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以弗所书生命读经 · 第45篇

肢体的长大，为著建造基督的身体

THE GROWTH OF THE MEMBERS FOR THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY
1在本篇信息中，我们来到四章十五至十六节。十五节说，『惟在爱里持守著真实，我们就得以在一切事上长到祂，就是元首基督里面。』保罗以『惟』字开始十五节，指明这一节的真实，是与十四节人的欺骗手法、诡诈作为、错谬系统相对的。在爱里持守著真实，与十四节的欺骗手法和错谬相对。由于人的欺骗手法而为教训之风所摇荡，以致被引入错谬的系统，就是不持守真实。
1In this message we come to 4:15 and 16. Verse 15 says, “But holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, Who is the Head, Christ.” The fact that Paul begins this verse with the word “but” indicates that the truth in verse 15 is in contrast to the sleight of men, the craftiness, and the system of error in verse 14. Holding to truth in love is in contrast to the sleight of men and error in verse 14. To be carried away by the winds of teaching in the sleight of men unto a system of error is not holding to truth
壹 在爱里持守著真实
I. HOLDING TO TRUTH IN LOVE
2繙译圣经的人对于原文『持守』这辞的繙法，有不同的意见。有些人较偏向『讲说』这个繙法。那些主张这个繙法的人，认为十五节的真实与谎言相对。因此，对他们来说，说真话与说谎言相对。我不说这种领会是错误的。然而，我们若思想这节的上下文，就看见这里所包含的属灵意义，比仅仅说真话而不说谎言更丰富。
2There is some disagreement among translators concerning the rendering of the Greek word for “holding to.” Some prefer the translation “speaking.” Those who advocate this translation regard truth in verse 15 as that which is opposed to a lie. Hence, to them speaking the truth is in contrast to telling lies. I do not say that this understanding is wrong. However, if we consider this verse in its context, we shall see that in its spiritual meaning a great deal more is involved here than merely speaking truth instead of lies
一 真实
A. Truth
3这里真实的意思是真实的事物；按上下文，这该是指基督和祂的身体，这二者都是真实的。我们应当在爱里持守著这些真实的事物，使我们得以长到基督里面。在爱里持守著真实，就是在爱里摸著真实。十五节的真实是指真实的事物。宇宙中真实的东西、实在的事物，乃是基督与召会。惟有说到基督与召会，我们才实际的摸著真实。这意思是，虽然我们避免说谎言，但我们可能仍然没有讲说真实。譬如，报纸的某些报导可能不是谎言；然而这些报导不是真实，不是实际；相反的，这些报导很空洞。基督与召会之外的任何事物，都是虚空不实。我若没有基督，我整个人都是虚空的。一个人也许是巨富，资产丰饶雄厚，但他若没有基督，这一切财富都不过是虚空。传道书说，凡事都是虚空。（一2。）在基督与召会之外，没有一样是真实的，没有一样是实在的。对那些爱主耶稣并为著今日召会生活的人，宇宙中惟一的实际乃是基督与召会。我们也许天天谈论许多的事，但我们若不是说到基督与召会，我们所摸著的不过是虚空，我们并不是摸著实际。
3Truth here means things that are true. According to the context, it refers to Christ and His Body. Both are true things. We should hold to these true things in love so that we may grow up into Christ. To hold the truth in love is to handle the truth in love. The word truth in verse 15 denotes that which is real. In this universe the real things, the true things, are Christ and the church. Only by speaking concerning Christ with the church do we actually handle the truth. This means that although we may refrain from telling lies, we still may not be speaking the truth. For example, certain reports in the newspapers may not belies; however, these reports are not the truth, the reality. On the contrary, they are vanity. Anything apart from Christ with the church is a vanity and a falsehood. If I am a person without Christ, my very being is vanity. A person may be extremely wealthy and possess an abundance of material things, but if he does not have Christ, all those riches and material items are nothing but vanity. The book of Ecclesiastes says that all is vanity (1:2). Apart from Christ with the church, nothing is true, nothing is real. To those who love the Lord Jesus and who are for today’s church life, the only reality in the universe is Christ with the church. Day by day, we may talk about many things. But if we do not speak concerning Christ and the church, we are handling vanity; we are not handling the truth.
