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提摩太后书生命读经 · 第1篇

为著对召会败落之豫防剂的神圣供备

The Divine Provisions for the Inoculation Against the Decline of the Church
1读经：提摩太后书一章一至十四节。提摩太后书，保罗所写的最后一封书信，开头的话说，『凭神旨意，照著在基督耶稣里生命的应许，作基督耶稣使徒的保罗，写信给我亲爱的孩子提摩太：愿恩典、怜悯、平安，从父神和我们的主基督耶稣归与你。』使徒写本书时，那些藉他的职事在外邦世界所建立的召会，正趋向堕落，使徒本人又被囚在遥远的监狱中。许多人离弃他，（一15，四16，）连有的同工也离弃他。（四10。）这是令人灰心失望的光景，对他的青年同工，属灵的孩子提摩太，更是如此。因此，在这封鼓励、加强并坚固人的书信开头，保罗向提摩太确证，他是基督的使徒，不仅是凭著神的旨意，也是照著在基督里生命的应许。这含示虽然召会会堕落，许多圣徒会不忠退后，但神在祂的圣言里所应许，并赐给使徒和所有信徒那永远的生命，神圣的生命，神非受造的生命，却永存不变。凭这不变的生命，并在这不变的生命上，神坚固的根基已经立住，并且历经一切堕落的潮流，仍然坚立不摇。（二。）凡清心寻求主的人，靠著这样的生命，就经得起召会败落的试验。使徒曾在提摩太前书嘱咐提摩太和别的人，要持定这生命；（六，19；）在危险的时期，这生命对他该是鼓励并加强。在保罗的书信里，只有提摩太前后书，开头的问安说到神的怜悯。神的怜悯比神的恩典达到的更远。在召会堕落的光景中，神的怜悯是需要的。这怜悯带进
1Scripture Reading: 2 Tim. 1:1-14 Second Timothy, the last Epistle written by Paul, opens with the words, “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, beloved child: Grace, mercy, peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” This book was written at a time when the churches established through the apostle’s ministry in the Gentile world were in a trend of degradation, and the apostle himself was confined in a remote prison. Many had turned away from him and forsaken him (1:15; 4:16), including even some of his co - workers (4:10). It was a discouraging and disappointing scene, especially to his young fellow - worker and spiritual child, Timothy. Due to this, in the opening of this encouraging, strengthening, and establishing Epistle, he confirmed to Timothy that he was an apostle of Christ, not only through the will of God, but also according to the promise of life which is in Christ. This implies that the churches may become degraded, and many of the saints may backslide in unfaithfulness, but the eternal life, the divine life, the uncreated life of God, promised by God in His holy writings and given to the apostle and all the believers, remains forever the same. With and upon this unchanging life the firm foundation of God has been laid and stands unshaken through all the tide of degradation (2:19). By such a life those who seek the 19 Lord out of a pure heart are able to stand the trial of the church’s decline. This life, on which the apostle in his first Epistle charged Timothy and others to lay hold (6:12, 19), should be an encouragement and 12 strengthening to him in perilous times. Only in the two Timothys did the apostle include God’s mercy in the opening greeting of his Epistles. God’s mercy reaches farther than His grace. In the degraded situation of the churches, God’s mercy is needed.
