910 英翻中 (610) FAITH is the greatest power in the world. 信心是世上最大的能力. 11/13/2024
Chapter ten FAITH :THE GREATEST POWER in the WORLD Hebrews 11 第十章 信心 — 世上最大的能力 希伯來書 11
”This
chapter introduces the final section of the epistle (Heb. 11—13), which I have
called “A Superior Principle—Faith.” The fact that Christ is a superior Person
(Heb. 1—6) and that He exercises a superior Priesthood (Heb. 7—10) ought to
encourage us to put our trust in Him. The readers of this epistle were being
tempted to go back into Judaism and put their faith in Moses. Their confidence
was in the visible things of this world, not the invisible realities of God.
Instead of going on to perfection (maturity), they were going “back to
perdition [waste]” (Heb. 6:1; 10:39).本章介紹了這封書信的最後一部分（希伯來書 11-13），我稱之為“最高的原則 — 信心”。 基督是優越的位格（希伯來書 1-6），並且祂行使優越的聖職（希伯來書 7-10）這些事實應該鼓勵我們信靠祂。這封信的讀者，被引誘要回到猶太教，並相信摩西。他們的信心是針對世上可見的事物，而不是針對看不可見的實存 --- 上帝。他們是以 “回到沉淪 ‘浪費’ ”（希伯來書 6:1；10:39）。
In Hebrews 11 all Christians are called to live by faith. In it, the writer discussed two important topics relating to faith. 在希伯來書 11 章，呼召所有基督徒都要憑信心而活。在其中，作者討論了與信心有關的兩個重要話題。
1. The Description of Faith (11:1–3) 1. 信心到底是什麼的描述（11:1-3）
This is not a definition of faith a description of what faith does and how it works. True Bible faith is not blind optimism or a manufactured “hope-so” feeling. Neither is it an intellectual assent to a doctrine. It is certainly not believing in spite of evidence! That would be superstition. 這不是對信心的定義，而是對信心的功用和運作方式的寫實。 聖經記載的真正信心，不是盲目樂觀，或人為製造的 “希望如此” 的情緒感覺。它也不是對教義的智力上的認同。儘管有證據，還是肯定它是不相信的！那將是迷信。
True Bible faith is confident obedience to God’s Word in spite of circumstances and consequences. Read that last sentence again and let it soak into your mind and heart. 聖經記載的真正信心，是不考慮環境和後果，確信並順服上帝的話。再讀一遍最後的一句話，讓它滲入你的心志和內心。
This faith operates quite simply. God speaks and we hear His Word. We trust His Word and act on it no matter what the circumstances are or what the consequences may be. The circumstances may be impossible, and the consequences frightening and unknown; but we obey God’s Word just the same and believe Him to do what is right and what is best. 該信心的運作非常簡單。上帝說話，我們聽祂的話。無論環境或後果如何，我們都相信祂的話，並照著行事為人。環境可能是不順心，後果可能是危險可怕和未知的；但我們依然順服上帝的旨意，相信祂會做正確的事和最美好的事。
The unsaved world does not understand true Bible faith, probably because it sees so little faith in action in the church today. The cynical editor H. L. Mencken defined faith as “illogical belief in the occurrence of the impossible.” The world fails to realize that faith is only as good as its object, and the object of our faith is God. Faith is not some “feeling” that we manufacture. It is our total response to what God has revealed in His Word. 未得救的世界不明白真正的聖經所說的信心，可能是因為他們在當今教會的行動中很少看到這樣的信心。憤世嫉俗的編輯者彭克( H. L. Mencken)，他定義信心為 “對不可能發生不合邏輯事的信念”。世人沒有意識到信心的好壞只能取決於所信的對象，而我們信心的對像是上帝。信心不是人製造的情緒上的 “感覺”。而是對上帝在祂的語中所啟示我們對祂的全部回應。
Three words in Hebrews 11:1–3 summarize what true Bible faith is: substance, evidence, and witness. The word translated “substance” means literally “to stand under, to support.” Faith is to a Christian what a foundation is to a house: it gives confidence and assurance that he will stand. So you might say, “Faith is the confidence of things hoped for.” When a believer has faith, it is God’s way of giving him confidence and assurance that what is promised will be experienced. 希伯來書 11章1-3節中的三個詞，概括聖經記載真正的信心是什麼：存在、證據和見證。翻譯為 “物質” 的詞的字面意思是 “站在下面，支持” 。 信心之於基督徒，就像地基之於房屋一樣：它給人信心和保證，他會站立得住。所以你可能會說：“信心是對所望之事的實底。” 當信徒有信心時，這是上帝給他信心和保證的方式，他會經歷所應許的。