4我们不该为教训之风所摇荡，乃该摸著真实，并接受真实。倘若有人来推动诸如洗脚之类特别的道理；虽然他这个特别的教训没有错，但是甚至这个对的教训也会把你从基督和正确的召会生活引开。因此，甚至像洗脚这类的事，也会成为虚假、虚空。我知道有一位弟兄就是因这事受打岔，最后为这事起了异议。这指明我们可能在谈论属灵的道理，却仍然没有摸著真实。以弗所四章全章是论到真实的一章。在这章里真实的第一项是两方面的一：那灵的一，以及信仰上并对神儿子之完全认识上的一。你若真的渴望摸著真实并讲说真实，就必须注意那灵的一，以及信仰上并对神儿子之完全认识上的一。不仅如此，你也必须顾到基督，祂是神新约经纶的中心。神今天的经纶，完全就是基督与祂的身体。然而许多基督徒既不关心元首，也不关心身体，反倒被一些次要的教训所霸占。忽略基督为元首，且忽略召会为身体，而讲说次要的事，就是不摸著真实。这不是讲说真实，乃是讲说虚空。在爱里持守著真实，意思就是摸著、接受、讲说基督与召会。别人也许教导不同的事，强调那些将人从基督与召会带开的道理或意见。然而，我们不该这样讲说。我们反该讲说那些带我们接触基督，并把我们建造成基督身体的事。这样的讲说就是摸著真实。
4Instead of being carried about by winds of teaching, we should handle the truth and embrace it. Suppose someone comes to you advocating a particular doctrine, such as the doctrine of foot-washing. Although his particular teaching may be true, even this true teaching can distract you from Christ and the proper church life. Thus, even something such as foot-washing may become a falsehood, a vanity. I know of a brother who became distracted and eventually dissenting over this very thing. This indicates that we may talk about scriptural doctrines but still not be handling the truth. The entire fourth chapter of Ephesians is a chapter of truth. The first item of truth in this chapter is the oneness in two aspects: the oneness of the Spirit and oneness of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God. If you truly desire to handle the truth and to speak the truth, you must care for the oneness of the Spirit and the oneness of the faith and of the full knowledge of the Son of God. Furthermore, you must take care of Christ, who is the center of God’s New Testament economy. God’secon o my today is nothing less than Christ with His Body. However, many Christians care neither for the Head nor for the Body. Instead, they are occupied by secondary teachings. To neglect Christ as the Head and the church as the Body and to speak about secondary matters is not handling the truth. This is not the speaking of the truth; it is the speaking of vanity. Holding to truth in love means to handle, embrace, and speak Christ with the church. Others may teach differently, emphasizing doctrines or opinions that distract people from Christ and the church. However, we should not speak in such a way. Rather, we should speak those things that bring us into contact with Christ and that build us up as the Body of Christ. To speak in this way is to handle the truth
5根据十四节，小孩子为波浪漂来漂去，并为一切教训之风所摇荡。无疑的，这些浪和风是指各种不同的教训和实行。这些教训可能是合乎圣经或是基要的，却不能将基督供应人。牠们的果效是将人从基督与召会带开。别人也许会受这些教训所摇荡，漂来漂去，但我们必须在爱里持守著真实；也就是说，我们必须持守著基督与召会。这是我们所讲说的，这也是我们的交通；这甚至应当是我们祷告的中心点。
5According to verse 14, the babes are tossed to and fro by waves and carried about by winds of teaching. No doubt these waves and winds refer to various teachings and practices. Although these teachings may be scriptural or fundamental, they do not minister Christ to people. Their effect is to distract people from Christ and the church. Others may be tossed or carried about by such teachings, but we must hold to the truth in love; that is, we must hold to Christ and the church. This is what we speak, and this is our fellowship. It should even be the focal point of our prayer.
