的召会，他会想要打听那里的事。这种行为是属魔鬼的。每当我们访问召会的时候，我们应当满足于作瞎子，不去知道那里圣徒们的情形。当保罗说他在主里深信加拉太人不会有别的念头时，圣徒中间的光景和今天大不相同。保罗写加拉太书的时候，他仍然合式的强调每个地方召会的一，以及对基督的享受。保罗的信心乃是根据一个事实，就是一个地方只有一个召会，并且他的职事有力且清楚的强调，基督乃是圣徒的一切。这是保罗在主里深信加拉太信徒凡事不会有别的念头的根基。保罗为信徒多有祷告，并且深信他们在凡事上不会有别的念头。他这样的信心有扎实的立场。但我们的情形却非常不一样，这是因为我们受了有毒面酵渗透的影响。事实上，『有别的念头』这件事，在所有的基督徒当中都有；但在保罗的时代，召会乃是一，因此保罗有理由在主里对众圣徒有信心。
8In the church life, we should not exercise our mind to gather unnecessary information. We should not be spies trying to gather information. The weaker we are in life, the greater will be our tendency to act like a spy. Should such a weak one visit a church in another locality, he may want to spy out things there. This kind of practice is devilish. Whenever we visit another church, we should be content to be blind, not knowing anything about the situation of the saints there. When Paul uttered the words that he was confident in the Lord concerning the Galatian believers that they would not be otherwise minded, the situation among the saints was much different than it is today. When Paul wrote the book of Galatians, there was still the proper emphasis on the oneness of the church in each locality and on the enjoyment of Christ. Paul’s confidence was based upon the fact that there was just one church in each locality and that in his ministry there was a strong and clear emphasis on Christ as everything to the saints. This was the basis for Paul’s confidence in the Lord that in nothing the believers in Galatia would be otherwise minded. Paul prayed much for the believers and was confident that in everything they would not be otherwise minded. He had a solid ground for this confidence. But because of the pervasive influence of poisonous leaven, our situation is very different. The matter of being otherwise minded is found virtually among all Christians. But at Paul’st i me the church was one, and Paul had reason for confidence in the Lord concerning the saints.
四 不要让十字架这绊脚石被废去
D. Not Letting the Stumbling Block of the Cross Be Done Away
9保罗在五章十一节说，『至于我，弟兄们，如果我仍旧传割礼，为甚么还受逼迫？若是这样，十字架这绊脚石就废去了。』割礼是对付人肉体的影儿，十字架是这对付的实际。（西二11～12。)犹太教徒竭力将加拉太人带回到那影儿，使徒保罗却奋力保守他们在其实际中。割礼是基督十字架的豫表。在豫表上，割礼表征割除肉体。真正割除肉体是藉著十字架成就的；因此，十字架乃是割礼这个豫表的成就与实际。基督虽然已经钉在十字架上，但犹太教徒还是坚持行割礼。因著犹太教徒坚持要行割礼，又反对十字架，他们就逼迫像保罗那样传基督十字架的人。保罗教导说，割礼是豫表、影儿，而基督的十字架是其实现。基督既然钉了十字架，他们就不再需要行割礼了。
9In 5:11 Paul says, “But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? Then has the stumbling block of the cross been done away.” Circumcision foreshadowed the dealing with man’s flesh; the cross is the reality of this dealing (Col. 2:11-12). The Judaizers endeavored to bring the Galatians back to the shadow; the Apostle Paul struggled to keep them in the reality. Circumcision is a type of the cross of Christ. In typology, circumcision typifies the cutting off of the flesh. The true cutting off of the flesh is accomplished by the cross. Therefore, the cross is the fulfillment and the reality of the type of circumcision. Nevertheless, the Judaizers insisted on continuing the practice of circumcision, even though Christ had been crucified on the cross. Because the Judaizers insisted on circumcision and opposed the cross, they persecuted those, like Paul, who preached the cross of Christ. Paul taught that circumcision was a type, a shadow, fulfilled in the cross of Christ. Since Christ has been crucified, there is no longer any need for the practice of circumcision
10从五章十一节来看，保罗不愿意因著传割礼而把十字架这绊脚石废去。甚至在加拉太书写成的时候，就是主后约五十四年，基督的十字架已经成了绊脚石。有的人不敢相信十字架，也不敢谈论十字架。这是因为犹太教的影响，割礼在犹太教是非常重要的。犹太教徒轻看十字架而高举割礼。对他们而言，基督的十字架是绊脚石，凡是传扬十字架话语的人，就该遭受逼迫。因此，十一节帮助我们了解保罗写信给加拉太人之时的光景。
10According to 5:11, Paul would not preach circumcision and thereby allow the stumbling block of the cross to be done away. Even by the time the book of Galatians was written, between A.D. 55 and 58, the cross of Christ had already become a stumbling block. Some did not dare to believe in the cross or to talk about it. This was due to the influence of Judaism, where circumcision was of great importance. The Judaizers belittled the cross and exalted circumcision. To them, the cross of Christ was a stumbling block, and those who preached the word of the cross deserved to be persecuted. Thus, verse 11 helps us to realize the situation when Paul wrote to the Galatians.