2神丰富的恩典，彀应对任何的堕落。
2
壹 本书主题─
I. THE SUBJECT OF THE BOOK
对召会败落的豫防剂
INOCULATION AGAINST THE DECLINE OF THE CHURCH
3保罗写这封书信时，完全知道众召会在败落。然而，因为他是持定永远生命之应许的人，他就不灰心或失望。在他里面有永不改变的东西–神永远、非受造、不能朽坏的生命。无论环境如何改变，这永远的生命仍是一样。因为保罗自己在神的生命里得鼓励，不因著环境失望，他就写了提摩太后书，不但作这位青年同工的鼓励并加强，也作整个基督身体对召会败落的豫防剂。我们不该认为提摩太后书仅仅是所谓的牧会书简。我们若有正确的眼光，就会领悟保罗里面的神圣思想，是要信徒豫防召会的败落。保罗豫见这败落。然而，他里面深处得著鼓励，不是因为他能照逻辑领会事情，乃是因为他持定神在祂的圣言里所应许永远的生命。神在圣经上所应许的生命住在保罗里面。保罗写这封书信的负担，是要鼓励并加强提摩太，也要将神圣的本质注射到召会里面，好使召会豫防败落的病菌。我们赞美主，这豫防剂一直有功效。不错，历世纪以来，召会多多少少被毁坏，但召会没有被消灭。保罗有先见，使召会豫防败落。甚至今天我们在主的恢复里，也在享受这豫防剂的好处。我在本篇信息中的负担是要看这豫防剂的八个基本元素。这些作豫防剂的神圣供备包括清洁的良心、无伪的信心、神圣的恩赐、刚强的灵、永远的恩典、不能朽坏的生命、健康的话、与内住的灵。由保罗所配的这些奇妙药剂的成分见于一章一至十四节。
3When Paul was writing this Epistle, he was fully aware that the churches were declining. However, because he was one who laid hold on the promise of eternal life, he was not discouraged or disappointed. He had something within him which never changed — the eternal, uncreated, incorruptible life of God. No matter how the environment may change, this eternal life remains the same. Because he himself was encouraged in the life of God and not disappointed by the situation, Paul wrote the Second Epistle to Timothy not only as an encouragement and strengthening to a younger co-worker, but also as an inoculation for the entire Body of Christ against the decline of the church. We should not regard 2 Timothy merely as a so-called pastoral book. If we have the proper insight, we shall realize that the divine thought within Paul was to inoculate the believers against the decline of the church. Paul foresaw this decline. However, deep within he was encouraged, not because he could understand matters according to logic, but because he laid hold of the eternal life promised by God in His holy writings. The very life promised by God in the Scriptures dwelt within Paul. Paul’s burden in writing this Epistle was both to encourage and to strengthen Timothy and also to inject a divine substance into the church in order to inoculate the church against the germ of decline. We praise the Lord that this inoculation has been effective. Yes, the church throughout the centuries has been ruined to a certain extent, but it has not been exterminated. Paul had the foresight to inoculate the church against decline. Even today we in the Lord’s recovery are enjoying the benefit of this inoculation. My burden in this message is to consider eight basic elements of this inoculation. These divine provisions for the inoculation include a pure conscience, unfeigned faith, the divine gift, a strong spirit, eternal grace, incorruptible life, healthy words, and the indwelling Spirit. These ingredients of the marvelous dose administered by Paul are found in 1:1-14.
贰 引言
II. INTRODUCTION
41一至二节是引言。在一节保罗说，他作使徒不但是凭神旨意，也是照著在基督耶稣里生命的应许。『生命的应许，』这辞不是说我们只有应许，没有生命。这是说，我们接受了所应许的生命。类似的辞，『所应许的那灵』（直译，那灵的应许），用于加拉太三章十四节。这意思不是说，我们只接受了应许，没有接受那灵。这乃是说，我们接受了所应许的那灵。同样的原则，『生命的应许，』指所应许的生命。保罗是照著神所应许、他所接受、又住在他里面的生命作使徒。保罗凭著这生命成了使徒。
4Verses 1 and 2 are an introductory word. In verse Paul says that he was an apostle not only through the will of God, but also according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus. The expression “the promise of life” does not mean that we have only the promise and not the life. It means that we have received the promised life. A similar term, “the promise of the Spirit,” is used in Galatians 3:14. This term does not mean that we have received only the promise and have not received the Spirit. It means that we have received the Spirit who has been promised. In the same principle, the words “the promise of life” denote the promised life. Paul was an apostle according to the life which God had promised, which Paul had received, and which dwelt within him. Paul became an apostle by this life.