二 爱
B. Love
6保罗在十五节说，我们都该在爱里持守著真实。这是在我们里面基督的爱。藉著这爱，我们爱基督和祂身体上的肢体。这里的爱不是我们自己的爱，乃是神那先爱我们的爱。现今我们以神这爱我们的爱来爱主，并彼此相爱。我们乃是在这样的爱里持守著真实，就是持守基督同祂的身体。
6In verse 15, Paul says that we should hold to truth in love. This is the love of Christ in us, by which we love Christ and the fellow-members of His Body. The love here is not our love, but the love of God with which He first loved us. Now with the very love with which God has loved us, we love the Lord and one another. It is in such a love that we hold to the truth, that is, to Christ with His Body
7我们若讲说基督与召会以外的事，就不是在爱里行动。我们不仅是在浪费时间，也会把异于身体的元素带进来。我们若真爱别人，就该操练持守著真实，并讲说基督与召会。我们不该受教训之风的影响，反该在爱里持守著基督与召会。
7If we speak about things other than Christ and the church, we are not acting in love. We may not only waste time, but also bring in elements that are foreign to the Body. If we truly love others, we shall be exercised to hold the truth and speak concerning Christ and the church. Instead of being influenced by the winds of teaching, we shall hold to Christ and the church in love
贰 长大
II. GROWING UP
一 长到元首基督里面
A. Into the Head, Christ
8藉著在爱里持守著真实，我们就得以在一切事上长到基督里面。我们若不要再作小孩子，（14，）就需要长到基督里面。这就是在一切事上得著基督加增到我们里面，直到我们达到长成的人。（13。）十五节的元首，指明我们在生命里凭著基督的长大，该是众肢体在元首下，在身体里的长大。
8By holding to truth in love we grow up into Christ in all things. To be no longer babes (v. 14) we need to grow up into Christ. This is to have Christ increase in us in all things until we attain to a full- grown man (v. 13). The word Head here in verse 14 indicates that our growth in life with Christ should be the growth of the members in the Body under the Head
9我们藉著在爱里持守著真实，就在基督里长大；这个事实证明，持守著真实所包含的，不只是不说谎言。你相信单凭你说真话，不说谎言，就能在基督里长大么？这并不能使我们在基督里长大。有许多不信者很诚实，不说谎言；但他们讲真话，并没有使他们在基督里长大。长到元首里面的意思，就是我们只在乎基督与召会。我们长大，是因著我们只关心基督与召会，也就是说，是因著我们在爱里持守著真实。我们长大，不是因著某种与道德行为有关的诚实或真诚。在这一节里，长大的事特别与在一切事上长到元首基督里面有关。十三和十四节都指出长大的需要。我们若要作一个长成的人，就需要长大。照样，我们若要不再作小孩子，被漂来漂去并被摇荡，我们也需要长大。但是我们应当长到基督里面，而不是长到自己或基督之外的事物里。
9The fact that we grow in Christ by holding to truth in love proves that holding to truth involves more than not telling lies. Do you believe that you can grow in Christ simply by telling the truth instead of lies? This is not what enables us to grow in Christ. There are a good number of unbelievers who are honest and who do not tell lies. Nevertheless, their speaking of the truth does not cause them to grow up in Christ. To grow up into the Head means that we care only for Christ and the church. We grow by caring only for Christ and the church, that is, by handling truth in love. We do not grow by some kind of honesty or sincerity related to ethical behavior. In this verse the matter of growth is specifically related to growing up into Christ, the Head, in all things. Verses 13 and 14 both point to the need for growth. If we would be a full-grown man, we need to grow. Likewise, if we would be no longer babes tossed to and fro and carried about, we also need to grow. But we should grow up into Christ, not up into ourselves or into something else apart from Christ.
