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歌罗西书生命读经 · 第14篇

基督─神经纶的奥秘

CHRIST—THE MYSTERY OF GOD’S ECONOMY
1读经：歌罗西书一章二十五至二十九节。在本篇信息中，我们要来看神经纶的奥秘，这奥秘实际上就是基督自己。
1Scripture Reading: Col. 1:25-29 In this message we come to the mystery of God’secon o my, the mystery that is actually Christ Himself
2保罗在一章二十五节说到神的管家职分。管家的职分原文是oikonomia，奥依克诺米亚，也可译作经纶或行政管理。管家的职分就是经纶，而神的经纶就是祂的分赐。神经纶的心意乃是要把祂自己─父、子、灵，分赐到祂所拣选的人里面。基督是神圣经纶的奥秘、秘诀和关键焦点。这意思是说，三一神分赐到神所拣选的人里面的秘诀，乃是基督自己。基督是神分赐的中心点。神的分赐完全与基督有关，也完全集中在基督身上。历世纪以来，基督徒一直读保罗的书信，但很少人看见神的经纶，以及基督是这经纶的奥秘。我能见证，我读以弗所书、歌罗西书许多年，才开始看见基督是神经纶的奥秘。在我基督徒生活的早期，我没有看见基督是神的分赐的秘诀。这事已经隐藏起来，并且不是照著我们天然的观念。我们要看见这个启示，就需要在仔细查考歌罗西书时，祷告并操练我们的灵。现在我们要仔细来看一章二十五至二十九节。
2In 1:25 Paul speaks of the stewardship of God. The Greek word rendered stewardship, oikonomia, may also be rendered economy or administration. The stewardship is the economy, and God’secon o my is His dispensation. God’sin tent i on in His economy is to dispense Himself—the Father, the Son, and the Spirit— into His chosen people. Christ is the mystery, the secret, and the crucial focus, of the divine economy. This means that the secret of the dispensation of the Triune God into God’s chosen people is Christ Himself. Christ is the focal point of God’s dispensation. God’s dispensation is altogether related to Christ and focused on Him. For centuries, Christians have been reading the Epistles of Paul, but very few have seen the matter of God’secon o my and Christ as the mystery of this economy. I can testify that I read Ephesians and Colossians for years before I began to see that Christ is the mystery of God’secon o my. Early in my Christian life, I did not see that Christ is the secret of God’s dispensation. This matter is hidden and is not according to our natural concept. In order to see it we need to pray and to exercise our spirit as we study the Epistle of Colossians in a detailed way. Let us now consider 1:25-29 in some detail
召会的执事
A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH
3二十五节说，『我照神为你们所赐我的管家职分，作了召会的执事，要完成神的话。』『作了召会的执事』这句话，指明保罗不是作了某种教训或传道工作的执事，乃是作了召会，基督身体的执事，使召会得著建造。执事一辞是描述事奉的人。保罗成了召会的执事是照著神的管家职分，就是神的经纶，也就是神的分赐。这个管家职分赐给保罗，乃是为著召会。神为著召会之管家职分的目标，乃是要完成神的话。
3Verse 25 says, “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.” The word “which” refers to the church in verse 24. This indicates that Paul became a minister, not of a certain mission work or of a particular work of teaching and preaching, but of the church. The word minister describes one who serves. Paul became such a minister of the church according to the stewardship, the economy, the dispensation, of God. This stewardship was given to Paul for the church. The goal of God’s stewardship for the church was to complete the word of God
向圣徒显明的奥秘
THE MYSTERY MANIFESTED TO THE SAINTS
4请注意二十五节的结束不是句点，乃是撇点。保罗在二十六节继续说，『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。』照这句原文的文法，二十六节的『奥秘』与二十五节『神的话』是同位语，表明神的话就是那历世历代以来所隐藏的奥秘，但如今向圣徒显明了。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。在二十六节，保罗没有说这奥秘向使徒们显明了，乃是说向圣徒显明了，这一点很重要。由于宗教传统的影响，许多人以为像神的经纶这种事情，是所谓的平信徒不可能认识的。我们何等感谢主！这奥秘乃是向圣徒，就是向所有信基督的人显明了！甚至我们中间最年轻的人也有这样的地位和权利来看见这奥秘。我们竟有这样的权利，看见一些未曾向亚当、挪亚、亚伯拉罕、摩西，或以赛亚、耶利米、撒迦利亚这样的申言者启示过的事。赞美主！我们能认识神话语的完成。我们能认识基督是神经纶的奥秘，以及基督的身体是基督的丰满！不仅如此，我们也能认识召会是新人，有基督作内容和成分。这些启示从来没有给旧约时代神的百姓知道。今天我们专注于神的奥秘─基督，以及基督的奥秘─召会。包罗万有的基督是神的奥秘，乃是神的具体化身，也是赐生命的灵。召会是基督的奥秘，乃是基督的身体，基督的丰满，也是新人，作基督完满的彰显。这就是向圣徒显明了的奥秘。