5保罗照著永远的生命成了使徒；这生命是不能朽坏，且不能改变的，因这生命实际上就是经过过程的三一神自己。因为保罗由这生命所内住，所以甚至整个罗马帝国对付他，也不能胜过他。保罗由经过过程的三一神作生命而得加强。保罗不在别处，只在这封书信的开头说，他照著生命的应许作使徒。他在别处告诉我们，他凭神旨意作使徒。（弗一1。）很少基督教教师强调这事实：保罗的使徒职分不但是凭神旨意，也是照著永远生命的应许。基督徒强调神的旨意，却不强调生命的应许，原因是他们自己没有看见这生命的事。今天在主的恢复里，我们一切所作、所是的，必须是照著永远的生命，并凭著这生命。赞美主，我们乃是凭著这生命在祂的恢复里！
5The eternal life according to which Paul became an apostle is incorruptible and unchanging, for this life is actually the processed Triune God Himself. Because Paul was indwelt by this life, not even the whole Roman Empire was able to prevail over him in its dealings with him. Paul was strengthened by the processed Triune God as life. Nowhere else but in the opening of this Epistle does Paul say that he was an apostle according to the promise of life. Elsewhere he tells us that he was an apostle through the will of God (Eph. 1:1). Not many Christian teachers emphasize the fact that Paul’s apostleship was not only through the will of God, but also by the promise of eternal life. The reason Christians emphasize the will of God but not the promise of life is that they themselves do not see this matter of life. Whatever we do and whatever we are in the Lord’s recovery today must be according to eternal life and by this life. Praise the Lord that we are in His recovery by this life
参 为著豫防剂的神圣供备
III. THE DIVINE PROVISIONS for the inoculation
6提后一章一节所题的生命包括豫防剂所有的八个基本元素。这就是说，永远的生命包括清洁的良心、无伪的信心、神圣的恩赐、刚强的灵、永远的恩典、不能朽坏的生命、健康的话、与内住的灵。我们若有这生命，实际上就是经过过程的三一神，我们就有清洁的良心、无伪的信心，和神圣豫防剂所有其他的供备。现在让我们逐一来看这些供备。
6The life mentioned in verse 1 includes all the eight basic elements of the inoculation. This means that eternal life includes a pure conscience, unfeigned faith, the divine gift, a strong spirit, eternal grace, the element of incorruption, healthy words, and the indwelling Spirit. If we have this life, which is actually the processed Triune God, we have a pure conscience, unfeigned faith, and all the other provisions of the divine inoculation. Let us now consider these provisions one by one
一 清洁的良心
A. A Pure Conscience
7在三节保罗说，『我感谢神，就是我接续祖先，用清洁的良心所事奉的神，昼夜祈求的时候，不住的题到你。』这里的事奉，即在对神的敬拜中事奉神。（徒二四14，腓三3。）保罗跟随他祖先的脚踪，用清洁的良心事奉神。在堕落的时期，我们若要事奉神，就需要有清洁的良心，从一切的搀杂得炼净的良心。
7In verse 3 Paul says, “I thank God, Whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasingly I have remembrance concerning you in my petitions night and day.” To serve here is to serve God in His worship (Acts 24:14; Phil. 3:3). Paul followed in the footsteps of his forefathers to serve God in a pure conscience. In a time of degradation, a pure conscience, a conscience purified from any mixture, is needed if we are to serve God.
