512 英翻中 第11課 STAY IN THE RUNNING! 繼續奔跑！ 26/02/2026
CHAPTER
ELEVEN STAY IN THE
RUNNING! Hebrews 12
第十一章 繼續奔跑！ 希伯來書 12
If the
apostle Paul were alive today, he would probably read the sports pages of the
newspaper and follow the progress of various teams and athletes. Why? Because
several athletic references in his letters indicate his interest in sports. Of
course, both the Greeks and the Romans were keenly interested in athletic
contests, not only for their physical well-being, but also for the honor of
their towns and countries. It was a patriotic thing to be a good athlete and to
bring glory to your country.
如果使徒保羅今天還活著，他很可能會閱讀報紙的體育版，關注各個球隊和運動員的進展。為什麼？ 因為在他的信中提到了幾個運動項目，表明他對運動很感興趣。當然，希臘人和羅馬人都對體育比賽有著濃厚的興趣，不僅是為了他們的身體健康，也是為了他們的城鎮和國家的榮譽。成為優秀的運動員並為你的國家帶來榮耀是愛國的情操。
The
writer of Hebrews combined these two themes of athletics and citizenship in
this important twelfth chapter. The atmosphere is that of the footraces in the
arena. We can see the runners laying aside their training weights and striving to run their races successfully. Some get
weary and faint, while others endure to the end and win the prize. First the writer
pictures the race (Heb. 12:1–13), and then emphasizes citizenship in the
heavenly city (Heb. 12:14–29). In the minds of his readers, these two themes
would go together, for no one could take part in the official games unless he
was a citizen of the nation.
作者在這本書中，結合了競技和公民這兩個主題在這重要的第十二章裡。氣氛就像賽場上的賽跑。我們可以看到賽跑者，放下他們一些不必要的重量，努力奔跑得成功。有的人累得暈倒，有的人堅持到最後贏了獎品。作者首先描繪了賽跑（希伯來書12:1-13），然後強調了天國公民身份（希伯來書
12:14-29）。在他的讀者心目中，這兩個主題會並存，因為除非他是國家公民，否則任何人都不能參加這政府舉辦的比賽。
The one
theme that runs through this chapter is endurance (Heb. 12:1 [“patience”], 2–3,
7; also see 10:32, 36 [“patience”]). The Jewish believers who received this
letter were getting weary and wanted to give up; but the writer encouraged them
to keep moving forward in their Christian lives, like runners on a track (see
Phil. 3:12–14). He pointed out three divine resources that encourage a
Christian to keep going when the situation is difficult.
貫穿本章的主題是堅忍（希伯來書 12:1
“忍耐”,
2-3, 7；另見
10:32, 36 “忍耐” ）。讀到這信的猶太信徒已經厭倦，想要放棄；但作者鼓勵他們在基督徒的生活中繼續前進，就像在跑道上賽跑一樣（見 腓立比書 3：12-14）。他指出了三種天上的資源，可以鼓勵基督徒在情況困難時繼續奮力前進。
1. The Example of the
Son of God (12:1–4)
1. 上帝兒子的榜樣（12:1-4）
When I
was in junior high school, I had a coach who felt it his duty to make an
athlete out of me. Everybody in my class could have told him he was wasting his
time, because I was the worst athlete in the class—perhaps in the school! I
entered a city-wide school competition, running the low hurdles. I knocked down
six hurdles, fractured my left ankle, and immediately abandoned my sports
career. (Shortly after, the coach enlisted in the army. I may have driven him
to it.)
當我在初中時，有一位教練覺得他有責任使我成為運動員。在我班上的人都可以告訴他，那是浪費時間，因為我是班上最差勁的運動員 — 也許是在學校裡，我參加過全市所有的學校的低欄比賽。我擊倒了六個欄架，左腳踝骨折，並立即放棄了我的運動生涯。 （不久之後，教練應徵入伍。可能是我使得他如此。）
Coach
Walker used several techniques to get me to do my best. “Other students have
done it, and so can you!” was one of his encouragements. “Just think of what it
will do for you physically!” was another. “Now, watch the other kids—see how
they do it!” was a third. As I reflect on this experience, I am amazed to
discover that these same three approaches are used in this paragraph, to
encourage us in the Christian race.
沃克(Walker)教練使用了幾種技巧來讓我做到最好。首先，他這樣鼓勵我說，“其他同學都做到了，你也可以！” 然後，他鼓勵我說， “
想想它對你的身體該有多麼大的益處！” 最後，他又鼓勵我說， “現在，看看其他孩子 — 看看他們是怎麼做的！”。當我回想這段經歷時，驚奇地發現，在這段經節中，同樣使用了這三種方法，以鼓勵我們在基督徒的競賽中。
Look
around at the winners (v. 1a)! The “great … cloud [assembly, mass] of witnesses”
was introduced to us in Hebrews 11. They are the heroes of the faith. It is not
suggested here that these men and women now in heaven are watching us as we run
the race, like people seated in a stadium. The word “witnesses” does not mean
“spectators.” Our English word martyr comes directly from the Greek word
translated “witness.” These people are not witnessing what we are doing;
rather, they are bearing witness to us that God can see us through. God bore
witness to them (Heb. 11:2, 4–5, 39) and they are bearing witness now to us.
