1542 英翻中 Be wise about the Christian message 对基督教信息有智慧 09/04/2026
但复活最伟大的见证人之一是保罗本人，因为作为一个非信徒，他完全相信耶稣已经死了。他的生命发生了根本性的改变——这种改变给他带来了逼迫和痛苦——这无疑证明了主确实已经从死里复活了。保罗明确表示，他的得救纯粹是上帝恩典的作为。但当他侍奉主时，这种恩典在他里面并通过他起作用。 “生于不合时宜”可能是指以色列未来得救，他们像保罗一样，在荣耀中看到弥赛亚（亚 12:10-13:6；提前 1:16）。
CHAPTER TWO BE WISE ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE 1 Corinthians 2
第二章 对基督教信息有智慧 1 哥林多前书 2
My wife
was at the wheel of our car as we drove to Chicago
当我们开车去芝加哥时，我的妻子在我们的车上，而我坐在副驾驶的座位上，阅读出版商要求我审阅的另一位作者的书的校样。偶尔我会发出一声咕哝，然后是一声呻吟，最后我摇摇头说：“哦，不！我简直不敢相信！”
“I take
it you don’t like the book,” she said. “Something wrong with it?”
“我认为你不喜欢这本书，”她说。 “有什么问题吗？”
“You
bet there is!” I replied. “Just about everything is wrong with it, because this
man does not know what the message of the gospel really is!”
“你敢打赌！”我回答。 “几乎一切都错了，因为这个人不知道福音的信息到底是什么！”
There
was a time, however, when that author had been faithful to the gospel. But over
the years, he had begun to take a philosophical (and, I fear, political)
approach to the gospel. The result was a hybrid message that was no gospel at
all.
然而，曾经有一段时间，作者一直忠于福音。但多年来，他开始对福音采取哲学（而且，我担心，政治）方法。结果是一个完全不是福音的混合信息。
It is
worth noting that when Paul ministered in Corinth
值得注意的是，保罗在哥林多事奉时，是听从主的托付传福音的。马太福音 28：18-20 和使徒行传 18：1-11 之间有一个美丽的相似之处。
要加一部分
要加一部分
What
had happened at Corinth wis
在哥林多发生的事情正在今天的教会中发生：人们将哲学（人的智慧）与上帝所启示的信息混为一谈，这造成了混乱和分裂。不同的传道人对上帝的信息有自己的“解释”，有些人甚至发明了自己的词汇！
Paul
explained the three fundamentals of the gospel message and urged his readers to
return to these fundamentals.
保罗解释了福音信息的三个基本要素，并敦促他的读者回到这些基本要素。
1. The Gospel Centers
in the Death of Christ (2:1–5)
1. 福音以基督的死为中心（2:1-5）
Paul
reminded the Corinthians of his approach (vv. 1–2). The opening words, “And I,”
can be translated “Accordingly,” on the basis of 1 Corinthians 1:31 —the glory of God. Paul had not
come to Corinth
保罗提醒哥林多人他的做法（1-2 节）。根据哥林多前书 1 章 31 节——上帝的荣耀，开头的词“和我”可以翻译为“因此”。保罗来哥林多不是为了荣耀自己或建立一个宗教“粉丝俱乐部”。他来是为了荣耀神。
The
itinerant philosophers and teachers depended on their wisdom and eloquence to
gain followers. The city of Corinth
流动的哲学家和老师们依靠他们的智慧和口才来获得追随者。科林斯城充满了这样的“咒语”。保罗不依赖雄辩的演讲或聪明的论据；他只是在圣灵的力量中宣讲神的话语。他是大使，而不是“基督教推销员”。
Had he
used spectacular speech and philosophy, Paul would have exalted himself and
hidden the very Christ he came to proclaim! God had sent him to preach the
gospel “not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no
effect” (1 Cor. 1:17 ).
如果他使用了壮观的演讲和哲学，保罗就会高举自己并隐藏他来宣讲的基督！上帝派他去传福音，“不是用言语的智慧，以免基督的十字架失效”（林前 1:17）。
A
certain church had a beautiful stained-glass win[1]dow just behind
the pulpit. It depicted Jesus Christ on the cross. One Sunday there was a guest
minister who was much smaller than the regular pastor. A little girl listened
to the guest for a time, then turned to her mother and asked, “Where is the man
who usually stands there so we can’t see Jesus?”
