彼得前书生命读经 · 第20篇

基督徒的生活及其苦难（二）

Christian Life and its Sufferings (2)

1读经：彼得前书二章二十一至二十三节。

1Scripture Reading: 1 Pet. 2:21-23

再论恩典

A FURTHER WORD CONCERNING GRACE

2彼前二章十三至二十节说到好几件与我们日常生活有关的事。将近这段末了，彼得在十九节说，『就是甜美的，』在二十节末了说，『乃是甜美的。』这两处的『甜美的』，直译是『恩典』。彼得在这些经文里用恩典这辞的方式，对译者乃是难处。若将原文直译，读者也许觉得难以领会彼得在说甚么。然而，在英文恢复本里我们采用了直译。十九节说，『人若因著对神的感觉而忍受忧愁，受冤屈之苦，就是恩典。』（直译。）有些译者以为，若在译文里用恩典这辞，一般读本节的人不能领会其意义，就用『可蒙悦纳的』这辞。有些译本用『感谢』这辞。然而，这样的繙译按原文并不准确，也不能满足灵中内里的感觉。所以，这些译文没有『打中要害』。这是我们在英文恢复本里决定将恩典一辞直译的原因。我们既有了这些经文正确的繙译，我们要如何来领会？尤其我们要如何解释彼得所说的恩典？我能见证，我发觉要写十九节的注解非常困难。我想要说些话，但我起初没有甚么可说。至终，光从主来了，我看见这里的恩典是指神圣生命在我们里面的推动，以及在我们生活中的彰显，使我们的行事为人，在人与神眼中，都是甜美、可蒙悦纳的。（20。）在我们生活中的恩典是甚么？恩典是我们重生时所接受神圣生命在里面的推动，以及这生命在外面的彰显。然后这推动和彰显，使我们的行事为人成为甜美、可蒙悦纳的。别人亲眼看见这点也许就说，这就是在我们生活中的恩典。一天过一天，我们应当给别人一个印象，就是恩典与我们同在。这就是说，他们应当能在我们的日常生活中看见恩典。

2In 2:13-20 we have several matters related to our daily life. Toward the end of this portion Peter says in verse 19, “This is grace,” and at the end of verse 20, “This is grace with God.” The way Peter uses the word grace in these verses has been a problem to translators. If the Greek word is translated literally, the reader may find it difficult to understand what Peter is saying. Nevertheless, in the Recovery Version we adopt a literal translation. Verse 19 says, “For this is grace, if anyone because of conscience toward God bears sorrows, suffering unjustly.” Thinking that the common reader of this verse would not be able to understand the meaning if the word grace were used in the translation, some translators have used the word “acceptable.” Certain versions use the word “thankful.” However, neither of these translations is exact according to the Greek text. Furthermore, they do not satisfy the inner sense in the spirit. Therefore, these translations do not “strike home.” This was the reason we decided to make a literal translation in the Recovery Version. Hence, verse 19 says, “This is grace,” and verse 20 says, “This is grace with God.” Now that we have an accurate translation of these verses, how shall we understand them? In particular, how shall we interpret what Peter says about grace? I can testify that I found it very difficult to write the notes on verse 19. I wanted to say something, but at first I did not have anything to say. Eventually, the light came from the Lord, and I saw that grace here refers to the motivation of the divine life within us and its expression in our life becoming in our behavior something gracious and acceptable in the eyes of both man and God (v. 20). What is grace in our manner of life? It is the motivation of the divine life which we received at our regeneration inwardly and the expression of this life outwardly. Then this motivation and expression become gracious, acceptable, in our behavior. When others observe this, they may say that this is grace in our manner of life. Day by day we should give others the impression that grace is with us. This means that they should be able to see grace in our daily life

