122 (約15章) Relationships and responsibilities 關係與責任 30/07/2025
CHAPTER FIFTEEN 第十五課 John 15:1–17 約翰福音15章 RELATIONSHIPS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 關係與責任
This is the seventh and last of the “I am” statements of Christ recorded in the gospel of John. However, Jesus did not stop with this image, but went on to use the picture of “the friend.” These two pictures of the believer—branches and friends—reveal both our privileges and our responsibilities. As branches, we have the privilege of sharing His life, and the responsibility of abiding. As friends, we have the privilege of knowing His will, and the responsibility of obeying. 這是約翰福音中記載的基督第七次也是最後一次「我是」的陳述。然而，耶穌並沒有止步於這個形象，而是繼續使用了「朋友」的比喻。信徒的這兩個比喻──枝子和朋友──揭示了我們的特權和責任。身為枝子，我們有特權分享祂的生命，也有責任遵守祂的旨意。身為朋友，我們有特權了解祂的旨意，也有責任順服祂的旨意。
Branches—We Must Abide (15:1–11) 枝子－我們必須遵守（15:1-11） The cultivation of vineyards was important to the life and economy of Israel. A golden vine adorned Herod’s temple. When our Lord used this image, He was not introducing something new; it was familiar to every Jew. There are four elements in this allegory that we must understand to benefit from His teaching. 葡萄園的耕種對以色列的生活和經濟至關重要。一棵金葡萄樹裝飾著希律的聖殿。當我們的主使用這個比喻時，祂並不是在介紹什麼新東西；這個寓言是每個猶太人都熟悉的。寓言中有四個要素，我們必須理解才能從祂的教導中受益。
The vine. There are actually three different vines found in Scripture. The past vine was the nation of Israel (see Ps. 80:8–19; Isa. 5:1–7; Jer. 2:21; Ezek. 19:10–14; Hos. 10:1). In an act of wonderful grace, God “transplanted” Israel into Canaan and gave the nation every possible benefit. “What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it?” God asked (Isa. 5:4). If ever a nation had everything it needed to succeed, it was Israel. 葡萄樹。聖經中其實有三種不同的葡萄樹。過去的葡萄樹是以色列國（參考詩篇 80:8-19；以賽亞書 5:1-7；耶利米書 2:21；以西結書 19:10-14；何西阿書 10:1）。上帝以奇妙的恩典，將以色列「移植」到迦南，並賜予這個國家一切可能的祝福。上帝問：「我為我的葡萄園所作的，還有什麼可以沒有作的呢？」（以賽亞書 5:4）。如果說有一個國家擁有建國成功所需的一切，那就是以色列。
But the vine produced wild grapes! Instead of prac ticing justice, it practiced oppression; instead of producing righteousness, it produced unrighteousness and cries of distress from the victims. God had to deal with the nation Israel and chasten it, but even that did not produce lasting results. When God’s own Son came to the vineyard, they cast Him out and killed Him (Matt. 21:33–46). 但是，這棵葡萄樹卻結出了野葡萄！它不實行公平，反而實行壓迫；不產生公義，反而產生不義，以及受害者痛苦的哭喊。上帝必須處理以色列國, 並管教這國，但即使這樣也沒有產生持久的效果。當上帝的兒子來到葡萄園時，他們把祂趕出去並殺了祂（馬太福音 21:33-46）。
There is also a future vine, “the vine of the earth” described in Revelation 14:14–20. This is the Gentile world system ripening for God’s judgment. Believers are branches in “the vine of heaven,” but the unsaved are branches in “the vine of the earth.” The unsaved depend on this world for their suste nance and satisfaction, while believers depend on Jesus Christ. The “vine of the earth” will be cut down and destroyed when Jesus Christ returns. 啟示錄14:14-20描述了未來的葡萄樹，「地上的葡萄樹」。這指的是外邦人的世界體系，正在成熟，等待上帝的審判。信徒是「天上的葡萄樹」的枝子，未得救的人是「地上的葡萄樹」的枝子。未得救的人依靠這個世界來維持生計和滿足，而信徒則依靠耶穌基督。當耶穌基督再來時，「地上的葡萄樹」將被砍倒燒毀。
The present Vine is our Lord Jesus Christ, and, of course, the vine includes the branches. He is the “true Vine,” that is, “the original of which all other vines are a copy.” As Christians, we do not live on substitutes! The symbolism of the Vine and branches is similar to that of the Head and the body: we have a living rela tionship to Christ and belong to Him. 現在的葡萄樹是我們的主耶穌基督，當然，葡萄樹也包括枝子。主是“真葡萄樹”，也就是說，“所有其他葡萄樹都是它的原型”。身為基督徒，我們不是靠替代品過活！葡萄樹和枝子的象徵意義與頭和身體的象徵意義相似：我們與基督有著活生生的關係，並且屬於祂。