4Notice that verse 25 does not end with a period, but with a comma. Then in verse 26 Paul continues, “The mystery which has been hidden from the ages and from the generations, but now has been manifested to His saints.” According to grammar, the mystery in verse 2 6 is in apposition to the word of God in verse 25. This means that the word of God is the very mystery which has been hidden from the ages and generations, but is now made manifest to the saints. The ages here denote eternity, whereas the gene rations denote the times. The mystery concerning Christ and the church had been hidden from eternity and from all times until the New Testament age, when it was manifested to the saints, the believers in Christ. It is important that in verse 26 Paul does not say that the mystery has been manifested to the apostles; he says that it has been manifested to the saints. Due to the influence of religious tradition, many believe that such things as God’s economy cannot be understood by the so - called laymen. How we thank the Lord that the mystery has been manifested to the saints, to all those who believe in Christ! Even the youngest ones among us have both the position to see this mystery and the privilege of seeing it. We have the privilege of seeing something that was not revealed to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, or to the prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah. Praise the Lord that we can know the completion of the word of God! We can know Christ as the mystery of God’secon o my and the Body as Christ’s fullness. Furthermore, we can know that the church is the new man with Christ as the content and constituent. None of these things was made known to God’sp eople in the Old Testament age. Today we focus our attention upon Christ as the mystery of God and upon the church as the mystery of Christ. As the mystery of God, the all - inclusive Christ is the embodiment of God and also the life - giving Spirit. As the mystery of Christ, the church is the Body of Christ, His fullness, and the new man to be the full expression of Christ as well. This is the mystery that has been made manifest to the saints.
5保罗写这卷书是相当的复杂，他用了许多长的句子，原文含有许多短句和关系代名词。事实上，二十四至二十九节应当看作是一个长的句子。二十七节是二十六节的延续，保罗说，『神愿意叫他们知道，这奥秘的荣耀在外邦人中是何等的丰富，就是基督在你们里面成了荣耀的盼望。』这节开头的『他们』，乃是指前一节所题的『圣徒』。对我们来说，神愿意叫我们知道这奥秘荣耀的丰富。基督在我们里面成了荣耀的盼望，这个奥秘已经向外邦人显明了。二十七节的『就是基督在你们里面』，指明这在外邦人中满了荣耀的奥秘，就是基督在我们里面。基督在我们里面作生命是奥秘的，也是荣耀的。因著保罗论到这些深奥的事，所以他的写法很复杂，句子也相当长。
5Paul’s writing in this Epistle is quite complex. He uses many long sentences with various clauses and relative pronouns. Actually, verses 2 4 through 2 9 should be regarded as a single sentence. In verse 2 7, the continuation of verse 26, Paul says, “To whom God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The word “whom” at the beginning of this verse refers to the saints mentioned in the preceding verse. To us God has willed to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery. This mystery, which is Christ in us as the hope of glory, is made known among the nations. The word “which” in verse 27 refers to the mystery. This mystery full of glory among the nations is Christ in us. Christ in us is mysterious and glorious as well. Because Paul was dealing with matters deep and profound, his writing was complex, and his sentences were long.