環顧獲勝者（第 1 節前半段）！ 希伯來書第 11 章向我們介紹了 “信心偉人……如雲彩 [聚集、群眾] 圍繞著作見證人”。
他們是信心的偉人。這裡並不是建議目前在天堂的那些偉人在看著我們比賽，就像坐在體育場裡的人一樣。 “見證人” 並不是指 “旁觀者”。英語 “殉道者( martyr)” 直接來自希臘語單詞 “見證”
的翻譯。這些人沒有目睹我們正在做的事情；相反，他們在向我們見證，上帝能藉由他們而看透我們。上帝為他們作見證（希伯來書 11:2,
4-5, 39），他們現在正向我們作見證。
“I
rarely read the Old Testament, except for Psalms and Proverbs,” a believer once
told me.
一位信徒曾經告訴我，“我很少讀舊約，除了詩篇和箴言。”
“Then you are
missing a great deal of spiritual help,” I replied. I asked him to open to
Romans 15:4 and read the verse aloud.
我回答道，“那你就失去了很多屬靈上的幫助，”我讓他打開羅馬書 15章4節， 並大聲朗讀這節經文。
“For
whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we
through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
“因為從前所寫的一切都是為我們的學習而寫的，好叫我們藉著聖經的耐心和安慰，可以有盼望。”
I then
explained that “patience” means “endurance,” and that “comfort” means
“encouragement.” One of the best ways to develop endurance and encouragement is
to get to know the godly men and women of the Old Testament who ran the race
and won. If you are having problems with your family, read about Joseph. If you
think your job is too big for you, study the life of Moses. If you are tempted
to retaliate, see how David handled this problem.
然後我解釋說，“耐心”的意思是“忍耐”，“舒適”的意思是“鼓勵”。培養忍耐和鼓勵的最好方法之一是認識舊約中那些跑過比賽，並獲勝的敬虔偉人。如果你的家人遇到問題，請閱讀有關約瑟的一生信息。若認為你的工作對你來說太難，請研究摩西的生平。如果你想報復，看看大衛是如何處理這個問題的。
Look at
yourself (v. 1b)! Athletes used to wear training weights to help them prepare
for the events. No athlete would actually participate wearing the weights
because they would slow him down. (The modern analogy is a baseball player who
swings a bat with a heavy metal collar on it before he steps to the plate.) Too
much weight would tax one’s endurance.
注視你自己（1 節後半段）！運動員過去常常佩戴訓練重量來幫助他們為比賽做準備。沒有運動員會真正參加比賽時，使用配重，因為它們會減慢他的速度。 （現代比喻是棒球運動員在踏上盤子之前揮動帶有重金屬項圈的球棒。）太多的重量會損害一個人的耐力。
What
are the “weights” that we should remove so that we might win the race?
Everything that hinders our progress. They might even be “good things” in the
eyes of others. A winning athlete does not choose between the good and the bad;
he chooses between the better and the best.
為了贏得比賽，我們應該除掉哪些“負重”？ 凡阻礙我們進步的東西。甚至可能在別人眼中都是“好東西”。 獲勝的運動員不會在好與壞之間做出選擇；他只在更好的和最好的之間做出選擇。
We
should also get rid of “the sin that so easily entangles” (Heb. 12:1 niv).
While he does not name any specific sin, the writer was probably referring to
the sin of unbelief. It was unbelief that kept Israel out of the Promised Land,
and it is unbelief that hinders us from entering into our spiritual inheritance
in Christ. The phrase “by faith” (or “through faith”) is used twenty-one times
in Hebrews 11, indicating that it is faith in Christ that enables us to endure.
我們也應該擺脫“容易纏繞的罪”（希伯來書 12:1 新國際版）。雖然他沒有說出任何具體的罪名，但作者可能指的是不信的罪。是不信使以色列人無法進入應許之地，也是不信使我們無法進入我們在基督裡的屬靈產業。 “因信”（或“藉由信”）這個短語在希伯來書 11 章使用了 21 次，表明是在基督裡的信心使我們能夠堅忍。
Look at
Jesus Christ (vv. 2–4)! He is “the author [originator] and finisher of our
faith.” It was in “looking to him” that we were saved, for to look means “to
trust.” When the dying Jews looked to the uplifted serpent, they were
healed, and this is an illustration of our salvation through faith in Christ
(Num. 21:4–9; John 3:14–16). “Looking unto Jesus” describes an attitude of
faith and not just a single act.