When we lived in Chicago, we had a small grape arbor in our backyard, but what we cultivated was nothing like what is even today cultivated in the Holy Land. Ours was a very fragile plant and it was easy to break off a branch. The vines I saw in the Holy Land were large and strong, and it was next to impossible for anyone to break off a mature branch without injuring the vine itself. Our union with Christ is a living union, so we may bear fruit; a loving union, so that we may enjoy Him; and a lasting union, so that we need not be afraid. 我們住在芝加哥的時候，後院有個小葡萄架，但我們栽種的葡萄與如今聖地栽種的截然不同。我們栽種的葡萄非常脆弱，很容易折斷枝條。我在聖地看到的葡萄樹又大又粗壯，幾乎不可能折斷成熟的枝條而不傷到葡萄樹本身。我們與基督的聯合是活潑的聯合，使我們能結出果子；是充滿愛的聯合，使我們能以祂為樂；也是持久的聯合，使我們無須懼怕。
The branches. Of itself, a branch is weak and use less. It is good for either bearing or burning, but not for building (read Ezek. 15). The branch cannot produce its own life; it must draw that life from the vine. It is our communion with Christ through the Spirit that makes possible the bearing of the fruit. 枝子。枝子本身是軟弱的，用途不大。它可以用來結果子，也可以用來焚燒，但不能用來建造（讀以西結書15章）。枝子不能自己產生生命；它必須從葡萄樹上汲取生命。我們藉著聖靈與基督相交，才有可能結出果子。
Many of the images of Christ and the believer given in Scripture emphasize this important concept of union and communion: the body and its members (1 Cor. 12), the bride and the Bridegroom (Eph. 5:25–33), the sheep and the Shepherd (John 10). A member of the body cut off from the body would die. The marriage creates the union, but it takes daily love and devotion to maintain the communion. The shepherd brings the sheep into the flock, but the sheep must follow the shepherd in order to have protection and provision. 聖經中許多基督與信徒的圖像都強調了合一與共融這個重要概念：身體及其肢體（哥林多前書12章），新娘與新郎（以弗所書5:25-33章），羊與牧人（約翰福音10章）。身體上的肢體若脫離身體，就會死亡。婚姻締造了合一，但維繫這共融需要每日的愛與奉獻。牧羊人將羊帶入羊群，但羊必須跟隨牧人才能得到保護和供應。
The sooner we as believers discover that we are but branches, the better we will relate to the Lord, for we will know our own weakness and confess our need for His strength. The key word is abide; it is used eleven times in John 15:1–11 (“continue” in John 15:9 and “remain” in John 15:11). What does it mean to “abide”? It means to keep in fellowship with Christ so that His life can work in and through us to produce fruit. This certainly involves the Word of God and the confession of sin so that nothing hinders our communion with Him (John 15:3). It also involves obeying Him because we love Him (John 15:9–10). 身為信徒，就越早發現自己不過是枝子，就越能與主建立更好的關係，因為我們會認識到自己的軟弱，並承認我們需要祂的力量。關鍵字是「住在」；「住在」一詞在約翰福音15:1-11中使用了十一次（「常在」在約翰福音15:9，「常在」在約翰福音15:11）。 「住在」是什麼意思？意思是與基督保持相交，使祂的生命能在我們裡面、透過我們運行，結出果子。這當然包括認識祂的話語和向祂認罪，這樣就沒有任何事物阻礙我們與祂的交通（約翰福音15:3）。這也包括順服祂，因為我們愛祂（約翰福音15:9-10）。
How can we tell when we are “abiding in Christ”? Is there a special feeling? No, but there are special evi dences that appear and they are unmistakably clear. For one thing, when you are abiding in Christ you produce fruit (John 15:2). What that “fruit” is, we will discuss later. Also, you experience the Father’s “pruning” so that you will bear more fruit (John 15:2). The believer who is abiding in Christ has his prayers answered (John 15:7) and experiences a deepening love for Christ and for other believers (John 15:9, 12–13). He also experi ences joy (John 15:11). 我們如何知道自己何時「住在基督裡」？有什麼特別的感覺嗎？沒有，但有一些特別的證據出現，而且這些證據清晰無疑。首先，當你住在基督裡時，你就會結出果子（約翰福音15:2）。至於那「果子」是什麼，我們稍後會討論。此外，你也會經歷天父的“修剪”，使你結出更多的果子（約翰福音15:2）。住在基督裡的信徒，他的禱告會蒙應允（約翰福音15:7），並且會體驗到對基督和其他信徒更深的愛（約翰福音15:9, 12-13）。祂也體驗到喜樂（約翰福音15:11）。
