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彼得前书生命读经 · 第17篇

生命的长大及其结果（三）

Growth in life and its Results (3)
1读经：彼得前书二章四节，六至八节。在彼前二章四节彼得说，『你们来到祂这为人所弃绝，却为神所拣选所宝贵的活石跟前。』我们已指出，活石不仅有生命，也能在生命里长大。四节的活石就是为著神的建造的基督。这里彼得将他的隐喻，由植物生命的种子（一～24）转换为矿物的石头。种子是为著生命的栽种；石头是为著建造。（二5。）彼得的思想已经从生命的栽种往前到了神的建造。为著作我们的生命，基督是种子；为著神的建造，祂是石头。我们接受祂作生命的种子后，就需要长大，好经历祂作活在我们里面的石头。这样，祂也要把我们作成因祂石头性情而变化的活石，在祂这根基和房角石（赛二八16）上，与别人同被建造，成为属灵的殿。现在我们接著来看彼得在彼前二章六至八节所说，关于基督是为著神的建造的石头。
1Scripture Reading: 1 Pet. 2:4, 6-8 In 2:4 Peter says, “To whom coming, a living stone, having been rejected by men, but with God chosen, held in honor.” We have pointed out that a living stone not only possesses life but also grows in life. The living stone in verse 4 is Christ for God’s building. Here Peter changes his metaphor from the seed of the vegetable life (1:23-24) to the stone. The seed is 23 for life - planting, whereas the stone is for building (2:5). Peter’s thought has gone on from life-planting to God’s building. As life to us Christ is the seed. For God’s building He is the stone. After receiving Him as the seed of life, we need to grow that we may experience Him as the stone living in us. Then He will make us living stones, transformed with His stone nature, so that we may be built together with others a spiritual house upon Him as both the foundation and the cornerstone. Let us go on to consider what Peter says in verses 6 through 8 regarding Christ as the stone for God’s building.
神所拣选的基督
CHRIST CHOSEN BY GOD
2彼前二章六节引用以赛亚二十八章十六节说，『因为经上记著说，「看哪，我把所拣选所宝贵的房角石，安放在锡安，信靠祂的人，必不至于羞愧。」』虽然这活石为神子民的首领所弃绝，这石头却为神所拣选。神拣选基督这活石有两方面。首先，正如我们所看过的，基督在已过的永远里为神所拣选；那是神起初拣选祂。然后神在复活里第二次拣选基督。复活是神拣选了基督的有力证明。这第二次的拣选证实神第一次的拣选。所以，在复活里神证实祂在已过的永远里拣选了基督。
2First Peter 2:6, quoting Isaiah 28:16, says, “Because it is contained in Scripture: Behold, I lay in Zion a chosen stone, a cornerstone held in honor, and he who believes on Him shall by no means be put to shame.” Although this living stone was rejected by the leaders of God’sp eople, this stone was chosen by God. God’s choosing of Christ as the living stone is of two aspects. First, as we have seen, Christ was chosen by God in eternity past. That was God’sin it i al choosing of Him. Then God chose Christ the second time in resurrection. Resurrection is a strong proof that God has chosen Christ. This second choosing was a confirmation of God’s first choosing. Therefore, in resurrection God confirmed the choice He had made concerning Christ in eternity past
3基督在十字架上时，表面看来为神所弃绝。对法利赛人和其他一切反对祂的人而言，基督的钉十字架是神弃绝了祂的标记。照著马太二十七章四十二至四十三节，祭司长同经学家和长老说，『祂是以色列的王，现在可以从十字架上下来，我们就信靠祂。祂倚靠神，神若要祂，现在可以救祂，23:35因为祂曾说，我是神的儿子。』路加二十三章三十五节说，『官长也嗤笑著说，祂救了别人，祂若是神的基督，是那蒙拣选的，就让祂救自己罢！』宗教首领以为神弃绝了基督。然而，第三天基督复活了，那个复活是神拣选的标记，是神拣选了基督作祂建造的石头的证明。
3When Christ was on the cross, apparently He was rejected by God. To the Pharisees and to all the others who opposed Him, the crucifixion of Christ was a sign that God had rejected Him. According to Matthew 27:42 and 43, the chief priests, with the scribes and the elders, said, “He is king of Israel, let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe on him. He trusted upon God; let Him rescue him now if He wants him; for he said, I am God’sS on.” Luke says, “And the rulers were even sneering and saying, He saved others, let him save himself if this is the Christ of God, the Chosen One!” The religious leaders thought that God had rejected Christ. However, on the third day Christ was resurrected, and that resurrection was a sign of God’s choosing, a proof that God had chosen Christ to be the stone for His building.