10保罗清楚的说，我们乃是长到那位是元首者里面。这指明我们的长大必须是在身体里。我们要长到元首里面，就一定要在身体里。许多基督徒虽然看起来在属灵上有长大，然而他们所谓的长大不是在身体里。我知道有些基督徒，当他们有这种长大时，他们事实上变得更有异议。他们越长大，就越挑剔。当他们只有一点长大时，他们在召会生活中没有难处。但是当他们更为长大时，他们就变得很麻烦了。这指明他们的长大不是长到元首里面。一个人只要不是长到元首里面，他的长大就不是在身体里的长大。这是很重要的，保罗没有告诉我们要长到救主、主人、或主里面。他特别说，我们要长到元首里面。这只能在身体里发生。你若不留在身体里，也许仍会有某种的长大，但那不是长到元首里面。
10Paul clearly says that we are to grow up into the One who is the Head. This indicates that our growth must be in the Body. In order to grow into the Head, we must surely be in the Body. Many Christians are apparently growing spiritually; however, their supposed growth is not in the Body. I have known some Christians who have actually become more dissenting as they have had this kind of growth. It seems that the more they grow, the more critical they become. When they have relatively little growth, they are no problem in the church life. But as they grow, they become troublesome. This is an indication that their growth is not growth into the Head. As long as anyone’s growth is not into the Head, it is not growth in the Body. It is of great importance that Paul does not tell us to grow up into the Savior, into the Master, or into the Lord. He says specifically that we are to grow up into the Head. This can take place only in the Body. If you do not remain in the Body, you may have a certain kind of growth, but it will not be the growth into the Head
二 在一切事上
B. In All Things
11保罗在十五节告诉我们，我们必须在一切事上长到元首里面。虽然在某些方面你已经长到元首里面，但在其他方面你可能还没有。按我的经历，长到元首基督里面最难的事，乃是我们的谈话。诗篇一百四十一篇三节说，『耶和华阿，求你禁止我的口，把守我的嘴。』要约束我们的谈话实在太难了，所以我们也该有这样的祷告。无论年幼或年长，无论弟兄或姊妹，我们众人在这一面都迫切需要长到元首基督里面。
11In verse 15 Paul tells us that we must grow up into the Head in all things. In certain aspects you have grown up into the Head, but in other aspects you probably have not. According to my experience, the most difficult matter in which to grow up into Christ, the Head, is in our talking. Psalm 141:3 says, “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Because it is so hard for us to control our speaking, we should make this our prayer also. Whether you are young or old, a brother or a sister, this is an area in which all of us desperately need to grow up into Christ as the Head
12我们若是把在一切事上长到基督里面这件事，带到祂面前，就会看见在许多小事上，我们还没有长到元首里面。我们还是何等需要长到基督里！愿这个长大的需要，摸著我们的心，并且使我们重新转向主。
12If we bring to the Lord this matter of growing up into Him in all things, we shall see that there are many small things in which we have not yet grown up into the Head. How much we still need to grow up into Christ! May this need for growth touch our heart and turn us afresh to the Lord
参 本于元首
III. OUT FROM THE HEAD
13十六节说，『本于祂，全身藉著每一丰富供应的节，并藉著每一部分依其度量而有的功用，得以联络在一起，并结合在一起，便叫身体渐渐长大，以致在爱里把自己建造起来。』我们在生命里的长大，是长到元首基督里面；但我们在基督身体里的功用，是从元首出来的。首先我们长到元首里面，然后我们就有一些本于（出于）元首为著祂的身体建造的东西。
13Verse 16 says, “Out from Whom all the Body, fitted and knit together through every joint of the supply, according to the operation in measure of each one part, causes the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love.” Our growth in life is to grow into the Head, Christ, but our function in the Body is to function out from Him. Firstly, we grow up into the Head. Then we have something which is out from the Head.