8我确信所有在主的恢复里，对祂诚实、真实、忠信的圣徒，不但有无亏的良心，也有清洁的良心。在这事上我们不该接受仇敌的谎言。我们越疑惑自己有清洁的良心，就越觉得自己的良心不清洁。我们需要宣告：『撒但，离开我！我有清洁的良心。撒但，你岂不知道我是为著主，不为著别的么？我是为著主，为著祂的恢复，为著祂的召会，并为著祂的权益。』我们越诚实的见证我们有清洁的良心，就会越强的领悟，我们的良心事实上是清洁的。我们有清洁良心的路，是凭著信，诚实、真实、并坚定的宣告，我们向著主有清洁的良心。不要听你的疑惑，不要信仇敌的谎言。主的血胜过他。仇敌说你软弱，或控告你不纯洁，没有无亏的良心时，不要信他。你岂不爱主么？你岂不是为著主和祂的召会么？要学习告诉仇敌：『撒但，你欺骗我彀久了。我不会再信你，我不会让你扣留我。我是为著主，并且我有清洁的良心。』加强我们，使我们能向仇敌作这样宣告的，乃是永远的生命。这就是为甚么我说，清洁、无亏的良心乃是包括在永远的生命里。因为我们里面有永远的生命，我们就得著加强，宣告我们有清洁的良心。
8I have the assurance that all the saints who are so honest, truthful, and faithful to the Lord in His recovery have not only a good conscience, but also a pure conscience. In this matter we should not accept the lie of the enemy. The more we doubt that we have a pure conscience, the more we shall feel that our conscience is not pure. We need to declare, “Satan, get away from me! I have a pure conscience. Satan, don’t you know that I am for the Lord and not for anything else? I am for the Lord, for His recovery, for His church, and for His interests.” The more we testify in an honest way that we have a pure conscience, the stronger will be our realization that our conscience is in fact pure. The way for us to have a pure conscience is to declare by faith, honestly, truthfully, and steadfastly, that we have a pure conscience toward the Lord. Do not listen to your doubts, and do not believe the lies of the enemy. The Lord’s blood prevails against him. Do not believe the enemy when he says that you are weak, or when he accuses you of being impure and not having a good conscience. Do you not love the Lord? Are you not for the Lord and His church? Learn to tell the enemy, “Satan, you have been cheating me long enough. I will not believe you any longer, and I will not allow you to hold me back. I am for the Lord, and I have a pure conscience.” It is the eternal life which strengthens us to make such a declaration to the enemy. This is why I say that a conscience that is pure and good is included in eternal life. Because we have eternal life within us, we can be strengthened to declare that we have a pure conscience.
二 无伪的信心
B. Unfeigned Faith
9提后一章五节说，『记得你里面无伪的信心，就是先在你外祖母罗以，和你母亲友尼基里面的，我深信也在你里面。』这里保罗题醒提摩太，在他里面无伪的信心。这信心先在提摩太的外祖母里面，然后在他母亲里面。现今住在他里面。今天我们可以赞美主，这信心也在我们里面。因为我们有永远的生命，我们就有无伪的信心。信心指我们与三一神生机的联结，在其中我们藉著祂的话并在祂的灵里接受神的注入。我们越运用我们的灵接触话，我们就越接触主并被祂注入。结果，我们的信心就得加强。这信心实际上就是我们所接受永远生命的反映。所以我再说，信心指我们与三一神之间生机的联结，在其中我们藉著祂的话并凭著祂的灵接触活的神，以接受祂的注入。
9Verse 5 says, “Having been reminded of the unfeigned faith in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded dwells also in you.” Here Paul reminds Timothy of the unfeigned faith which is in him. This faith first indwelt Timothy’s grandmother and then his mother. Now it dwells in him. We today may praise the Lord that this faith is also in us. Because we have eternal life, we have unfeigned faith. Faith refers to the organic union with the Triune God in which we receive God’sin fusion through His Word and in His Spirit. The more we touch the Word by exercising our spirit, the more we shall contact the Lord and be infused with Him. As a result, our faith will be strengthened. This faith is actually the reflection of the eternal life we have received. Therefore, to repeat, faith refers to the organic union between us and the Triune God in which we contact the living God through His Word and by His Spirit to receive His infusion.