4从基督复活的时候起，基督就被看为尊贵。彼前二章六节的『宝贵』，原文与四节所用的『宝贵』相同，也是看为尊贵的意思。这与一章十九节的『宝』字不同。那里是指素质上的宝贵，这里是指被人承认并看为尊贵的宝贵。『看哪，我把所拣选…的房角石，安放在锡安，』这话不但指基督的复活，也指祂的升天。神使基督复活以后，将祂高举到诸天之上。所以，基督的升天是神拣选了祂进一步的标记和证实。二章六节所说到的锡安，不是地上的锡安，乃是诸天之上的锡安。新约里有两个锡安：一个是属地的，另一个是属天的。属地的锡安是属天锡安的返照。犹太人也许有属地的锡安，但我们基督徒，相信基督的人，有属天的锡安。为这缘故，我们不是来到属地的锡安，乃是来到属天的锡安。（来十二22。）
4From the time of Christ’s resurrection, Christ has been held in honor. The Greek word rendered “honor” in verse 6, the same word that is used in verse 4, also means precious. It differs from the Greek word translated “precious” in 1:19. There the word denotes preciousness in essence; here it indicates preciousness as recognized and held in honor. The statement, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chosen stone,” refers not only to Christ’s resurrection, but also to His ascension. After God resurrected Christ, He lifted Him up to the heavens. Therefore, Christ’s ascension was a further sign and confirmation that God had chosen Him. The Zion spoken of in 2:6 is not the Zion on earth; it is the Zion in the heavens. In the New Testament there are two Zions, one earthly and the other heavenly. The earthly Zion is a reflection of the heavenly one. The Jewish people may have an earthly Zion, but we Christians, those who believe in Christ, have a heavenly Zion. For this reason, we are not coming to an earthly Zion; we are coming to the heavenly Zion (Heb. 12:22
5神在已过的永远里拣选基督，没有给任何人看见，甚至没有给天使看见。神拣选基督时，甚么都还没有造出来，因为那个拣选是在创立世界以前。惟有神知道基督是祂所拣选的一位。但这个拣选在基督的复活和升天里得以显明。基督升天不久以后，彼得就清楚领悟基督是神所拣选的弥赛亚。为这缘故，彼得在行传四章对宗教首领说，『你们众人和以色列众百姓就当知道，乃是在拿撒勒人耶稣基督，就是你们所钉十字架，神从死人中所复活者的名里，在这名里，这人才站在你们面前健康完好。祂是你们匠人所轻弃的石头，已成了房角的头块石头。除祂以外，别无拯救，因为在天下人间，没有赐下别的名，我们可以靠著得救。』（10～12。）在别的名里没有拯救，因为神拣选了基督，这个拣选在基督的复活和升天里得以显明，并藉著基督的复活和升天得著证实。
5God’s choosing of Christ in eternity past was not seen by anyone, not even by the angels. When God chose Christ, nothing had been created, for that choice was made before the foundation of the world. Only God knew that Christ was His chosen One. But this choice has been manifested inCh rist’s resurrection and ascension. Soon after Christ’s ascension, Peter realized clearly that Christ is the Messiah chosen by God. This was the reason Peter said to the religious leaders in Acts 4, “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (vv. 10-12). There is salvation in no other name because God has chosen Christ, and this choice has been manifested in and confirmed by Christ’s resurrection and ascension.
