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歌罗西书生命读经 · 第11篇

神的管家职分

THE STEWARDSHIP OF GOD
1读经：歌罗西书一章二十四至二十六节。保罗在一章二十五节说，『我照神为你们所赐我的管家职分，作了召会的执事。』为了神完满的彰显，需要有神的管家职分。
1Scripture Reading: Col. 1:24-26 In 1:25 Paul says that he “became a minister according to the stewardship of God.” For the sake of the full expression of God, there is the need for the stewardship of God
2正确明白管家职分的意义是很重要的。这里繙作管家职分的希腊字，，奥依克诺米亚，与以弗所一章十节和三章九节的经纶是同一个字。这字也出现在以弗所三章二节，在那里保罗说到恩典的管家职分赐给了他。根据古时的用法，奥依克诺米亚是指管家的职分、经纶或行政。在保罗的时代，许多富裕的家庭都有管家，负责将食物和其他必需品分配给家里的人。我们的父有一个大家庭，一个神圣的家庭。因著我们的父有这样广大的丰富，在祂的家中就需要许多管家，将这些丰富分赐给祂的儿女。这种分赐就是管家的职分。所以，管家的职分乃是一种经纶。这里的经纶一辞不是指时代或神对待人的方法；乃是指神将祂的丰富分赐到祂所拣选的人里面。这个经纶就是神的执事们，带著分赐职事的管家职分。这个分赐的职事也是神的行政。今天神乃是藉著把祂自己分赐到我们里面来施行祂的行政。这个管家的职分，这个分赐，这个行政，就是神的经纶。在神新约的经纶里，迫切的需要神的管家职分。
2It is important to understand accurately the meaning of stewardship. The Greek word rendered stewardship here, oikonomia, is the same word rendered oikonomia dispensation in Ephesians 1:10 and 3:9. The word also appears in Ephesians 3:2, where Paul speaks of the stewardship of grace which had been given to him. According to ancient usage, oikonomia denoted a stewardship, a dispensation, or an administration. At the time of Paul, many rich families had stewards whose responsibility was to distribute food and other supplies to members of the household. Our Father has a great family, a divine household. Because our Father has such vast riches, there is the need in His household for many stewards to dispense these riches to His children. This dispensing is the stewardship. Hence, a stewardship is a dispensation. The word dispensation here does not denote an age or means by which God deals with people; it refers to God’s dispensing of His riches into His chosen ones. This dispensation is the steward ship with the dispensing ministry of the ministers of God. This ministry of dispensing is also God’s ad ministration. Today God administrates by dispensing Himself into us. This stewardship, this dispensation, this administration, is God’secon o my. In the New Testament economy of God there is the desperate need of the stewardship of God.
3我们已经指出，管家的职分是指王家或上等家庭里之富源的分赐。神君尊的家庭在基督里是丰富的。根据歌罗西书，神的家在基督这位包罗万有并居首位者里面是特别丰富的，祂是那不能看见之神的像，是一切受造之物的首生者，又是从死人中复活的首生者。基督乃是三一神的完满彰显，这样一位基督的丰富，需要分赐到神家的众人里面。这个分赐的事奉，在一章二十五节称为神的管家职分，乃是使徒保罗的工作。今天这也该是我们的工作。
3We have pointed out that stewardship refers to the dispensation of wealth in a royal or upper-class family. God’s royal family is rich in Christ. According to the Epistle to the Colossians, God’s family is especially rich in Christ as the all-inclusive and preeminent One, as the One who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation, and the firstborn from among the dead. The riches of such a Christ, who is the full expression of the Triune God, need to be dispensed into the members of God’s family. This service of dispensing, which in 1:25 is called the stewardship of God, was the work of the Apostle Paul. It also should be our work today
4在今天的基督教里，很少有牧师或工人执行神的管家职分。这就是说，很少人实际的把基督的丰富分赐到神君尊家庭的众人里面。将这位丰富、包罗万有、居首位的基督，分赐到祂身体的肢体里面，需要神的管家职分。
4Not many ministers or workers in today’s Christianity carry out the stewardship of God. This means that not many are actually dispensing the riches of Christ into the members of God’s royal family. The stewardship of God is needed for this rich, all-inclusive, preeminent Christ to be dispensed into the members of His Body.