三 神圣的恩赐
C. The Divine Gift
10在六节保罗接著说，『为这缘故，我题醒你，将那藉我按手，在你里面神的恩赐，再如火挑旺起来。』保罗这样写，是要在提摩太为著主，而可能因保罗的被囚，和众召会堕落的光景，以致衰弱的职事上，鼓励并加强他。这里保罗似乎对提摩太说，『提摩太阿，我嘱咐你将那在你里面神的恩赐，再如火挑旺起来。在你里面有个东西在焚烧。然而，单单焚烧并不彀─你需要将这恩赐如火挑旺起来。在你里面有个东西，就是神的恩赐。你既有无伪的信心，我题醒你将这恩赐如火挑旺起来。』
10In verse 6 Paul goes on to say, “For which cause I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” This word was written to encourage and strengthen Timothy in his ministry for the Lord, that his ministry not be weakened by Paul’sim prison ment and the degraded situation of the churches. Here Paul seems to be saying to Timothy, “Timothy, I charge you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you. Something in you is burning. However, it is not sufficient for it just to be burning—you need to fan this gift into flame. You have something in you which is a gift of God. Since you have unfeigned faith, I remind you to fan this gift into flame
11要说明保罗在六节所说神的恩赐是甚么意思相当困难。恩赐也许指特别的属灵功用或才能，在提摩太里面有个焚烧的东西，使他能特别的尽功用。所有在主恢复里的圣徒，都需要将那在他们里面神的恩赐，如火挑旺起来。然而，在聚会中许多圣徒似乎把挑旺火的扇子扔了。尤其在召会的聚会中，我们需要将那在我们里面的恩赐，如火挑旺起来。然后火焰会渐渐更高、更亮，基督的丰富就会显明。所有的圣徒都需要因著他们有永远的生命、清洁的良心、和无伪的信心这事实得鼓励。为这缘故，他们该将神的恩赐，如火挑旺起来。
11It is rather difficult to define what Paul means by the gift of God in verse 6. It may refer to a particular spiritual function or ability, something burning within Timothy that enabled him to function in a particular way. All the saints in the Lord’s recovery need to fan into flame the gift of God which is in them. However, in the meetings many saints seem to throw away the fan. Especially in the meetings of the church, we need to fan into flame the gift which is in us. Then the flame will grow higher and brighter, and the riches of Christ will be manifest. All the saints need to be encouraged with the fact that they have eternal life, a pure conscience, and unfeigned faith. For this cause, they should fan into flame the gift of God
四 刚强的灵
D. A Strong Spirit
12在七节保罗继续说，『因为神赐给我们的，不是胆怯的灵，乃是能力、爱、并清明自守的灵。』这里的灵，指我3:5-们由圣灵重生并内住之人的灵。（约三6，罗八16。）将神的恩赐如火挑旺起来，与我们这重生的灵有关。保罗说，我们有能力、爱、并清明自守的灵。能力，说到我们的意志；爱，说到我们的情感；清明自守，说到我们的心思。这指明在运用我们里面神的恩赐上，刚强的意志、爱的情感并清明自守的心思，与刚强的灵极其有关。
12In verse 7 Paul continues, “For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power and of love and of a sober mind.” The spirit here denotes our human spirit, regenerated and indwelt by the Holy Spirit (John 6; Rom. 8:16). Fanning into flame the gift of God is related to our regenerated spirit. Paul says that we have a spirit of power, of love, and of a sober mind. Power refers to our will, love to our emotion, and a sober mind to our mind. This indicates that a strong will, a loving emotion, and a sober mind have very much to do with a strong spirit for the exercise of the gift of God which is in us.