14十六节指明，长大不是为著个人，乃是为著身体。凡不是为著身体的长大，都不是真的。『每一部分』这话，是指身体的每一肢体。基督身体的每一肢体，都有其藉生命的长大与恩赐的发展而有的度量，可以为著身体的长大而尽功用。基督的身体藉著供应的节，和尽功用的各部分，便叫自己渐渐长大。供应的节和每一有其度量的部分，都是使召会自己建造起来所需要的。基督身体的长大，就是基督在召会里的加增，结果叫基督的身体把自己建造起来。
14Verse 16 indicates that growth is not for individuals, but for the Body. Any growth that is not for the Body is not genuine. The words “each one part” refer to every member of the Body. Every member of the Body of Christ has its own measure, and this measure works for the growth of the Body. The Body causes the growth of itself through the supplying joints and working parts. Both the joints of the supply and every single part with its measure are needed for the church to build itself up. The growth of the Body is the increase of Christ in the church. This results in the Body building itself up
一 每一丰富供应的节
A. Every Joint of the Supply
15保罗在这一节说到『每一丰富供应的节』。这是指特别有恩赐的人，如十一节所题的那些人。在原文里，『丰富供应』一辞之前有指定冠词，以加强语气。这指明这里的丰富供应，该是特殊的供应，基督的供应。使徒、申言者、传福音者、牧人和教师这些领头的人，都有这特殊的供应。是的，我们都能成为今日的受差遣者。无论如何，圣徒中间有些人是有特殊的供应。这供应不是大家普遍都有的。我们再一次看见圣经里真理的两面。众圣徒都能作使徒、申言者、传福音者、牧人和教师的工作，这样说是正确的。然而，这一节没有说众圣徒都有特殊的供应。在身体中领头的，乃是有特殊供应的节。
15In this verse Paul speaks of “every joint of the supply.” This refers to the specially gifted persons, such as those mentioned in verse 11. The article before the Greek word rendered “supply” is emphatic. It indicates that the supply should be a particular supply, the supply of Christ. As the leading ones, the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and shepherds and teachers have the supply, the particular supply. Yes, we all can be today’ss ent ones. Nevertheless, among the saints there are those who have the particular supply. This supply is not common to all. Once again we see the twofoldness of the truth in the Scriptures. It is correct to say that all the saints can do the work of the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and shepherds and teachers. However, not all have the particular supply spoken of in this verse. In the Body the leading ones are the joints with the particular supply
二 叫身体渐渐长大
B. Causing the Growth of the Body
16我们若仔细的读十六节，就会看见这里乃是说，全身叫身体渐渐长大。这意思是说，身体使身体自己渐渐长大。召会请某些人来向他们供应神的话，这并没有错。然而，地方召会不是这样建造起来的。地方召会必须靠地方召会本身渐渐长大。譬如，乃是在安那翰的召会自己叫在安那翰的召会渐渐长大。即使一个很小的召会，也必须凭自己长大。你们若不能使你们所在地的召会长大，你们就不该是在那里的召会。不要期望那些尽话语职事的弟兄们来访问，就会叫你们所在地的召会长大。
16If we read verse 16 carefully, we shall see that it says that all the Body causes the growth of the Body. This means that the Body grows by the Body itself. The Body makes the growth of the Body. It is not wrong for churches to invite certain ones to come to minister the Word to them. However, a local church is not built up in this way. A local church must grow by the local church itself. For example, it is the church in Anaheim that makes the growth of the church in Anaheim. Even a very small church must grow by itself. If you cannot cause the church in your locality to grow, then you should not be there as the church. Do not expect that visits from those brothers who share in the ministry of the Word will cause the growth of the church in your locality
17十六节说到身体长大，以致在爱里把自己建造起来。这指明一个地方召会必须藉著每一丰富供应的节，并藉著每一部分依其度量而有的功用，在爱里把自己建造起来。那些有特殊供应的人，不仅在整体的身体里面，也在那作这一个身体之实际彰显的地方召会中。即使在圣徒人数很少的召会中，也许只有十五个人，那里仍然有一些人有特殊的供应。这对每一个地方召会该是个鼓励。藉著领头之人特殊的供应，以及每一部分的功用，召会便在爱里叫自己渐渐长大。这样，我们就要看见肢体的长大，使基督的身体得著建造。
17Verse 16 speaks of the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love. This indicates that a local church must build itself up in love through every joint of the supply and according to the operation of the measure of each one part. Those with the particular supply are not only in the Body as a whole, but also in the local churches, which are the practical expression of the one Body. Even if the number of saints in a church is very small, perhaps only fifteen, there will still be some with the particular supply. This should be an encouragement to every local church. Through the particular supply of the leading ones and through the operation in each part, the church will cause the growth of itself in love. In this way we shall see the growth of the members for the building up of the Body of Christ