这奥秘荣耀的丰富
THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF THE MYSTERY
6现在我们要更仔细的来看二十七节所说，这奥秘荣耀的丰富。这奥秘的荣耀在外邦人中的丰富，就是基督之于外邦信徒一切所是的丰富。（弗三8。）保罗写信给歌罗西圣徒的时候，犹太人看外邦人是猪。然而保罗说，神愿意叫人知道，这奥秘的荣耀在外邦人中，就是在外邦『猪』中的丰富。形容外邦人的字眼很多，就如罪人、背叛者、神的仇敌、悖逆之子、可怒之子等。我们得救以前也在这个类别里。但即使在这样的百姓之中，神也愿意叫人知道这奥秘荣耀的丰富。
6Let us now pay closer attention to the riches of the glory of the mystery spoken of in verse 27. The riches of this mystery among the nations are the riches of all that Christ is to the Gentile believers (Eph. 3:8). At the time Paul wrote to the Colossians, the Jews regarded the Gentiles, the nations, as swine. Nevertheless, Paul says that God has willed to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations, that is, among the Gentile “swine.” Various terms could be used to describe the Gentiles: sinners, rebels, enemies of God, sons of disobedience, sons of wrath. Before we were saved, we were in this category. But even among such people God has willed to make known the riches of the glory of this mystery
7你得救之后，岂不是感觉到你已经进入荣耀了么？我们中间很多人都有这样的经历。虽然我们以前是罪人、是仇敌、是背叛者，我们却成了神的儿子。我们也是神的后嗣，是基督的同伙，甚至是基督的肢体。不仅如此，新约更启示出我们是祭司和君王。我们既是神的后嗣，就不仅承受神自己，甚至也承受万有。我们是神的儿子、神的后嗣、基督的同伙，也是祭司和君王。这是多么荣耀！如果我们看见这荣耀，即使我们缺少言辞，无法合式的表达这些丰富，我们也应当晓得这荣耀的丰富。这些丰富包括神圣的生命、神圣的性情、膏油的涂抹、以及包罗万有的灵。这丰富的其他方面有公义、称义、圣别、圣化、变化、得荣、安慰、以及神的同在。要列举所有的丰富是不可能的；这些丰富是数算不来的。这是那独一荣耀的丰富，这个荣耀也是我们的，因为我们是神的儿子和神的后嗣，是基督的同伙，也是祭司和君王。
7After you were saved, did you not have the sense that you had entered into glory? Many of us had this kind of experience. Although we were sinners, enemies, and rebels, we have become sons of God. We are also heirs of God, joint partakers of Christ, and even the members of Christ. Furthermore, the New Testament reveals that we are priests and kings. As heirs of God, we shall inherit not only God Himself, but all things. We are sons of God, heirs of God, partners of Christ, and priests and kings. What a glory this is! If we see this glory, we shall also know the riches of the glory, even though we lack the language to utter these riches adequately. These riches include the divine life, the divine nature, the anointing, and the all-inclusive Spirit. Other aspects of the riches are righteousness, justification, holiness, sanctification, transformation, glorification, comfort, and the divine Presence. It is impossible to list all the riches. They are beyond counting. These are the riches of the unique glory, the glory that is ours because we are sons and heirs of God, partners of Christ, and priests and kings
8这荣耀之丰富的关键乃在于基督自己。虽然古时犹太人是神的子民，不是外邦的『猪』，他们却不认识主耶稣就是他们的弥赛亚。今天对许多犹太人来说，弥赛亚这辞没有甚么实际可言。即使他们的弥赛亚来了，并且他们认识祂，祂也不过只是在他们中间而已。但一章二十七节指明，基督不仅是在我们中间，更是在我们里面。基督对我们不只是客观的一位，也是住在我们里面主观的一位。我们需要告诉犹太人，不要在外面等候他们的弥赛亚来临；他们现在也能得著基督，就是真弥赛亚，住在他们里面，使他们成为神的儿子。犹太人接受了基督到他们里面，就不仅是神的选民，也是由神所重生的神的儿子。有基督内住是何等的荣耀！
8The key to the riches of glory is Christ Himself. Although the Jews in ancient times were the people of God and not Gentile “swine,” they did not recognize the Lord Jesus as their Messiah. To many Jews today, the term Messiah has no reality. When their Messiah comes and they recognize Him, He will only be among them. But 1:27 indicates that Christ is not merely among us; He is in us. To us Christ is not only the objective One, but also the subjective One dwelling in us. We need to tell the Jews that instead of waiting for their Messiah to come only in an outward way, they too can have Christ, the true Messiah, dwelling in them right now and thereby become sons of God. The Jews who receive Christ into them will not only be the people of God chosen by Him, but also the sons of God regenerated by Him. What a glory it is to be indwelt by Christ!