13我们需要信神已赐给我们这样的灵，我们该为此赞美祂。我们不该说，我们不觉得自己有爱、能力、和清明自守的灵。在我们物质的身体里，我们通常对内部器官没有任何感觉，除非牠们出了毛病。在正常的情况之下，你感觉得到你有肝脏这个事实么？我也许感觉不到我的肝脏，但我知道我有这器官，并且牠正在尽功用。同样，我们也许不觉得我们有提后一章七节所描述那样的灵；然而，我们需要信保罗的话，并运用我们的灵。在八节保罗说，『所以你不要以给我们的主作见证为耻，也不要以我这主的囚犯为耻；总要按神的能力，与福音同受苦难。』这是保罗在前两节嘱咐提摩太，要藉著刚强的灵，将他里面神的恩赐，再如火挑旺起来的原因。我们需要这样作，为要不以给主作见证为耻。不以给我们的主作见证为耻，乃是在日渐败落的召会中，能站住抵挡她那下波的流。我们也该豫备好与福音同受苦难。这里的福音是人位化的；（参启六2注2；）福音既受逼迫，提摩太就该与福音同受苦难。我们与福音同受逼迫，必须到一个地步，是按神的能力，不是按自己天然的力量所能受的。
13We need to believe that God has given us such a spirit, and we should praise Him for it. We should not say that we do not feel as if we have a spirit of love, power, and a sound mind. In our physical body we usually do not have any feeling with respect to our internal organs unless there is something wrong with them. Under normal circumstances, are you aware of the fact that you have a liver? I may not be conscious of my liver, but I know that I have this organ and that it is functioning. In like manner, we may not feel as if we have the kind of spirit described in verse 7. Nevertheless, we need to believe Paul’sword and exercise our spirit. In verse 8 Paul says, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner; but suffer evil with the gospel according to the power of God.” Here we have the reason Paul charged Timothy in the two preceding verses to fan into flame the gift of God which was in him. We need to do this in order not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord. Not to be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord is to stand against its downward current in the declining churches. We should also be ready to suffer evil with the gospel. The gospel, which is personified here, was suffering persecution. Therefore, Timothy should expect to suffer evil along with the gospel. Our suffering of persecution along with the gospel must be to the extent of what the power of God can endure, not limited by the endurance of our natural strength
五 永远的恩典
E. Eternal Grace
14在提后一章九至十节上半保罗说到：『神救了我们，以圣召召了我们，不是按我们的行为，乃是按祂自己的定旨和恩典；这恩典是历世之前，在基督耶稣里赐给我们的，但如今藉著我们救主基督耶稣的显现，才显明出来。』神不仅救我们来享受祂的福，更以圣召（为著特定目标的呼召）召我们，为要完成祂的定旨。这里的定旨乃是神按祂旨意所定的计画，要把我们放在基督里，使我们与祂成为一，有分于祂的生命和地位，好成为祂的见证。恩典乃是神在祂生命里所给我
14In 1:9-10a Paul says, speaking of God, “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus.” God has not only saved us to enjoy His blessing, but also called us with a holy calling, a calling for a particular cause, to fulfill His purpose. The purpose here is God’s plan according to His will to place us into Christ, making us one with Him to share His life and position that we may be His testimony. Grace is God’spr o vision in life for us to live out His purpose
15们的供应，使我们活出祂的定旨。
15
16在基督里赐给我们的恩典，是在世界起始之前就赐给我们的。历世之前，即世界起始之前。这是确定且不动摇的根基，能坚固的立住，抵挡那下坡的流，并暴露仇敌毫无能力反对神永远的定旨。使徒为了加强提摩太，将他们的职事联于这永远的恩典，确定的根基。
16The grace given to us in Christ was bestowed upon us before the world began. The phrase “before times eternal” means before the world began. This is a sure and unshakable foundation, standing firmly against the waves of the downward current and exposing the total powerlessness of the enemy’s efforts to counter the eternal purpose of God. In order to strengthen Timothy, the apostle identifies their ministry with this eternal grace, the sure foundation.