仰望耶穌基督（2-4 等節）！ 祂是“我們信心創始和成終者”。我們得救是因“仰望祂”，因為“仰望”是表示“相信”。 當在曠野得病垂死的猶太人，一仰望高舉的銅蛇時，他們就得了醫治，這是我們因信基督而得救的例證（民數記 21:4-9；約翰福音 3:14-16）。 “仰望耶穌”描述信心的心態，而不僅僅是行動。
When
our Lord was here on earth, He lived by faith. The mystery of His divine and
human natures is too profound for us to understand fully, but we do know that
He had to trust His Father in heaven as He lived day by day. The writer of
Hebrews quoted our Lord saying, “I will put my trust in him” (Heb. 2:13). (The
quotation is from Isa. 8:17.) The fact that Jesus prayed is evidence that He
lived by faith.
當我們的主在世時，祂憑著信心生活。祂的神性和人性的奧秘太深奧，我們無法完全理解，但我們確實知道，祂在日復一日的生活中必須信靠天上的父上帝。希伯來書的作者引述我們的主說，“我要倚靠祂”（希伯來書 2:13）。 （引自 以賽亞書 8:17。）耶穌祈禱的事實證明祂是憑信心生活的。
Our
Lord endured far more than did any of the heroes of faith named in Hebrews 11,
and therefore He is a perfect example for us to follow. He endured the cross!
This involved shame, suffering, the “contradiction [opposition]” of sinners,
and even temporary rejection by the Father. On the cross He suffered for all
the sins of all the world! Yet He endured and finished the work the Father gave
Him to do (John 17:4). Though the readers of Hebrews had suffered persecution,
they had not yet “resisted unto blood” (Heb. 12:4). None of them was yet a
martyr. But in Jesus’ battle against sin, He shed His own blood.
我們的主比希伯來書 11 章中所提到的任何信心的偉人，都忍受得更多的苦難，因此祂是我們可以效仿的完美的榜樣。耶穌基督堅忍釘十字架痛楚！這包括羞辱、痛苦、罪人的“矛盾 ‘反對’ ”，甚至父上帝的暫時隔絕。在十字架上，耶穌基督為全世界所有的罪受苦！然而，祂忍受並完成了父上帝交給祂的作為（約翰福音 17:4）。希伯來書的讀者雖然遭受了迫害，但他們還沒有至“抵擋到流血”（希伯來書 12:4）。他們都還不是殉道者。但在耶穌與罪的爭戰中，流了自己的寶血。
What
was it that enabled our Lord to endure the cross? Please keep in mind that
during His ministry on earth, our Lord did not use His divine powers for His
own personal needs. Satan tempted Him to do this (Matt. 4:1–4), but Jesus
refused. It was our Lord’s faith that enabled Him to endure. He kept the eye of
faith on “the joy that was set before him.” From Psalm 16:8–10, He knew that He
would come out of the tomb alive. (Peter referred to this messianic psalm in
his sermon at Pentecost, Acts 2:24–33.) In that psalm (16:11) David spoke about
“fullness of joy” in the presence of the Father. Also, from Psalm 110:1, 4,
Jesus knew that He would be exalted to heaven in glory. (Peter also quoted this
psalm, Acts 2:34–36.) So “the joy that was set before him” would include Jesus’
completing the Father’s will, His resurrection and exaltation, and His joy in
presenting believers to the Father in glory (Jude 24).
是什麼使我們的主能夠忍受十字架的苦難？ 請記住，我們的主在地上事奉期間，並沒有使用祂的神性來滿足祂個人的需要。撒但試探祂這樣做（馬太福音 4:1-4），但耶穌拒絕。是因我們主的信心能使祂忍受。主將信心的眼睛仰望在“擺在祂面前的喜樂”上。從詩篇 16篇8-10等節，耶穌基督知道祂會復活。 （彼得在五旬節的講道中提到這首彌賽亞詩篇，使徒行傳 2:24-33。）在那篇詩篇（詩篇16:11）中，大衛談到在父上帝面前“喜樂的豐盛”。此外，從詩篇 110 篇 1和4兩 節，耶穌知道會在榮耀中，高舉祂到天上。 （彼得還引用了這篇詩篇，使徒行傳 2:34-36。）因此，“擺在他面前的喜樂”包括耶穌完成父上帝的旨意、復活和升天，以及在榮耀中將所得的信徒呈獻給父上帝的喜樂（猶大書 24節）。
Throughout
this epistle, the writer emphasized the importance of the future hope. His
readers were prone to look back and want to go back, but he encouraged them to
follow Christ’s example and look ahead by faith. The heroes of faith named in
the previous chapter lived for the future, and this enabled them to endure
(Heb. 11:10, 14–16, 24–27). Like Peter, when we get our eyes of faith off the
Savior, we start to sink (Matt. 14:22–33).