The word evidence simply means “conviction.” This is the inward conviction from God that what He has promised, He will perform. The presence of God-given faith in one’s heart is conviction enough that He will keep His Word. 證據這個詞的意思是 “確信”。這是來自內心對上帝確信祂所應許的，都會成就。上帝賜予的信心存在於每個人的心中，足以讓他確信上帝會遵守祂應許的話語。
Witness (kjv, “obtained a good report”) is an important word in Hebrews 11. It occurs not only in verse 2, but twice in verse 4, once in verse 5, and once in verse 39. The summary in Hebrews 12:1 calls this list of men and women “so great a cloud of witnesses.” They are witnesses to us because God witnessed to them. In each example cited, God gave witness to that person’s faith. This witness was His divine approval on their lives and ministries. 見證（欽定版翻譯，“得了好消息”）是希伯來書11章的一個重要詞。它不僅出現在第2節，而且在第4節出現兩次，一次出現在第5節，一次出現在第39節。在希伯來書第12章 1節的總結：稱這些深具信心的人為 “如同雲彩圍繞著我們”。 他們是向我們作見證的人，因為上帝向他們作見證。在引用的每個例子中，上帝都見證那人的信心。這個見證是祂對他們的生活和職事的神聖認可
The writer of Hebrews made it clear that faith is a very practical thing (Heb. 11:3), in spite of what unbelievers say. Faith enables us to understand what God does. Faith enables us to see what others cannot see (note Heb. 11:7, 13, 27). As a result, faith enables us to do what others cannot do! People laughed at these great men and women when they stepped out by faith, but God was with them and enabled them to succeed to His glory. Dr. J. Oswald Sanders put it perfectly: “Faith enables the believing soul to treat the future as present and the invisible as seen.” 不管非信徒怎麼說，希伯來書的作者清楚地認定信心是實存在的事（希伯來書 11:3）。信心使我們能夠明白上帝的作為。信心使我們能夠看到別人看不見的實存在的事（注意，希伯來書 11:7、13、27）。因此，信心使我們能夠做別人做不到的事！當這些偉大的見證人，憑著信心走出去時，人會嘲笑他們，但上帝與他們同在，使他們能夠繼承祂的榮耀。歐司. 桑得( J. Oswald Sanders) 博士說得非常完美：“信心使有信心的靈魂能夠將未來的事視為確據，將不可見的事視為實存。”
The best way to grow in faith is to walk with the faithful. The remainder of this chapter is devoted to a summary of the lives and labors of great men and women of faith found in the Old Testament. In each instance, you will find the same elements of faith: (1) God spoke to them through His Word; (2) their inner selves were stirred in different ways; (3) they obeyed God; (4) He bore witness about them. 在信心上成長的最好方法是與忠實的見證人同行。 本章的其餘部分是對舊約中偉大的信心者的生活和職事的總結。在每種情況下，都會發現信心的相同要素：（1）上帝藉由祂的話對他們說話； (2) 他們的內心以不同的方式受感動； (3) 他們順服上帝； (4)祂為他們作証。
2. The Demonstration of Faith (11:4–40) 2. 信心的彰顯（11:4-40）
Abel—faith worshipping (v. 4). The background story is in Genesis 4:1–10. Abel was a righteous man because of faith (Matt. 23:35). God had revealed to Adam and his descendants the true way of worship, and Abel obeyed God by faith. In fact, his obedience cost him his life. Cain was not a child of God (1 John 3:12) because he did not have faith. He was religious but not righteous. Abel speaks to us today as the first martyr of the faith. 亞伯 — 憑著信心敬拜（第 4 節）。故事的背景是在創世記 4章1-10等節中。亞伯因信稱義（馬太福音 23:35）。上帝向亞當和他的後裔啟示了真正的敬拜方式，亞伯憑著信心順服上帝。事實上，他的順服使他付出了生命的代價。該隱不是上帝的孩子（約翰一書3:12），因為他不具備信心。他雖有宗教信仰，但並不是公義。亞伯是對今日信徒的我們作為信心首位殉道者說話。
Enoch—faith walking (vv. 5–6). Our faith in God grows as we fellowship with God. We must have both the desire to please Him and the diligence to seek Him. Prayer, meditating on the Word, worship, discipline—all of these help us in our walk with God. Enoch walked with God in the wicked world, before the flood came; he was able to keep his life pure. Enoch was taken to heaven one day (“translated” = “carried across”) and seen no more. Abel died a violent death, but Enoch never died. God has a different plan for each one who trusts Him. Some see in the translation of Enoch a picture of the rapture of the church when Jesus Christ returns (1 Thess. 4:13–18). 以諾 — 憑信心行事為人（5-6 節）。當與上帝相交時，我們對上帝的信心就會增長。我們必須既有取悅祂的渴望，也有勤奮尋求祂的心。禱告、默想上帝的話、敬拜、管教等都能幫助我們與主同行。在洪水來之前，以諾在邪惡的世界中與上帝同行；他能夠保持他的生活純潔。有一天，以諾被帶到天堂（“翻譯”=“攜帶”），再也沒有人看到。亞伯死於暴力，但以諾從未死過。上帝對每個信靠他的人都有不同的計劃。有些人在以諾的升天說明中，看到耶穌基督再來時教會被提升的畫面（帖撒羅尼迦前書 4:13-18）。