This abiding relationship is natural to the branch and the vine, but it must be cultivated in the Christian life. It is not automatic. Abiding in Christ demands worship, meditation on God’s Word, prayer, sacrifice, and service—but what a joyful experience it is! Once you have begun to cultivate this deeper communion with Christ, you have no desire to return to the shallow life of the careless Christian. 這種恆久的關係對枝子和葡萄樹來說是自然而然的，但必須在基督徒的生活中加以培養，並非自動而成就。住在基督裡需要敬拜、默想上帝的話語、禱告、獻祭和服事 ── 但這是多麼喜樂的經驗啊！一旦你開始培養與基督更深的相交，你就不會想回到那種漫不經心的基督徒的膚淺生活。
The vinedresser. The vinedresser is in charge of caring for the vines, and Jesus said that this is the work of His Father. It is He who “purges” or prunes the branches so they will produce more fruit. Note the pro gression here: no fruit (John 15:2), fruit, more fruit, much fruit (John 15:5, 8). Many Christians pray that God will make them more fruitful, but they do not enjoy the pruning process that follows! 園丁。園丁負責照顧葡萄樹，耶穌說這是祂父的工作。是祂「潔淨」或修剪枝條，使它們結出更多的果實。請注意這裡的進展：不結果子（約翰福音15:2），結果子，更多結果子，多結果子（約翰福音15:5, 8）。許多基督徒祈求上帝使他們結出更多的果實，但他們並不享受接下來的修剪過程！
The vinedresser prunes the branches in two ways: he cuts away dead wood that can breed disease and insects, and he cuts away living tissue so that the life of the vine will not be so dissipated that the quality of the crop will be jeopardized. In fact, the vinedresser will even cut away whole bunches of grapes so that the rest of the crop will be of higher quality. God wants both quantity and quality. 葡萄園的工人用兩種方式修剪枝條：他剪掉可能滋生病蟲害的枯枝；他剪掉活的組織，這樣葡萄樹的生命就不會被過度消耗，從而損害作物的品質。事實上，葡萄園的工人甚至會把整串葡萄剪掉，以便剩下的葡萄樹有更高品質。上帝既想要數量，也想要品質。
This pruning process is the most important part of the whole enterprise, and the people who do it must be carefully trained or they can destroy an entire crop. Some vineyards invest two or three years in training the “primers” so they know where to cut, how much to cut, and even at what angle to make a cut. 修剪過程是整個工作中最重要的環節，負責這項工作的人必須經過精心培訓，否則他們可能會毀掉整個作物。有些葡萄園會花兩三年培訓 “修剪師”，讓他們知道在哪裡修剪、修剪多少，甚至修剪的角度。
The greatest judgment God could bring to a believer would be to let him alone, let him have his own way. Because God loves us, He “prunes” us and encourages us to bear more fruit for His glory. If the branches could speak, they would confess that the pruning process hurts, but they would also rejoice that they will be able to produce more and better fruit. 上帝對信徒最大的審判, 莫過於讓他自行其是，讓他隨心所欲。因為上帝愛我們，祂「修剪」我們，鼓勵我們結出更多果子來榮耀祂。如果枝子會說話，它們會承認修剪的過程很痛苦，但也會因為能夠結出更多更好的果子而歡喜。
Your heavenly Father is never nearer to you than when He is pruning you. Sometimes He cuts away the dead wood that might cause trouble, but often He cuts off the living tissue that is robbing you of spiritual vigor. Pruning does not simply mean spiritual surgery that removes what is bad. It can also mean cutting away the good and the better so that we might enjoy the best. Yes, pruning hurts, but it also helps. We may not enjoy it, but we need it. 你的天父在你修剪你的時候，與你最親近。有時，祂會剪掉那些可能帶來麻煩的枯枝，但更多的時候，祂會剪掉那些奪走你靈性活力的活枝。修剪不只是指靈性的手術，去除不好的部分。它也意味著剪掉好的、更好的部分，好讓我們享受最好的。修剪的確很痛苦，但也有益處。我們可能不喜歡它，但我們需要它。
How does the Father prune us? Sometimes He sim ply uses the Word to convict and cleanse us. (The word translated “purge” in John 15:2 is the same as “clean” in John 13:10. See Eph. 5:26–27.) Sometimes He must chasten us (Heb. 12:1–11). At the time, it hurts when He removes something precious from us, but as the “spiritual crop” is produced, we see that the Father knew what He was doing. 天父如何修剪我們？有時，祂只是用祂的話語來責備我們，潔淨我們。 （約翰福音15:2中翻譯為「潔淨」的字與約翰福音13:10中的「潔淨」相同。參考以弗所書5:26-27。）有時，他必須管教我們（希伯來書12:1-11）。當時，當他從我們身上拿走一些珍貴的東西時，我們感到很難過，但隨著「屬靈的果子」結出，我們明白天父知道自己在做什麼。
