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以弗所书生命读经 · 第61篇

第五章中劝勉的摘要

A SUMMARY OF THE EXHORTATION
IN CHAPTER FIVE
1在本篇信息中，我们要陈明保罗在以弗所五章之劝勉的摘要，专注于爱与光。我们已经看过，我们先接受神在基督里作恩典，并实化神在基督里作实际，然后我们就来享受神作爱和光。爱和光是内在的元素，恩典和实际是外在的元素。为这缘故，五章一至三十三节的劝勉，比在四章十七至三十二节的更深。爱是神内在的本质，是可感觉的；光是神外显的元素，是可看见的。按照以弗所五章的启示，爱和光都是我们行事为人内在的源头。
1In this message we shall present a summary of Paul’s exhortation in chapter five, concentrating on love and light. We have seen that firstly we receive God in Christ as grace and realize God in Christ as truth. Then we come to enjoy God as love and light. Love and light are inward elements, whereas grace and truth are outward elements. For this reason, the exhortation in 5:1-33 is deeper than that in 4:17-32. Love is the inner substance of God that can be sensed, and light is the expressed element of God that can be seen. According to the revelation of Ephesians 5, both love and light are to be the inner source of our walk
基本元素与基本因素
BASIC ELEMENTS AND BASIC FACTORS
2保罗在以弗所书里所写的，既奥妙又深邃。他写这卷书信，乃是根据他里面深邃的观念。这些更深的观念是每一章里的基本元素和基本因素。我们读以弗所书时，必须尽力判定这些基本元素和基本因素是甚么，因为这些乃是该书的组成成分。我们已经指出，四章里的基本元素是恩典与实际，五章里的基本元素是爱与光。随著这些基本元素的，还有基本因素。在四至五章里，保罗的用意不仅是说些关于偷窃、脱去虚谎、服从、与相爱的劝勉。然而，许多人都注意这样的细节，却不注意基本的元素和基本的因素。我们已经看见，四章的基本因素，在积极一面，是神的生命和神的灵；在消极一面，则是魔鬼。现在我们必须往前来看，在这章里最重要的基本因素乃是召会作新人。这意思是说，这里的劝勉是与召会的这一面有关。五章的主要因素是召会作新妇。因此，正如保罗在四章的劝勉是与新人有关，照样，他在五章的劝勉是与新妇有关。
2Paul’s writing in Ephesians is both profound and deep. As he was writing this Epistle, he drew upon the deep concepts that were within him. These deeper concepts are the basic elements and basic factors in each chapter. In our reading of Ephesians, we must endeavor to determine what these basic elements and basic factors are, for they are the very components of the book. We have pointed out that the basic elements in chapter four are grace and truth and that the basic elements in chapter five are love and light. Along with these basic elements, there are the basic factors. In chapters four and five Paul’sin tent i on is not simply to give a number of exhortations regarding stealing, putting off falsehood, submission, and love. Nevertheless, many pay attention to such details, but not to the basic elements and basic factors. We have seen that in chapter four the basic factors, on the positive side, are the life of God and the Spirit of God and, on the negative side, the Devil. Now we must go on to see that the most important basic factor in this chapter is the church as the new man. This means that the exhortation here is related to this aspect of the church. The main factor in chapter five is the church as the Bride. Therefore, just as Paul’s exhortation in chapter four is related to the new man, so his exhortation in chapter five is related to the Bride
四章的钥匙
THE KEY TO CHAPTER FOUR
3要记住，以弗所书的主题不是行为或美德，乃是召会。保罗在四章所记载长篇的劝勉中，从未失去他主要的观点─召会。当他陈明原则与细节时，他清楚晓得召会就是新人。因此，四章所描述的生活，必是为著召会这新人；也就是说，召会作新人必须是按著实际并凭著恩典。召会既是新人，就应当活出一种按著神的标准，照著那在耶稣身上是实际者的生活。召会这新人能过这种生活惟一的路，乃是凭著神全丰全足的恩典。这恩典供应我们，好使我们能照著耶稣生活的模子、榜样与模型而活。这就是四章的钥匙。
3Remember, the subject of the book of Ephesians is not behavior or virtue; it is the church. In giving us the long exhortation recorded in chapter four, Paul never loses sight of his main point—the church. As he presents the principle and the details, he is fully conscious of the church as the new man. Hence, the living described in chapter four must be for the church as the new man; that is, the church as the new man must be according to truth and by grace. As the new man, the church should live a life according to God’s standard, according to the truth as it is in Jesus. The only way the church as the new man can have such a life is by God’sa ll-sufficient grace. This grace supplies us so that we may live according to the mold, the model, the pattern, of the life of Jesus. This is the key to chapter four.