在這整封信中，作者從頭到尾都在強調信徒對未來盼望的重要性。他的讀者很容易回頭離棄現在所相信的，也想回頭，但他鼓勵他們效法基督的榜樣，憑信心向前看。前一章提到的信心的偉人為未來而活，這些榜樣促使他們能夠堅忍（希伯來書 11:10, 14-16, 24-27）。像彼得一樣，當我們將信心的目光從救主身上移開時，就會開始像他下沉到海中（馬太福音 14：22-33）。
Since
Christ is the “author and finisher of our faith,” trusting Him releases His
power in our lives. I could try to follow the example of some great athlete for
years and still be a failure. But if, in my younger days, that athlete could
have entered into my life and shared his know-how and ability with me, that
would have made me a winner. Christ is both the exemplar and the enabler! As we
see Him in the Word and yield to His Spirit, He increases our faith and enables
us to run the race.
由於基督是“我們信心的創始成終者”，相信祂會釋放祂的大能在我們生活中。我可以嘗試效仿一些偉大運動員的榜樣多年，但仍然失敗。但是，如果在我年輕的時候，那個運動員可以進入我的生活，並與我分享他的專業知識和能力，那將使我成為贏家。基督既是榜樣又是推動者！當我們在話語中看到祂並順服祂的聖靈時，祂就會增加我們的信心，使我們能夠更加快的向前奔跑
2. The Assurance of the Love of God (12:5–13) 2. 上帝之愛的確證（12:5-13）
The key
word in this section is chastening. It is a Greek word that means “child
training, instruction, discipline.” A Greek boy was expected to “work out” in
the gymnasium until he reached his maturity. It was a part of his preparation
for adult life. The writer viewed the trials of the Christian life as spiritual
discipline that could help a believer mature. Instead of trying to escape the
difficulties of life, we should rather be “exercised” by them so that we might
grow (Heb. 12:11).
本段的關鍵詞是管教。希臘詞的意思是“兒童訓練、指導、紀律”。希臘男孩期望在體育館“鍛煉”，直到他成熟。這是他為成年生活做準備的一部分。作者將基督徒生活的試煉視為可以幫助信徒成熟的屬靈操練。與其試圖逃避生活中的困難，我們更應該受其“鍛煉”，這樣我們才能在靈命中成長（希伯來書 12:11）。
When we
are suffering, it is easy to think that God does not love us. So the writer
gave three proofs that chastening comes from the Father’s heart of love.
當我們受苦時，很容易認為上帝不愛我們。所以作者提出三個確據，證明管教來自天父的愛。
The
Scriptures (vv. 5–6). The quotation is from Proverbs 3:11–12, a statement that
his readers had known but had forgotten. (This is one of the sad consequences
of getting “dull” toward the Word; see Heb. 5:11–12.) This quotation (Heb.
12:5–6) is an “exhortation,” which literally means “encouragement.” Because
they forgot the Word, they lost their encouragement and were ready to give up!
聖經（ 5-6 兩節）。引文出自箴言 3:11-12，這是他的讀者早知道的，但已經忘記。 （這表示是對聖言感到“遲鈍”的可悲後果之一；見 希伯來書 5:11-12。） 這句引文（希伯來書 12:5-6）是“勸勉”它的意思是“鼓勵”。 因為他們忘記上帝的話，失去了鼓勵，準備放棄！
The key
words in this quotation are “son,” “children,” and “sons.” These words are used
six times in Hebrews 12:5–8. They refer to adult sons and not little children.
(The word “children” in Heb. 12:5 should be “sons.”) A parent who would
repeatedly chasten an infant child would be considered a monster. God deals
with us as adult sons because we have been adopted and given an adult standing
in His family (see Rom. 8:14–18; Gal. 4:1–7). The fact that the Father chastens
us is proof that we are maturing, and it is the means by which we can mature
even more.
在這段引文中的關鍵詞是“兒子”、“孩子”和“眾兒子”。這些詞在希伯來書 12章5-8等節中使用了六次。他們是指的成年兒子，而不是小孩。 （希伯來書 12:5 中的“孩子”這名詞應該是“兒子”。） 反复管教嬰兒的父母會被視為怪物。上帝把我們當作成年的兒子對待，因為我們是收養的，並在祂的家庭中認為是成年人（見 羅馬書 8：14-18；加拉太書 4：1-7）。天父管教我們，是顯示我們成熟的證明，也是使我們會更加成熟的方法。
Chastening
is the evidence of the Father’s love. Satan wants us to believe that the
difficulties of life are proof that God does not love us, but just the opposite
is true. Sometimes God’s chastening is seen in His rebukes from the Word or
from circumstances. At other times He shows His love by punishing (“the Lord …
scourgeth”) us with some physical suffering. Whatever the experience, we can be
sure that His chastening hand is controlled by His loving heart. The Father
does not want us to be pampered babies; He wants us to become mature adult sons
and daughters who can be trusted with the responsibilities of life.