The more we abide in Christ, the more fruit we bear, and the more fruit we bear, the more the Father has to prune us so that the quality keeps up with the quantity. Left to itself, the branch might produce many clusters, but they will be inferior in quality. God is glo rified by a bigger crop that is also a better crop. 我們越常在基督裡，我們結的果子就越多；我們結的果子越多，天父就越需要修剪我們，使質量與數量一致。如果任其發展，枝子可能會結出許多串果子，但品質會較差。如果結出更多、更好的果子，神就會得著榮耀。果子。
The fruit. The word results is often heard in con versations among Christian workers, but this is not actually a Bible concept. A machine can produce results, and so can a robot, but it takes a living organ ism to produce fruit. It takes time and cultivation to produce fruit; a good crop does not come overnight. 「結果子」這個字常在基督徒同工的談話中聽到，但這其實並非聖經中的概念。機器可以產生成果，機器人也可以，但要結出果實需要一個活的有機體。結出果實需要時間和耕耘；豐收並非一朝一夕就能實現。
We must remember that the branches do not eat the fruit: others do. We are not producing fruit to please ourselves but to serve others. We should be the kind of people who “feed” others by our words and our works. “The lips of the righteous feed many” (Prov. 10:21). 我們必須記住，枝子不會吃掉果實：是別人吃的。我們結出果實不是為了取悅自己，而是為了服事他人。我們應該成為用言語和行為「餵養」他人的人。 「義人的嘴，使多人得飽足」（箴 10:21）。
Several different kinds of spiritual fruit are named in the Bible. We bear fruit when we win others to Christ (Rom. 1:13). We are a part of the harvest (John 4:35–38). As we grow in holiness and obedience, we are bearing fruit (Rom. 6:22). Paul considered Christian giving to be fruit from a dedicated life (Rom. 15:28). “The fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22–23) is the kind of Christian character that glorifies God and makes Christ real to others. Even our good works, our service, grow out of our abiding life (Col. 1:10). The praise that comes from our hearts and lips is actually fruit to the glory of God (Heb. 13:15). 聖經中列舉了幾種不同的屬靈果子。當我們贏得他人歸向基督時，我們就結出了果實（羅馬書 1:13）。我們是收穫的一部分（約翰福音 4:35-38）。隨著我們在聖潔和順服中成長，我們就結出了果實（羅馬書 6:22）。保羅認為基督徒的奉獻是奉獻生活的果子（羅馬書 15:28）。 「聖靈的果子」（加拉太書 5:22-23）是一種榮耀上帝並向他人展現基督真實性的基督徒品格。甚至我們的善行、我們的服侍，都源自於我們常存的生命（西 1:10）。從我們內心和嘴唇發出的讚美，其實是榮耀神的果子（希伯來書 13:15）。
Many of these things could be counterfeited by the flesh, but the deception would eventually be detected, for real spiritual fruit has in it the seeds for more fruit. Man-made results are dead and cannot reproduce themselves, but Spirit-produced fruit will go on repro ducing from one life to another. There will be fruit—more fruit—much fruit. 許多這些東西可以被肉體偽造，但欺騙最終會被識破，因為真正的屬靈果子裡蘊含著結出更多果子的種子。人為的成果是死的，無法自我複製，但聖靈所結的果子會不斷地從一個人的生命傳給另一個人。會有果子 ── 更多的果子 ── 許多果子。
A true branch, united with the vine, will always bear fruit. Not every branch bears a bumper crop, just as not every field has a bumper harvest (Matt. 13:8, 23), but there is always fruit where there is life. If there is no fruit, the branch is worthless and it is cast away and burned. I do not believe our Lord is teaching here that true believers can lose their salvation, for this would contradict what He taught in John 6:37 and 10:27–30. It is unwise to build a theological doctrine on a parable or allegory. Jesus was teaching one main truth—the fruitful life of the believer—and we must not press the details too much. Just as an unfruitful branch is useless, so an unfruitful believer is useless, and both must be dealt with. It is a tragic thing for a once-fruitful believer to backslide and lose his privi lege of fellowship and service. If anything, John 15:6 describes divine discipline rather than eternal destiny. “There is [for believers] a sin unto death” (1 John 5:16). 