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希伯来书生命读经 · 第50篇

奔跑赛程

RUN THE RACE
壹 基督徒的一生是一个赛程
I. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE BEING A RACE
1在本篇信息中，我们要来看基督徒的赛程。基督徒的一生就是一个赛程，所有得救的基督徒，都必须奔跑这赛程，好赢得奖赏。（林前九24。）这奖赏不是指一般的救恩，（弗二8，林前三15，）乃是指特别的赏赐。（来十35，林前三14。）使徒保罗已经跑完这赛程，赢得了奖赏；他几乎是惟一把基督徒生活比作赛跑的人。在希伯来书里，他嘱咐希伯来的信徒要奔跑赛程；他说，要『凭著忍耐奔那摆在我们前头的赛程』。（十二1。）
1In this message we come to the Christian race. The Christian life is a race. Every saved Christian must run the race to win the prize (1 Cor. 9:24). This prize is not salvation in a common sense (Eph. 2:8; 1 Cor. 3:15), but a reward in a special sense (Heb. 10:35; 1 Cor. 3:14). The Apostle Paul, who has run the race and won the prize, was nearly the only one who likened the Christian life to a race. In the book of Hebrews he charged the Hebrew believers to run the race, saying, “run with endurance the race which is set before us” (12:1
2现在我们要问一个不容易答覆的问题：这赛程到底是甚么？我们不能说赛程就是得完全或得荣耀，因为那是赛程的目标。也不能说赛程是生命之律内里的运行，因为那是赛程的过程。赛程甚至也不是丧失魂，因为那是奔跑赛程的途径，而不是赛程本身。要解答这个问题，我们需要来看主在约翰十四章六节所说的话：『我就是道路。』赛程就是道路、行程。因为基督是道路，所以祂也是赛程。我们所奔跑的赛程乃是基督。我们的道路就是我们的赛程。这不是指两件东西，一件是道路，另一件是赛程。不，我们所行走的道路，就是所奔跑的赛程。因此基督不仅是道路，也是赛程。我传讲奔跑赛程这件事，已经有四十多年了，但是从来没有像现在这样清楚看见，这赛程就是基督自己。我有个负担，盼望大家都能清楚神的道路。在宇宙中，神豫备了一条独一的路，是我们必须行走的。这条路是无始无终的，是从永远到永远，没有止境的。从创世记一章到启示录二十二章，只有一条路，就是基督。基督显现之前，神用豫表来表征基督是神的道路；最显著的豫表，就是帐幕。我们已看过，帐幕有三部分，就是外院、圣所和至圣所。帐幕的三部分中有一条道路，从祭坛开始，经过洗濯盆、陈设饼的桌子、灯台、香坛，把我们带进约柜，就是生命之律所在之处。帐幕里的道路，就是基督是我们独一道路的图画。我们将要看见，这条道路称为赛程的原因。
2Now we must ask a very puzzling question: what is this race? We should not say that the race is perfection or glorification, for that is the goal of the race. Neither is the race the inward working of the law of life, for that is the process of the race. The race is not even the losing of the soul, because that is the way to run the race; it is not the race itself. In order to answer this question, we need to consider the Lord’sword in John 14:6: “I am the way.” A race is a way, a course. Because Christ is the way, He is also the race. The race we are running is Christ. Our way is our race. These are not two things, one the way and the other the race. No, the way we are walking is the race we are running. Therefore, Christ, who is the way, is the race. Although I have been ministering on this matter of running the race for over forty years, I have never been so clear as I am now that the race is Christ Himself. I am burdened that we all might be clear about God’sway. In the universe God has prepared the unique way which we must take. This way has no beginning or ending; it is endless, reaching from eternity to eternity. From Genesis 1 through Revelation 22 there is only one way— Christ. Before Christ was manifested, God used types to signify this matter of Christ as God’s way, the most striking of which was the tabernacle. As we have seen, the tabernacle has three parts: the outer court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. In these three parts of the tabernacle there is a way, starting from the altar; passing through the laver, the showbread table, the lampstand, and the incense altar; and ushering us into the ark, the place where the law of life is. The way in the tabernacle is a picture of Christ as our unique way. As we shall see, there is a reason why this way is called a race.