Noah—faith working (v. 7). Noah’s faith involved the whole person: his mind was warned of God; his heart was moved with fear; and his will acted on what God told him. Since nobody at that time had ever seen a flood (or perhaps even a rainstorm), Noah’s actions must have generated a great deal of interest and probably ridicule as well. Noah’s faith influenced his whole family and they were saved. It also condemned the whole world, for his faith revealed their unbelief. Events proved that Noah was right! Jesus used this experience to warn people to be ready for His return (Matt. 24:36–42). In Noah’s day, the people were involved in innocent everyday activities and completely ignored Noah’s witness (2 Peter 2:5). 挪亞 — 憑信心的作為（第 7 節）。挪亞的信心涉及整個人：他的心志受上帝的警告；他的心因畏懼而感動；他的意志按照上帝告訴他的去做。由於當時沒有人見過洪水（甚至可能連暴雨也未見過），挪亞的舉止一定引起了不信的人極大的興趣，可能也引起了他們的嘲笑。挪亞的信心影響了他的全家，他們都得救了。因為他的信心，顯示了他們的不信，還定了整個世界的罪。事實證明挪亞是對的！耶穌用這次經歷警告人要為他的再來做好準備（馬太福音 24:36-42）。在挪亞的日子，人仍參與無罪的日常活動，完全忽視挪亞的見證（彼得後書 2：5）。
The patriarchs—faith waiting (vv. 8–22). The emphasis in this section is on the promise of God and His plans for the nation of Israel (Heb. 11:9, 11, 13, 17). The nation began with the call of Abraham. God promised Abraham and Sarah a son, but they had to wait twenty-five years for the fulfillment of the promise. Their son Isaac became the father of Jacob and Esau, and it was Jacob who really built the nation through the birth of his twelve sons. Joseph saved the nation in the land of Egypt, and Moses would later deliver them from Egypt. 先祖 — 憑信心等候（8-22 等節）。這部分的重點是上帝的應許和祂對以色列國的計劃（希伯來書 11:9, 11, 13, 17）。以色列國開始於上帝對亞伯拉罕的呼召。上帝應許亞伯拉罕和撒拉一個兒子，但他們必須等待二十五年才能應驗。他們的兒子以撒成為雅各和以掃的父親，是雅各藉由他的十二個兒子的出生，真正的建立以色列國。是約瑟在埃及地拯救這國家，摩西後來將他們從埃及拯救出來。
Waiting is, for me, one of the most difficult disciplines of life. Yet true faith is able to wait for the fulfillment of God’s purposes in God’s time. But, while we are waiting, we must also be obeying. “By faith Abraham … obeyed” (Heb. 11:8). He obeyed when he did not know where he was going (Heb. 11:8–10). He lived in tents because he was a stranger and pilgrim in the world and had to be ready to move whenever God spoke. Christians today are also strangers and pilgrims (1 Peter 1:1; 2:11). Abraham had his eyes on the heavenly city and lived “in the future tense.” 對我來說， “等待” 是生活中最艱難的操練之一。然而，真正的信心能夠在上帝的時間裡，等待祂的旨意應驗。但是，在等待的同時，我們也必須順服。 “亞伯拉罕因著信……就順從了”（希伯來書 11:8）。當他還不知道自己要往哪裡去時，他就順服了上帝（希伯來書 11:8-10）。他住帳篷，因為他是世上的寄居和旅客，並且必須隨時準備好在上帝的旨意下隨時移動。今天的基督徒也同樣是世上的寄居和旅客（彼得前書 1:1；2:11）。亞伯拉罕注視著天上的城，並且生活在“將來時制(future tense)”中。
He also obeyed when he did not know how God’s will would be accomplished (Heb. 11:11–12). Both Abraham and Sarah were too old to have children. Yet they both believed that God would do the miracle (Rom. 4:13–25). Unbelief asks, “How can this be?” (Luke 1:18–20). Faith asks, “How shall this be?” (Luke 1:34–37). 當他不知道上帝的旨意將如何實現時，他也順從了（希伯來書 11:11-12）。亞伯拉罕和撒拉都太老了，不能生育。然而他們都相信上帝會行這神蹟（羅馬書 4:13-25）。不信問道：“這怎麼可能？” （路加福音 1：18-20）。信心問：“這事如何發生？” （路加福音 1：34-37）。
Abraham
believed and obeyed God when he did not know when God would fulfill His
promises (Heb. 11:13–16). None of the patriarchs saw the complete fulfillment
of God’s promises, but they saw from “afar off” what God was doing. Dr. George
Morrison, a great Scottish preacher, once said, “The important thing is not