3我们常在处于艰难、困苦之圣徒的生活中看见恩典。例如，一位姊妹病了。每个人都关切她，因为她似乎要死了。然而，她躺在医院病床上，满了喜乐。这令医生、护士惊奇。这位姊妹能忍受别人无法忍受的苦难，并且她不怕死。在里面推动她的生命在外面得著彰显，甚至在她的疾病中得著彰显。这就是恩典。

3We have often seen grace in the lives of saints who have been in difficulty or hardship. For example, a sister becomes ill. Everyone is concerned for her because she seems to be dying. However, as she lies in bed in the hospital, she is full of joy. This is surprising to the doctors and nurses. The sister is able to bear sufferings that others cannot bear, and she is not afraid of dying. The life that motivates her inwardly is expressed outwardly, even in the midst of her illness. This is grace.

4我们也见过恩典这样彰显在葬礼中。一位姊妹失去了丈夫；但甚至在葬礼的时候，她的脸就在发光。用彼得的话描述这位姊妹的经历，我们会再说，『这乃是恩典。』恩典是神圣的生命作我们的享受。首先，恩典是里面的推动；然后恩典在我们的生活中得著外面的彰显。里面的推动和外面的彰显都成为甜美的，也是可蒙悦纳的。我信这是对彼得在二章十九、二十节所论恩典的正确领会。希伯来十二章二十八节说，『就当接受恩典。』接受恩典就是得著恩典，取用恩典，并应用恩典。恩典来了，现今与我们同在。这恩典是甚么？恩典就是经过过程的三一神，作为包罗万有、赐生命、内住的灵，在我们里面。在所有的环境和情况中，我们都

4We have also seen grace expressed in this way at a funeral. A certain sister has lost her husband. But even at the time of the funeral, her face is glowing. Using Peter’sword to describe this sister’s experience, we would again say, “This is grace.” Grace is the divine life for our enjoyment. First, grace is an inward motivation; then it finds an outward expression in our living. Both the inward motivation and outward expression become something sweet, gracious, and also acceptable. I believe that this is the correct understanding of Peter’sword regarding grace in 2:19 and 20. Hebrews 12:28 says, “Let us have grace.” To have grace is to possess grace, take grace, and apply grace. Grace has come and is now with us. What is this grace? Grace is the processed Triune God as the all-inclusive, life-giving, indwelling Spirit in us. In all circumstances and situations we should take grace and apply it

5该取用恩典，并应用恩典。

6我们都需要学习如何接受恩典，就是如何运用恩典。我们若这样作，有个美妙、绝佳、并愉快的东西就会从里面推动我们。然后我们就能承担事情，忍受事情，并作别人所不能作的事情。在我们里面的这个推动，自然而然会产生一种结果，就是在我们身上有某种彰显。这推动和彰显就是三一神给我们经历，并由我们活出。对别人而言，这是甜美、可蒙悦纳、并值得感谢的。我珍赏彼得在彼前二章十九至二十节论到恩典所说的。保罗论到恩典有许多可说的，但他从未写过像十九至二十节这里的话。这里彼得的话是独特的。如我们所看过的，这些经文里说到的恩典，实际上就是经过过程的三一神，现今祂是包罗万有、赐生命、内住的灵，给我们经历并享受。祂在里面推动我们，在外面是我们身上的彰显。祂是这样的一位，成为甜美、可爱、可蒙悦纳

6We all need to learn how to have grace, that is, how to use grace. If we do this, something wonderful, excellent, and pleasant will motivate us from within. Then we shall be able to bear things, forbear things, and do things that others cannot. Spontaneously, as the result of the motivation within us, there will be a certain expression upon us. This motivation and expression is the Triune God experienced by us and lived out by us. To others, this is something sweet, gracious, acceptable, and worthy of thanksgiving. I appreciate what Peter says concerning grace in verses 19 and 20. Paul had much to say about grace, but he never wrote a word like we have in 2:19 and 20. Peter’sword here is unique. As we have seen, the grace spoken of in these verses is actually the processed Triune God, who is now the all-inclusive, life-giving, indwelling Spirit for our experience and enjoyment. Inwardly He motivates us, and outwardly He is the expression upon us. As such a One, He becomes sweet, lovely, gracious, and acceptable. This is grace. How great this is!