17在九节保罗说，神的恩典是历世之前赐给我们的；在十节他说，这恩典藉著我们救主基督耶稣的显现，才显明出来。神的恩典是在永远里赐给我们的，但藉著我们的主第一次来，把死废掉，将生命带给我们，这恩典就显明出来，并应用到我们身上。因为这恩典是藉著基督的显现，才显明出来，旧约的圣徒，像亚伯拉罕和大卫，就没有经历到。所命定要赐给我们的恩典，随著主耶稣的显现而来。这恩典不仅仅是一个福分，更是一个人位，就是三一神自己赐给我们，作我们的享受。主耶稣显现时，这恩典就来了，现今与我们同在。
17In verse 9 Paul says that God’s grace was given to us before times eternal; in verse 10 he says that this grace has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. God’s grace was given to us in eternity, but was manifested and applied to us through our Lord’s first coming to nullify death and bring life to us. Because this grace was manifested through the appearing of Christ, Old Testament saints like Abraham and David did not experience it. The grace destined to be given to us came with the appearing of the Lord Jesus. This grace is not merely a blessing; it is a Person, the Triune God Himself given to us to be our enjoyment. This grace came when the Lord Jesus appeared, and now it is with us today
六 不能朽坏的生命
F. The Incorruptible Life
18十节下半说到基督：『祂已经把死废掉，藉著福音将生命和不朽坏照耀出来。』基督藉著祂废除魔鬼的死，（来二14，）并祂吞灭死的复活，（林前十五52～54，）把死废掉，使其失效。神永远的生命是赐给所有在基督里的信徒，（提前一16，）也是所赐给我们神圣恩典的主要成分。（罗五17，。）这生命已经征服死，（徒二，）还要吞灭死。（林后五4。）保罗乃是照著这样生命的应许作了使徒。（提后一1。）这生命以及随之而有的不朽坏，藉著福音的传扬，已经照耀出来，使众人都得看见。生命是神圣的元素，甚至就是神自己，分赐到我们的灵里；不朽坏是生命浸透我们身体的结果。（罗八11。）这生命和不朽坏，能抵挡召会中败落的死亡和腐败。
18The last part of verse 10 says of Christ, “Who nullified death, and brought life and incorruption to light through the gospel.” Christ nullified death, making it of none effect, through His Devil-destroying death (Heb. 2:14) and death-swallowing resurrection (1 Cor. 15:52-54). The eternal life of God is given to all believers in Christ (1 Tim. 1:16) and is the main element of the divine grace given to us (Rom. 5:17, 21). This life has conquered death (Acts 2:24) and will swallow up 21 death (2 Cor. 5:4). It was according to the promise 24 of such a life that Paul was an apostle (2 Tim. 1:1). This life and its consequent incorruption have been brought to light and made visible to men through the preaching of the gospel. Life is the divine element, even God Himself, imparted into our spirit. Incorruption is the consequence of life saturating our body (Rom. 8:11). This life and incorruption are able to counter the death and corruption of the decline among the churches.
19提后一章十一节说，『我为这福音被派作传扬者，作使徒，作教师。』这福音指神圣恩典和永远生命的福音，与使徒约翰所陈明，在恩典和生命里的福音相符。（约一4，16～。）保罗为这样的福音被派作传扬者，作使徒，作教师。传扬者宣报并宣告福音；使徒为著神的行政，设立并建立众召会；教师教导众召会同众圣徒。
19Second Timothy 1:11 says, “For which I was appointed a herald, and an apostle, and a teacher.” The relative pronoun “which” refers to the gospel of divine grace and eternal life. This corresponds to the gospel presented in grace and life by the Apostle John (John 1:4, 15-17). For such a gospel Paul was appointed a herald, an apostle, 17 and a teacher. A herald announces and proclaims the gospel, an apostle sets up and establishes the churches for God’sad ministration, and a teacher gives instructions to the churches with all the saints.