what we live in, but what we look for.” These men and women of faith lived in
tents, but they knew a heavenly city awaited them. God always fulfills His
promises to His believing people, either immediately or ultimately. 當亞伯拉罕不知道上帝何時會實現祂的應許時，他相信並順服了祂（希伯來書 11:13-16）。沒有任何先祖看到上帝的應許他的神跡完全實現，但他們從“遠處”看到了上帝的作為。偉大的蘇格蘭傳教士喬治 ·莫里森(George Morrison)博士曾經說過：“重要的事不是我們住在什麼地方，而是我們在尋找什麼。”這些有信心的先祖住在帳篷裡，但他們知道天上的城在等著他們。上帝總是立即或最終實現祂對相信祂的子民的應許。
Finally, Abraham obeyed God by faith when he did not know why God was so working (Heb. 11:17–19). Why would God want Abraham to sacrifice his son when it was the Lord who gave him that son? All of a future nation’s promises were wrapped up in Isaac. The tests of faith become more difficult as we walk with God, yet the rewards are more wonderful! And we must not ignore the obedient faith of Isaac. 最後，當亞伯拉罕不知道上帝為什麼要如此作為時，他憑著信心順服了祂（來 11:17-19）。為什麼上帝要亞伯拉罕獻上他的兒子以撒，而這是上帝賜給他的兒子呢？ 未來上帝對以色列國的所有應許都一一在以撒身上應驗。當我們與上帝同行時，信心的考驗會變得更難，但獎賞卻更美！ 我們絕不能忽視以撒順服的信心。
In Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, we have four generations of faith. These men sometimes failed, but basically they were men of faith. They were not perfect, but they were devoted to God and trusted His Word. Isaac passed the promises and the blessings along to Jacob (Gen. 27), and Jacob shared them with his twelve sons (Gen. 48—49). Jacob was a pilgrim, for even as he was dying he leaned on his pilgrim staff. 在亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各和約瑟身上，我們有四代先祖的信心。這些人有時會失敗，但基本上他們是有信心的人。他們並不完美，但他們委身於上帝，並相信祂的話語。以撒傳應許和祝福給雅各（創世記 27章），雅各與他的十二個兒子分享（創世記 48-49）。雅各是世上的旅客，因為即使在他快要死的時候，他仍然依靠著他作旅客的杖。
The faith of Joseph was certainly remarkable. After the way his family treated him, you would think he would have abandoned his faith, but instead, it grew stronger. Even the ungodly influence of Egypt did not weaken his trust in God. Joseph did not use his family, his job, or his circumstances as an excuse for unbelief. Joseph knew what he believed—that God would one day deliver his people from Egypt (Gen. 50:24–26). Joseph also knew where he belonged—in Canaan, not in Egypt, so he made them promise to carry his remains out of Egypt at the exodus. They did (see Ex. 13:19 and Josh. 24:32)! 約瑟的信心無疑是最美的。在他的兄弟如此的殘酷對待他之後，你可能會認為他會放棄他的信心，但他的信心反而變得有力，更強大。即使是埃及不信上帝的惡劣影響，也沒有減弱他對上帝的信心。約瑟並沒有利用他的家庭、他的工作，或他的環境作為不信的藉口。約瑟知道他相信的是什麼 --- 確信上帝總有一天會把他的子民從埃及拯救出來（創世記 50:24-26）。約瑟也知道他屬於哪裡 --- 是迦南，而不是埃及，所以他要求他的家人承諾，在出埃及時，將他的遺體運出埃及。他們做到了（見 出埃及記 13:19， 和約書亞記 24:32）！
We have to admire the faith of the patriarchs. They did not have a complete Bible, and yet their faith was strong. They handed God’s promises down from one generation to another. In spite of their failures and testings, these men and women believed God and He bore witness to their faith. How much more faith you and I should have! 我們必須佩服先祖的信心。在那時，他們沒有完整的聖經，但他們的信心却很堅定。他們將上帝的應許代代相傳。儘管有失敗和考驗，這些相信上帝的先祖，祂証實他們的信心。你我應該更加有多少的信心！
Moses—faith warring (vv. 23–29). Moses was fortunate to have believing parents. For them to hide their baby son from the authorities was certainly an act of faith. The account is given in Exodus 2:1–10. Moses’ parents were named Amram and Jochebed (Ex. 6:20). Though godly parents cannot pass on their faith as they do family traits, they can certainly create an atmosphere of faith at home and be examples to their children. A home should be the first school of faith for a child. 摩西 — 信心之父。憑信心全家共同與這世界交戰（23-29 節）。摩西很幸運有信靠上帝的父母。對他們來說，向當局隱瞞他們的小兒子的出生，顯然是信心大能的作為。出埃及記 2章1-10等節 寫出了這事實。摩西的父母名叫暗蘭和約基別（出埃及記 6:20）。雖然敬虔的父母不能像傳遞家庭的傳統那樣的傳遞信心，誠然，他們可以在家中製造信心的氣氛，並為孩子樹立榜樣。家庭應該是孩子的第一所信心學校。