五 让搅乱的人担受处罚，并且把自己割掉
E. Letting the Troubling and Upsetting Ones Bear the Judgment and Cut Themselves Off
11保罗在十节和十二节对搅扰加拉太信徒的人说了一些很重的话。他在十节说，『但那搅扰你们的，无论是谁，必担受处罚。』这话实际上相当于咒诅的话。保罗的意思是说，那些搅扰加拉太圣徒的人要受咒诅。保罗在一章用了『咒诅』一辞；他说，若有人在加拉太人所领受的之外，另传一个福音给他们，这人就该受咒诅。（9。)保罗在这里说，凡是搅扰加拉太人的，无论是谁，都要受处罚、被定罪。保罗在五章十二节说了很重的话；『我恨不得那些扰乱你们的人，甚至把自己割掉了。』使徒保罗盼望那些坚守割礼，搅乱加拉太人的犹太教徒，不仅割掉他们的阳皮，最好把他们自己也割掉。他们搅乱人、困扰人的己，需要被切除。
11In verses 10 and 12 Paul has some strong words concerning those who were troubling the Galatian believers. In verse 10 he says that “he who troubles you shall bear the judgment, whoever he may be.” This word is virtually the equivalent of a curse. Paul was saying that those who troubled the saints in Galatia would be cursed. Paul used the word “cursed” in chapter one, where he says that anyone who preaches a gospel besides that which the Galatians received should be accursed (1:9). Here Paul says that the one who troubles the Galatians will be judged, condemned, whoever he may be. In 5:12 Paul utters a very strong word: “I would that those who upset you would even cut themselves off.” The Apostle Paul wished that the Judaizers who upset the Galatians by insisting on circumcision would cut off not only their foreskin but even themselves. Their upsetting, disturbing self needed to be amputated
12保罗恨不得那些搅扰加拉太信徒的人『甚至把自己割掉了』，这事实指明他把他们看作肉体，需要被割掉。保罗的意思是说，『那些搅扰你们的人，不只应当从他们肉身上割去一小块肉，他们应当把自己割掉。』在神的眼中，这种人乃是全人都在定罪之下，应当被割掉。犹太教徒一定被这样的话激怒，甚至想把保罗治死。保罗太大胆了，竟然说这样的话来论到他们，把他们看作肉体！保罗放胆的时候，真是大胆。这里给我们看见，他在论到犹太教徒是肉体，需要被割掉时，是何等放胆。
12The fact that Paul wanted those who upset the Galatian believers to “cut themselves off ” indicates that he regarded them as flesh that needed to be cut. Paul was saying, “Those who are disturbing you should not simply cut off a piece of flesh from their bodies—they should cut themselves off.” In the eyes of God, the whole being of such ones is under condemnation and worthy to be cut off. The Judaizers must have been angered by such a word, angered enough to put Paul to death. How bold Paul was to utter such a word concerning them, treating them as flesh! When Paul was bold, he was really bold. Here we see his boldness in speaking of the Judaizers as flesh needing to be cut off
贰 不将自由当作
II. NOT TURNING FREEDOM
放纵肉体的机会
INTO AN OCCASION FOR THE FLESH
13保罗在五章十三节说，『弟兄们，你们蒙召原是为得自由；只是不可将自由当作放纵肉体的机会，倒要凭著爱互相服事。』保罗的书信不像没有翻过的饼。（何七8。)保罗是均衡而均平的，他先考虑事情的一面，然后又考虑另一面。但我们往往是没有翻过的饼，一面是生的，另一面又太熟了。我们释放信息的时候，很容易产生没有翻过的饼。但保罗写加拉太书的时候，他把饼翻了又翻。他可以措辞强烈，然后语带情感；责备人，后又温柔和蔼。
13In 5:13 Paul says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers; only do not turn the freedom into an occasion for the flesh, but through love serve one another as slaves.” Paul’s writing is not like an unturned cake (Hosea 7:8). Rather, he is balanced and even, first considering one side of a matter, then the other side. Our tendency, however, is to be an unturned cake, with one side raw and the other side overdone. In giving messages we may easily produce unturned cakes. But as Paul wrote the book of Galatians, he turned the cake again and again. He could be strong, then affectionate; rebuking, then mild