某座教堂的讲坛后面有一个漂亮的彩色玻璃窗。它描绘了十字架上的耶稣基督。一个星期天有一位客座牧师，他比普通牧师小得多。一个小女孩听了客人的话，转身问妈妈：“那个平时站在那里看不到耶稣的人呢？”
Too
many preachers of the Word so magnify them[1]selves and their
gifts that they fail to reveal the glory of Jesus Christ. Paul gloried in the
cross of Christ (Gal. 6:14 )
and made it the center of his message.
太多的传道人如此夸大自己和他们的恩赐，以致未能彰显耶稣基督的荣耀。保罗以基督的十字架为荣（加 6:14），并将其作为他信息的中心。
Then
Paul reminded the Corinthians of his attitude (vv. 3–4). Though he was an
apostle, Paul came to them as a humble servant. He did not depend on himself;
he became nothing that Christ might be everything. In later years, Paul brought
this up again and contrasted himself to the false teachers who had invaded Corinth
然后保罗提醒哥林多人他的态度（3-4 节）。保罗虽然是使徒，却以谦卑的仆人身份来到他们面前。他不依靠自己；他成了虚无，使基督成为一切。后来，保罗再次提出这一点，并将自己与入侵哥林多的假教师进行了对比（林后 10:1-12）。保罗知道，当他软弱时，神使他刚强。
Paul
depended on the power of the Holy Spirit. It was not his experience or ability
that gave his ministry its power; it was the work of the Spirit of God. His
preaching was a “demonstration,” not a “performance.” The word translated
“demonstration” means “legal proof presented in court.” The Holy Spirit used
Paul’s preaching to change lives, and that was all the proof Paul needed that
his message was from God. Wicked sinners were transformed by the power of God (1
Cor. 6:9–11)!
保罗依靠圣灵的能力。不是他的经验或能力赋予他的事工权力。这是上帝之灵的工作。他的讲道是“示范”，而不是“表演”。翻译成“证明”的词的意思是“在法庭上提出的法律证据”。圣灵使用保罗的讲道来改变生命，这就是保罗需要的全部证据，证明他的信息来自上帝。邪恶的罪人被上帝的力量所改变（林前 6:9-11）！
However,
we must note that Paul is not telling min[1]isters
deliberately to preach poorly, or to avoid using the gifts God gave them. Men
like Charles Spurgeon and George Whitefield were gifted orators whose words
carried power, but they did not depend on their natural talents. They trusted
the Spirit of God to work in the hearts of their hearers, and He did. Those who
minister the Word must prepare and use every gift God has given them—but they
must not put their confi[1]dence
in themselves (see 2 Cor. 3:5).
然而，我们必须注意，保罗并不是故意告诉牧师们讲道不好，或者避免使用上帝给他们的恩赐。像查尔斯·司布真和乔治·怀特菲尔德这样的人都是有天赋的演说家，他们的话语具有力量，但他们并不依赖于他们的天赋。他们相信上帝的灵会在听众的心中工作，而祂确实做到了。传道人必须准备并使用上帝赐给他们的每一份礼物——但他们不能对自己充满信心（见林后 3:5）。
Finally,
Paul reminded them of his aim (v. 5). He wanted them to trust in God and not in
the messenger God sent. Had he depended on human wisdom and presented the plan
of salvation as a philosophical sys[1]tem,
then the Corinthians would have put their trust in an explanation. Because Paul
declared the Word of God in the power of God, his converts put their faith in a
demonstration: they experienced God at work in their own lives.
最后，保罗提醒他们他的目标（第 5 节）。他希望他们信靠上帝，而不是信靠上帝派来的使者。如果他依靠人类的智慧并将救恩计划作为一个哲学体系提出，那么哥林多信徒就会相信一个解释。因为保罗在上帝的大能中宣告了上帝的话语，他的皈依者将他们的信仰作为一个证明：他们在自己的生活中经历了上帝的工作。
Years
ago, a wise Christian said to me, “When you are leading people to Christ, never
tell them that they are saved because they have done this or that. It is the
job of the Holy Spirit to witness to people that they are saved. Unless He is
at work, there can be no salvation.” Wise counsel, indeed!