4我们读这一章时，若应用这把钥匙，整章就会向我们开启。要记住，以弗所四章是论到召会是新人。我们若要成为召会的这一面，就该过一种照著在耶稣身上是实际者之标准，并靠著神全丰全足之恩典的生活。
4If we apply this key in our reading of this chapter, the entire chapter will be open to us. Keep in mind that Ephesians 4 deals with the church as the new man. If we would be the church in this aspect, we must live a life according to the standard of the truth as it is in Jesus and by God’sa ll-sufficient grace
五章中的爱与光
LOVE AND LIGHT IN CHAPTER FIVE
5同样的原则，五章主要的点乃是召会作新妇。主要的点不是保罗劝勉妻子要服从自己的丈夫，或丈夫要爱自己的妻子。召会作新妇，需要比实际与恩典更柔细、更深刻的东西，就是需要爱与光。实际（真理）不像光那样柔细，恩典不像爱那样深刻、亲近。就著召会是新妇而言，保罗在五章说到爱与光。召会作新妇需要在爱里并在光中的生活，这事实可由我们在婚姻生活里的经历来证明。如果夫妻只凭著恩典、照著实际（真理）生活在一起，他们的婚姻生活就非常可怜。我的妻子若按著恩典对待我，却不给我爱，我会非常不满足。我若按著恩典对待她，却没有爱，她也会有同样的感觉。婚姻生活不是基于恩典，乃是基于爱。照样，婚姻生活不是基于实际（真理），乃是基于光。夫妻若考虑怎样彼此对待才对，那是何等的可怜。为著夫妻之间的亲密关系，只有实际（真理）是不彀的，还必须有光。因此，正确的婚姻不仅是按著实际（真理）并凭著恩典，更是在爱里并在光中。你的婚姻生活是照著实际（真理）并凭著恩典，还是在爱里且在光中？假如一个作妻子的对她丈夫说，『我为你作的每一件事，都是按著实际（真理）并凭著恩典。我所作的，没有一件是错的或假的。不仅如此，每件事都是凭著主全丰全足的恩典作的。』这听起来不像婚姻中该有的亲密，倒像是法庭上的冷漠。在婚姻生活里，妻子与丈夫之间的关系，应该是柔细、光明、并亲密的。
5In the same principle, the main point in chapter five is the church as the Bride. The main point is not Paul’s exhortation regarding wives submitting to their own husbands or husbands loving their own wives. As the Bride, the church needs something finer and deeper than truth and grace. There is the need for love and light. Truth is not as fine as light, and grace is not as deep or intimate as love. With respect to the church as the Bride, in chapter five Paul speaks of love and light. The fact that the church as the Bride requires a living in love and in light can be proved by our own experience in married life. If a husband and wife live together merely by grace and according to truth, their married life will be very poor. If my wife were to deal with me according to grace but offer me no love, I would be extremely dissatisfied. She would feel the same if I dealt with her according to grace without love. Married life is based not upon grace, but upon love. In like manner, married life is based not upon truth, but upon light. How pitiful it would be if a husband and wife were always considering the right way to be have toward each other. For the intimate relationship between husband and wife, mere truth is not adequate. There must be light. Therefore, a proper marriage is not merely according to truth and by grace, but is in love and in light. Is your married life according to truth and by grace, or is it in love and in light? Suppose a wife says to her husband, “Everything I do for you is according to truth and by grace. Nothing I do is wrong or false. Furthermore, everything is by the Lord’s sufficient grace.” This does not sound like the intimacy of a marriage, but sounds like the coldness of a law court. In married life the relationship between wife and husband should be fine, bright, and intimate.