管教是天父愛我們的憑據。撒但要我們相信生活的艱難，證明上帝不愛我們，但事實恰恰和撒旦要做的相反。有時，上帝的管教可以從祂的話中或祂環境的斥責中看出。在其他時候，祂通過用身體上的痛苦懲罰我們（“主……鞭打”）來表達祂的愛。無論經歷怎樣，我們都可以肯定，祂管教的手是出於祂慈愛的心所控制的。天父不想讓我們成為溺愛的嬰兒；祂希望我們成為成熟的成年兒女，可以負擔生活的責任。
Personal
experience (vv. 7–11). All of us had a father and, if this father was faithful,
he had to discipline us. If a child is left to himself, he grows up to become a
selfish tyrant. The point the writer made (Heb. 12:7–8) is that a father
chastens only his own sons, and this is proof that they are his children. We
may feel like spanking the neighbors’ children (and our neighbors may feel like
spanking ours), but we cannot do it. God’s chastening is proof that we are
indeed His children!
個人經驗（7-11等節）。我們都有父親，如果父親是信實的，他就必須管教我們。如果讓孩子任其自生自滅，他長大後就會成為自私的暴君。作者提出他的觀點是父親只管教自己的兒子，這證明他們是自己的孩子（希伯來書 12:7-8）。我們可能想打鄰居的孩子（鄰居可能想打我們的孩子），但都做不到。上帝的管教證明我們確實是祂的孩子！
I have
met in my ministry people who professed to be saved, but for some reason they
never experienced any chastening. If they disobeyed, they seemed to get away
with it. If I resisted God’s will and did not experience His loving chastening,
I would be afraid that I was not saved! All true children of God receive His
chastening. All others who claim to be saved, but who escape chastening, are
nothing but counterfeits—illegitimate children.
在我事奉中，遇到過自稱是得救的人，但出於某種原因，他們從未經歷過任何管教。如果他們不順服，他們似乎可以逃脫懲罰。若我抵擋上帝的心意，沒有經歷祂慈愛的管教，我只怕我沒有得救！上帝所有真正的兒女都接受祂的管教。其他自稱得救，卻逃避管教的，都不過是贗品 — 私生子。
Why do
good earthly fathers correct their kids? So that their offspring might show
them reverence (respect) and obey what they command. This is why the heavenly
Father corrects us: He wants us to reverence Him and obey His will. A child who
does not learn subjection to authority will never become a useful, mature
adult. Any of God’s children who rebel against His authority are in danger of
death! “Shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits,
and live?” (Heb. 12:9). The suggestion is that, if we do not submit, we might
not live. “There is a sin unto death” (1 John 5:16).
為什麼地上的好父親會糾正他們的孩子？ 以便他們的後代可以對他們表示敬畏（尊重）並遵守他們的命令。這就是為什麼天父要糾正我們：祂要我們敬畏祂，服從祂的旨意。不學會服從權威的孩子，永遠不會成為有用的、成熟的成年人。任何反抗上帝權柄的祂兒女都會有死亡的危險！ “我們豈不更要順服萬靈之父而得生嗎？” （希伯來書 12:9）。有建議如是，若我們不順服，我們可能活不下去。 “有至於死的罪”（約翰一書 5:16）。
We can see now how this twelfth chapter relates to
the five exhortations in Hebrews. As a Christian drifts from the Word and
backslides, the Father chastens him to bring him back to the place of
submission and obedience. (If God does not chasten, that person is not truly
born again.) If a believer persists in resisting God’s will, God may permit his
life to be taken. Rather than allow His child to ruin his life further and
disgrace the Father’s name, God might permit him to die. God killed thousands
of rebellious Jews in the wilderness (1 Cor. 10:1–12). Why should He spare us?
Certainly this kind of chastening is not His usual approach, but it is
possible, and we had better show Him reverence and fear. He chastens us for our
profit so that we might share His holy character.
我們現在可以看到，這第十二章是如何與希伯來書中的五項勸勉聯繫起來。當基督徒偏離上帝的話語並退步時，天父會管教他，使他順服和回到他順服的地方。 （如果上帝不管教，那人就沒有真正重生。）如果信徒堅持抗拒上帝的旨意，祂可能會允許他的生命被奪去。與其讓祂的孩子進一步毀掉他的生命，讓天父的名蒙羞，上帝可能會允許他死去。上帝在曠野殺死了數以千計反叛的猶太子民（哥林多前書 10：1-12）。他為什麼要饒恕我們？ 這種管教當然不是上帝慣常的做法，但這是可能的，我們最好對祂表現出畏懼和敬畏。祂管教我們是為了我們的好處，以便我們可以分享祂的聖潔品格。
The
blessed results (vv. 11–13). No chastening at the time is pleasant either to
the father or to his son, but the benefits are profitable. I am sure that few
children believe it when their parents say, “This hurts me more than it hurts
you.” But it is true just the same. The Father does not enjoy having to
discipline His children, but the benefits afterward make the chastening an
evidence of His love.