真正的枝子，與葡萄樹聯合，總是會結出果子。並非每個枝子都能結出豐收的果子，正如並非每個田地都能豐收（馬太福音 13:8, 23），但有生命的地方就總有果子。如果沒有果子，枝子就沒有價值，就會被丟棄、焚燒。我不相信主在這裡教導的是真正的信徒會失去救恩，因為這與祂在約翰福音6:37和10:27-30的教導相矛盾。將神學教義建立在寓言或寓言之上是不明智的。耶穌教導的是一個主要的真理──信徒多結果子的生命──我們切勿過度強調細節。正如不結果子的枝子毫無用處，不結果子的信徒也是毫無用處，兩者都必須處理。曾經多結果子的信徒若倒退，失去與神相交和服侍的權利，那將是一件悲慘的事。約翰福音15:6描述的是神的管教，而不是永恆的命運。 「有至於死的罪」（約翰一書5:16）。
Our Lord had spoken about peace (John 14:27); now He mentions love and joy (John 15:9–11). Love, joy, and peace are the first three “fruit of the Spirit” named in Galatians 5:22–23. Our abiding in Christ certainly ought to produce His love, joy, and peace in our hearts. Because we love Him, we keep His commandments, and, as we keep His command ments, we abide in His love and experience it in a deeper way. 我們的主曾經談論平安（約翰福音14:27）；現在祂提到愛和喜樂（約翰福音15:9-11）。仁愛、喜樂、和平是加拉太書5:22-23所列的前三種「聖靈的果子」。我們住在基督裡，必然會在我們心中產生祂的仁愛、喜樂與和平。因為我們愛祂，所以我們遵守祂的誡命；當我們遵守祂的誡命時，我們就住在祂的愛裡，並更深刻地體驗到祂的愛。
Several times in John’s gospel you will find Jesus speaking about the Father’s love for Him. We so emphasize God’s love for the world and the church that we forget that the Father loves the Son. Because the Father does love the Son, He has put all things into the Son’s hand (John 3:35) and has revealed all things to the Son (John 5:20). The Father loved the Son before the foundation of the world (John 17:24); He loved the Son when the Son died on the cross (John 10:17). The amazing thing is believers today can experience personally that same love! Jesus prayed “that the love with which thou hast loved me may be in them [the disciples and believers today]” (John 17:26). 在約翰福音中，你會多次看到耶穌談到天父對祂的愛。我們過度強調上帝對世界和教會的愛，卻忘了天父愛子。因為天父愛子，祂已將萬有交在兒子手裡（約翰福音3:35），並將萬有啟示給子（約翰福音5:20）。天父在創立世界以前就愛子（約翰福音17:24）；當子死在十字架上時，祂仍然愛子（約翰福音10:17）。奇妙的是，今天的信徒也能親身體驗到同樣的愛！耶穌禱告說：「願你所愛我的愛存在他們（今天的門徒和信徒）裡面」（約翰福音17:26）。
As branches in the Vine, we have the privilege of abiding and the responsibility of bearing fruit. Now we turn to the second picture, that of friends. 作為葡萄樹上的枝子，我們有幸住在主裡，也有責任結果子。現在我們來看第二幅圖畫，朋友的圖畫。
Friends—We Must Obey (15:12–17) 朋友－我們必須順服（15:12-17） Most of us have many acquaintances but very few friends, and even some of our friends may prove unfriendly or even unfaithful. What about Judas? “Yes, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” (Ps. 41:9). Even a devoted friend may fail us when we need him most. Peter, James, and John went to sleep in the garden when they should have been praying, and Peter even denied the Lord three times. Our friendship to each other and to the Lord is not perfect, but His friendship to us is perfect. 我們大多數人都有許多熟人，但朋友卻很少，甚至有些朋友也可能不友好，甚至不忠。猶大呢？ 「我知己的朋友，我所倚靠的，吃過我飯的，他用腳踢我」（詩篇41:9）。即使是最親密的朋友，在我們最需要祂的時候，也可能讓我們失望。彼得、雅各和約翰本該禱告的時候卻在園子裡睡覺了，彼得甚至三次不認主。我們彼此之間的友誼，以及我們與主之間的友誼，並非完美，但主對我們的友誼卻是完美的。
However, we must not interpret this word friend in a limited way, because the Greek word means “a friend at court.” It describes that “inner circle” around a king or emperor. (In John 3:29, it refers to the “best man” at a wedding.) The “friends of the king” would be close to him and know his secrets, but they would also be subject to him and have to obey his commands. There is thus no conflict between being a friend and being a servant. 然而，我們不能以狹隘的方式來理解「朋友」這個詞，因為希臘文的意思是「宮廷裡的朋友」。它描述的是國王或皇帝周圍的「核心圈子」。 （在約翰福音 3:29 中，它指的是婚禮上的「伴郎」。）「王的朋友」會與他親近並了解他的秘密，但他們也要順服他，必須聽從他的命令。因此，做朋友和做僕人之間並不衝突。