14我们看见，在自由这件事上，保罗是平衡的。保罗一方面告诉我们，蒙召原是为得自由；另一方面又警告我们，不要利用这自由当作放纵肉体的机会。保罗一方面鼓励信徒享受他们在基督里的自由，一方面又担心他们会误用或滥用这自由。我们如果过分沉迷在我们的自由里，就会将这自由当作放纵肉体的机会。我们虽是自由的，但还需要在运用自由这件事上受限制。自由而没有限制，总是引起肉体的放纵。因此，我们需要接受平衡；要自由，却也要受限制。自由而有限制，引导我们爱别人，并凭著爱像奴仆服事他们。保罗写加拉太书的时候，里面有许多思想。他知道受到打岔的加拉太信徒会转向他们的自由，然后开始误用自由。他们可能会有一种态度，就是因著他们不再在各种的轭之下，就可以随己意而行；这种态度会破坏召会生活。因此，保罗嘱咐加拉太人不要误用他们的自由。不错，他们蒙召是要得自由，但他们不应当将自由当作放纵的机会。一面来说，他们脱离了奴役的轭，脱离了律法；但是从另一面说，他们还需要关心别人，在爱里服事人。有一些圣徒，特别是青年人，听到关于自由的信息，就想要丢弃一切的约束。他们可能会有一种态度，认为他们既是自由的，就再也不需要尊重长老的话。这就是将自由当作放纵肉体的机会。我们不该这样作；反之，我们运用自由的时候应当受限制，甘心像奴仆一般互相服事。就像保罗在五章十四节所说的：『因为全律法都在「要爱邻舍如同自己」这一句话之内，得以完全了。』
14We see Paul’s balance in the matter of freedom. On the one hand, Paul tells us that we were called to freedom; on the other hand, he warns us not to use this freedom for an occasion for the flesh. While Paul encouraged the believers to enjoy their freedom in Christ, he was also concerned that they might misuse or abuse this freedom. If we over-indulge ourselves in our freedom, then we turn it into an occasion for the flesh. Although we are free, we still need to be limited in the exercise of our freedom. Freedom without limitation always results in the indulgence of the flesh. Therefore, we need to be balanced, to be free, yet restricted. If we are limited in the use of our freedom, we shall love others and through love serve them as slaves. When Paul wrote the book of Galatians, he had a number of thoughts within him. He realized that the Galatian believers who had been distracted might return to their freedom and then begin to misuse it. They might have the attitude that since they are no longer under any kind of yoke, they are free to do what they please. Such an attitude damages the church life. Therefore, Paul charged the Galatians not to misuse their freedom. Yes, they had been called to freedom, but they should not turn it into an indulgence. On the one hand, they were free from the yoke of slavery, from the law, but, on the other hand, they should still care for others and serve them in love. When some saints, especially young believers, hear a message on freedom, they have the tendency to cast off restraint. They may have the attitude that, since they are free, no longer do they need to regard the word of the elders. This is to turn freedom into an occasion for the flesh. Instead of doing this, we should be limited in the use of freedom and be willing to serve one another as slaves. As Paul says in 5:14, “The whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this, You shall love your neighbor as yourself
15在本篇信息所说到的经节里，保罗劝戒我们在召会生活中应当有合式的行事为人。他指明我们需要接受平衡，不要作没有翻过的饼。我们释放信息的时候，一件事的两面都要顾到。我们需要顾到自己，也要顾到别人。我们可以享受我们所拥有的自由，但是还需要为著别人的缘故在爱里受限制，使召会生活得以好好的往前。不仅如此，我们必须学习没有别的念头。这样，我们就可以在召会生活中，有正当的行事为人。
15In the verses we have covered in this message, Paul admonishes us to have a proper walk in the church life. He indicates that we need to be balanced and not be unturned cakes. In giving messages, we should cover both sides of a matter. We need to care for ourselves and also for others. We may enjoy the freedom we have and yet still be restricted in love for the sake of others that the church life may go on in a good way. Furthermore, we must learn not to be otherwise minded. Then we shall have a proper walk in the church life.