多年前，一位睿智的基督徒对我说：“当你带领人们归向基督时，永远不要告诉他们他们已经得救是因为他们做了这个或那个。向人们见证他们得救是圣灵的工作。除非他在工作，否则就没有救恩。”明智的建议，确实！
I
recall a fine professional man who faithfully attended a church I pastored—a
man who was unsaved, but not antagonistic to the gospel. Many of us prayed for
him as he continued to listen to the Word. One day a Christian friend of his
decided to win him to Christ, or else! He spent several hours presenting
argument after argument, and finally the man “prayed the sinner’s prayer.” Then
he stopped attending church! Why? Because he had been talked into something
that was not real, and he knew he could not follow through. Later on, he did
trust Christ and, through the Spirit, have the assurance of salvation. Up to
that point, if anybody asked him if he were saved, he would reply, “Sure—Tom
told me I was saved!” What a difference when the Spirit gives the assurance!
我记得一个优秀的专业人士，他忠实地参加了我所牧养的教会——一个没有得救但不反对福音的人。当他继续听道时，我们中的许多人为他祈祷。有一天，他的一位基督徒朋友决定将他赢得基督，否则！他花了好几个小时提出一个又一个的争论，最后那个人“做了罪人的祷告”。然后他就不再去教堂了！为什么？因为他被说服了一些不真实的东西，他知道他无法坚持下去。后来，他确实相信了基督，并且通过圣灵得到了救恩的保证。到那时，如果有人问他是否得救，他会回答：“当然——汤姆告诉我我得救了！”当圣灵给予保证时，这是何等的不同！
The
gospel is still God’s power to change men’s lives (Rom. 1:16 ). Effectiveness in evangelism does not
depend on our arguments or persuasive gimmicks, but on the power of the Spirit of God at work in our lives and through
the Word that we share.
福音仍然是上帝改变人生命的大能（罗 1:16）。传福音的有效性不取决于我们的论据或有说服力的花招，而是取决于上帝圣灵在我们生活中的力量，以及通过我们分享的话语。
2. The Gospel Is Part
of the Father’s Eternal Plan (2:6–9)
2. 福音是天父永恒计划的一部分（2:6-9）
Salvation
was purchased by the Son, but it was planned by the Father. Those who talk
about “the simple gospel” are both right and wrong. Yes, the message of the
gospel is simple enough for an illiterate pagan to understand, believe, and be
saved. But it is also so profound that the most brilliant theologian cannot
fathom its depths.
救恩是子买来的，但它是父所计划的。那些谈论“简单的福音”的人是对的，也是错的。是的，福音的信息很简单，一个不识字的异教徒也能理解、相信并得救。但它也是如此专业，以至于最杰出的神学家无法理解它的深度。
There
is a “wisdom of God” in the gospel that challenges the keenest intellect.
However, this wisdom is not for the masses of lost sinners, nor is it for the
immature believers. It is for the mature believers who are growing in their
understanding of the Word of God. (The word perfect in 1 Cor. 2:6 means
“mature.” See 1 Cor. 3:1–4.) Perhaps here Paul was answering those in the
church who were promoting Apollos, who was an eloquent and profound preacher
(Acts 18:24 –28).
福音中有一种“上帝的智慧”挑战最敏锐的智力。然而，这种智慧不适合广大失丧的罪人，也不适合不成熟的信徒。它是为那些对神话语的理解不断增长的成熟信徒准备的。 （哥林多前书 2:6 中的完美一词的意思是“成熟”。见哥林多前书 3:1-4。）也许保罗在这里回答了那些在教会中宣传阿波罗的人，阿波罗是一位雄辩而深刻的传道人（使徒行传18:24-28)。
Let’s
notice the characteristics of this wisdom.
让我们注意这种智慧的特征。
This
wisdom comes from God, not man (v. 7). This wisdom tells the mature saint about
the vast eternal plan that God has for His people and His creation. The wisest
of the “princes of this world [age]” could not invent or discover this
marvelous wisdom that Paul shared from God.
这种智慧来自神，而不是人（第 7 节）。这种智慧告诉成熟的圣徒关于上帝对他的子民和他的创造物的巨大永恒计划。 “这个世界[时代]的君王”中最聪明的人无法发明或发现保罗从上帝那里分享的这种奇妙智慧。
This
wisdom has been hidden (v. 7). That is why it is called a mystery, for in the
New Testament, a mys[1]tery
is a “sacred secret,” a truth hidden in past ages but now revealed to the
people of God. It was Paul whom God used in a special way to share the various
“mysteries” that are related to the gospel (see Eph. 3); but note the
repetition of the pronoun “we.” Paul did not leave out the other apostles.