9我们既是基督的信徒，就知道这奥秘荣耀的丰富。这样一个荣耀之丰富的各项，我们无法述尽说竭。圣经中所有的祝福，都包括在这荣耀的丰富之内，这荣耀就是我们的分。这荣耀是在外邦人中奥秘的荣耀，而这奥秘乃是基督在我们里面。那住在我们里面的基督，就是那充满荣耀，带著无穷丰富的奥秘。这就是歌罗西书的关键点。
9As believers in Christ, we know the riches of the glory of this mystery. We cannot exhaust the items of the riches of such a glory. All the blessings in the Bible are included in the riches of this glory, which is our portion. This glory is the glory of the mystery among the nations, and this mystery is Christ in us. The Christ who dwells within us is the mystery full of glory, with countless riches. This is the key point in the book of Colossians
回到这奥秘
BACK TO THE MYSTERY
10然而歌罗西人已经失去了这奥秘的异象，而被哲学、仪文、规条、和作法岔开了。他们被骗取、被掳去，失去了他们的奖赏，就是对包罗万有之基督的享受。今天的基督徒也像歌罗西的圣徒一样，失去了基督是神经纶之奥秘的这个荣耀的异象。大多数的真基督徒都被打岔，离开了基督自己，转向其他各样的事物。因著歌罗西的圣徒被岔开了，保罗才这样写说，历世历代以来所隐藏的奥秘，已经向圣徒显明了。这奥秘乃是住在我们里面那包罗万有的基督。因著我们有这位是一切又在一切之内者，我们就不需要转向哲学、规条、仪文和作法。我何等仰望主，使我们都被带回到这奥秘！让我们忘掉一切基督以外的事物，只在意祂自己。基督这外邦人中的奥秘，有满了丰富的荣耀。
10Those in Colosse, however, had lost the vision of this mystery and had become distracted by philosophy, observances, ordinances, and practices. They had been defrauded and carried away as spoil from their prize, the enjoyment of the all-inclusive Christ. Like the Colossians, today’s Christians have also lost the vision of the glory of Christ as the mystery of God’secon o my. The vast majority of genuine Christians have been distracted and carried away to things other than Christ Himself. Because the Colossians had been distracted, Paul wrote to say that the mystery hidden from the ages and from the generations has been made manifest to the saints. This mystery is the all-inclusive Christ who indwells us. Because we have the One who is all in all, we have no need to turn to philosophies, ordinances, observances, and practices. How I look to the Lord that we all may be brought back to this mystery! Let us forget everything other than Christ and care only for Him. Christ, the mystery among the Gentiles, has a glory filled with riches
荣耀的盼望
the hope of glory
11保罗在二十七节说，基督在我们里面成了荣耀的盼望。基督现今是那满了荣耀的奥秘。当基督回来叫祂的圣徒得荣耀时，（罗八30，）这荣耀要彰显到极点。因此这是盼望，是荣耀的盼望。基督自己也就是这荣耀的盼望。
11In verse 27 Paul says that Christ in us is the hope of glory. Christ is the mystery which is full of glory now. This glory will be manifested to its fullest extent when Christ returns to glorify His saints (Rom. 8:30). Hence, it is a hope, the hope of glory. Christ Himself is also this hope of glory.
