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加拉太书生命读经 · 第46篇

照基本的准则而行

Walking According to the Elementary Rules
1读经：加拉太书5:25;6:8,12-16,18;Phil.3:14-16。保罗在加拉太五章两次说到凭著灵而行。他在十六节说，『你们当凭著灵而行，就绝不会满足肉体的情欲了。』他在二十五节接著说，『我们若凭著灵活著，也就当凭著灵而行。』四十多年来，我一直在寻找对这两节经文的正确领会。十六节本身似乎相当容易领会。许多圣经教师指出，这里的『行』字，意思是生活、行动、活动并为人。因此，凭著灵而行，就是凭著灵生活为人。既然『行』字有这意义，为甚么保罗在二十五节说到凭著灵活著，并凭著灵而行呢？多年来，我受到这节圣经困扰。
1Scripture Reading: Gal. 5:25; 6:8, 12-16, 18; Phil. 3:14-16 In Galatians 5 Paul speaks twice about walking by the Spirit. In verse 16 he says, “Walk by the Spirit and you shall by no means fulfill the lust of the flesh.” In verse 25 he goes on to say, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” For more than forty years I have been seeking the proper understanding of these verses. In itself verse 16 seems rather easy to understand. As a number of Bible teachers have pointed out, the word “walk” here means to live, move, act, and have our being. Hence, to walk by the Spirit is to live, to have our being, by the Spirit. Since the word “walk” has this meaning, why does Paul in verse 25 speak both of living by the Spirit and walking by the Spirit? For many years, I was troubled by this verse
基本原则
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPLES
2我们要领悟保罗在五章十六节与二十五节用两个不同的希腊字说到行，这是很重要的。保罗在十六节用peripateo，帕利帕提欧一辞，指一般的行。这辞的意思是生活、行事、为人。这个行的意思等于二十五节的『活著』。凭著灵而行就是凭著灵活著。保罗在二十五节用另一个不同的希腊字stoicheo，史托依奇欧，说到行。我们很难找到与这希腊字相当的英文。stoicheo是名词『蒙学』的动词形式。希腊文『蒙学』的名词，用于四章三节（『世上的蒙学』），和四章九节（『软弱乏用的蒙学』）。这辞也见于歌罗西二章八节，保罗在那里又说到『世上的蒙学』。这些蒙学是基本准则或基本原则。因此stoicheo乃是说到基本原则、基本准则之希腊字的动词形式。至少有一个版本采用『实行基本的原则』这繙译。这版本说，『我们既凭著灵活著，也就当实行基本的原则。』同样的希腊文动词也用于行传二十一章二十四节。雅各告诉保罗，犹太人中信主的有多少万，并且都为『律法热心』，以后就劝保罗带另外四个人上殿里去，与他们一同行洁净的礼。（20～。）雅各接著告诉保罗，他若如此行，众人就可知道，『先前所听说你的事都是虚的，反而你自己却是按规律而行，遵行律法。』『按规律而行』的原文，在加拉太五章二十五节繙作『行』。按规律而行，就是照著某些基本准则，或基本原则而行。
2It is important to realize that in 5:16 and 25 Paul uses two different Greek words for walk. In verse 16 Paul uses the word peripateo, a general word for walking. This word means to walk about, to live and have our being. This meaning of walk is equal to “live” in verse 25. To walk by the Spirit is to live by the Spirit. In verse 25 Paul uses a different Greek word for walk, stoicheo. It is difficult to find an English equivalent for this Greek word. The word stoicheo is the verbal form of the noun “element.” The Greek noun for element is used in 4:3 (“the elements of the world”) and 4:9 (“poor elements”). It is also found in Colossians 2:8, where Paul again speaks of “the elements of the world.” These elements are elementary rules or basic principles. Thus, stoicheo is a verbal form of the Greek word for elementary principles, basic rules. At least one version adopts the rendering, “to practice the elementary principles.” This version says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us also practice the elementary principles.” The same Greek verb is also used in Acts 21:24. After telling Paul that there were thousands of believing Jews and that they were all “zealous of the law,” James urged him to go to the temple with four others and purify himself with them (vv. 20-24). James went on to tell Paul that if he did this, all would know that “those 24 things, where of they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.” The expression “walk orderly” is the translation of the Greek word for “walk” in Galatians 5:25. To walk orderly means to walk according to certain basic rules or elementary principles.