7的。这就是恩典。这是何等大的事！

7called to suffer unjustly

8蒙召为受冤屈之苦彼得基于他在十九至二十节所说的，接著在二十一节就说，『你们蒙召原是为此，因基督也为你们受过苦，给你们留下榜样，叫你们跟随祂的脚踪行。』

8Based upon what he says in verses 19 and 20, Peter goes on to say in verse 21, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered on your behalf, leaving you a model that you should follow in His steps.” Christ’s living on earth was a model of this grace

9基督在地上的生活是这恩典的榜样。

10二十一节开头说，『你们蒙召原是为此。』你曾想过你蒙召是为忍受冤屈之苦么？二十一节的『此』，指十九至二十节里所说的冤屈之苦，因行善受苦。我们听见我们蒙召是为国度和神的荣耀，会很喜乐。这些都是美妙的事。但可能我们很少人，无论年轻或年长的，由二十一节领悟，我们蒙召是为忍受冤屈的对待。如上下文所指明的，接受本书信的一些信徒，蒙召在乖僻的主人之下忍受冤屈之苦。在十八节彼得说，『作家仆的，要在凡事上敬畏服从主人，不19但服从那良善和蔼的，就是那乖僻的也要服从。』然后在十九节彼得继续说，『人若因著对神的感觉而忍受忧愁，受冤屈之苦，就是甜美的。』如我们曾指出的，『因著对神的感觉』，也可译作『为著对神的良心』。对神的感觉，即与神关系的感觉。这感觉指明我们是活在与神亲密的交通中，向神存著并持守无亏、清洁的良心。（三16，提前一5，19，三9，提后一3。）我们里面深处，有一种在神面前的感觉，这感觉规律并引导我们。人若因20著这内里的感觉，忍受忧愁，受冤屈之苦，就是甜美的。彼前二章二十节与十九节在内容上非常类似：『你们若因犯罪挨拳打而忍耐，有甚么可夸耀的？但你们若因行善受苦而忍耐，

10Verse 21 opens with the words, “For to this you were called.” Have you ever thought that you were called to suffer unjustly? The word “this” in verse 21 refers to the unjust sufferings, the suffering for doing good, mentioned in verses 19 and 20. We would be happy to hear that we have been called to the kingdom and to God’s glory. These are marvelous things. But probably very few of us, whether young or old, have realized from verse 21 that we have been called to suffer unjust treatment. As the context indicates, some of the believers to whom this Epistle was written were called to suffer unjustly under crooked masters. In verse 18 Peter says, “The household servants, subject yourselves in all fear to your masters, not only to the good and forbearing, but also to the crooked.” Then in verse Peter continues, “For this is grace, if anyone because of conscience toward God bears sorrows, suffering unjustly.” As we have pointed out, conscience toward God means consciousness of God—the consciousness of our relation to God. This consciousness indicates that we are living in intimate fellowship with God and that we are keeping a conscience toward God that is good and also pure (3:16; 1 Tim. 1:5, 19; 3:9; 2 Tim. 1:3). Deep within us, there is a consciousness before God, and this consciousness regulates and guides us. If anyone bears sorrows, suffering unjustly, because of this inward consciousness, this is grace. Verse is very similar in content to verse 19: “For what credit is it if sinning and being buffeted you shall endure it? But if doing good and suffering you shall endure, this is grace with God.”