12今天我们可以在基督里、凭基督并与基督一同生活。我们可以活基督、长基督并产生基督。同时祂也是我们荣耀的盼望。我们若看见异象，看见住在我们里面那包罗万有的基督是我们荣耀的盼望，我们的生活就会有彻底的改变。我们会说，『主，从今天起，我不在意你以外的任何事物。我不在意道理、规条、规矩或传统，我也不在意宗教、哲学和世上的蒙学。主，我只在意你是神的具体化身，是在我灵里赐生命的灵。因著你在我的灵里是这样真实、这样活、这样实际，我就能凭你而活并与你同活。主，我惟一的渴望，就是这样来经历你。』至终，新约圣经嘱咐我们，要照著调和的灵生活行动。（加五16，25，罗八4。）我们需要照著那位满了丰富之荣耀的基督而生活行动。哦！愿我们都看见这异象！我们一旦看见了这异象，这异象就要控制我们日常生活的每一面。如果我们看见这异象，我们也就能体会，今天的基督徒何等受打岔而离开基督，转到基督以外的事物。他们也许注意那些好的事、合乎圣经的事、基要的事、甚至属灵的事。然而，这些事物不是基督自己。我们要看见基督是永世以来所隐藏的奥秘，现今向新约时代的圣徒们显明了，这是很紧要的。神愿意叫外邦人知道这奥秘荣耀的丰富，就是基督在我们里面成了荣耀的盼望。这奥秘是我们基督徒生活和召会生活的关键。
12Today we may live in Christ, by Christ, and with Christ. We may live Him, grow Him, and produce Him. At the same time, He is our hope of glory. If we see the vision that the all-inclusive Christ who indwells us is our hope of glory, our living will be revolutionized. We shall say, “Lord, from now on I won’t care for anything other than You. I won’t care for doctrines, ordinances, regulations, or traditions. I don’t care for religion, philosophy, or the elements of the world. Lord, I care only for You as the embodiment of God and as the life-giving Spirit in my spirit. Because You are so real, living, and practical in my spirit, I can live by You and with You. Lord, my only desire is to experience You in this way.” Eventually, the New Testament charges us to walk according to the mingled spirit (Gal. 5:16, 25; Rom. 8:4). We need to walk according to the Christ who is the very glory filled with riches. Oh, may we all see this vision! Once we have seen this vision, it will control every aspect of our daily walk. If we see this vision, we shall also realize how much Christians today have been distracted to things other than Christ. They may pay their attention to good things, scriptural things, fundamental things, even spiritual things. Nevertheless, these things are not Christ Himself. It is crucial that we see the Christ who is the mystery hidden from eternity but now made manifest to the saints in the New Testament age. God has willed to make known among the nations the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in us as the hope of glory. This mystery is the key to our Christian life and also to the church life
13将各人在基督里成熟的献上保罗在二十八节说，他宣扬基督。这里保罗不是说他教导基督或传讲基督，他乃是宣扬基督。他宣扬基督，是用全般的智慧警戒各人，教导各人，好将各人在基督里成熟的献上。保罗的职事，无论是宣扬基督，或用全般的智慧警戒、教导各人，都是将基督供应人，使他们以基督作神圣生命的元素，而长大成熟，得以完全并完整。
13PRESENTING EVERY MAN FULL-GROWN IN CHRIST In verse 28 Paul says that he announced Christ. Here Paul does not say that he taught Christ or preached Christ, but that he announced Christ. As he announced Him, he was “warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom” in order to “present every man full- grown in Christ.” Paul’s ministry, whether in announcing Christ or in warning and teaching every man in all wisdom, was to minister Christ to others so that they could be perfect and complete by maturing with Christ unto full growth
14在基督里成熟是一件生命的事。基督必须加进我们里面。然后我们需要在基督里长大，渐渐更多得著基督的身量。至终，因著基督作到我们里面，我们就在基督里成熟。保罗职事的目标，乃是把各人在基督里成熟的献上。每当我思想这一节中所用的『好将各人在基督里成熟的献上』这一句话时，我感到自己是何等的缺欠。关于我的职事，那灵在我里面警告我。我所关心的，是我能把多少人在基督里成熟的献上？这个责任的负担，重重的压在我身上。我里面受嘱咐，要宣扬基督，并以基督警戒各人、教导各人，好叫我能把他们在基督里成熟的献上。保罗在一章二十八节的观念，与今天基督教的传教士、牧师的观念完全不同。关于职事，保罗的观念是将基督分赐给人，使他们得以在基督里长大成熟。他知道基督必须加到信徒里面，直到他们在基督里成熟。我们也需要有保罗这样的观念。长老们在众召会中照顾圣徒，应当竭力将所有亲爱的圣徒在基督里成熟的献上。