在光之范围里的生活
LIVING IN THE REALM OF LIGHT
6要明白爱与恩典之间的差异并不难，但要了解光与实际的分别却不容易。我以婚姻生活的亲身经历为例来说明，也许会有帮助。我的妻子与我结婚多年了。在这段时间里，我想不起我曾以我所认为对的方式对待她。相反的，靠著主的加力，我一直在光中对待她。当我们在光中时，我们就在对错的范围之外。我们不需要分辨甚么是对的，甚么是错的，甚么是该作的，甚么是不该作的。我们若在光中，我们的生活为人就自然而然照著一种方式。然而，当我们在黑暗中，我们就需要辨别、猜想、并摸索出作事的方法。但是当我们在光中时，我们就不需要摸索、猜想或辨别。假设我快要对妻子发脾气了。在这时候，我不必问这是否是按著实际（真理）。我不必料想我的孩子或召会的长老们会怎么看。问到关于夫妻之间这样的问题，乃是从光的范围落到实际（真理）的范围里。实际（真理）的范围乃是要考虑甚么是耶稣生活模型的标准。我们若留在山顶，在光的范围里，就不需要这种考虑。我们这些在光中的人，不需要分辨在那个时刻发脾气到底对不对。
6Although it is rather easy to understand the difference between love and grace, it is more difficult to understand the distinction between light and truth. Perhaps it will help if I illustrate from my own experience in married life. My wife and I have been married for a good many years. During this time, I cannot recall ever dealing with her according to what I thought was right. On the contrary, by the Lord’s enabling, I have behaved toward her always in light. When we are in the light, we are outside the realm of right and wrong. There is no need to discern what is right and what is wrong, what we should do and what we should not do. If we are in the light, we simply act and behave spontaneously in a certain way. However, when we are in darkness, we need to discern, to guess, and to grope for a way to do things. But when we are in the light, there is no need for groping, guessing, or discerning. Suppose I am about to lose my temper with my wife. There is no need for me at such a time to ask if this is according to truth. I do not need to wonder what my children or the elders of the church will think about it. To ask such questions with respect to husband or wife is to descend from the realm of light to the realm of truth. It is to consider what is according to the standard of the pattern of the life of Jesus. If we remain on the mountaintop in the realm of light, there will be no need for such considerations. As those in the light, we shall not try to discern whether or not it is right to lose our temper at that particular time
两个实例
TWO CASES
7在已过的信息里，我曾引用约翰四章与八章里不道德女人的两个实例。这两个例子，都使用过实际（真理）这辞。在四章二十四节，主耶稣说到在灵和真实（实际）里敬拜神。祂在八章三十二节说，我们必认识真理（实际），真理必叫我们得以自由。在这两章里的女人，还没有得救。当主对付她们时，她们是即将得救的人。已往她们是在黑暗里并在虚假里。然而，她们快要从黑暗与虚假里蒙拯救，进入实际和公义的范围里。我相信这两个女人都得救了，并且被带进到实际（真理）的范围里。然而，她们既进入了这个范围，就必须继续接触父并进入神的面光中；在那里一切都是光。在光的范围里，我们不再考量甚么是对的，甚么是错的，甚么是虚假的，甚么是真实的。这里没有这样的考虑，只有光的照耀。
7In a foregoing message I referred to the cases of the immoral women in John 4 and 8. In both cases the word truth is used. In John 4:24 the Lord Jesus speaks of worshipping God in spirit and in truth. In John 8:32 He says that we shall know the truth and that the truth will set us free. The wo men in these two chapters were not yet saved. When the Lord was dealing with them, they were candidates for salvation. As such, they were in darkness and in falsehood. However, they were about to be delivered out of darkness and falsehood into the realm of truth and righteousness. I believe that both these women were saved and brought into the realm of truth. However, having entered into this realm, they were to go on to contact the Father and enter into the presence of God where all is light. Here in the realm of light we no longer consider what is right and what is wrong, what is false and what is real. Instead of such considerations, there is simply the shining of light.
一种自然而然的生活
A SPONTANEOUS LIVING
8我们的婚姻生活若是正常，我们就不会考虑我们对自己配偶所作的，是否按著实际，是否达到标准。我们若这样来想夫妻的关系，就离开光的范围太远了。事实上我们还没有完全按实际（真理）而行。我们的婚姻生活若是在光的范围中，我们就不会考虑该如何行了。我们只会简单的、自然而然的在光中生活。我们之所以照著某种方式行事为人，乃是因为我们在光中，而不是因为我们认为这种事情或这种行为是按著那在耶稣身上是实际者。
8If our married life is proper, we shall not consider whether our behavior with our spouse is according to truth or up to the standard. If we think in this way in relation to our husband or wife, we are quite far from the realm of light. In fact we are not even fully according to truth. If our married life is in the sphere of light, we shall not consider how to behave. Rather, we shall simply and spontaneously live in light. We shall do certain things and behave in certain ways simply because we are in the light, not because we regard such things or such behavior as according to the truth as it is in Jesus