这种智慧被隐藏了（第 7 节）。这就是为什么它被称为奥秘的原因，因为在新约中，奥秘是一个“神圣的秘密”，一个隐藏在过去时代但现在向上帝的子民揭示的真理。神以特殊的方式使用保罗来分享与福音有关的各种“奥秘”（见以弗所书 3）。但请注意代词“我们”的重复。保罗没有遗漏其他使徒。
This
wisdom involves God’s ordination (v. 7). This means that God made the plan, set
it in motion, and will see to it that it will succeed. The great plan of
redemption was not a hasty afterthought on the part of God after He saw what
man had done. Though all of this boggles our minds, we must accept the Bible
truth of divine election and predestination. Even the death of Jesus Christ was
ordained of God (Acts 2:22 –23;
1 Peter 1:18 –20), though
men were held responsible for the wicked deed. One of the secrets of an
effective prayer life is to lay hold of God’s purposes by faith (Acts 4:23 –31).
这种智慧涉及上帝的命定（第 7 节）。这意味着上帝制定了计划，将其付诸实施，并确保它会成功。伟大的救赎计划并不是神在看到人的所作所为之后仓促做出的事。尽管这一切都让我们难以置信，但我们必须接受上帝拣选和预定的圣经真理。甚至耶稣基督的死也是神所命定的（使徒行传 2:22-23；彼得前书 1:18-20），尽管人要为恶行负责。有效祷告生活的秘诀之一就是凭信心把握上帝的旨意（使徒行传 4:23-31）。
This
wisdom results in the glory of God’s people (v. 7). One of the greatest
expositions of this “plan of the ages” is in Ephesians 1. Three times in that
passage, Paul explained that all of this is done for God’s glory (Eph. 1:6, 12,
14). It is a staggering thought that we shall one day share in the very glory
of God (see John 17:22 –24;
Rom. 8:28 –30)!
这种智慧带来上帝子民的荣耀（第 7 节）。以弗所书 1 章是对这个“时代计划”最伟大的解释之一。在那段经文中，保罗三度解释说，所有这一切都是为了荣耀上帝（弗 1:6,12,14）。有朝一日我们将分享上帝的荣耀，这是一个惊人的想法（见约翰福音 17：22-24；罗马书 8：28-30）！
This
wisdom is hidden from the unsaved world (v. 8). Who are “the princes of this
world [age]” that Paul mentions? Certainly the men who were in charge of
government when Jesus was on earth did not know who He was (Acts 3:17 ; 4:25 –28). When Jesus on the cross prayed, “Father, forgive
them: for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34 ), He was echoing this truth. Their ignorance did not
excuse their sin, of course, because every evidence had been given by the Lord
and they should have believed.
这种智慧对未得救的世界是隐藏的（第 8 节）。保罗提到的“这个世界[时代]的首领”是谁？耶稣在世时掌管政府的人当然不知道他是谁（使徒行传 3:17；4:25-28）。当耶稣在十字架上祷告说：“父啊，赦免他们！因为他们所做的，他们不知道”（路加福音 23:34），他在回应这个真理。当然，他们的无知并不能原谅他们的罪，因为每一个证据都是主赐下的，他们应该相信的。
But
there is another possibility. Paul may have been referring to the spiritual and
demonic rulers of this present age (Rom. 8:38 ;
Col. 2:15; Eph. 6:12ff.). This would make more sense in 1 Corinthians 2:6, for
certainly Pilate, Herod, and the other rulers were not recognized for any
special wisdom. The wisdom of this age has its origin in the rulers of this
age, of which Satan is the prince (John 12:31 ;
14:30 ; 16:11 ). Of course, the spiritual
rulers would have to work in and through the human rulers. So perhaps we must
not press the distinction (John 13:2, 27).