Three great themes relating to faith are seen in the life of Moses. First, the refusal of faith (Heb. 11:24–25). As the adopted son of the Egyptian princess, Moses could have led an easy life in the palace. But his faith moved him to refuse that kind of life. He chose to identify with God’s suffering people. True faith causes a believer to hold the right values and make the right decisions. The phrase “pleasures of sin” does not refer only to lust and other gross sins. The phrase describes a way of life that we today would call “successful”—position, prestige, power, wealth, and freedom from problems. 在摩西的生平中，可以看到與信心有關的三大主題。首先，拒絕信仰埃及的假神（希伯來書 11:24-25）。作為埃及公主的養子，摩西本可以在宮殿裡過輕鬆的生活。但他的信心驅使他拒絕這樣的生活。他選擇信靠上帝受苦的百姓。真正的信心使信徒持有正確的價值觀，並做出正確的決定。 “以罪為樂”不僅僅指情慾和其他的大罪。它還描述了我們今天稱之為“成功”的生活標準 : 地位、聲望、權力、財富，和擺脫困境的自由。
Moses’ refusal of faith led to the reproach of faith (Heb. 11:26a). The mayor of a large American city moved into a dangerous and decayed housing project to demonstrate the problems and needs of the minorities. But she also kept her fashionable apartment and eventually moved out of the slum. We commend her for her courage, but we have to admire Moses even more. He left the palace and never went back to the old life! He identified with the Jewish slaves! Men and women of faith often have to bear reproach and suffering. The apostles suffered for their faith. Contemporary believers behind the Iron Curtain knew what it was to bear reproach. If reproach is an evidence of true faith, we wonder how much true faith there is in our own country today! 摩西對信仰的拒絕，導致他因信心受恥辱（希伯來書 11:26節前半段）。美國大城市的市長搬進危險而破爛的住房，以展示少數民族對往屋的問題和它的需求。但她仍保留了自己時髦的公寓，最終搬出了貧民窟。我們讚揚她的勇氣，但我們更要欽佩摩西。他離開了王宮，再也沒有回到從前的那種糜爛的生活！他對猶太奴隸認同！有信心的人常常不得不忍受責備和痛苦。使徒為他們的信心受苦。鐵幕背後的當代信徒，知道什麼是因信心受苦難。若受恥辱是真正信心的證據，我們懷疑今天在我們自己的國家有多少這麼的真正的信心！
Finally, there is the reward of faith (Heb. 11:26b–29). God always rewards true faith—if not immediately, at least ultimately. Over against “the treasures in Egypt” Moses saw the “recompense of the reward.” As Dr. Vance Havner said, “Moses chose the imperishable, saw the invisible, and did the impossible.” Moses’ faith enabled him to face Pharaoh unafraid, and to trust God to deal with the enemy. The endurance of Moses was not a natural gift, for by nature Moses was hesitant and retiring. This endurance and courage came as the reward of his faith. 最後，還有信心的獎賞（希伯來書 11:26節下半段 ，至29節）。上帝總是獎賞真正的信心，如果不是立即，至少是在最後。摩西在抑止“埃及的財寶”為萬能至上的意念，他看到了“賞賜的回報”。正如萬斯 · 哈夫納 (Vance Havner) 博士所說，“摩西選擇了不朽的，看到了不可見的，並做了不可能的。”摩西的信心使他能夠無懼面對法老，並相信上帝會對付敵人。摩西的忍耐不是天生的恩賜，因為摩西的本性是猶豫不決和軟弱的。這種忍耐和勇氣是對他信心的回報。
The faith of Moses was rewarded with deliverance for him and his people. (See Ex. 11—13 for the exciting Passover account.) Faith brings us out (Heb. 11:28), takes us through (Heb. 11:29), and brings us in (Heb. 11:30). When we trust God, we get what God can do, but when we trust ourselves, we get only what weak people can do. The experience of Moses is proof that true biblical faith means obeying God in spite of circumstances and in spite of consequences. 摩西的信心為他和他的百姓帶來了拯救。 （有關令人興奮的逾越節記述，請參閱 出埃及記 11-13。）信心帶我們出去（希伯來書11:28），帶我們過去（希伯來書11:29），然後帶我們進去（希伯來書 11:30）。當我們相信上帝時，我們得到了祂大能的回報；但當我們相信自己時，却只能得到軟弱的人所能做的事。摩西的經歷證明，真正在聖經上記載的信心，是不顧環境和後果地順服上帝。
If you and I had been writing this chapter, the next section would be Faith Wandering—but there is no mention of Israel’s failure and forty years of wasted time. Why? Because that was an experience of unbelief, not faith! The writer did use this experience in Hebrews 3 and 4 as an illustration of doubting the Word. But nowhere in Hebrews 11 will you find a record of any failure because of unbelief. Faith records only the victories. 若你和我重寫這一章，下一部分將是信心漂流，但沒有提到以色列的失敗和四十年的浪費時間。為什麼？ 因為那是不信的經歷，而與信心無關！作者確實在希伯來書第 3 章和第 4 章中使用了這種經歷，來說明對聖言的懷疑。但在希伯來書 11 章中，你找不到任何因不信而失敗的記錄。信心只記錄勝利。