9在我早年的基督徒生活里，我是活在实际（真理）的范围里。我想要把每一件事都作得对；我怕作一些事，是因为怕别人会说话。因此，我所作所为都能得人的称赞。这意思是说，我的行事为人乃是按著实际（真理）。后来，因著主的怜悯，把我更多带到祂的面光中。我学会如何住在祂的面光中，并以充满爱与光的关系与祂亲密的一同生活。结果，我之所以不作一些事，不是因为我认为那是错的，乃是单单因为我在光中。我既是活在光中的人，我行事、为人、说话，就不需考虑是否按实际（真理）而行，或者是对是错。我不再关心别人会说甚么。我不再想甚么行为别人会赏识，甚么行为别人会批评。我是在光中，我不再考量甚么行动是按实际（真理）而行的。
9In the early years of my Christian life, I lived in the sphere of truth. I tried to be right in everything I did. I was afraid to do certain things because of what others might say. Therefore, I behaved in a way that others would regard as praiseworthy. This means that my behavior was according to truth. Later, by the Lord’s mercy, I was brought more into His presence. I learned how to abide in His presence and to live in intimacy with Him in a relationship full of love and light. As a result, I was kept from doing things not because I had reasoned they were wrong, but simply because I was in the light. As one in the light, I acted, behaved, and spoke in certain ways without considering what was according to truth or what was right. No longer was I concerned about what others might say. I no longer thought about what kind of behavior would be appreciated or what would be criticized. I was in the light, and I no longer reasoned about what actions were according to truth
10召会要成为新人，那按著实际并凭著恩典的生活行动乃是必需且合宜的。但在召会是新妇的这一面，这就不彀了。召会是新妇，必须在爱里并在光中与主耶稣有亲密的关系。召会既是新妇，就该在每一件事并每一方面都是透亮的。因此，在五章里，爱与光乃是基本的元素。
10To be the church as the new man it is necessary and appropriate to live according to truth and by grace. But this is not adequate for the aspect of the church as the Bride. As the Bride, the church must have an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus in love and in light. In everything and in every way the church as the Bride must be bright. Therefore, in chapter five love and light are the basic elements.
战士
THE WARRIOR
11以弗所书每一章，都启示召会不同的方面。这些方面的每一面都与不同的基本元素有关。譬如，在六章我们看见召会是战士。战士所需要的不是恩典和实际，也不是爱与光，乃是争战所需的能力与军装。召会作为战士，必须刚强站住，并且必须有用以争战的军装。
11In every chapter of Ephesians different aspects of the church are revealed. Each of these aspects is related to various basic elements. For example, in chapter six we see the church as the warrior. What a warrior requires is neither grace and truth nor love and light, but strength and armor for fighting. As the warrior, the church must be strong to stand and must have the armor with which to fight
基督的身体
THE BODY OF CHRIST
12现在让我们回头看一章、二章与三章里的基本因素和基本元素。一章的主要因素乃在于召会是基督的身体，是那在万有中充满万有者的丰满。那无限无量、永远的能力，使基督从死人中复活，把祂高举到三层天上，并使祂作万有的头；这能力乃是向著那作祂身体的召会。为使召会成为基督的身体，召会必须有三一神的祝福。因此，一章的主要因素乃在于召会是基督的身体，而基本元素则是父、子、灵的祝福。
12Let us now trace the basic factors and the basic elements in chapters one, two, and three. The major factor in chapter one is the church as the Body of Christ, the fullness of the One who fills all in all. The infinite, unlimited, eternal power that raised Christ from among the dead, uplifted Him to the third heaven, and made Him the Head over all things, is to the church which is His Body. In order for the church to be the Body, the church must have the well-speaking of the Triune God. Hence, the major factor in chapter one is the church as the Body of Christ, and the basic element is the well- speaking of the Father, Son, and Spirit
神的居所
GOD’S DWELLING PLACE
13我们在二章看见召会好几个不同的方面：杰作、基督在十字架上所创造成的新人、神的国民、具有公民权利与义务的国度、神的家、以及神的居所。这些方面我们都说过了，但二章的主要因素乃是：召会是神的居所。召会作神的居所，必须有复活与那灵。这些就是二章的基本元素。二章的头一部分主要的观念乃是复活的生命，第二部分主要的思想乃是那灵。为使召会成为神的居所，这二者都是必要的。
13In chapter two we see various aspects of the church: the masterpiece, the new man created by Christ on the cross, the commonwealth of God, the kingdom where the citizens have civil rights and responsibilities, the household of God, and finally the dwelling place of God, God’s habitation. Although all these aspects are covered, the major factor in chapter two is the church as the dwelling place of God. To be God’s habitation, the church must have both resurrection and the Spirit. These are the basic elements in this chapter. In the first part of the chapter the main concept is that of resurrection life, and in the second part the main thought is the Spirit. Both are necessary for the church to be the habitation of God