3创世记一至二章启示，神的心意是要那个照著祂形像所造的人，能走祂的道路。根据林后四章四节和歌罗西一章十五节，基督是神的像。因此，人是照著神的形像造的，意思就是说，人是照著基督造的。人照著基督被造，2使他能走在神的路上，神的路就是基督。在创世记二章，人被放在表征基督作我们生命的生命树跟前。所以人不仅是照著基督造的，也是命定要接受基督作他的生命。人若是接受了，就立即走在神的路上。但是，人被造以后，还没有走在神独一的路上，撒但就进来，使人从神的路上岔出去，叫人注意基督以外的事物。但是，因著神的怜悯，祂来建立了一条救赎的路，使岔出去的人，得以重新被带回到神的路上。亚伯跟从了神的路，该隐却不跟从。亚伯被带回到神的路上，该隐却被撒但进一步打岔，再也没有回到神原初的路上。后来，神吩咐以色列人建立帐幕。在帐幕这里，有一条清楚的路，罪人凭此能进入神之所是的实际。当以色列人蒙神呼召时，他们原是被打岔离开神道路的罪人。但是神将帐幕指示他们，在帐幕那里有一条路，从外院的祭坛直到至圣所里的终点，就是生命之律，也就是对神的元素的享受。这条路上的每一件事物，都指明基督的某一方面。因此，使人达到神的路，就是基督自己。然而，犹太教把帐幕和旧约所启示的每一件事都错用了，弄成了一种宗教。这个照神的圣言所组成的宗教，至终使神的子民从神的路上岔出去。建立帐幕和圣殿的用意，乃是要将那条达到神面前和进入祂里面的路，指示祂的百姓。当主耶稣来的时候，祭司们都在圣殿里敬拜神，在坛上献祭，点灯，摆设陈设饼并烧香。他们这样行，目的是要接触神。但是主耶稣却去了伯大尼患痳疯的西门家里，享受那些弟兄姊妹的交通。当祭司们在圣殿里敬拜神的时候，神却在伯大尼的西门家里。道路不在圣殿里，道路─基督─乃在伯大尼的一个家里。甚至神所定规，用来指示到神面前之路而有的敬拜和事奉，都被撒但利用，把人打岔，使人离开基督，离开神独一的道路。
3Genesis 1 and 2 reveal that God’s in tent i on was that man, who was created in His image, would be on His way. According to 2 Corinthians 4:4 and Colossians 1:15, the image of God is Christ. Thus, for man to be created in the image of God meant that he was made according to Christ. He was created according to Christ that he might be on God’s way, which is Christ. In Genesis man was put in front of the tree of life, which signified Christ as our life. Therefore, man was not only made according to Christ, but also was destined to take in Christ as his life. If man had done this, he would immediately have been on God’s way. However, soon after the creation of man and before man was on God’s unique way, Satan came in to distract man from God’sway to something other than Christ. But, in His mercy, God came into establish the way of redemption that the distracted man might be brought back to God’sway. Abel followed this, but Cain did not. Although Abel was brought back to God’s way, Cain was distracted by a further step of Satan, never returning to God’s original way. Later, God commanded the children of Israel to erect the tabernacle. With the tabernacle there was a clear way by which sinners could enter into the reality of what God is. When the children of Israel were called by God, they all were sinners distracted from the way of God. But God showed them the tabernacle, in which there was a way to go from the altar in the outer court to the consummate point in the Holy of Holies — the enjoyment of God’s element, the law of life. Everything on this way indicates an aspect of Christ. Hence, the way for man to reach God is just Christ Himself. However, Judaism, the Jewish religion, misused the tabernacle and everything revealed in the Old Testament to make a religion. The very religion which was constituted according to God’sho ly word eventually distracted God’sp eople from God’sway. Both the tabernacle and the temple were constructed for the purpose of showing God’sp eople the way by which they might reach God and enter into Him. When the Lord Jesus came, the priests were worshipping God in the temple, offering sacrifices on the altar, dressing the lamp, displaying the showbread, and burning the incense. They did all this for the purpose of contacting God. But the Lord Jesus went to the house of Simon the leper in Bethany, where He enjoyed fellowship with those brothers and sisters. While the priests were worshipping God in the temple, God was in Simon’sho use in Bethany. The way was not in the temple; the way — Christ — was in that house in Bethany. Even the worship and service which had been ordained by God to show the way to reach God was utilized by Satan to distract people from Christ, God’s unique way.