The perfect illustration of this in Scripture is Abraham, “the friend of God” (2 Chron. 20:7; Isa. 41:8; James 2:23), who was also the servant of God (Gen. 26:24). In Genesis 18, our Lord and two angels came to visit Abraham as they were on their way to investigate the sin of Sodom. Even though Abraham was nearly one hundred years old, he interrupted his noonday rest, greeted the visitors, saw to their comfort, and fed them a lovely meal. In the first fifteen verses of this chapter, Abraham is on the move, and twice he refers to himself as a servant (Gen. 18:3, 5). Note that this old man “has tened” and “ran” and encouraged others to perform their work quickly, a perfect example of a servant. Nor did Abraham sit and eat with them. Like a true servant, he stood nearby, ready to do their bidding. 聖經中對此最完美的例子是亞伯拉罕，「上帝的朋友」（歷代誌下 20:7；以賽亞書 41:8；雅各書 2:23），他也是上帝的僕人（創世記 26:24）。在創世記第 18 章中，我們的主和兩個天使在去調查所多瑪的罪惡的路上來拜訪亞伯拉罕。儘管亞伯拉罕已經快一百歲了，他還是中斷了午休，迎接來訪者，讓他們感到舒適，並為他們提供了美味的飯菜。在本章的前十五節中，亞伯拉罕在旅途中，他兩次稱自己為僕人（創世記 18:3,5）。請注意，這位老人“收拾”並“跑去”，鼓勵其他人迅速完成工作，堪稱僕人的完美典範。亞伯拉罕也沒有與他們坐在一起吃飯。祂像一位真正的僕人一樣，站在旁邊，隨時準備執行他們的指示。
In the last half of the chapter, the atmosphere changes, and Abraham is quietly standing still, com muning with the Lord. He is still a servant, but now he is being a friend. “Shall I hide from Abraham that which I do?” the Lord asked. As a friend of God, Abraham shared God’s secrets. 在本章的後半部分，氣氛發生了變化，亞伯拉罕靜靜地站著，與主交流。他仍然是僕人，但現在他是一位朋友。 「我所做的事，豈可瞞著亞伯拉罕呢？」主問。作為神的朋友，亞伯拉罕分享了神的秘密。
It is this kind of a relationship that Jesus described when He called His disciples “friends.” It was certainly a relationship of love, both for Him and for each other. The “friends of the King” could not compete with each other for attention or promotion. They were a part of the “inner circle,” not to promote themselves, but to serve their King. What a rebuke this must have been to the selfish disciples, who often argued over who was the greatest! 耶穌稱門徒為「朋友」時，所描述的就是這種關係。這無疑是一種愛的關係，既關乎祂，也關乎彼此。 「君王的朋友」不能為了獲得關注或晉升而互相競爭。他們是「核心圈」的一部分，不是為了抬高自己，而是為了服事他們的君王。這對那些經常爭論誰最偉大的自私門徒來說，無疑是何等的譴責！
How is it possible for Jesus to command us to love one another? Can true love be commanded? You must keep in mind that Christian love is not basically a “feel ing”; it is an act of the will. The proof of our love is not in our feelings but in our actions, even to the extent of laying down our lives for Christ and for one another (1 John 3:16). Jesus laid down His life for both His friends and His enemies (Rom. 5:10)! While the emo tions are certainly involved, real Christian love is an act of the will. It means treating others the way God treats us. 耶穌怎麼可能命令我們彼此相愛呢？真愛能被命令嗎？你必須記住，基督徒的愛本質上並非一種“感覺”，而是一種意志的行動。我們愛的證明不在於感覺，而在於我們的行動，甚至在於為基督和彼此捨命（約翰一書3:16）。耶穌為祂的朋友和敵人捨命（羅馬書5:10）！雖然情感肯定在其中發揮作用，但真正的基督徒之愛是一種意志的行動。它意味著像上帝對待我們一樣對待他人。
So, our friendship with Christ involves love and obedience. But it also involves knowledge: He “lets us in on” His plans. Indeed, He is our Master (John 13:13, 16), but He does not treat us as servants. He treats us as friends, if we do what He commands. Abraham was God’s friend because he obeyed God (Gen. 18:19). If we have friendship with the world, we then experience enmity with God (James 4:1–4). Lot in Sodom was not called God’s friend, even though Lot was a saved man (2 Peter 2:7). God told Abraham what He planned to do to the cities of the plain, and Abraham was able to intercede for Lot and his family. 所以，我們與基督的友誼包含愛與順服，也包含知識：祂「讓我們參與」祂的計劃。的確，祂是我們的主人（約翰福音13:13, 16），但祂並沒有待我們如僕人。如果我們遵行祂的吩咐，祂就待我們如朋友。亞伯拉罕是神的朋友，因為他順服神（創18:19）。如果我們與世俗為友，就等於與神為敵（雅各書4:1-4）。所多瑪的羅得雖然得救了，卻沒有被稱為神的朋友（彼得後書2:7）。神告訴亞伯拉罕祂計畫要對平原上的城市做什麼，亞伯拉罕得以為羅得和他的家人代求。