Joshua and Rahab—faith winning (vv. 30–31). The account of the conquest of Jericho is found in Joshua 2—6. Joshua was Moses’ successor as leader of Israel, and he succeeded because he trusted the same God that Moses had trusted. God changes His work[1]men, but He does not change His principles of operation. He blesses faith and He judges unbelief. 約書亞和喇合 — 憑信心得勝（30-31 節）。約書亞記 2-6 等章記載征服耶利哥的事。約書亞是繼摩西作以色列領袖者，他的成功是因為信任摩西所相信的上帝。上帝改變他的工人，但祂不改變他的運作的原則。上帝祝福信心，祂審判不信。
From a human point of view, Jericho was an impossible city to conquer. However, Joshua’s first act of faith was not the defeat of the city, but the crossing of the Jordan River. By faith, the nation crossed the river just as the previous generation had crossed the Red Sea. This was a witness and a warning to the Canaanite nations that Israel was marching forward by the power of God. 從人的角度來看，耶利哥城是不可能征服的。然而因約書亞信心的首先作為不是攻城，而是渡過約旦河。憑著信心，這個民族就像上一代人過紅海一樣過河。這是對迦南列國的見證和警告，以色列正靠著上帝的大能向前邁進。
Rahab was a harlot, an unlikely person to put faith in the true God of Israel! She was saved by grace, because the other inhabitants of the city were marked out for death. God in His mercy and grace permitted Rahab to live. But she was saved by faith. What she knew about God is recorded in Joshua 2:8–14. She knew that Jehovah had delivered Israel from Egypt and that He had opened the Red Sea. But that was forty years before! She also knew God had defeated the other nations during Israel’s wilderness wanderings. “For the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath” (Josh. 2:11). That was her testimony of faith, and God honored it. 喇合是個妓女，不太可能相信以色列的真神上帝！她藉由恩典而得救，因為城裡的其他居民都註定死亡。上帝憑著祂的憐憫和恩典，允許喇合活著。但她因信得救。她對上帝的認識，記載在約書亞記 2章8-14等節中。她知道主已將以色列人從埃及拯救出來，並渡過紅海。但那是四十年前的事！ 她也知道上帝在以色列曠野流浪期間幫助以色列國擊敗其他國家。 “因為你的上帝，祂是上天下地的上帝”（約書亞記 2:11）。那是她對信心的見證，上帝尊重她。
She was saved unto good works. True faith must always show itself in good works (James 2:20–26). She protected the spies, put the cord in the window as directed (Josh. 2:15–21), apparently won her family to the true faith (Josh. 2:13; 6:25), and in every way obeyed the Lord. Not only was Rahab delivered from judgment, but she became a part of the nation of Israel. She married Salmon and gave birth to Boaz who was an ancestor of King David (Matt. 1:4–6). Imagine a pagan harlot becoming a part of the ancestry of Jesus Christ! That is what faith can do! 她得救後而行善。真正的信心必須始終表現在善行上（雅各書 2：20-26）。她保護了探子，按照探子的指示，她將繩子系在窗戶上（約書亞記 2:15-21），顯然使她的家人相信了真正的上帝（約書亞記 2:13；6:25），並且在各方面都順服主。喇合不僅脫離了審判，而且成為以色列國的國民。她嫁給了撒門(Salmon)，並生下大衛王的祖先波阿斯（馬太福音 1:4-6）。想像異教妓女成為耶穌基督的祖先！這就是信心的大能！
Rahab is certainly a rebuke to unsaved people who give excuses for not trusting Christ. “I don’t know very much about the Bible” is an excuse I often hear. Rahab knew very little spiritual truth, but she acted on what she did know. “I am too bad to be saved!” is another excuse. But Rahab was a condemned heathen harlot! Another excuse is “What will my family think?” Rahab’s first concern was saving her family, not opposing them. She stands as one of the great women of faith in the Bible. 誠然，喇合是對那些找藉口來不相信基督而的未得救之人的反彈。我經常聽到的藉口是，“我不太了解聖經”。 喇合對屬靈的真理知之甚少，但她按照自己所知道的行事。 另一個藉口是，“我太壞得不到拯救！”。 但喇合是一個被定罪的異教妓女！ 再提另一個藉口是，“我的家人會怎麼想？”喇合首先關心的是拯救她的家人，而不是反對他們。她是聖經中具有最偉大信心的女性。