4再看大数的扫罗，他是一个绝对为著犹太教的人。当他知道他同国的人，如彼得、约翰、司提反等，都不在犹太教里，就非常激愤，起来反对他们。那时道路已经成了赛程，彼得、约翰、司提反、和其他的信徒，都在这赛程上奔跑。大数的扫罗在这条路旁奔跑，想要拦阻那些在这条路上的人；主耶稣就向他显现，叫他仆倒，使他转回到这条路上。（徒九1～6。）我相信扫罗一旦归入基督里，并行走在这条路上，他必定想起自己的宗教背景，和一路上所有打岔的事。他想到自己生为希伯来人，笫八天受了割礼，究竟应不应当把那些都放弃。后来他明白，他必须忘掉自己是一个希伯来人，并且不单要在这道路上行走，更要奔跑他的赛程。你开快车时，一定不是在找出口；但你一慢下来，就表示你要找出口了。扫罗开始加快速度奔跑，并且改名为保罗。他一奔跑，道路就成了赛程。在主恢复里的圣徒们，你是在道路上行走，或是在奔跑赛程？我们若是在路上走，有一天我们会走出去。我们若是悠闲的慢步而行，就会被其他的路岔开。但我们若是奔跑赛程，不花时间东张西望，并且定睛于前面的目标，我们就不会受到打岔。保罗有极大的动力，推动他竭力奔跑赛程；他没有时间东张西望，或者考虑别的事情。虽然保罗可能从来没有摇摆不定过，但是像他这样典型的希伯来信徒，一定考虑过自己的背景。我相信他在往大马色的路上被主击倒后，必定回顾他的犹太教生活。也许他会说，『我有那么多的好东西，难道圣殿是假的么？祭司体系错了么？这一切不是神定规的么？』若是保罗没有考虑过他的宗教背景，就不可能把加拉太一章，腓立比三章，和整卷希伯来书，写得那么清楚。他若不是一个典型的希伯来信徒，熟悉那些事情，就不可能帮助那些摇摆不定的希伯来基督徒。但他经历过同样的处境，生过同样的病，所以他是一个有经验的病人。俗语说，久病成良医。以后我们会看到，保罗就是一位良医，能医治有瘸腿危机的人。他自己曾有过同样的危机，但他已经痊愈了。因此他知道怎样医治那些摇摆不定的希伯来基督徒，开给他们正确的处方。保罗在希伯来书里，给那些瘸腿的人一些最有效的药物，好把他们带回来奔跑赛程。
4Consider the example of Saul of Tarsus, who was absolutely for the Jewish religion. When he realized that some of his countrymen, such as Peter, John, and Stephen, were not in this religion, he was stirred up to oppose them. By that time, the way had become a race, and Peter, John, Stephen, and all the other believers were running in it. As Saul of Tarsus was running alongside of this way, attempting to hinder those on the way, the Lord Jesus appeared to him, striking him down and turning him to this way (Acts 9:1-6). I believe that once Saul was in Christ and was walking on this way, he considered his religious background and all the distractions along the way, thinking that he had been born a Hebrew and circumcised on the eighth day and wondering whether he should give it all up. Eventually he realized that he had to forget about being a Hebrew and not only walk on the way but run the race. Whenever you drive a car fast, you are not looking for an exit. But once you slow down, it means that you are seeking an exit. Saul began to speed up, and his name was changed to Paul. By running, the way was changed into a race. As a saint in the Lord’s recovery, are you walking the way or running the race? If we are walking the way, one day we shall walk out. If we are walking gently and slowly, we shall be distracted by some other way. But if we run the race, taking no time to look around and keeping our eyes fixed on the goal, we shall not be distracted. Paul had the greatest incentive for pressing on and for running the race; he no longer had the time to look around or to consider anything else. Although Paul might never have staggered, as a typical Hebrew believer, he must have considered his background. I believe that after he was knocked down by the Lord on the road to Damascus, he recalled his life in the Jewish religion. Perhaps he said, “I had so many good things. Is the temple false and is the priesthood wrong? Were they not ordained by God?” If he had never considered his religious background, he could not have written Galatians 1, Philippians 3, and the whole book of Hebrews so clearly. If he had not been a typical Hebrew believer experiencing all these things, he could not have helped the staggering Hebrew Christians. But he had been in the same situation and had suffered from the same disease, being an experienced patient. There is a proverb which says that an experienced patient becomes a good doctor. As we shall see, Paul was a doctor and could heal those who were in danger of being crippled. He himself had once been in the same danger, but he had been healed. As a result, he knew the cure for the staggering Hebrew Christians and was able to give them the right medicine. In the book of Hebrews, Paul gave the best medication to the crippled ones that they might be brought back to running the race.