祝福的結果（11-13 等節）。對父親或兒子來說，當時的管教都不會愉快，但好處是肯定的。我敢肯定，當他們的父母說“這對我的傷害比對你的傷害更大”時，很少有孩子會相信這一點。但事實也是如此。天父不喜歡管教祂的孩子，但之後的好處，使管教成為祂愛的證據。
What
are some of the benefits? For one thing, there is “the peaceable fruit of
righteousness.” Instead of continuing to sin, the child strives to do what is
right. There is also peace instead of war—“the peaceable fruit of
righteousness.” The rebellion has ceased and the child is in a loving
fellowship with the Father. Chastening also encourages a child to exercise in
spiritual matters—the Word of God, prayer, meditation, witnessing, and so
forth. All of this leads to a new joy. Paul described it: “righteousness and
peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17).
有哪些好處？ 首先，會結“公義平安的果子”。 孩子不再繼續犯罪，而是努力做正確的事情。還有和平而不是戰爭“公義的和平果子”。叛逆必定停止，孩子與天父有愛的團契。管教也鼓勵孩子在屬靈的事情上操練上帝的話、禱告、默想、見證等等。所有這一切都帶來了新的喜樂。保羅將其描述為：“公義、和平、在聖靈中的喜樂”
（羅馬書 14:17）。
Of
course, the important thing is how God’s child responds to chastening. He can
despise it or faint under it (Heb. 12:5), both of which are wrong. He should
show reverence to the Father by submitting to His will (Heb. 12:9), using the
experience to exercise himself spiritually (Heb. 12:11; 1 Tim. 4:7–8). Hebrews
12:12–13 sound like a coach’s orders to his team! Lift up your hands!
Strengthen those knees (Isa. 35:3)! Get those lazy feet on the track (Prov.
4:26)! On your mark, get set, GO!
誠然，重要的是上帝的孩子如何回應祂的管教。他可以輕視它，或因管教而昏倒（希伯來書 12:5），這兩者都是錯誤的。他應該順服天父的旨意（希伯來書12:9），用這種經歷來鍛煉自己的靈性（希伯來書12:11；提摩太前書 4:7-8），以此來表示對天父的敬畏。希伯來書 12章12-13等節聽起來像是教練對他的團隊的命令！舉起你的雙手！加強你們的膝蓋（以賽亞書 35:3）！讓那些懶惰的腳踏上正軌（箴言 4:26）！在你的起步標記上，準備好，跑！
The
example of God’s Son, and the assurance of God’s love, certainly should
encourage us to endure in the difficult Christian race. But there is a third
resource.
上帝兒子的榜樣，以及祂愛的確據，誠然應該激勵我們在艱苦的基督徒比賽中堅持忍耐。但是還有第三種能力。
4. The Enablement of
God’s Grace (12:14–29)
4. 上帝恩典的大能（12:14-29）
As we
run the Christian race, what is our goal? The writer explained the goal in
Hebrews 12:14: Peace with all men, and holiness before the Lord. (Remember “the
peaceable fruit of righteousness,” Heb. 12:11.) These two goals remind us of
our Lord’s high priestly ministry— King of peace and King of righteousness (Heb.
7:1–2). It requires diligence to run the race successfully lest we “fail of the
grace of God” (Heb. 12:15). God’s grace does not fail, but we can fail to take
advantage of His grace. At the end of the chapter, there is another emphasis on
grace (Heb. 12:28).
當我們參加基督徒的比賽時，我們的目標是什麼？作者在希伯來書 12章14節中解釋這目標：與眾人和平與在主面前成聖。 （記住“公義的平安果子” （希伯來書 12:11。） 這兩個目標讓我們想起我們主的大祭司的職事 — 和平和公義的君王（希伯來書 7:1-2）。賽跑要奪取獎賞，必需要勤奮，以免我們“辜負了上帝的恩典”（希伯來書 12:15）。上帝的恩典不會落空，但我們可能會辜負了祂的恩典。在本章的結尾，還有另一重點是恩典（希伯來書 12:28）。
In this
section, the writer encouraged his readers to depend on the grace of God by
urging them to look by faith in three directions.
在這段中，作者鼓勵他的讀者要依靠上帝的恩典，敦促他們憑信心向三個方面注視。
Look
back—the bad example of Esau (vv. 15–17). Esau certainly failed to act on God’s
grace. The account is given in Genesis 25:27–34; 27:30–45. Esau was “a profane
person,” which means “a common person, one who lives for the world and not
God.” (Our English word literally means “outside the temple,” or not belonging
to God.) Esau despised his birthright and sold it to Jacob, and he missed the
blessing because it was given to Jacob. (It was supposed to go to Jacob anyway,
but it was wrong for Jacob to use trickery to get it. (See Gen. 25:19–26.) Afterward, Esau tried to get Isaac to change his
mind, but it was too late. Even Esau’s tears availed nothing.