Various heroes of faith (vv. 32–40). Faith can operate in the life of any person who will dare to listen to God’s Word and surrender to God’s will. What a variety of personalities we have here! Gideon was a frightened farmer whose faith did not grow strong right away (Judg. 6:11—7:25). Barak won a resounding victory over Sisera, but he needed Deborah the prophetess as his helper to assure him (see Judg. 4:1— 5:31). Both Gideon and Barak are encouragements to us who falter in our faith. 各類信心偉的榜樣（32-40 等節）。 信心可以使任何敢於聆聽上帝話語的，並順服祂旨意的人的生活中發揮祂的大能。 人的個性是多麼的多樣化！ 基甸是受驚的農夫，他的信心並沒有立即增強（士師記 6:11-7:25）。 巴拉(Barak)戰勝了西西拉(Sisera)，但他需要女先知底波拉(Deborah)作為他的助手來向他保證（見 士師記 4:1—5:31）。 基甸和巴拉都是對信心動搖的我們的鼓勵。
The story of Samson is familiar (Judg. 13—16). We would not call Samson a godly man, for he yielded to his fleshly appetites. He was a Nazarite, which meant he was dedicated to God and was never to cut his hair or partake of the fruit of the vine. (A Nazarite should not be confused with a Nazarene, a resident of Nazareth.) Samson did trust God to help and deliver him and, in the end, Samson was willing to give his life to defeat the enemy. However, we must not conclude that believers today can expect to lead double lives and still enjoy God’s blessing. 參孫的故事很熟悉（士師記 13-16）。我們不可能稱參孫為敬虔的人，因為他屈服於肉體的慾望。他是拿細耳人，這意味著他獻身給上帝，從不剪頭髮，或吃喝葡萄樹的果實所製成的酒。 （不應將拿細耳人與居在拿撒勒的居民混為一談。）參孫確實相信上帝會幫助並拯救他，最終，參孫願意為擊敗敵人而獻出生命。可是，我們必須不要論斷今天的信徒，可以期望他們過雙重生活，仍然可以享受上帝的祝福。
Jephthah’s story is fascinating (Judg. 11:1—12:7). It is unlikely that he sacrificed his only daughter as a burnt offering, for this was forbidden in Israel. Probably he dedicated her to the Lord on the basis of the “law of vows” (Lev. 27), dedicating her to perpetual virginity (Judg. 11:34–40). 耶弗他的故事引人入勝（士師記 11:1-12:7）。因為在以色列是禁止將人作為獻祭，他不太可能將他唯一的女兒獻為燔祭。可能他將他的女兒獻給主，是根據“誓言的律法”（利未記 27），使她永遠保持童貞（士師記 11:34-40）。
It is not possible for us to examine each example of faith, and even the writer of Hebrews stopped citing names after he mentioned David and Samuel, who were certainly great men of faith. There are examples in the Old Testament of men and women who won the victories referred to in Hebrews 11:33–35. David certainly subdued kingdoms and wrought righteousness. Daniel’s faith “stopped the mouths of lions” (Dan. 6), and the three Hebrew children overcame the power of the fiery furnace (Dan. 3:23–28). The women of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11:35 have their stories given in 1 Kings 17:17–24 and 2 Kings 4:18–37. 要檢查每個信心例子，對我們不太可能，甚至希伯來書的作者，在他提到大衛和撒母耳之後，也不再引用他們的名字，他們當然是信心的偉人。在舊約中有贏得希伯來書 11章33-35等節中，所提到得勝的例子。大衛誠然征服了列國並施行了公義。但以理的信心“止住了獅子的口”（但以理 6章），三個希伯來年輕人戰勝熾烈火爐的力量（但以理書 3：23-28）。希伯來書 11章35節中，提到的有信心的婦女，在列王紀上 17章17-24等節，和在列王紀下 4章18-37等節中，講述了她們的故事。
The transition in Hebrews 11:35 is important: not all men and women of faith experienced miraculous deliverance. Some were tortured and died! The word translated “others” in Hebrews 11:36 means “others of a different land.” These “others” had faith, but God did not see fit to deal with them in the same way he dealt with Moses, Gideon, and David. 在希伯來書 11章35節中的過渡期間很重要：並非凡具備偉大信心的偉人都經歷了奇蹟般的拯救。有的甚至於折磨致死！希伯來書 11 章 36 節中翻譯為“其他人”的意思是“他鄉的其他人”。這些“他鄉其他人”有信心，但上帝認為不應該像對待摩西、基甸和大衛那樣對待他們。
While making a hospital visit, I found a patient lying in bed weeping. “What’s the matter?” I asked. Her reply was to hand me a book that she had that day received in the mail. It was on “divine healing” and “the power of faith.” Some anonymous person had written on the flyleaf, “Read this book—it will give you faith to be healed.” The patient happened to be a dedicated Christian who trusted God even in the midst of suffering. But her anonymous correspondent thought that all people with faith should be delivered miraculously. 去醫院探望時，我發現一個病人躺在床上哭泣。我問，“怎麼了？”她的回答，是遞給我，她那天收到的一本書。它是關於“神醫”和“信心的大能”。有位匿名人士在活頁上寫道，“閱讀這本書，它會給你的病得醫治痊癒的信心。”病人碰巧是獻身的基督徒，即使在苦難中也相信上帝。但她的匿名通訊員認為，凡具備信心的人都應該奇蹟般地蒙受拯救。