5神的心意是要把我们放在基督里，并把基督作到我们全人里面，以基督为标准，使我们都成为这标准的复制品。我们会看见，这个工作的结果，乃是使我们得完全，并且得荣耀。使徒写希伯来书的时候，许多希伯来的信徒考虑到自己的背景，而在路上慢行，甚至停下来。他们有受到圣殿、祭司体系、祭物岔开的危险。他们的光景，有停顿或退缩回到犹太教，而不前来至圣所的危险。这些都说明他们正在危险之中，仇敌正用一些事物打岔神的子民，使他们离开神的道路，以至于偏离神的目标。因此，作者用了十一章的篇幅，把这条道路清楚的指给希伯来信徒以后，似乎在说，『让我们奔跑赛程。不要站著，不要回头看，不要东张西望。甚至不要慢走，要跑。』我们不仅不可离开基督，而回到犹太教，也不可在基督里站立不动。甚至在基督里行走也是不彀的，我们必须奔跑赛程。不要浪费时间胡思乱想、东张西望，也不要站著不动或慢步前行。你必须奔跑赛程。现在我们应该清楚赛程是甚么─就是基督自己作我们的道路。然而我们不该只把这条道路当作一条路而已，我们必须把这条道路当作奔跑的赛程。保罗在希伯来六章告诉我们要逃跑。我们必须逃离一切事物，而进入至圣所，就是我们的先锋耶稣基督所进入的幔内。这也是奔跑赛程的意思。
5God’sin tent i on is to put us into Christ and to work Christ into our being, making Christ our standard and all of us a reproduction of the standard. As we have seen, this will result in our perfection and glorification. When the book of Hebrews was written, many of the Hebrew believers were considering their background and were walking on the way or even standing still. They were in danger of being distracted by the temple, the priesthood, and the offerings. They were in danger of either being stranded or of shrinking back to Judaism and not coming forward to the Holy of Holies. This means that they were in danger of turning from God’s goal to something used by the enemy to distract God’sp eople from His way. Thus, after eleven chapters in which he presented the Hebrew believers a clear view of the way, the writer seemed to say, “Let us run the race. Don’t standstill, look back, or look around. Don’t even walk—run.” We should not only refuse to leave Christ and go back to Judaism; we should not even stand still in Christ. Even walking in Christ is inadequate. We must run the race. Do not take the time to consider or look around, to stand still or walk slowly. You must run the race. By now we should be clear what the race is—it is Christ Himself as our way. But we should not take this way as a way; we must take it as a race to run. In chapter six Paul told us to flee. We must flee everything into the Holy of Holies where our Forerunner, Jesus Christ, has entered within the veil. This is what it means to run the race
贰 所有新约的信徒
II. ALL THE BELIEVERS OF THE NEW COVENANT
必须奔跑这赛程
MUST RUN THIS RACE
一 脱去各样的重担、重量、负担和障碍
A. By Putting Off Every Encumbrance, Weight, Burden, and Impediment
6十二章一节说，『所以，我们既有这许多的见证人，如同云彩围著我们，就当脱去各样的重担，和容易缠累我们的罪，凭著忍耐奔那摆在我们前头的赛程。』重担，也可译为重量，负担，障碍。赛跑的人脱去各样不必要的重量，缠累人的重担，使他们没有障碍，以赢得竞赛。请注意，保罗在这里是说『我们』，而不是说『你们』，他将自己也包括在这件事之内。
6Hebrews 12:1 says, “The re fore let us also, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, putting off every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, run with endurance the race which is set before us.” The Greek word translated “encumbrance” may also be rendered “weight,” “burden,” “impediment.” The runners in a race must strip off every unnecessary weight, every encumbering burden, that they might have no impediment to winning the race. Notice that here Paul says “us,” not “you,” including himself in this matter.