5这个管家职分就是新约里的职事。新约的职事，乃是将包罗万有的基督那追测不尽的丰富，分赐到神家的众人里面。使徒保罗将基督的丰富分赐到圣徒里面。这正是我们今天在这个职事里所作的。神的管家职分是按照神的经纶。在神，这是经纶的事，在我们，这是管家的职分。按照神的经纶，所有的圣徒，不论他们看来多微不足道，都有一分职事。这意思是说，每位圣徒都能将基督的丰富分赐到别人里面。
5This stewardship is the ministry in the New Testament. The New Testament ministry is the dispensing of the unsearchable riches of the all-inclusive Christ into the members of God’s family. The Apostle Paul dispensed the riches of Christ into the saints. This is what we are doing in the ministry today. The stewardship of God is according to the economy of God. With God it is a matter of economy; with us it is a matter of stewardship. All the saints, no matter how insignificant they may seem to be, have a ministry according to God’secon o my. This means that every saint can dispense the riches of Christ into others
6神心头的愿望，是要将祂自己分赐到人里面。这是全本圣经的中心点。神的经纶就是要实施将祂自己分赐到人里面这事。我们乃是藉著管家的职分，就是藉著分赐基督丰富的职事，有分于这个经纶。基督的丰富分赐到我们里面以后，我们就需要接受负担，将这些丰富分赐到别人里面。在神来说，这些丰富是祂的经纶；在我们来说，是管家的职分；这些丰富由我们分赐到别人里面，就成了神的分赐。神的经纶临到我们时，就成了我们的管家职分。我们藉著将基督分赐到别人里面，而尽我们的管家职分时，这就成为神在别人里面的分赐。因此，我们有经纶、管家职分和分赐。
6The desire of God’she art is to dispense Himself into man. This is the central point of the whole Bible. God’secon o my is to carry out the dispensing of Himself into man. We share in this economy through our stewardship, our ministry of dispensing the riches of Christ. After the riches of Christ have been dispensed into us, we need to take up the burden to dispense them into others. With God these riches are His economy; with us they are the stewardship; and when they are dispensed by us into others, they become God’s dispensation. When God’secon o my reaches us, it becomes our stewardship. When we carry out our stewardship by dispensing Christ into others, it becomes the dispensation of God into them. Hence, we have the economy, the stewardship, and the dispensation
7在各地召会负责的人，都需要有分于神的管家职分。这意思是说，长老该是领头将基督的丰富分赐到别人里面的人。虽然基督是包罗万有并居首位的，但祂还需要分赐到神家的众人里面。这个分赐是藉著管家的职分来完成的。因此，在追测不尽之丰富的基督和祂身体的肢体之间，需要有管家的职分。所有在主恢复中领头的，以及负责照顾各地召会的人，都必须看见，他们在这个神圣的管家职分中有一分。我们在这里不是从事一种普通的基督教工作。譬如，我们不是只关心在外面教导人圣经；我们乃是渴望将基督的丰富供应给神家中所有的人。在我们彼此的交谈中，我们需要供应基督的丰富。甚至我们应邀到圣徒家中用餐的时候，也需要分赐基督的丰富。这就是神的管家职分。
7Those who bear responsibility in the local churches need to share in the stewardship of God. This means that the elders should be those who take the lead to dispense the riches of Christ into others. Although Christ is all - inclusive and preeminent, there is still the need for Him to be dispensed into the members of God’s family. This dispensation takes place through the stewardship. Hence, between the unsearchably rich Christ and the members of His Body, there is the need of the steward ship. All those who take the lead in the Lord’s recovery and have responsibility for the care of the churches need to realize that they have apart in such a divine stewardship. We are not here to carry on an ordinary Christian work. For instance, we are not concerned merely with teaching the Bible in an outward way. Rather, we desire to serve the riches of Christ to all the members of God’s family. In our conversation with one another, we need to minister the riches of Christ. Even when we are invited to the homes of the saints for dinner, we need to dispense the riches of Christ. This is the stewardship of God.