11这在神乃是甜美的。』

12现在我们看见，二十一节指明我们蒙召原是为此。我们已经蒙召在不公正的受苦中享受恩典并彰显神，如十八至二十节所描述的。这就是说，我们已经蒙召受苦，使我们在其中享受神作恩典并彰显祂。无论环境如何，神是我们的恩典，我们内里的享受。这位神是我们的恩典。这享受推动我们，然后成为我们外面的彰显，这彰显是别人看得见的。那些亲眼看见这恩典从我们里面彰显出来的人，就能在我们的脸上，我们的态度上，或我们周围的气氛里，看见吸引人的东西。他们会觉得，他们看见所彰显出来的，是令人喜悦的、可蒙悦纳的。

12Now we see that verse 21 indicates that we have been called to this. We have been called to enjoy grace and to express God, as described in verses 19 and 20. This means that we have been called to suffering so that in it we may have the enjoyment of God as grace and express Him. Whatever the circumstances may be, God is our grace, our inner enjoyment. This God is our grace. This enjoyment motivates us and then becomes our outward expression, an expression visible to others. Those who observe this grace expressed from within us will be able to see something attractive on our face, in our attitude, or in the atmosphere around us. They will feel that what they see expressed is pleasant and acceptable. As we have pointed out again and again, this is grace.

SPIRITUAL XEROXING

13正如我们所一再指出的，这就是恩典。

14属灵的影印二十一节清楚的说，我们蒙召是为受冤屈之苦，因基督为我们受过苦，给我们留下榜样，叫我们跟随祂的脚踪行。事实上，我不喜欢『榜样』这辞，因为其意思被一般的使用破坏了。这辞原文字面的意思是一种给学生临摹习字的字帖，范本。古时候，老师会在书写材料上写字，那些字就成了范本；然后将另一书写材料放在范本上，让孩子们藉著临摹范本的字而练习写字。『榜样』的原文是指这种教写字所用的范本。主耶稣已把祂受苦的生活摆在我们面前，作我们临摹的范本，叫我们跟随祂的脚踪行。这不是指仅仅效法祂和祂的生活，乃是指我们要在受苦时享受祂作恩典，好使祂自己这内住的灵，带著祂生命一切的丰富，在我们里面繁殖（复制）祂自己，使我们成为祂的复制品。我们乃

14Verse 21 clearly says that we have been called to suffer unjustly because Christ suffered on our behalf and left us a model so that we should follow in His steps. Actually, I do not like the word “model,” because it has been spoiled by common usage. Literally, the Greek word means a writing-copy, an under-writing for students to use in tracing letters as they learn to draw them. In ancient times teachers would write letters on writing material, and those letters became a master copy. Another piece of writing material was put upon the master copy. Then the children would practice writing by tracing the letters from the master copy onto their copy. The Greek word for “model” is the word that denotes such a master copy used in the teaching of writing. The Lord Jesus has set His suffering life before us as an under-writing for us to copy by tracing and following His steps

是要成为祂这原字帖的复本，而不仅是

15效法祂，以祂作我们外面的榜样。影印本的制作，可用来说明彼得所说基督是我们的榜样，是甚么意思。一九七三年，我释放了一篇信息说到这事，题目是『属灵的影印』。四福音里所启示基督的生活，是在这属灵的影印中所用的原版。影印必须先有原版。从这原版所制作的影印本是复制品，不是倣造品。我们从经历知道，想要效法基督并不管用。我们不能效法祂。我们所需要的不是效法，乃是复制。效法与复制之间有很大的不同。我听过影印过程如何运作的解说。首先需要有合式的光将原版曝光。然后需要有一种特殊的墨。除此以外，需要有热滚筒和在其上制作复本的纸张。当然，这纸张必须是干净的。然后这干净的纸张在光下向原版曝光。藉著光、热、与合式的墨，无论原版是甚么，都会复制到纸上。结果产生的是复制品，而不