It is interesting to note that, in John’s gospel, it was the servants who knew what was going on! The servants at the wedding feast in Cana knew where the wine came from (John 2:9), and the nobleman’s servants knew when the son was healed (John 4:51–53). 有趣的是，在約翰福音中，知道發生了什麼事的是僕人！迦拿婚宴上的僕人知道酒是從哪裡來的（約翰福音2:9），大臣的僕人知道兒子何時痊癒（約翰福音4:51-53）。
One of the greatest privileges we have as His friends is that of learning to know God better and “getting in on” God’s secrets. I can never forget the impact on my own heart when I heard Dr. Oswald Sanders say to the Back to the Bible staff, “Each of us is as close to God as we choose to be.” We are His friends, and we ought to be near the throne, listening to His Word, enjoying His intimacy, and obeying His commandments. 身為神的朋友，我們最大的特權之一就是能夠更認識神，並「領悟」神的奧秘。我永遠無法忘記，當我聽到奧斯瓦爾德桑德斯博士對“回歸聖經”的工作人員說：“我們每個人與神的親近程度，取決於我們選擇如何。” 時，我內心的震撼。我們是神的朋友，我們應該靠近寶座，聆聽祂的話語，享受與祂的親密關係，並遵守祂的誡命。
One day while he was a fugitive, David was near Bethlehem, his home city, and he longed for a drink of water from the well by the gate. Three of his mighty men were close enough to David to hear his sigh, and they risked their lives to bring their king the water that he wanted (2 Sam. 23:15–17). That is what it means to be a friend of the king. 大衛在逃亡期間，有一天，他靠近家鄉伯利恆，渴望從城門旁的井裡喝一口水。大衛的三個勇士與他親近，能聽到他的嘆息，他們冒著生命危險，為他們的國王送來他想要的水（撒母耳記下23:15-17）。這就是成為國王的朋友的意義。
In John 14:16, Jesus reminded the men that they had this privileged position only because of His grace. They did not choose Him; He chose them! He chose them out of the world (John 14:19) and ordained them to do His will. Again, we find this important word fruit. As branches, we share His life and bear fruit, and as friends, we share His love and bear fruit. As branches, we are pruned by the Father; as friends, we are instructed by the Son, and His Word controls our lives. 在約翰福音14:16中，耶穌提醒這些人，他們之所以能擁有如此特殊的地位，完全是因為祂的恩典。不是他們選擇了祂，而是祂選擇了他們！祂從世界中揀選了他們（約翰福音14:19），並任命他們遵行祂的旨意。我們再次看到「果子」這個重要的字。作為枝子，我們分享祂的生命並結出果子；作為朋友，我們分享祂的愛並結出果實。身為枝子，我們被天父修剪；作為朋友，我們被子教導，祂的話語掌管我們的生命。
The word ordained simply means “appointed.” It refers to the act of setting someone apart for special service. We have graciously been chosen and set apart by the Lord in order to go into the world and bear fruit. He has sent us into the world (John 17:18) as His personal ambassadors to tell others about the King and His great salvation. When we witness to others and win them to Christ, this is bringing forth fruit to the glory of God. 「任命」這個字的意思就是「被任命」。它指的是將某人分別出來，從事特殊的服侍。我們蒙主恩典地揀選和分別出來，是為了進入世界並結出果子。祂差遣我們到世上來（約翰福音17:18），作為祂的私人使者，將君王和祂偉大的救恩傳揚出去。當我們向別人作見證，帶領他們歸向基督時，這就是結出榮耀神的果子。
As I mentioned before, the evidence of true son ship, discipleship (John 15:8), and friendship (John 15:15) is fruit. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matt. 7:20). Where there is true fruit, it remains; man-made “results” eventually disappear. Fruit has in it the seed for more fruit, so the process goes on and on. Whatever is born of the Spirit of God has the mark of eternity on it, and it will last. 正如我之前提到的，真正兒子身分、門徒身分（約翰福音15:8）和友誼（約翰福音15:15）的證據就是果子。 「憑著他們的果子，就可以認出他們來」（太7:20）。凡是結出真果子的地方，它都會長存；人為的「結果」最終會消失。果子裡蘊含著結出更多果子的種子，所以這個過程會持續持續下去。凡是從神的靈生的，都帶有永恆的印記，並且會長存。 Once again, Jesus brought up the privilege of prayer. The friends of the king certainly speak to their sovereign and share their burdens and needs with him. In the days of monarchies, it was considered a very special honor to be invited to speak to the king or queen, yet the friends of Jesus Christ can speak to Him at any time. The throne of grace is always available to them. 耶穌再次提到禱告的特權。君王的朋友當然會與君王交談，分享他們的重擔和需要。在君主制時代，受邀與國王或王后交談被視為一種特殊的榮譽，然而耶穌基督的朋友可以隨時與祂交談。施恩的寶座隨時為他們敞開。