8基督身体的每一肢体，都有分于这个管家职分。在以弗所三章八节，保罗说到他自己是『比众圣徒中最小者还小的』。这指明保罗甚至比我们还小。如果保罗能成为管家，我们也能成为管家，把基督的丰富分赐到别人里面。譬如我们传福音，不该只注意得著灵魂，反倒该尽管家的职分，将基督的丰富分赐到别人里面。一天又一天，我们需要将三一神分赐到人里面，来尽我们的管家职分。赞美主，我们在这管家的职分中都有一分！我们都有特权，将基督那追测不尽的丰富分赐到别人里面。故此，我们不该只是传扬福音或教导圣经，我们也该将基督的丰富分赐给人。我们有许多机会将基督的丰富供应给圣徒。假设我们帮人搬家，我们不该只顾著搬家具，也该将基督的丰富供应给那家的人，特别是供应给姊妹。我们若帮人搬家，而没有分赐基督的丰富，事实上我们也许会为别人制造难处。我们帮助人家搬运东西，目的该是分赐基督的丰富。在这样的服事上，我们所有的举动都该带著基督。另一个将基督的丰富供应人的机会，是接待人或是被人接待。主人和客人都该供应基督的丰富。
8Every member of the Body of Christ has a part in this stewardship. In Ephesians 3:8 Paul refers to himself as “less than the least of all saints.” This indicates that Paul was even smaller than we are. If Paul could be a steward, then we also can be stewards and dispense the riches of Christ into others. In preaching the gospel, for example, we should not be concerned merely with winning souls. Rather, we should preach the gospel to carry out the stewardship of dispensing the riches of Christ into others. Day by day we need to fulfill our stewardship by dispensing the Triune God into man. Praise the Lord that we all have a share in this stewardship! We all have the privilege of dispensing the unsearchable riches of Christ into others. Therefore, we should not merely preach the gospel or teach the Bible; we should also impart the riches of Christ to others. We have many opportunities to minister the riches of Christ to the saints. Suppose we are helping a family to move. We should not simply move the furniture, but we should supply the riches of Christ to the members of the family, especially to the sister. If we help in the moving without dispensing the riches of Christ, we may actually make things difficult for others. Our intention in helping a family move their belongings should be to dispense the riches of Christ. All our activity with respect to such a service should be with Christ. Another opportunity to minister the riches of Christ to others is in giving or receiving hospitality. Both the hosts and the guests should minister the riches of Christ
9愿主开启我们的眼睛，使我们看见，我们都有分于神的管家职分。在实际召会生活的每一面，甚至在招待、整洁会所这样的事上，我们都需要将基督分赐到别人里面。首先，我们需要被基督充满，然后，我们需要将基督的丰富供应给人。这就是我们的管家职分。
9May the Lord open our eyes to see that we all have part in the stewardship of God. In every aspect of the practical church life, even in such things as ushering and cleaning the meeting hall, we need to dispense Christ into others. Firstly, we need to be filled with Christ and then minister the riches of Christ to others. This is our stewardship
壹 管家的受苦
I. THE STEWARD’S SUFFERINGS
10保罗在歌罗西一章二十四节说，『现在我因著为你们所受的苦难喜乐，并且为基督的身体，就是为召会，在我一面，在我肉身上补满基督患难的缺欠。』基督的患难有两类：一类是为成功救赎，这已经由基督自己完成了；另一类是为产生并建造召会，这需要使徒和信徒将其补满。
10In 1:24 Paul says, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings on your behalf, and fill up that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His Body, which is the church.” The afflictions of Christ are of two categories: those for accomplishing redemption, which have been completed by Christ Himself; and those for producing and building the church, which need to be filled up by the apostles and the believers.