6彼得同其他的使徒能见证，他见过复活的基督。不但如此，他们都亲眼看见祂升天。这两个行动，复活和升天，证明并证实拿撒勒的耶稣是神所拣选的一位，为著神的建造作房角的头块石头。基督是这样蒙拣选的一位，现今被看为尊贵。基督不但在荣耀里；祂也在宝座上神的右边。这就是说，祂在尊贵的地位上。因著基督现今在这样尊贵的地位上，祂就是宝贵的，非常受尊重。彼前二章六节也说，信靠基督的人，必不至于羞愧。基督是可信靠的、稳固的、坚定的。我们可以信靠祂，并确定我们绝不至于羞愧。
6Along with the other apostles, Peter could testify that he had seen the resurrected Christ. Furthermore, they had all witnessed His ascension. These two acts, resurrection and ascension, prove and confirm that Jesus of Nazareth is the One whom God has chosen to be the head of the corner for God’s building. As such a chosen One, Christ is now held in honor. Christ is not only in glory; He is also on the throne at the right hand of God. This means that He is in a position of honor. Because Christ is now in such an honorable position, He is precious, highly valued. First Peter 2:6 also says that he who believes on Christ will by no means be put to shame. Christ is trustworthy, stable, and steadfast. We can put our trust in Him and be assured that we shall never be put to shame
被弃的石头
THE REJECTED STONE
成了房角的头块石头
BECOMING THE HEAD OF THE CORNER
7在七节彼得接著说，『所以祂在你们信的人是宝贵的，在那不信的人却是「匠人所弃的石头，已成了房角的头块石头。」』这里的『宝贵』，原文与四、六节者同源。神所拣选的基督这块石头，是神所宝贵的房角石，在信祂的人是宝贵的，在那不信的人却是被弃绝、被轻弃的石头。基督的宝贵不但是光景的事，也是祂地位的事。祂是宝贵的，意思是祂被看为尊贵，祂占有尊贵的地位。本节告诉我们，匠人弃绝基督这活石。这些匠人指那些本该建造神居所的犹太教首领。他们弃绝基督到了极点。主曾向他们豫言这事。（太二一38～42。）然而，基督在复活里成了房角的头块石头。如我们所看过的，彼得在早期的传讲中，已向犹太人宣告过这事。基督在不信的人是匠人所弃的石头。然而，这被弃的石头已成了房角的头块石头。因此，基督是两方面的石头。祂是为著神的建造的石头，有尊贵的方面，也有被弃的方面。一面，基督被弃绝；另一面，祂得了尊贵。祂被犹太匠人所弃，却为神所宝贵。我们如何知道基督被犹太首领所弃？因为他们将基督钉在十字架上。他们就是那样弃绝了祂。我们如何知道基督为神所宝贵？因为神使祂复活并高举祂。所以，基督的复活和高举，是神拣选了祂以及祂为神所宝贵的有力标记。
7In verse 7 Peter goes on to say, “To you therefore who believe is the preciousness; but to the unbelieving, A stone which the builders rejected, this became the head of the corner.” In Greek, the word rendered “preciousness” here is a kindred word to honor in verses 4 and 6. The very Christ chosen by God as a stone, even a cornerstone held in honor, is the preciousness to His believers. But to the unbelieving, He is a rejected, despised stone. Christ’s preciousness is not only a matter of condition, but also a matter of His position. For Him to be precious means that He is held in honor, that He occupies an honorable position. In this verse we are told that the builders rejected Christ as the living stone. These builders were the Jewish leaders in Judaism, who were supposed to build the house of God. They rejected Christ to the uttermost, as the Lord had predicted (Matt. 21:38-42). Nevertheless, Christ became the head of the corner in resurrection. As we have seen, in his early preaching Peter declared this fact to the Jews. To the unbelieving, Christ is a stone rejected by the builders. Nevertheless, this rejected stone has become the head of the corner. Hence, Christ is a stone of two aspects. With Him as the stone for God’s building, there is the aspect of honor and also the aspect of rejection. On the one hand, Christ was rejected; on the other hand, He has been honored. He was rejected by the Jewish builders, but He has been honored by God. How do we know that Christ was rejected by the Jewish leaders? We know it by the fact that they put Christ on the cross. That was their rejection of Him. How do we know that Christ has been honored by God? We know this by the fact that God resurrected Him and exalted Him. Therefore, the resurrection and exaltation of Christ are strong signs both that God has chosen Him and that He is held in honor by God.