15The making of xerox copies may be used to illustrate what Peter means by Christ being a model for us. In 197 3 I gave a message on this entitled “Spiritual Xeroxing.” Christ’s living revealed in the four Gospels is the master copy used in this spiritual xeroxing. For xeroxing, we must first have a copy. The xeroxed copy made from this original is a reproduction, not an imitation. We know from experience that trying to imitate Christ does not work. We are not able to imitate Him. What we need is not imitation but reproduction. There is a great difference between imitation and reproduction. I have heard an explanation of how the xeroxing process operates. First there is the need of a proper light to expose the original copy. Then there is the need of a special kind of ink, called toner. Besides this, there is the need of a heat roller and the paper upon which to make the copy. This paper, of course, must be clean. Then this clean paper is exposed under the light to the copy. Through the light, the heat, and the proper ink, whatever the copy is will be reproduced onto the paper. The result is reproduction, not imitation.

16是倣造品。

17在属灵影印的过程中，基督的灵是光，神圣生命的丰富是上墨的本质。我们是原版的复制品要在其上制作的纸张。这纸张必须放在圣灵的光下，也必须经过上墨的本质，好使原版─基督自己─得以复制在其上。藉著这过程，我们至终成为原版的复制品，基督的复制品。我们已经指出，影印所用的纸张必须是干净的，其上不该有任何东西。譬如，我们绝不能在一张报纸上影印任何东西。你若想要在一张报纸上制作复制品，没有甚么会清楚的复制出来。所以，纸张必须干净，这是非常重要的。彼得在一章二十二节说到洁净自己的魂，就是指著这干净的『纸张』说的。彼得在一、二章所写的，有许多与为著

17In the process of spiritual xeroxing, the Spirit of Christ is the light, and the riches of the divine life are the inking substance. We are the paper on which the reproduction of the original is to be made. This paper must be put under the light of the Holy Spirit, and it must pass through the inking substance in order to have the original copy—Christ Himself— reproduced on it. Through this process we eventually become a reproduction of the original, a reproduction of Christ. We have pointed out that the paper used in xeroxing must be clean. It should not have anything on it. For instance, we could never get anything xeroxed on a piece of newspaper. If you try to make a reproduction onto a piece of newspaper, nothing will come out clear. It is very important, therefore, for the paper to be clean. Peter refers to this clean “paper” in 1:22, where he speaks about the purifying of our souls. Much of what Peter writes in chapters one and two is related to producing clean paper for spiritual xeroxing.

18属灵的影印产生干净的纸张有关。

19基督不仅仅是给我们在外面跟随的榜样。祂是范本，是属灵影印的原版，我们需要成为祂的复制品。这就是说，我们该藉著经历与属灵的光和神圣生命之丰富有关的过程，而成为基督的复本。这过程的结果，就是我们至终

19Christ is not merely a model for us to follow outwardly. He is a writing-copy, an original for spiritual xeroxing, and we need to become His reproduction. This means that we should become xerox copies of Christ by experiencing a process that involves spiritual light and the riches of the divine life. The result of this process is that we eventually become a reproduction of Christ

20成为基督的复制品。

20THE GRACE AND THE MODEL

21恩典与榜样彼得希腊文的造诣也许不是很深，但他在发表上却很丰富。首先他说，『这…乃是恩典。』（直译。）然后他告诉我们，基督给我们留下榜样。恩典与榜样息息相关。任何人亲眼看见三一神作为恩典从信徒里面彰显出来，并承认这是恩典，就指明这人成了基督这榜样的影印本。在冤屈之苦中彰显三一神作恩典，就是成为基督的复制品。因此，我们可以不说，『这是恩典，』而说，『这是基督的复制。』彰显经过过程之三一神作恩典的生活，不单是

21Peter may not have been learned in the Greek language, but he was rich in his expression. First he says, “This is grace.” Then he tells us that Christ has left us a model. The grace and the model are closely related. When anyone observes the expression of the Triune God as grace from within a believer and recognizes that this is grace, there is an indication that this one has become a xerox copy of Christ, the model. To express the Triune God as grace in the midst of unjust suffering is to become a reproduction of Christ. Therefore, instead of saying, “This is grace,” it is possible to say, “This is a reproduction of Christ.” The manner of life that expresses the processed Triune God as grace is not only grace—it is a reproduction of Christ