二 脱去缠累的罪
B. By Putting Off the Entangling Sin
7一节说到『容易缠累我们的罪』。这里的罪，主要的是指缠累我们，使我们不能奔跑赛程的事，正如十章二十六节所说的故意犯罪，会使希伯来的信徒离开神经纶中新约的路一样。重担和缠累人的罪，都会阻挠并限制希伯来的信徒，使他们不能在新约的路上，跟从被犹太教所弃绝的耶稣，奔跑那属天的赛程。对于那些摇摆不定的希伯来信徒，退缩回到犹太教去的思想，就是缠累他们的罪。这节所题的罪，是很独特的，因为在原文里保罗在此加了指定冠词，而称之为『那罪』。这独一的、缠累人的罪，乃是故意犯的罪，指停止与圣徒们的聚集，放弃新约的路，以及回到犹太教去。
7Verse 1 mentions “the sin which so easily entangles us.” Sin here refers mainly to the thing which entangles us from running the race, just as the willful sin mentioned in 10:26 would keep the Hebrew believers away from the new covenant way in God’secon o my. Both the encumbering weight and the entangling sin would frustrate the Hebrew believers and restrain them from running the heavenly race in the new covenant way of following the Jesus who was rejected by Judaism. To the staggering Hebrew believers, the thought of shrinking back and returning to Judaism was an entangling sin. The sin mentioned in this verse is particular and unique, for Paul uses the definite article, saying, “the sin.” This unique, entangling sin was the willful sin of forsaking the assembling together with the saints, of giving up the new covenant way, and of going back to Judaism
三 凭著忍耐
C. With Endurance
8在这赛程中，会有很大的反对。因此，我们必须凭著忍耐奔跑这赛程。（十二。）这意思是说，我们要奔跑基督的赛程，就必须凭著忍耐忍受反对，绝不可疲倦灰心。
8There is much opposition to this race. Thus, we must run it with endurance (1 2:1). This means that in order to run the race of Christ, we must suffer the1 opposition with endurance, never growing weary or fainting in our souls.
四 望断一切事物
D. By Looking Away from All Things
9保罗在二节告诉希伯来的信徒，要望断以及于耶稣，就是我们信心的创始者与成终者。望断，原文指转离其他各种目标，以专一的注意力注视。百米竞赛的跑者，不顾别的事物，只专心注视目标。保罗在这节似乎是说，『希伯来弟兄们，不要站著考虑观望。要从基督以外的事物转过来，而专心注视祂。这才是奔跑赛程的秘诀。』希伯来的信徒必须望断他们环境中一切的事物，望断他们老旧的宗教─犹太教，望断犹太教的逼迫，望断一切属地的事物，好望断以及于，以达到这位现今在诸天之上，坐在神宝座右边的耶稣。
9In verse 2 Paul told the Hebrew believers to look away unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith. The Greek word translated “looking away unto” means to look with undivided attention by turning away from every other object. The runners in a race, such as the hundred yard dash, turn away from everything else and look at the goal with undivided attention. In this verse Paul seemed to be saying, “Hebrew brothers, do not stand there considering and looking around. You must turn away from everything other than Christ and look to Him with undivided attention. This is the way to run the race.” The Hebrew believers had to look away from all the things of their situation, away from their old religion and its persecution, and away from all earthly things that they might look unto Jesus who is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God in the heavens
五 仰望那位现今坐在诸天之上神宝座右边的耶稣
E. By Looking unto Jesus Who Is Now Seated at the Right Hand of the Throne of God in the Heavens