绊脚的石头，并跌人的磐石
A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE
8在彼前二章八节彼得继续说，『又是「绊脚的石头，并跌人的磐石。」他们既不信从，就在这话上绊跌，他们这样绊跌也是豫定的。』基督不但是被弃的石头，和被宝贵的石头；祂也是绊脚的石头，并跌人的磐石。可信靠的基督被人弃绝，就成了绊脚的石头，弃绝祂的犹太教徒正绊跌在其上。（太二一44上。）基督这石头有积极和消极两面的功用。对我们而言，祂是积极一面的房角石，但对不信的犹太人而言，祂是绊脚的石头，并跌人的磐石。
8In verse 8 Peter continues, “And, A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; who stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.” Christ is not only a rejected stone and a stone held in honor; He is also a stumbling stone and a rock of offense. The reliable Christ, being rejected, became a stumbling stone, at which the rejecting Judaizers stumbled (Matt. 21:44a). As the stone, Christ functions in both a positive way and a negative way. For us, He is the cornerstone positively, but for the unbelieving Jews, He is a stumbling stone and a rock of offense
在这话上绊跌的人
THOSE WHO STUMBLE AT THE WORD
9在彼前二章八节彼得说到，『他们既不信从，就在这话上绊跌，他们这样绊跌也是豫定的。』『他们』指谁？在彼得的思想里，『在这话上绊跌』的人，可能指任何人或每个绊跌的人。我们若在这话上绊跌，那么这个『他们』就包括我们。这辞指历代以来在这话上绊跌的人。现在我们需要问，人在其上绊跌的话是甚么。这当然不是在二章二节所题含有纯净之奶的话。反之，这是彼得在六至八节所引用的话，就是关于蒙拣选的石头，安放在锡安、被看为尊贵的房角石的话。这也指关于匠人所弃，成了房角头块石头的话。（7。）不但如此，这也包括八节关于这石头是绊脚的石头，并跌人的磐石的话。人可能在其上绊跌的，就是这话。因著今天主恢复里的气氛，我们很容易相信这样的话。但在主耶稣和使徒们的时代，犹太人不肯相信这话。他们的态度是拿撒勒的耶稣不可能成为房角的头块石头。犹太首领和拉比不相信这话，反倒辩驳。无论谁不信这话，就会在其上绊跌。
9In verse 8 Peter speaks of those “who stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.” What is the antecedent of the relative pronoun “who”? Actually, there is not a clear antecedent expressed. However, we may say that the antecedent is implied. Peter’s thought may be that “who stumble at the word” may refer to anyone or to everyone who stumbles. If we stumble at the word, then this “who” includes us. It refers to anyone throughout the generations who stumbles at the word. Now we need to ask what is the word at which people may stumble. It certainly is not the word with the guileless milk mentioned in 2:2. On the contrary, it is the word quoted by Peter in verses 6 through 8, the word regarding a chosen stone, a cornerstone held in honor, being laid in Zion. It also refers to the word concerning the stone rejected by the builders that becomes the head of the corner (v. 7). Furthermore, it includes the word in verse 8 about this stone being a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. This is the word at which people may stumble. Because of the atmosphere in the Lord’s recovery today, it is easy for us to believe in such a word. But the Jews at the time of the Lord Jesus and the apostles would not believe in it. Their attitude was that it was impossible for Jesus of Nazareth ever to be the head of the corner. Instead of believing in this word, the Jewish leaders and the rabbis argued against it. Whoever does not believe this word will stumble at it.