I have personally experienced God’s miracle touch on my body when others were sure I would die. I know that God can heal. But I also know that God does not have to heal in order to prove that I have faith. The endurance of faith—chastening—12 (Exhortation: defying the Word—12:14–29) writer of Hebrews (11:36–38) recorded the fact that many unknown men and women of faith were not delivered from difficult circumstances, yet God honored their faith. In fact, it takes more faith to endure than it does to escape. Like the three Hebrew children, we should trust God and obey Him even if He does not deliver us (Dan. 3:16–18). 當人確定我會死時，親身經歷了上帝對我身體的奇蹟般的觸摸。我深知上帝能醫治。但也知道上帝不必為了證明我有信心而醫治。信心的堅忍 --- 管教(希伯來書12章。 ‘勸勉：違抗上帝的話12:14-29’ ）希伯來書的作者（希伯來書11:36-38）記載一件事實，即許多不知名的有信心的人，沒有脫離困境，然而上帝尊重他們的信心。事實上，忍受比逃避更需要信心。就像三個希伯來年輕人一樣，即使上帝沒有拯救我們，我們也應該相信並順服他（但以理 3:16-18）。
Man’s estimate of these heroes of faith was a low one, so men persecuted them, arrested them, tortured them, and in some cases, killed them. But God’s estimate is entirely different. He said that the world was not worthy of these people! The apostle Paul is a good illustration of this truth. Festus said that Paul was out of his mind (Acts 26:24). The Jews said Paul was not fit to live (Acts 22:22). Paul himself said he was treated like “the filth of the world … the off-scouring of all things” (1 Cor. 4:13). Yet Paul was God’s chosen vessel, probably the greatest Christian who ever lived! 人對這些信心偉人的評價很低，所以人會迫害他們，逮捕他們，折磨他們，有時甚至殺害他們。但上帝的評價則完全不同。祂說這個世界配不上這些人！使徒保羅的一生說明這真理。非斯都(Festus)說保羅瘋了（使徒行傳 26:24）。猶太人說保羅不配活著（使徒行傳 22:22）。保羅自己說他當作“世上的污穢……萬物的污穢”（哥林多前書 4:13）。然而保羅是上帝所揀選的器皿，可能是有史以來最偉大的基督徒！
Faith enables us to turn from the approval of the world and seek only the approval of God. If God is glorified by delivering His people, He will do it. If He sees fit to be glorified by not delivering His people, then He will do that. But we must never conclude that the absence of deliverance means a lack of faith on the part of God’s children. 信心使人能夠轉離世界對它的認可，而只尋求上帝的認可。如果上帝因拯救祂的子民而得榮耀，祂就會這樣做。如果祂認為不拯救祂的子民而得榮耀，那麼祂就會那樣做。但絕不能得出結論，沒有拯救我們就意味著上帝的兒女就缺乏信心。
Faith looks to the future, for that is where the greatest rewards are found. The people named in this chapter (and those unnamed) did not receive “the promises” (what was promised, Heb. 11:13) but they had God’s witness to their faith that one day they would be rewarded. God’s purpose involves Old Testament saints as well as New Testament saints! One day all of us shall share that heavenly city that true saints look for by faith. 信心著眼於未來，因為那就是信心的最大的回報。本章中提到的人（和那些未透露姓名的人）都沒有得到“應許”的應驗（所應許的，希伯來書 11:13），但他們有上帝的證明他們的信心，有一天他們會得到獎賞。上帝的目標既包括舊約聖徒，也包括新約聖徒！有一天，所有人都將分享真聖徒憑信心尋找的天上之城。
We today should give thanks for these saints of old, for they were faithful during difficult times, and yet we are the ones who have received the “better blessing.” They saw some of these blessings afar off (see John 8:56), but we enjoy them today through Jesus Christ. If the saints of old had not trusted God and obeyed His will, Israel would have perished and the Messiah would not have been born. 我們今天應該感謝這些古時的聖徒，因為他們在困難時期忠心耿耿，而我們卻得到了“更好的祝福”。他們遙遠地看到了這些祝福中的一些（見 約翰福音 8:56），但我們今天藉由耶穌基督享受它們。如果古代的聖徒不信靠上帝，並順從祂的旨意，以色列就會滅亡，彌賽亞就不會誕生。
Lord, increase our faith! 主啊，求祢增加我們的信心！
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