11保罗将基督的患难与神的管家职分相题并论；这个事实指明，惟有藉著受苦才能尽管家的职分。我们若渴望有分于神的管家职分，就必须准备受苦。凡有分于召会的事奉，或有分于职事的人，都必须豫备好同受管家的苦难。这意思是说，为著尽管家的职分，我们必须甘愿付上任何必需的代价。我们已经指出，我们接待人或是被人接待的时候，需要尽我们管家的职分，将基督的丰富分赐到别人里面。然而，接待人也许包含一种受苦。照样，在别人家中作客，也可能是受苦的原因。我曾在许多圣徒家中作客。主人总是尽情款待我，尽力满足我的需要。虽然如此，我却受苦，只因为我不在自己家里。不论接待得多妥贴，我总喜欢回到家里。然而，我很喜乐的作见证，许多人说到藉著有分于接待，不论作主人或作客人，他们都得著滋养、造就和加力。这指明为著将基督的丰富分赐到神君尊家庭的众人里面，而尽神的管家职分，任何大小的苦难都是值得的。在下一篇信息中我们要指出，我们所有分的苦难，乃是为著建造基督的身体，与救赎的完成绝无关系。
11The fact that Paul mentions the afflictions of Christ in connection with the stewardship of God indicates that the stewardship can be carried out only through suffering. If we desire to share in the stewardship of God, we must be prepared to suffer. All those who participate in the service of the church or in the ministry must be ready to partake of the afflictions of a steward. This means that we must be willing to pay whatever price is necessary to fulfill our stewardship. We have pointed out that when we give or receive hospitality, we need to carry out our stewardship by dispensing the riches of Christ into others. However, to provide hospitality may involve a kind of suffering. In like manner, to be the guest in someone’sho me also may be a cause of suffering. I have been a guest in the homes of many saints. The hosts have invariably taken care of me in a marvelous way, doing everything necessary to meet my needs. Nevertheless, I suffered simply because I was not in my own home. No matter how adequate the hospitality may be, I am always glad to be back home. However, I am happy to testify that many have spoken of the nourishment, edification, and strengthening they have received through sharing in hospitality, as either a host or a guest. This indicates that to carry out the stewardship of God by dispensing the riches of Christ into the members of God’s royal family is worth any kind of suffering, great or small. As we shall point out in the following message, the sufferings in which we share are for the building up of the Body of Christ. They are in no way related to the accomplishment of redemption
贰 管家就是执事
II. THE STEWARD BEING A MINISTER
一 召会的执事
A. Of the Church
12在一章二十五节，保罗论到基督的身体，就是召会，说，『我照神为你们所赐我的管家职分，作了召会的执事，要完成神的话。』保罗在这里说，他是管家，成了召会的执事。
12Speaking of the Body of Christ, the church, Paul says in 1:25, “Of which I became a minister according to the stewardship of God, which was given to me for you, to complete the word of God.” Here Paul says that, as a steward, he became a minister of the church
二 完成神的话
B. To Complete the Word of God
13在一章二十五节，保罗也说到完成神的话。神的话就是神的启示，在新约以前并未完成。在新约时，使徒们，特别是使徒保罗，在神的奥秘（基督），以及基督的奥秘（召会）这两点上，完成了神的话，将神的经纶完满的启示给我们。根据一章二十六节，神的话就是『历世历代以来所隐藏的奥秘，但如今向祂的圣徒显明了』。这隐藏的奥秘是关乎基督与召会，（弗五32，）就是头和身体。使徒保罗揭开这奥秘，乃是完成神的话这神圣启示的主要部分。
13In 1:25 Paul also speaks of completing the word of God. The word of God is the divine revelation, which was not completed until the New Testament was written. In the New Testament the apostles, especially the Apostle Paul, completed the word of God in the mystery of God, which is Christ, and in the mystery of Christ, which is the church, to give us a full revelation of God’secon o my. According to 1:26, the word of God is the “mystery which has been hidden from the ages and from the generations, but now has been manifested to His saints.” This hidden mystery is related to Christ and the church, the Head and the Body. The unveiling of this mystery through the Apostle Paul is a major part of the completion of the word of God as the divine revelation.