10我们不该以为基督徒不可能在这话上绊跌。许多在这话上绊跌的人是基督徒。他们不信主耶稣会这样严厉或率直。有时候我们和一些信徒说到基督是建造的石头，和绊脚的石头这件事。他们回答说，『不，主耶稣满了怜悯，祂绝不会是绊脚的石头，或跌人的磐石。主有宽广的心；祂不像你这样狭窄。你们以为只有你们是对的。你们狭窄，主耶稣却不狭窄。』然而，我们若太宽广，就不会信这话。我们不会相信基督一面是建造的石头，另一面也是绊脚的石头。不只犹太首领在这话上绊跌，许多基督徒在这严厉的话上也绊跌了。你曾想过基督会特意成为跌人的磐石么？关于这点我们需要谨慎，并问自己信不信这话。我们若不信，就在这话上绊跌；那么，主自然会对我们成为绊脚的石头。我们在这样的话上绊跌，因为按我的意见，这话过于狭窄、严厉了。
10We should not think that it is impossible for Christians to stumble at the word. Many are the Christians who have stumbled at the word. They do not believe that the Lord Jesus can be so strict or straight. Sometimes we have spoken with certain believers regarding the matter of Christ being both the building stone and the stumbling stone. They have replied, “No, the Lord Jesus is merciful. He would never be a stone of stumbling or a rock of offense. The Lord has a broad heart; He is not narrow like you. You think that you are the only ones who are right. You are narrow, but the Lord Jesus is not narrow.” However, if we are too broad, we shall not believe this word. We shall not believe that, on the one hand, Christ is the building stone and that, on the other hand, He is also the stumbling stone. Many Christians have stumbled at this strict word. The Jewish leaders have not been the only ones who have stumbled at it. Have you ever thought that Christ could purposely be a rock of offense? We need to be careful concerning this and ask ourselves if we believe this word. If we do not believe it, then we stumble at this word. Then automatically the Lord will become a stumbling block to us. We stumble at such a word because, in our opinion, it is too narrow and strict
磨碾的石头
A GRINDING STONE
11我们不该因著彼得在二章六至八节的写法，就认为他太严厉。事实上，主耶稣是头一个说这样严厉话的人。在马太二十一章四十二节他问宗教首领：『「匠人所弃的石头，已成了房角的头块石头；这是主所作的，在我们眼中看为希奇。」你们在经上从来没有念过么？』然后在四十四节祂接著说，『那跌在这石头上的，必要跌碎；这石头掉在谁身上，就要把谁砸得粉碎，簸散如糠秕。』『那跌在这石头上的，』指因基督而绊跌的人。『这石头掉在谁身上，』指基督回来的时候所要砸碎地上的列国。这里我们看见，主耶稣说到祂自己作为石头的另一方面。祂不仅是建造的石头，和绊脚的石头，也是磨碾的石头，压碎的石头。祂是磨碾的石头，要将反对者压得粉碎。祂这方面在但以理二章三十四至三十五节题到。这两节启示主耶稣回来时，要将反对的列国压得粉碎。
11We should not regard Peter as being too strict because of the way he wrote in 2:6-8. Actually, the Lord Jesus was the first to utter such a strict word. In Matthew 21:42 He asked the religious leaders, “Have you never read in the Scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, this has become the cornerstone; this was from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” Then in verse 44 He went on to say, “And he who falls on this stone shall be broken to pieces, but on whomever it falls, it shall scatter him as chaff.” “He who falls on this stone” refers to the person who stumbles at Christ. “On whomever it falls” refers to the nations which Christ will smite at His coming back. Here we see that the Lord Jesus speaks of another aspect of Himself as the stone. He is not only the building stone and the stumbling stone; He is also the grinding stone, the crushing stone. As the grinding stone, He will crush the opposers into powder. This aspect of Him is mentioned in Daniel 2:34-35. These verses reveal that when the Lord Jesus comes back, He will crush all the opposing nations into powder
12在这话上绊跌的结果彼得在彼前二章八节说，在这话上绊跌的人是不信从的，而这个不信从『也是豫定的』。这指犹太人不信从以致绊跌。