回頭看 — 以掃的壞榜樣（15-17 等節）。以掃當然沒有照上帝的恩典行事。 創世記 25章27-34 ; 27章30-45等節在聖經中如此記載。以掃是“褻瀆的人”，意思是“為世上人而不是為上帝而活的普通人”。 （英文的字面意思是“在聖殿外”，或者不屬於上帝的人。）以掃鄙視他長子的名分，把它賣給了雅各，他錯過了父親的祝福，因此給了雅各。 （本來應該要給雅各的，但雅各用詭計得到它，這是錯誤的。見 創世記 25:19-26。）後來，以掃試圖讓以撒改變主意，但為時已晚。以掃即使流淚，也無濟於事。
What
sins will rob us of the enabling of God’s grace? These verses tell us: lack of
spiritual diligence, bitterness against others (see Deut. 29:18), sexual
immorality, and living for the world and the flesh. Some people have the idea
that a “profane person” is blasphemous and filthy, but Esau was a congenial fellow,
a good hunter, and a man who loved his father. He would have made a fine
neighbor—but he was not interested in the things of God.
什麼罪會剝奪我們獲得上帝恩典的大能？ 這段經文告訴我們：缺乏屬靈的勤奮，對別人有怨恨，淫亂，為世界和肉體而活（見 申命記 29:18）。有些人認為“褻瀆的人”是褻瀆和污穢的，但以掃是和藹可親的人，好獵人，愛他父親的人。他本可以成為好鄰居，但他不熱愛上帝的事。
God’s
grace does not fail, but we can fail to depend on God’s grace. Esau is a
warning to us not to live for lesser things.
上帝的恩典不會落空，但我們可以不依靠祂的恩典。以掃的例子警告我們，不要為小事而活。
Look
up—the glory of the heavenly city (vv. 18–24). The writer of Hebrews contrasted
Mount Sinai and the giving of the law with the heavenly Mount Zion and the
blessings of grace in the church (see Ex. 19:10–25; 20:18–21; Deut. 4:10–24).
He described the solemnity and even the terror that were involved in the giving
of the law (Heb. 12:18–21). The people were afraid to hear God’s voice, and
even Moses feared and trembled! God set boundaries around the mount, and even
if an animal trespassed, it was slain with a spear (“dart”). Of course, God had
to impress on His people the seriousness of His law, just as we must with our
own children. This was the infancy of the nation, and children can understand
reward and punishment.
仰望 — 天上的城的榮耀（18-24 等節）。希伯來書的作者將，西奈山和頒布律法的天上的錫安山與在教會中恩典的祝福，作對比（見 出埃及記 19：10-25；20：18-21；申命記 4：10-24）。 作者描述頒布律法的錫安的嚴肅，甚至很恐怖（希伯來書 12:18-21）。百姓害怕聽到上帝的聲音，連摩西都害怕戰兢！ 上帝在山周圍設定了界限，即使有動物闖入，也會被 "矛鏢”）殺死。當然，上帝必須讓祂的子民明白祂律法的嚴肅性，就像我們對待自己的孩子一樣。這是國家建議的嬰兒期，孩子們應能理解獎賞與懲罰。 What a
relief it is to move from Mount Sinai to Mount Zion! Mount Sinai represents the
old covenant of law, and Mount Zion represents the new covenant of grace in
Jesus Christ (see Gal. 4:19–31). The heavenly city is God’s Mount Zion (see Ps.
2; 110:1–2, 4). This is the city that the patriarchs were looking for by faith
(Heb. 11:10, 14–17). The earthly Jerusalem was about to be destroyed by the
Romans, but the heavenly Jerusalem would endure forever. 從西奈山搬到錫安山是何等的解脫！西奈山代表律法的舊約，錫安山代表耶穌基督恩典的新約（見 加拉太書 4：19-31）。天上的城市是上帝的錫安山（見 詩篇 2；110：1-2、4）。這是先祖們憑著信心尋找的天上城市（希伯來書 11:10, 14-17）。地上的耶路撒冷即將被羅馬人摧毀，但天上的耶路撒冷將永遠存在。
He
described the “citizens” that make up the population of this city. Innumerable
angels are there. The church is there, for believers have their citizenship in
heaven (Phil. 3:20), and their names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20).
“Firstborn” is a title of dignity and rank. Esau was actually Isaac’s
firstborn, but he rejected his privileges and lost his blessing and birthright.