22恩典─这乃是基督的复制。

23二章十八至二十五节有五个重要的辞：恩典、榜样、救主、牧人和监督。基督是这恩典，基督也是榜样。不但如此，我们将会看见，基督是我们的救主、我们的牧人、和我们的监督。基督是彰显在我们日常生活中的恩典。基督是范本，是属灵影印所用的原版。我们相当容易领会基督是我们的救主、牧人和监督，却不容易领会基督如何能成为彰显在我们日常生活中的恩典，以及祂如何能成为范本。要领会基督是恩典和范本，我们需要经历。我们从经历知道，一天过一天，当我们活出基督时，我们就在属灵影印的过程之下。结果，别人就能在我们身上读到基督，

23In 2:21-25 there are five important words: grace, model, Savior, Shepherd, and Overseer. Christ is this grace, and Christ is also the model. Furthermore, as we shall see, Christ is our Savior, our Shepherd, and our Overseer. Christ is the grace expressed in our daily life. Christ is the writing-copy, the original used for spiritual xeroxing. It is rather easy for us to understand that Christ is our Savior, Shepherd, and Overseer. But is not as easy to understand how Christ can be the grace expressed in our daily life, and how He can be the writing- copy. To understand Christ as grace and the writing-copy, we need experience. From experience we know that as we are living out Christ day by day, we are under the process of spiritual xeroxing. As a result, others will be able to read Christ on us, for we shall become a letter of Christ

24因为我们会成为基督的信。

24REPRODUCTION, NOT IMITATION

25是复制，不是效法成为基督的影印本，与想要效法祂非常不同。举例来说明，人可以给猴子立下直立的榜样，猴子就模倣人站立。然后那人走路，猴子就模倣他用两脚走路。那人甩手臂，猴子也这样作。但模倣完后，那人离开，猴子就回复用四只脚走路。我曾看见猴子受训练坐在餐桌前，用刀叉吃饭。然而表演结束后，猴子就把刀叉丢掉，原形毕露。

25To become a xerox copy of Christ is very different from trying to imitate Him. To illustrate, a man may set up an example for a monkey to stand upright, and the monkey stands up, imitating the man. Then the man walks, and the monkey imitates him by walking on two feet. The man swings his arms, and so does the monkey. But after the imitation is finished, the man leaves, and the monkey goes back to walking on all fours. Once I saw a monkey who had been trained to sit at a table and eat with a knife and fork. However, after the act was over, the monkey threw away the knife and fork and reverted to his usual behavior

26至少在某种程度上，那些教导信徒效法基督的基督教教师，就像训练猴子模倣人的人。我已学知，想要效法基督根本不管用。在这些信息中，我不是鼓励你们效法主。反之，我乃是将你们指向基督的丰富和主的荣美。不但如此，属天的光和属灵的墨对我们都是便利的，我们都在经历属灵影印的过程。彼得在二十一节的思想很深。要珍赏这样一节经文的价值，我们需要经历。我们若没有基督徒充分的经历，就不会领会彼得所说的恩典，以及他所说

26At least to a certain extent, those Christian teachers who instruct believers to imitate Christ are like a man training a monkey to imitate a human being. I have learned that trying to imitate Christ simply does not work. In these messages I am not encouraging you to imitate the Lord. On the contrary, I am pointing you to the riches of Christ and the beauty of the Lord. Furthermore, both the heavenly light and the spiritual ink are available to us, and we are all undergoing the process of spiritual xeroxing. Peter’s thought in verse 21 is deep. In order to appreciate the worth of a verse such as this, we need experience. If we do not have adequate Christian experience, we shall not understand what Peter says concerning grace and concerning Christ as our model

27基督是我们的榜样。