12THE RESULT OF STUMBLING AT THE WORD Peter says in verse 8 that those who stumble at the word are disobedient and that this being disobedient is something “to which also they were appointed.” This refers to the Jews’ disobedience with the result of stumbling
13在这话上绊跌的人，被神豫定不信从；不信从是他们的分。若有人不信圣经所说的基督，他就因祂绊跌。那个不信和绊跌的结果自然就是背叛。这就是不信从。因此，不信从成为那人豫定的分。事实上，这是合逻辑的。任何不相信这话的人就会在其上绊跌，然后收他所撒下之种子的果子、庄稼。他撒下不信，就收不信从作豫定给他的结果。只要我们有不信，就会收不信从，这是基本、管治的属灵原则。你若有不信，就会收背叛。这就是说，你将是背叛的。这不仅对犹太人是真的，对基督徒，包括在主恢复里的基督徒，也是真的。在中国和美国我都看过，不信从和背叛是不相信这话并在其上绊跌之人豫定的分。没有基督徒会在主恩典的话上绊跌。有人也许听见，主是怜悯人、恩待人的，祂满了恩慈，降雨给义人，也给不义的人。没有人会在这样恩典的话上绊跌。然而，圣经也有严厉的话。建造的石头，房角的头块石头，也是绊脚的石头，并跌人的磐石。松散、随便的人也许不信这样的话。反之，他们也许说，『不，基督不是那样狭窄。只要我相信主耶稣，关于召会我可以走我所选择的路。为甚么我必须在恢复里？主耶稣不像你这样狭窄。』至终，不信主严厉的话并在其上绊跌的结果，将是不信从、背叛。现今最反对的人就是这些背叛的人。他们这样乃是豫定的。我们需要看见，有一个原则在管治这事。原则是我们若有这样的不信，就会收不信从的庄稼，而那个不信从就是背叛。我们读彼前二章四至八节时，也许以为彼得不需要包括六至八节。至少，我们会认为七至八节是不需要的。按我们的意见，单单四节也许就彀了。就神的建造而论，四节也许就彀了。但彼得在六至八节乃是接著陈明基督这石头一幅完全的图画。
13Those who stumble at the word have been appointed by God to disobedience. Disobedience is their portion. If someone does not believe what the Bible says concerning Christ, he stumbles at Him. Spontaneously the result of that unbelief and stumbling will be rebellion. This is disobedience. Hence, disobedience becomes the appointed portion of that one. Actually, this is logical. Anyone who does not believe in the word will stumble at it and then reap the fruit, the harvest, of what he has sown. He sows unbelief, and he reaps disobedience as the result appointed to him. It is a basic, governing spiritual principle that as long as we have unbelief, we shall reap disobedience. If you have unbelief, you will reap rebellion. This means that you will be rebellious. This is true not only of the Jews, but also of Christians, including those in the recovery. Both in China and in this country I have seen disobedience and rebellion come as the appointed portion to those who do not believe in the word and who stumble at it. No Christian would stumble at the Lord’s gracious word. Someone may hear that the Lord is merciful, gracious, full of kindness, sending the rain upon the just and on the unjust. No one would stumble at such a gracious word. The Bible, however, also has a strict word. The building stone, the head of the corner, is also a stumbling stone and a rock of offense. Those who are loose and careless may not believe such a word. Instead, they may say, “No, Christ is not that narrow. As long as I believe in the Lord Jesus, I can take whatever way I choose concerning the church. Why do I have to be in the recovery? The Lord Jesus is not narrow like you.” Eventually, the result of not believing the Lord’s strict word and stumbling at it will be disobedience, rebellion. The ones who now oppose the most are these rebellious ones. They have been appointed to this. We need to see that there is a principle governing this matter. The principle is that if we have this kind of unbelief, we shall reap the harvest of disobedience, and that disobedience is rebellion. As we read 1 Peter 2:4-8, we may think that it was not necessary for Peter to include verses 6, 7, and 8. At least, we may regard verses 7 and 8 as unnecessary. In our opinion verse 4 alone may be adequate. As far as God’s building is concerned, verse 4 may be adequate. But Peter goes on in verses 6 through 8 to present a full picture of Christ as the stone.