20在提后一章十二节保罗接著说，『为这缘故，我也受这些苦难；然而我不以为耻，因为知道我所信的是谁，也深信祂能保守我所托付的，直到那日。』使徒受苦难是有缘故的，这缘故是最崇高的，就是宣告恩典与生命之福音的喜信，以建立众召会，并指引众圣徒。提摩太在面对日渐败落之召会的衰败时，这样的缘故对他该是个鼓励并加强。既然保罗不以为耻，提摩太也该不以为耻。在十二节保罗说，『知道我所信的是谁。』使徒所信的不是任何事物，乃是活的人位，就是活神的儿子基督，也就是神圣恩典和永远生命的具体化身。在祂里面的永远生命是有能力的，足能扶持为祂受苦的人，一直到底，并保守他承受那要来的荣耀。在基督里面的恩典，足彀供应祂所差遣之人一切的需要，使受差遣的人跑完职事的赛程，直到在荣耀里得著赏赐。（四～8。）因此，祂能保守使徒所托付祂的，直到祂回来的日子。这样的确信，对力衰、忧闷的提摩太也该是鼓励并加强。
20In verse 12 Paul goes on to say, “For which cause also I suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know Whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard my deposit unto that day.” The apostle had a cause for his sufferings, a cause on the highest plane— to proclaim the glad tidings of the gospel of grace and life, to establish the churches, and to instruct the saints. Such a cause should also be an encouragement and strengthening to Timothy in facing the deterioration of the declining churches. Since Paul was not ashamed, Timothy should not be ashamed either. In verse 12 Paul says, “I know Whom I have believed.” What the apostle believed was not a thing or a matter, but a living Person, Christ, the Son of the living God, who is the embodiment of divine grace and eternal life. The eternal life in Him is powerful; it is more than able to sustain to the end the one who suffers for His sake and also to preserve him for the inheritance of the coming glory. The grace in Him is more than sufficient to provide His sent one with all he needs for finishing the course of his ministry unto a reward in glory (4:7-8). Hence, He is able to guard that which the apostle has 7 committed unto Him for the day of His return. Such an assurance should also be an encouragement and strengthening to the weakened and sorrowful Timothy.
21『我所托付的』是指保罗所交托主的。使徒把他全人同他荣耀的将来，都交托给那能藉祂生命和恩典，保守使徒所托付的，直到祂第二次显现之日的一位。
21The words “my deposit” refer to that which Paul had committed to the Lord. The apostle had committed his entire being with his glorious future unto the One who is able, through His life and grace, to guard his deposit unto “that day,” the day of Christ’s second appearing
七 健康的话
G. The Healthy Words
22在一章十三节保罗继续说，『你从我听的那健康话语的规范，要用基督耶稣里的信和爱持守著。』十二节的话是健康话语的规范、榜样。我们主耶稣基督的话是生命的话，（约六63，）因此是健康的话。这里的健康，指生命的健康。
22In verse 13 Paul continues, “Hold a pattern of healthy words which you heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” The preceding word in verse 12 is a pattern, an example, of healthy words. The words of our Lord Jesus Christ are words of life (John 6:63); hence, they are healthy words. The word healthy here refers to the health of life
八 内住的灵
H. The Indwelling Spirit
23在提后一章十四节保罗下结论说，『你要藉著那住在我们里面的圣灵，保守那美好的托付。』圣灵是住在我们的灵里。（罗八16。）因此，我们要藉著圣灵保守那美好的托付，就需要运用我们的灵。
23In verse 14 Paul concludes, “Guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit Who dwells in us.” The Holy Spirit dwells in our spirit (Rom. 8:16). Hence, to guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit requires us to exercise our spirit.
24我们已指出，那灵是三一神与人接触的终极完成。赞美主，今天这灵住在我们的灵里！为著对召会败落之豫防剂的一切神圣供备，我们感谢主。我们越经历这些供备，就越能豫防任何一种败落。我们有这样奇妙的豫防剂，就该能宣告，在主的恢复里没有败落。
24We have pointed out that the Spirit is the ultimate consummation of the Triune God’s contact with man. Praise the Lord that today this Spirit dwells in our spirit! We thank the Lord for all the divine provisions for the inoculation against the decline of the church. The more we experience these provisions, the more we shall be inoculated against any kind of decline. Having such a marvelous inoculation, we should be able to declare that in the Lord’s recovery there is no decline