神的丰满
THE FULLNESS OF GOD
14在三章，以弗所书最深的一章，主要的因素乃是：召会是神的丰满。为使召会成为神的丰满，我们需要基督那测不透的丰富。因此，基督那测不透的丰富乃是这一章的基本元素。
14In chapter three, the deepest chapter in Ephesians, the major factor is the church as the fullness of God. For the church to be the fullness of God, we need the unsearchable riches of Christ. Thus, the unsearchable riches of Christ are the basic element in this chapter
15照著神愿望的召会生活让我们复习以弗所书全部六章中的主要因素与基本元素。在一章里，主要因素是：召会是基督的身体；基本元素是：三一神的祝福。在二章里，主要因素是：召会是神的居所；基本元素是：复活和那灵。在三章里，主要因素是：召会是神的丰满；基本元素是：基督那测不透的丰富。在四章里，主要因素是：召会是新人；基本元素是：恩典和实际。在五章里，主要因素是：召会是新妇；基本元素是：爱与光。最后，在六章里，主要因素是：召会是战士；基本元素是：能力与军装。召会生活这在爱里并在光中的新妇，需要一些柔细且亲密的东西，所以保罗以婚姻生活为例。在婚姻生活里，能力或军装没有地位。这些也不是召会作新妇的特点。召会是新妇不重在恩典、实际，甚至也不重在基督的丰富。不仅如此，也没有题到复活、那灵，更没有题到三一神的祝福。在这里所特别需要的，乃是神自己作爱和光。正如我们所指出的，爱是神内在的本质，光是神彰显出来可见的元素。当我们进到神里面，摸著祂内在的素质时，我们就经历祂是爱和光。正当的召会生活应该在这范围里。这样，保罗为甚么还要写第六章？这一章是必需的，因为神的仇敌还需要受对付。倘若没有仇敌，我们就只能停留在五章召会是新妇的点上。
15THE CHURCH LIFE ACCORDING TO GOD’S DESIRE Let us review the major factors and the basic elements in the six chapters of Ephesians. In chapter one the major factor is the church as the Body of Christ, and the basic element is the well-speaking of the Triune God. In chapter two the major factor is the church as the habitation of God, and the basic elements are resurrection and the Spirit. In chapter three the major factor is the church as the fullness of God, and the basic element is the unsearchable riches of Christ. In chapter four the major factor is the church as the new man, and the basic elements are grace and truth. In chapter five the major factor is the church as the Bride, and the basic elements are love and light. Finally, in chapter six the major factor is the church as the warrior, and the basic elements are might and the armor. Because the church life as the Bride in love and light requires something fine and intimate, Paul uses married life as an illustration. In married life there is no place for might or for armor. Neither are such things characteristic of the church as the Bride. With the church as the Bride there is no emphasis on grace, truth, nor even the riches of Christ. Furthermore, there is no mention of resurrection, the Spirit, nor the well- speaking of the Triune God. Specifically what is required here is God Himself as love and light. As we have pointed out, love is the inner essence of God, and light is the element of God expressed visibly. When we get into God to touch His inner substance, we experience Him as love and light. The proper church life should be in this realm. Why then does Paul include chapter six? This chapter is necessary because God’se ne my remains to be dealt with. If there were no enemy, we could stop with the church as the Bride in chapter five
16根据启示录十九章，和基督一同与仇敌争战的战士，原初乃是基督的新妇。这意思是，我们必须先是在爱里并在光中的新妇，然后我们才能成为战士，与基督一同出去和仇敌争战。这样，基督与祂的新妇这一对夫妇，就要打败仇敌。愿我们都深刻的看见，那合乎神心愿的召会生活，必须在爱里并在光中，这二者乃是神自己的元素。在神内在的本质里，我们有爱和光。在此我们有拔尖的召会生活，就是召会作新妇。以弗所书的目标，乃是带我们进入神内在的本质里，好认识祂是爱和光。在此我们享受照耀的光和甜美的爱，而活在亲密的交通中。
16According to Revelation 19, the warrior who fights with Christ in the battle against the enemy is firstly the Bride of Christ. This means that firstly we must be the Bride in love and in light, and then we can go forth as the warrior with Christ to war against the enemy. Thus, a couple, Christ and His Bride, will defeat the enemy. May we all be impressed that the church life according to God’s desire must be in love and in light, both of which are the very elements of God Himself. In the inner substance of God we have love and light. Here we have the top church life, the church as the Bride. The goal of the book of Ephesians is to bring us into God’sinner substance to know Him as love and light. Here we are to live in intimate fellowship as we enjoy the shining light and love in its sweetness