John 15:15–16 summarize for us what it means to be a friend of the King of Kings. It is a humbling experience, for He chose us and we did not choose Him. We must keep this in mind lest we become proud and presumptuous. It means that we keep our ears open and listen to what He says to us. “Hast thou heard the secret of God?” (Job 15:8). “The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant” (Ps. 25:14). We must be attentive and alert. 約翰福音15:15-16為我們概括了成為萬王之王的朋友的意義。這是一種謙卑的經歷，因為是祂揀選了我們，而不是我們揀選了祂。我們必須牢記這一點，以免我們變得驕傲自大。這意味著我們要豎起耳朵，聆聽祂對我們說的話。 「你聽見神的奧祕了嗎？」（約伯記15:8）。 「耶和華與敬畏祂的人親密；祂必將祂的約指示他們」（詩篇25:14）。我們必須留心並警醒。
But the purpose for all of this is that we might obey Him and get His work done. The King has tasks that must be performed, and if we love Him, we will obey His commands. We will seek to bear fruit that will please Him and glorify the Father. Our joy should be to please Him. 但這一切的目的，是讓我們順服祂，完成祂的工作。君王有必須完成的任務，如果我們愛祂，就必遵行祂的命令。我們會努力結出祂喜悅的果子，榮耀父。我們的喜樂應當在於取悅祂。
Jesus closed this part of His message by reminding them (and us) of the most important commandment of all: love one another. There are dozens of “one another” statements in the New Testament, but all of them are summarized in “love one another.” Jesus had already given this commandment to the Eleven (John 13:34–35), and now He has repeated it twice (John 15:12, 17). It will be stated in one way or another many more times in the New Testament letters, especially by John in his first epistle. The friends of the King must not only love Him, but also one another. What joy it brings to His heart when He sees His friends loving one another and working together to obey His commands. 耶穌在結束這部分信息時，提醒他們（和我們）最重要的誡命：彼此相愛。新約聖經中提到「彼此相愛」的地方有很多，但都概括為「彼此相愛」。耶穌已經將這條誡命賜給了十一個使徒（約翰福音13:34-35），現在祂又重複了兩次（約翰福音15:12, 17）。在新約書信中，尤其是在約翰一書裡，這條誡命還會以各種方式多次提及。君王的朋友不只要愛祂，也要彼此相愛。當祂看見朋友們彼此相愛，齊心協力遵守祂的誡命時，祂心中何等喜樂！
This study began in the vineyard and ended in the throne room! The next study will take us to the battle field, where we experience the hatred of the lost world. If we are not abiding as branches and obeying as friends, we will never be able to face the opposition of the world. If we do not love one another, how can we ever hope to love lost men and women in the world? If we are not marching together as the friends of the King, we will never present a united front to the enemy. 這次學習始於葡萄園，終於寶座前！下一課將帶我們進入戰場，在那裡我們將體驗失喪世界的仇恨。如果我們不常作枝子，不順服作朋友，就永遠無法面對世界的反對。如果我們不彼此相愛，又怎能指望去愛世上失喪的男男女女呢？如果我們不作為君王的朋友並肩作戰，就永遠無法團結一致對抗仇敵。
“Without me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). 「離了我，你們就不能做什麼」（約翰福音15:5）。
We are not simply handicapped or hindered. We are hopelessly paralyzed! We can do nothing! 我們不僅僅是殘疾或受阻。我們是無可救藥的癱瘓！我們什麼也做不了！ But if we abide in Him, if we stay close to the throne, we can do anything that He commands us to do! 但如果我們常在祂裡面，如果我們靠近寶座，我們就能做祂所吩咐我們做的任何事！
What a privilege—and what a responsibility! 這是何等的特權──也是何等的責任！
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