14To become full-grown in Christ is a matter of life. Christ must be added into us. Then we need to grow in Christ and gradually gain more of the stature of Christ. Eventually, as Christ is wrought into us, we shall become full-grown in Christ. The goal of Paul’s ministry was to present every man full-grown in Christ. Whenever I consider this phrase, “present every man full-grown,” as used in this verse, I sense how short I am. I am warned by the Spirit within me regarding my ministry. I am concerned about how many I shall be able to present full-grown in Christ. The burden of this responsibility weighs upon me greatly. Inwardly I am charged to announce Christ and to warn others and teach them regarding Christ so that I may present them full-grown in Christ. Paul’s concept in 1:28 is completely different from that held by Christian ministers and pastors today. Paul’s concept concerning his ministry was that of dispensing Christ into others so that they may grow in Christ to maturity. He knew that Christ had to be added into the believers until they became full-grown in Christ. We need to have the same concept as Paul. As the elders care for the saints in the churches, they should seek to present all the dear ones full-grown in Christ
照著祂的运行竭力奋斗
STRUGGLING ACCORDING TO HIS OPERATION
15保罗在二十九节继续说，『我也为此劳苦，照著祂在我里面大能的运行，竭力奋斗。』我相信『为此』是指将各人在基督里成熟的献上。为了这样的献上，保罗劳苦、竭力奋斗、争战并摔跤。然而，保罗的竭力奋斗乃是照著基督在他里面的运行。阿利路亚！这位内住的基督在我们里面运行。这运行就是祂的加力。祂在我们里面加力时，我们就需要与祂的运行合作而劳苦。基督的运行，乃是大能的运作。这大能无疑的就是复活生命的大能，（腓三10，）运行在使徒和所有的信徒里面。（弗一19，三7，20。）藉著这种生命内在、运行的大能，基督就在我们里面运行。这大能和神创造的大能不同。神创造的大能，是在我们的环境中，造出物质的东西；神复活的大能却是在我们里面的人里，为著召会成就属灵的事物。保罗是照著这个复活的大能，劳苦、竭力奋斗、摔跤并争战。藉著在这大能里的运行，他才完成他的职事，将每一位圣徒在基督里成熟的献上。
15In verse 29 Paul goes on to say, “For which also I labor, struggling according to His operation which operates in me in power.” I believe that the words “for which” refer to the matter of presenting every man full - grown in Christ. For such a presentation Paul labored, struggled, fought, and wrestled. Paul’s struggling, however, was according to Christ’so per at i on within him. Hallelujah, the indwelling Christ is operating within us! This operating is His energizing. As He energizes us from within, we need to labor in cooperation with His operating. The operation of Christ operates in power. The Greek word for power is the source of the English word dynamo. This power is no doubt the power of the resurrection life (Phil. 3:10), which operates within the apostle and all the believers (Eph. 1:19; 3:7, 20). By such an inward operating power of life Christ operates within us. This power is different from God’s creating power. God’s creating power is the source of the material things in our environment, whereas God’s resurrection power accomplishes the spiritual things for the church within our being. Paul labored, struggled, wrestled, and fought according to this resurrection power. By means of the operation in this power he carried out his ministry to present every saint full-grown in Christ.
16愿我们的眼睛都被开启，看见我们工作和职事的目标必须是把基督供应给人，好使他们得以长大，满有基督的身量；这位基督乃是神经纶的奥秘。
16May our eyes be opened to see that the goal of our work and ministry must be to minister Christ to others so that they may grow with the measure of Christ, who is the mystery of God’secon o my