活新造
LIVING A NEW CREATION
3保罗在六章十六节也用动词stoicheo：『凡照这准则而行的，愿平安怜悯临到他们，就是临到神的以色列。』将这里的原文繙作『照这基本原则而行』是正确的。这里保罗加上『照这准则』这辞。照上下文，『这准则』就是前节所题作为新造的准则。『照这准则而行』，就是活新造。保罗在六章十五节说：『受割礼不受割礼，都无关紧要，要紧的乃是作新造。』这里我们看见，我们不是要过受割礼的生活，也不是要过不受割礼的生活；不是要过宗教的生活，也不是要过非宗教的生活。我们乃是要活新造。这里的新造就是所有神儿子的总和。神的众子就是新造。
3Paul also uses the verb stoicheo in 6:16: “ And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them and mercy, even upon the Israel of God.” It is correct to render the Greek here as “walk according to the elementary principles.” Here Paul added the phrase “by this rule.” According to the context, “this rule” is the rule of being a new creation, as mentioned in the preceding verse. To “walk by this rule” is to live a new creation. In 6:15 Paul says, “For neither is circumcision anything nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” Here we see that we are to live neither a life of circumcision nor of uncircumcision, neither a religious life nor an unreligious life. Rather, we are to live a new creation. The new creation here is the totality of all the sons of God. God’ss ons are the new creation
4新造与旧造之间有基本的不同。神的生命与性情没有作到旧造里，但新造的确具有神圣的生命与神圣的性情。亚当没有神的生命，或神的性情。我们惟有藉著相信主耶稣，并由那灵重生，才能接受神圣的生命与性情。我们相信基督的时候，神的生命与性情就分赐给我们，并使我们成为新造。照保罗在加拉太书里的观念，人即使受割礼，仍在旧造里。割去肉体的作法，不能使任何人得著神的生命。受割礼的人与不受割礼的人，都仍是旧造的一部分。神经纶里的心意不是要我们过受割礼的生活，或不受割礼的生活。神在祂经纶里的目标是要我们活新造。我们若要活新造，凡我们所行的都必须与三一神是一，并且神的元素必须作到我们里面。例如，我爱某位弟兄，可能是照著我天然的生命，而不是照著我藉重生所接受神圣的元素。因为这位弟兄似乎很殷勤、顺从、服从，我也许很喜欢他。这种爱完全是旧造的事。这就是一个在旧造里的人，爱另一个在旧造里的人。我若要照著新造爱这位弟兄，就必须定罪自己，和我对他天然的爱，甚至自私的爱。然后我需要凭著我重生的人，以神圣的元素来爱这位弟兄。这样，我就不是因为他对我服从或对我好而爱他。即使他得罪我，我还是爱他，因为我不是凭著天然的生命而活，乃是凭著我里面神圣的元素而活。然后我的爱就是出于新造，满了神圣的元素。第一种爱，天然的爱，在旧造里的爱，乃是堕落造物爱的彰显。但第二种爱，在新造里的爱，乃是神儿子爱的彰显。
4There is a basic difference between the new creation and the old creation. God’s life and nature are not wrought into the old creation, but the new creation does possess the divine life and the divine nature. Adam did not have the life of God or the nature of God. We can receive the divine life and nature only by believing in the Lord Jesus and being regenerated by the Spirit. When we believed in Christ, God’s life and nature were imparted to us and caused us to become a new creation. According to Paul’s concept in Galatians, a person would still be in the old creation even if he were circumcised. The act of cutting the flesh could not cause anyone to receive the life of God. Both those who are circumcised and those who are uncircumcised are still part of the old creation. It is not God’sin tent i on in His economy that we live either a circumcised life or an uncircumcised life. God’s goal in His economy is that we live a new creation. If we would live a new creation, we must do all things in oneness with the Triune God, and the element of God must be wrought into us. For example, I may love a certain brother according to my natural life, not according to the divine element received through regeneration. Because this particular brother seems to be diligent, obedient, and submissive, I may be very fond of him. This kind of love is entirely a matter of the old creation. It is a case of one person in the old creation loving another in the old creation. If I would love this brother according to the new creation, I must condemn myself and my natural, even selfish, love for him. Then I need to love the brother by my regenerated being with the divine element. In such a case, I do not love him because he is submissive or good to me. Even if he offends me, I would still love him because I am living not by the natural life, but by the divine element within me. Then my love will be of the new creation, full of the divine element. The first kind of love, the natural love, the love in the old creation, is the expression of the love of a fallen creature. But the second kind of love, the love in the new creation, is the expression of the love of a son of God.