14『历世』，意从永远以来；『历代』，意从各时代以来。关于基督与召会的奥秘，是从永远，从各时代以来一直隐藏著，直到新约时代才显明给圣徒，包括我们众人，就是在基督里的信徒。在保罗的时代以前，神的启示还没有完成。保罗出来尽职以前，神的启示已经记在旧约里。此外，藉著福音书和部分使徒行传所记载的事情，神将祂自己启示出来。然而，还需要保罗写许多书信，论到基督是神的奥秘，以及召会是基督的奥秘，为要完成神圣的启示。这神圣启示的完成特别可见于他的四封书信：加拉太书、以弗所书、腓立比书、歌罗西书。虽然神圣的启示藉著众使徒，特别是藉著保罗完成了，但在实行上，今天也需要藉著我们来完成。这意思是说，当我们接触人时，我们必须渐进的、不断的、渐渐的将这话传得完全。将这话传讲得完全，或完全的传讲这话，就是完成这话。今天在许多基督徒当中，的确非常需要这样来完成这话。最近，有一分刊物报导，美国有五千万重生的基督徒。到底他们中间有多少人认识神拯救他们的目的？少之又少。在基督教里虽然传扬神的话，但没有传得完全。今天基督教的传讲并没有完成神的话。因此，这样完成神的话，乃是急切需要的。
14From the ages” means from eternity, and “from the generations” means from the times. The mystery concerning Christ and the church was hidden from eternity and from all the times until the New Testament age, when it is being manifested to the saints, including all of us, the believers in Christ. Prior to the time of Paul, the divine revelation had not been completed. Before Paul came forth to minister, God’sr evelation had already been given in the Old Testament. Furthermore, God had revealed Himself through the events recorded in the Gospels and in part of the Acts. However, it was necessary for Paul to write a number of Epistles concerning Christ as the mystery of God and concerning the church as the mystery of Christ in order for the divine revelation to be complete. This completion of the divine revelation is seen especially in four of his Epistles: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians. Although the divine revelation was completed through the apostles, especially through Paul, in a practical sense it also needs to be completed through us today. This means that as we contact people, we must progressively, continually, and gradually preach the word in full. To preach the word in full, or to fully preach the word, is to complete the word. Among so many Christians today there is surely a great need for such a completing of the word. Recently, a magazine stated that in the United States there are fifty million regenerated Christians. How many of them know God’s purpose in saving them? Very few. In Christianity the word of God has been preached, but it has not been preached in full. The preaching of today’s Christianity has not completed the word of God. Hence, there is an urgent need for this completion
15我们已指出，所需要完成之神的话，乃是一章二十六节所说的奥秘。许多基督徒传扬神的话，但很少人告诉人神的奥秘是甚么。在完全的福音中所传扬神的话，不是关乎不下地狱、上天堂；也不是关乎平安、喜乐、和幸福的人生。需要完成的话，乃是『历世历代以来所隐藏的奥秘』。这奥秘是隐密的、隐藏的。如果不是隐藏的，就不再是奥秘了。历世历代以来所隐藏的奥秘，乃是如今必须藉著圣徒的传扬来完成之神的话。这隐藏的奥秘，已经向神的圣徒显明了，就是『基督在你们里面成了荣耀的盼望』。（27。）我多年来听人传福音，但我难得听见一篇信息说，人相信耶稣基督的时候，基督不仅拯救他，并且要进到他的灵里，还要留在那里作他的生命。今天的基督教，多半不是这样传扬。因此，我们需要完成神的话。
15We have pointed out that the word of God which needs completion is the mystery spoken of in 1:26. Many Christians preach the word of God, but very few tell people what God’s mystery is. The word of God preached in the full gospel is not related to escaping hell and going to heaven; neither is it related to peace, joy, and a happy life. The word that needs to be completed is “the mystery which has been hidden from the ages and from the generations.” This mystery is concealed, hidden. If it were not hidden, it would no longer be a mystery. The mystery concealed from ages and generations is the word of God that must now be completed through the preaching of the saints. This concealed mystery, which has been made manifest to God’ss aints, is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (v. 27). Although I have heard the preaching of the gospel for years, I have rarely heard a message saying that when someone believes in Jesus Christ, Christ will not only save him, but also come into his spirit and remain there as his life. Most of the preaching in today’s Christianity is not like this. Thus, there is the need for the completion of the word of God