10保罗告诉希伯来信徒要『望断以及于耶稣，就是我们信心的创始者与成终者；祂为那摆在前面的喜乐，就轻看羞辱，忍受了十字架，便坐在神宝座的右边』。本书从一章三节起，不断的将我们指向那坐在天上的基督。保罗在别的书信中，主要的2是向我们陈明，基督作赐生命的灵，（林前十五45，）住在我们灵里，（罗八10，提后四22，）作了我们的生命和一切。但在本书，他特别将我们指向这坐在天上、具备多面、在各面照顾我们的基督。在保罗别的书信里，内住的基督与我们的肉体、己、和天然的人相对。在本书，天上的基督与地上的宗教并一切地上的事物相对。我们要经历内住的基督，就需要转到灵里接触祂；我们要享受天上的基督，就需要望断一切地上的事物，而及于这位坐在神宝座右边的基督。祂藉著死与复活，已经成就了神和人所需要的一切；现今祂在升天里，坐在诸天之上，乃是在神子（来一5）和人子（二6）的身位里，也就是在神（一8）和人（二6）的身位里，作了神所立的承受万有者、（一2、）神的受膏者、（9、）我们救恩的创始者、（二10、）那圣别人者、（11、）常时的救援者、（16、）应时的帮助者、（四16、）从神来的使徒、（三1、）大祭司、（二，四14，七26、）真帐幕的执事，（八2，）有更超特的职任，（八6，）是更美之约的保证和中保、（七22，八6，十二、）新约的执行者、（九16～17、）先锋、（六20、）信心的创始者与成终者、（十二2、）以及群羊的大牧人。（十三20。）我们若仰望祂这奇妙且包罗万有的一位，祂就要把天、生命、和力量供应我们，将祂的所是传输并灌注到我们里面，使我们能奔跑属天的赛程，在地上过属天的生活，带我们走完一生的路途，领我们进荣耀里去。（二10。）
10Paul told the Hebrew believers to look “away unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” From 1:3, this book points us continually to the Christ seated in heaven. In all his other epistles, Paul mainly presents to us the Christ who dwells in our spirit (Rom. 8:10; Tim. 4:22) as the life-giving Spirit (1 Cor. 15:45, ASV) to be our life and our everything. But in this book, he points us particularly to the Christ seated in heaven with so many aspects to care for us in every way. In Paul’so ther epistles, the indwelling Christ is versus our flesh, self, and natural man. In this book, the heavenly Christ is contrasted with the earthly religion and all earthly things. To experience the indwelling Christ we need to turn to our spirit and contact Him. To enjoy the heavenly Christ we need to look away from all things on earth unto Him who is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. By His death and resurrection He has accomplished everything that is needed for both God and us. Now in His ascension He is sitting in the heavens, in the Person of the Son of God (1:5) and the Son of Man (2:6), in the Person of God (1:8) and man (2:6), as the appointed Heir of all things (1:2), the Anointed One of God (1:9), the Captain of our salvation (2:10), the Sanctifier (2:11), the instant Helper and constant Succor (2:18), the Apostle from God (3:1), the High Priest (2:17; 4:14; 7:26), the Minister in the true tabernacle (8:2) with a more 17 excellent ministry (8:6), the Surety and the Mediator of a better covenant (7:22; 8:6; 12:24), the Executor of the new testament (9:16-17), the Fore runner (6:20), the 24 Author and Perfecter of faith (12:2), and as the great Shepherd of the sheep (13:20). If we look unto Him as such a wonderful and all-inclusive One, He, ministering heaven, life, and strength to us, will transfuse and infuse us with all that He is to enable us to run the heavenly race and to live the heavenly life on earth, carrying us through all the lifelong path way and leading and bringing us into glory (2:10).