作者描述了構成天上的城市的“公民”。無數的天使在那裡。教會在那裡，因為信徒是天上的公民（腓立比書 3:20），他們的名字寫在天上（路加福音 10:20）。 “長子”是尊貴和地位的稱號。以掃實際上是以撒的長子，但他拒絕了他的特權，失去了他的祝福和長子的身份。
God is
there, of course, and so are the Old Testament saints (“spirits of just men
made perfect”). Jesus Christ the Mediator is there, the One who shed His blood
for us. We learned that Abel is still speaking (Heb. 11:4), and here we
discover that Christ’s blood speaks “better things than that of Abel” (Heb.
12:24). Abel’s blood spoke from the earth and cried for justice (Gen. 4:10),
while Christ’s blood speaks from heaven and announces mercy for sinners. Abel’s
blood made Cain feel guilty (and rightly so) and drove him away in despair
(Gen. 4:13–15), but Christ’s blood frees us from guilt and has opened the way
into the presence of God. Were it not for the blood of the new covenant, we
could not enter this heavenly city!
上帝在那裡，當然，舊約的聖徒也在那裡（“義人的靈使成全”）。為我們流血的中保耶穌基督在那裡。我們聽到亞伯的血仍在說話（希伯來書 11:4），在這裡發現基督的血說，“比亞伯的血說的更美”（希伯來書12:24）。亞伯的血從地上說話，並為正義而呼喊（創世記 4:10），而基督的血從天上說話，並對罪人施憐憫。亞伯的血讓該隱感到內疚（是理所當然），並使他在絕望中（創世記 4:13-15），但基督的寶血使我們擺脫了罪惡，並開闢通往上帝面前的道路。若不是新盟約之血，我們無法進入這座天上的城！
“Why is
there so little preaching and teaching about heaven?” a friend asked me. And
then he gave his own answer, which is probably correct. “I guess we have it so
good on earth, we just don’t think about heaven.”
朋友問我，“為什麼關於天堂的講道和教導這麼少？”然後，可能是正確的自答的說， “我想在地上我們過得很好，用不著考慮天堂的事。”
When
the days are difficult and we are having a hard time enduring, that is when we
should look up and contemplate the glories of heaven. Moses “endured, as seeing
him who is invisible” (Heb. 11:27). The patriarchs endured as they looked ahead
to the city God was preparing for them. One way to lay hold of God’s grace is
to look ahead by faith to the wonderful future He has prepared for us.
當日子難熬和正在難忍的時候，就是我們應該仰望天上的榮光時刻。摩西“他恆心忍耐，如同看到那不能看見的主”（希伯來書 11:27）。族長們忍耐著，望著上帝為他們預備的城池。持久守住上帝恩典的方法，是憑信心展望祂為我們準備的美好將來。
Look
ahead—the unshakable kingdom (vv. 25–29). God is speaking to us today through
His Word and His providential workings in the world. We had better listen! If God
shook things at Sinai and those who refused to hear were judged, how much more
responsible are we today who have experienced the blessings of the new
covenant! God today is shaking things. (Have you read the newspapers lately?)
He wants to tear down the “scaffolding” and reveal the unshakable realities
that are eternal. Alas, too many people (including Christians) are building
their lives on things that can shake.
向前注視 — 不能搖動的國度（25-29 等節）。今天，上帝正在藉由祂的話和在世界上的祂的顧念作為，對我們說話。我們最好聽！如果上帝震動西奈山的受造物，那些不聽的人受到審判，我們今天經歷新盟約祝福的信徒，責任該是何其的重大！上帝今天正在震動受造物。 （最近你有沒有看報？）祂想拆掉“支撐架”，揭示永恆不變的不能震動的實存。可惜太多的人（包括基督徒在內）把他們的生命建造在可震動事物上。
The
“shaking” quotation is from Haggai 2:6 and refers to that time when the Lord
shall return and fill His house with glory. As events draw nearer to that time,
we shall see more shaking in this world. But a Christian can be confident, for
he shall receive an unshakable kingdom. In fact, he is a part of God’s kingdom
today.
“震動”的引述，來自哈該書 2章6節，指的是主再來，並以榮耀充滿祂的殿的時候。隨著主的再來，事件的發生，越來越接近那個時候，我們將看到世界會有更多的震動。但基督徒可以確信，因為他會得到不可震動的國度。事實上，他今天是上帝國度的一分子。
What
shall we do as we live in a shaking world? Listen to God speak and obey Him.
Receive grace day by day to serve Him “with reverence and godly fear.” Do not
be distracted or frightened by the tremendous changes going on around you. Keep
running the race with endurance. Keep looking to Jesus Christ. Remember that
your Father loves you. And draw on God’s enabling grace.
生活在震動的世上，我們該怎麼辦？ 聽上帝的話，並順服祂。日復一日地承受祂的恩典，“懷著畏懼和敬虔的心”事奉祂。不要因周圍發生的巨大變化而分心或害怕。繼續以耐力賽跑。繼續仰望耶穌基督。記住你的天父愛你。並汲取上帝賜予的恩典。
While
others are being frightened, you can be confident.
當別人害怕時，你可以確信。
感謝上帝的恩賜。
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