16如果我们不将基督的丰富供应给人，他们就缺少对神圣启示的认识。神圣启示的本身并无缺欠。在许多世纪以前，一切都完成了。然而在实行上，特别是当我们不尽神的管家职分时，就可能仍有缺欠。我们都需要尽我们的责任，来完成神的话。主恢复中的新人，需要神话语的完成。譬如，一位新人也许笃信基督是神、是创造者。然而，他也许不认识基督是包罗万有的，也没有经历祂作这样的包罗万有者。他也许不认识，基督是人，因此也是受造之物。当他听见基督的这一面时，也许很困惑。这指明需要有人在这件事上，完成神的话，并且指出，虽然基督是神，但祂仍然是人。祂是包罗万有的。在提前二章五节，保罗说到那人基督耶稣。不仅如此，基督升天以后，司提反看见人子在诸天之上。（徒七56。）人当然是有骨有肉的受造之物。主复活以后，给祂的门徒看见，祂有一个有骨有肉的身体。（路二四39。）既然复活的基督仍是带著这样一个身体的人，说祂是受造之物就没有错。然而，由于宗教传统的影响，许多信徒不愿这样说到基督。对他们而言，这样的教训可能是异端。我们需要帮助他们接受神纯正的话，并且相信神的话所说的。这意思是说，我们需要帮助他们得著神话语的完成。在主的恢复里，我们需要更多能完成神话语的管家。对这件事我们都必须有负担。我们需要花更多的时间在主的面光中，使祂能成为我们的分，作我们的享受，好使我们能有基督的丰富供应别人。这样，我们便成为完成神话语的人。然后藉著我们的职事，别的信徒就得著滋养、加力、坚固，并且被建造。
16If we do not minister the riches of Christ to others, their knowledge of the divine revelation will be lacking. As far as the revelation itself is concerned, there is no lack. Everything was completed centuries ago. However, in practice, there may still be a lack, especially if we do not fulfill our part of the stewardship of God. We all need to fulfill our responsibility to complete the word of God. The new ones in the Lord’s recovery need the completion of the word of God. For example, a new one may firmly believe that Christ is God and the Creator. However, he may not realize the all - inclusiveness of Christ and experience Him as such an all - inclusive One. He may not realize that, as a man, Christ is also a creature. When he hears about this aspect of Christ, he may be troubled. This indicates that someone needs to complete the word of God to him in this matter and point out that, although Christ is God, He is still a man. He is all-inclusive. In 1 Timothy 2:5 Paul speaks of the man Christ Jesus. Furthermore, after the ascension of Christ, Stephen saw the Son of Man in the heavens (Acts 7:56). Surely a man is a creature with flesh and bones. After His resurrection, the Lord showed His disciples that He had a body of flesh and bones (Luke 24:39). Since the resurrected Christ is still a man with such a body, it is correct to say that He is a creature. Nevertheless, due to the influence of religious tradition, many believers may be reluctant to make such a statement about Christ. To them, such a teaching may be heretical. We need to help them take the pure Word of God and believe whatever it says. This means that we need to help them have the completion of the word of God. In the Lord’s recovery we need more stewards who are able to complete the word of God. We all must bear the burden for this. We need to spend more time in the Lord’s presence so that He may become our portion for our enjoyment and so that we may have the riches of Christ to minister to others. In this way we shall become those who complete the word of God. Then through our ministry other believers will be nourished, strengthened, confirmed, and built up.
17当众肢体都尽管家职分，供应基督的丰富时，基督的身体就被建造起来。但愿在我们中间有这样彼此互相的管家职分。你将基督的丰富供应别人，别人也将基督的丰富供应你。如果我们的光景是这样，我们就都要得著滋养，并且比以前更享受基督。然后藉著分赐基督丰富的管家职分，召会就要实际的建造起来。
17The Body is built up as all the members carry out the stewardship of ministering the riches of Christ. May there be such a mutual stewardship among us. You minister the riches of Christ to others, and they minister Christ to you. If this is our situation, we all shall be nourished and enjoy Christ more than ever. Then through the stewardship of dispensing the riches of Christ, the church will be built up in a practical way