11奇妙的耶稣，在天上登了宝座，并得了荣耀尊贵为冠冕，（9，）祂是宇宙中最大的吸引，就像巨大的磁石，吸引所有寻求祂的人归向祂。我们乃是受祂迷人的美丽所吸引，才望断祂以外一切的事物。若没有这样迷人的对象，我们怎能望断地上这么多迷惑人的事物？
11The wonderful Jesus, who is enthroned in heaven and crowned with glory and honor” (2:9) is the greatest attraction in the universe, like an immense magnet drawing all His seekers unto Him. It is by being attracted by His charming beauty that we look away from all things other than Him. Without such a charming object, how could we look away from so many distracting things on this earth
六 那忍受罪人顶撞的耶稣，要考量比较
F. By Considering Jesus Who Has Endured Contradiction from Sinners against Himself
12十二章三节说，『那忍受罪人这样顶撞自己的，你们要考量比较，免得疲倦灰心。』这里短短的话，把我们指向四福音里，基督如何忍受罪人的顶撞。当时的罪人，乃是所有宗教徒、热中犹太教的人、祭司、经学家、和民间的长老。当主耶稣在地上时，面对这许多反对祂的人；他们尽所能的拦阻、并打断主耶稣走神新约的路。但主耶稣不仅没有受到拦阻，反而藉著在十字架上受死，为我们开创了一条路。七与罪争斗，抵挡到流血四节说，『你们与罪争斗，还没有抵挡到流血。』这里的罪，因为必须抵挡，甚至到流血的地步，必是指神眼中看为邪恶的事，就是阻挠信徒，并使他们不走新约之路的。
12Verse 3 says, “Consider Him Who has endured such contradiction from sinners against Himself, lest you grow weary, fainting in your souls.” This short word refers us to the four Gospels, where we see how Christ endured such contradiction from sinners. At that time, the sinners were all the religionists, Judaizers, priests, scribes, and elders of the people. When the Lord Jesus was on earth, He confronted all these opposers who were doing their best to frustrate or stop Him from the way of God’s new covenant. But He was not frustrated; rather, He cut the way, slaying it by suffering the death of the cross. G. By Resisting unto Blood, Struggling against Sin Verse 4 says, “You have not yet resisted unto blood, struggling against sin.” Sin here must refer to something evil in the sight of God that frustrates the believers and holds them back from the new covenant way, for it needs to be resisted, even unto blood.
参 使徒保罗
III. THE APOSTLE PAUL
13是奔跑赛程的榜样保罗的背景，与希伯来信徒的背景一样，所以他有资格作奔跑赛程之人的榜样。加拉太二章二节和林前九章二十六至二十七节给我们看见，保罗如何开始奔跑赛程。腓立比三章五至八节、十二至十四节给我们看见，他如何一直奔跑赛程。在腓立比三章，我们看见保罗是一个典型的希伯来信徒，奔跑赛程，离弃了老旧的犹太教。提后四章七至八节，是保罗在殉道前不久写的，他告诉我们，他已经跑完了他的赛程。当保罗奔跑时，他说，『我乃是痛击己身，叫身为奴，免得我传给别人，自己反不蒙称许。』（林前九27。）虽然一个得救的人，不会再灭亡，但仍有可能不蒙称许。不蒙称许的意思，就是在赛程上半途而废，失去达到目标的机会。保罗怕自己会不蒙称许。『不蒙称许』也有不合格，被弃绝的意思。保罗似乎对希伯来信徒说，『希伯来的弟兄们，你们必须小心。虽然你们得救了，但仍有可能被弃绝，不蒙称许。』这种观念与达到目标和赢得奖赏的观念相符。但是参加赛跑的人，仍有可能成为不蒙称许、不配得赏赐的人。在希伯来十二章，保罗警告、勉励并激励希伯来的弟兄们，要奔跑赛程。我们今天也像他们一样，不仅要走这条道路，也要奔跑赛程。
13BEING AN EXAMPLE OF RUNNING THE RACE Because Paul’s background was exactly that of the Hebrew believers, he was qualified to be an example in running the race. Galatians 2:2 and 1 Corinthians 9:26 and 27 show how he began to run the race. Philippians 3:5-8 and 12-14 show how he was still running the race. In Philippians 3 we see that Paul was a typical Hebrew believer running the race away from the old Jewish religion. In 2 Timothy 4:7 and 8, written shortly before his martyrdom, he told us that he had finished the race. As Paul was running the race, he said, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Cor. 9:27). Although a saved person can never perish, it is quite possible for him to be a castaway. To be a castaway is to fail in the race, missing the opportunity of reaching the goal. Paul feared that he might be a castaway. The Greek word rendered “castaway” also means a reprobate, one not qualified or approved. Paul seemed to be saying to the Hebrew believers, “Hebrew brothers, you must be careful. Although you have been saved, it is possible that you will be a castaway, one who is disapproved.” This concept fits in with that of reaching the goal and winning the prize as a reward. But there is the possibility that a runner may be a castaway and not be approved for the reward. In Hebrews 12 Paul was warning the Hebrew brothers and encouraging them, giving them a great incentive to run the race. We, like them, must not only walk the way but also run the race