5今天要紧的不是我们热心宗教或不热心宗教，要紧的乃是我们是否活新造。活新造乃是以神的元素生活、行动、为人、并作一切大小的事。在我们一切所行的事上，我们不应当凭自己，而应当照著我们充满神圣元素之重生的人而行动。甚至我们和别人谈话，也应当凭著里面神圣的元素。我们说话的时候，若感觉离了这元素，就不应当再说了。我们在日常的谈话中，不应当凭自己说话，却应当以神圣的元素说话。这样，我们的谈话就会是新造的一部分。在我们与别人的关系上，我们不应当是合乎宗教或不合乎宗教的，我们应当活新造。假定我非常粗鲁的对待一位弟兄，这是不合宗教的。但假定我是在召会生活中多年的年长弟兄，我的粗鲁和强硬都受了对付，现在我对别人文雅、温和又恩慈。然而，我这样待人，并不需要祷告，或与主是一。我有宗教式的温柔、恩慈，却没有主。若有人对我不好或得罪我，我也许约束自己，勉强自己微笑。这合乎宗教，是在受割礼的原则里，而不是在未受割礼的原则里。
5What matters today is not whether we are religious or unreligious. What matters is whether or not we are living a new creation. To live a new creation is to live, walk, have our being, and do all things, great and small, with the element of God. In all that we do, we should act not in ourselves, but according to our regenerated being, filled with the divine element. Even our conversation with others should be by the divine element within. If we sense that we are speaking apart from this element, we should not proceed further. In our daily conversation we should speak not in ourselves, but with the divine element. Then our conversation will be part of the new creation. In our relations with others we should not be religious or unreligious, but should live a new creation. Suppose I treat another brother in a very rough manner. This is to be unreligious. But suppose that, as an elderly brother who has been in the church life for many years, my roughness and toughness have been dealt with. Now in relation to others I am refined, gentle, and kind. However, there is no need for me to pray or to be one with the Lord to behave this way. Rather, I am gentle and kind in a religious way without the Lord. Should someone mistreat me or offend me, I may restrain myself and force a smile. This is to be religious, to be in the circumcision rather than in the uncircumcision
6甚至我教导圣经时，也可能是在旧造里。若有人第一次不领会我的教训，我可能很有耐心的把事情再解释一遍。我的恩慈、忍耐、与温柔也许是可赞赏的，但这些与新造无关。我对别人教导神的话时，需要运用我的灵，凭著我重生的人，以神圣的元素，而不是凭著天然的生命，来作一切的事。这样，我活的既不是割礼，也不是不受割礼；既不是宗教的，也不是非宗教的。我乃是活新造。这样的生活，就是『照这准则』，照新造的基本原则而行。
6Even in teaching the Scriptures I may be in the old creation. If someone does not understand my teaching the first time, I may patiently explain the matter again. My kindness, patience, and gentleness may be admirable, but they have nothing to do with the new creation. In teaching the Word of God to others, I need to exercise my spirit and do everything by my regenerated being with the divine element and not by the natural life. Then I shall live neither circumcision nor uncircumcision, and I shall be neither religious nor unreligious. Instead I shall live a new creation. To live in this way is to walk “by this rule,” by the elementary principle of the new creation.
7我们若『照这准则』而行，就不是过宗教的生活，也不是过非宗教的生活，乃是作神的众子活新造。这准则应当是我们的规则，我们的基本原则。这就是照著基本的准则而行。持定我们自己的准则和原则不论我们是那一国人，我们都不知不觉或下意识里持定某些原则。我们都有我们自己的基本原则或基本准则。比方说，我们可能遵守一种『永远和善，绝对不发脾气』的原则。假定一位未婚的姊妹，住在姊妹之家，有这样的原则规律她的日常生活。她若发脾气，就会满了懊悔。她甚至可能因为破坏她的一个基本原则而懊悔哭泣。
7If we walk “by this rule,” we shall live neither a religious life nor an unreligious life, but we shall live a new creation as sons of God. This rule should be our regulation, our basic principle. This is to walk according to the elementary rule. HOLDING TO OUR OWN RULES AND PRINCIPLES No matter what our nationality may be, we all unconsciously or subconsciously hold to certain principles. We all have our own basic principles or elementary rules. For example, we may follow the principle of always being nice and never losing our temper. Suppose an unmarried sister living in the sisters’ house has such a principle to regulate her daily life. If she loses her temper, she will be filled with regret. She may even cry in remorse because she has broken one of her basic principles.
8一位姊妹要结婚的时候，可能对自己起誓，绝不向丈夫发脾气。她也许从来没有告诉人她这样起誓过，可是神知道。不但如此，这个誓可能成为管制这位姊妹婚姻生活的基本原则。从她结婚第一天起，她就照著这基本原则而行。然而，将这样的原则当作我们的基本原则，乃是错误的。我们惟一应当持定的基本原则，乃是照著新造而行。我们不该担心我们的脾气，只该作神的儿子活新造。我们不该实行和善或服从，而该实行神圣的儿子名分，就是新造。以新造作我们的基本原则新造必须是我们的基本原则、我们的基本准则。神的儿子带著神圣的生命与神圣的性情，住在我们里面，作我们的享受。结果，我们现今有神圣的元素，就是经过过程的神自己在我们里面。以这元素作我们的基本原则，并且照此而行，有何等不同！
8When a sister is about to get married, she may vow to herself that she will never lose her temper with her husband. She may never tell others that she has made such a vow, but God knows about it. Furthermore, this vow may become an elementary principle which governs this sister’s married life. From the first day of her marriage, she walks according to this elementary principle. However, to take such a principle as our elementary principle is wrong. The only elementary principle we should take is that of walking according to the new creation. Instead of caring about our temper, we should simply live a new creation as sons of God. Rather than practice niceness or submissiveness, we should practice the divine sonship, the new creation. TAKING THE NEW CREATION AS OUR BASIC PRINCIPLE The new creation must be our basic principle, our elementary rule. The Son of God with the divine life and the divine nature dwells in us to be our enjoyment. As a result, we now have the divine element, even the processed God Himself within us. What a tremendous difference it makes to take this element as our basic principle and walk according to it
9我年轻的时候，有一次听到一位传教士说，圣经的教训和孔子的教训相同。他接著告诉我们，孔子教导我们要孝敬父母，圣经也这样教导人。然后他又鼓励我们接受基督教，因为基督教的教训与孔子的教训相同。我听到这话，就对自己说，『若是这样，我们已经有孔子的教训，为甚么还要接受基督教呢？』说圣经的教训与孔子的教训相同，这是多么瞎眼！
9When I was young, I once heard a missionary say that the teachings of the Bible and those of Confucius are the same. He went on to tell us that Confucius teaches us to honor our parents and that the Bible does likewise. Then he went on to encourage us to accept Christianity, since its teachings were the same as those of Confucius. When I heard this, I said to myself, “If this is true, why should we accept Christianity when we already have the teachings of Confucius?” What blindness to say that the teachings of Confucius and those of the Bible are the same!
凭那灵作为基本准则而行
Walking by the Spirit as the Elementary Rule
10圣经没有教导我们寻求圣灵的帮助，循规蹈矩作神的造物。照著圣经的启示，神的心意是要使我们成为祂的儿子。神创造人类时，作了必要的准备，要达到这目标。祂照著自己的形像，按著自己的样式造人，祂设计并创造人作器皿盛装祂。因为我们堕落了，神就差遣祂的儿子来救赎我们。我们相信基督的时候，神就差祂儿子的灵进入我们里面，重生我们，使我们成为神的儿子。如今那灵，三一神的终极完成，住在我们灵里，作工、运行、活动、并膏抹我们，使我们完满的成为神的儿子。我们是神的儿子，需要凭著这灵而行，以这灵作我们的基本准则、基本原则。这样凭著灵而行，就是照著基本准则而行。我们不应当以道德标准或宗教要求作为我们的原则。我们的基本原则应当是新造，就是神圣的儿子名分，连同神的生命与性情。一天过一天，我们需要以儿子的名分，就是新造，作为我们的基本原则，并且照著这个原则而行。我们若这样作，就要在神儿子的名分里长大成熟。这样，我们有一天就要在荣耀里，神要从我们里面照耀出来。这样，我们将是三一神的浩大的、宇宙的、团体的彰显。那就是神圣儿子名分的完成。在我们的日常生活中，我们应当实行照著这儿子名分作我们的基本原则，我们的基本准则而活。赞美主，我们这样行是可能的！
10The Bible does not teach us to seek the help of the Holy Spirit to behave properly as God’s creatures. According to the revelation in the Bible, God’sin tent i on is to make us His sons. In His creation of mankind, God made the necessary preparations to reach this goal. He created man in His image and after His likeness. He designed and created man as a vessel to contain Him. Because we became fallen, God sent His Son to redeem us. When we believed in Christ, God sent the Spirit of His Son into us to regenerate us and make us sons of God. Now the Spirit, the ultimate consummation of the Triune God, dwells in our spirit to work, move, act, and anoint us that we may be sons of God in a full way. As God’ss ons, we need to walk according to this Spirit, taking the Spirit as our elementary rule, our basic principle. To walk by the Spirit in this way is to walk according to the elementary principles. We should not take ethical standards or religious requirements as our principle. Rather, our elementary principle should be the new creation, the divine sonship with the life and nature of God. Day by day, we need to take the sonship, the new creation, as our elementary principle and walk according to it. If we do this, we shall grow in God’ss on ship unto maturity. Then one day we shall be in glory, and God will shine forth from within us. In this way we shall be a vast, universal, corporate expression of the Triune God. That will be the consummation of the divine sonship. In our daily life we should practice living according to this sonship as our basic principle, our elementary rule. Praise the Lord that it is possible for us to walk in this way