但还有另一种可能。保罗可能指的是当今时代的属灵和恶魔统治者（罗 8:38；西 2:15；以弗所书 6:12 及以下）。这在哥林多前书 2:6 中会更有意义，因为肯定彼拉多、希律和其他统治者没有任何特殊的智慧被认可。这个时代的智慧源于这个时代的统治者，撒但是统治者（约翰福音 12:31；14:30；16:11）。当然，属灵的统治者必须在人类统治者内部并通过人类统治者工作。所以也许我们不应该强调区别（约翰福音 13:2, 27）。
But if
this interpretation is true, then it opens up a challenging area of
consideration. The satanic forces, including Satan himself, did not understand
God’s great eternal plan! They could understand from the Old Testament
Scriptures that the Son of God would be born and die, but they could not grasp
the full sig[1]nificance
of the cross because these truths were hidden by God. In fact, it is now,
through the church, that these truths are being revealed to the principalities
and powers (Eph. 3:10 ).
但如果这种解释是正确的，那么它开辟了一个具有挑战性的考虑领域。包括撒但在内的撒旦势力，都不明白神永远的伟大计划！他们可以从旧约圣经中明白上帝的儿子会出生和死亡，但他们无法理解十字架的全部意义，因为这些真理被上帝隐藏了。事实上，现在正是通过教会，这些真理正在向执政的和掌权的人显明（弗 3:10）。
Satan
thought that Calvary was God’s great defeat;
but it turned out to be God’s greatest victory and Satan’s defeat (Col. 2:15)!
From the time of our Lord’s birth into this world, Satan had tried to kill Him,
because Satan did not fully understand the vast results of Christ’s death and
resurrection. Had the demonic rulers known, they would not have “engineered”
the death of Christ. (Of course, all of this was part of God’s eternal plan. It
was God who was in control, not Satan.)
撒但认为髑髅地是上帝的大败；但事实证明这是上帝最大的胜利和撒旦的失败（西 2:15）！从我们的主降生到这个世界上，撒但就试图杀死他，因为撒但并不完全了解基督死而复活的巨大后果。如果恶魔的统治者知道，他们就不会“设计”基督的死。 （当然，这一切都是神永恒计划的一部分。掌权的是神，而不是撒旦。）
Finally,
this wisdom applies to the believer’s life today (v. 9). This verse is often
used at funerals and applied to heaven, but the basic application is to the
Christian’s life today. The next verse makes it clear that God is revealing
these things to us here and now.
最后，这种智慧适用于信徒今天的生活（第 9 节）。这节经文经常用在葬礼上，也适用于天堂，但基本的应用是今天基督徒的生活。下一节清楚地表明，上帝正在此时此地向我们揭示这些事情。
This
verse is a quotation (with adaptation) from Isaiah 64:4. The immediate context
relates it to Israel Babylon
这节经文是引自以赛亚书 64:4 的引文（经过改编）。直接的上下文将它与被囚禁的以色列有关，等待上帝的拯救。这个国家犯了罪，被送到巴比伦管教。他们向上帝呼求祂会降临拯救他们，在他们被流放七十年后，祂确实回应了他们的祈祷。上帝对祂的子民有计划，他们不必害怕（耶 29:11）。
Paul
applied this principle to the church. Our future is secure in Jesus Christ no
matter what our circumstances may be. In fact, God’s plans for His own are so
wonderful that our minds cannot begin to con[1]ceive of them or
comprehend them! God has ordained this for our glory (1 Cor. 2:7). It is glory
all the way from earth to heaven!
保罗将这个原则应用于教会。无论我们的情况如何，我们的未来在耶稣基督里都是安全的。事实上，神对祂自己的计划是如此奇妙，以至于我们的头脑无法开始想象或理解它们！上帝为我们的荣耀命定了这一点（林前 2:7）。从地到天都是荣耀！
For
those who love God, every day is a good day (Rom. 8:28 ). It may not look like a good
day, or feel like it; but when God is working His plan, we can be sure of the
best. It is when we fail to trust Him or obey Him, when our love for Him grows
cold, that life takes on a somber hue. If we walk in God’s wisdom, we will
enjoy His blessings.
对于爱上帝的人来说，每一天都是美好的一天（罗 8:28）。它可能看起来不像是美好的一天，或者感觉像这样；但是当上帝在执行他的计划时，我们可以肯定最好的。当我们不相信他或不服从他时，当我们对他的爱变得冷淡时，生活就会呈现出一种忧郁的色彩。如果我们行在神的智慧中，我们就会享受他的祝福。
We have
considered two fundamental truths of the gospel: this message centers in the
death of Christ, and it is part of the Father’s vast eternal plan. The
believers at Corinth
我们已经考虑了福音的两个基本真理：这个信息的中心是基督的死，它是天父永恒计划的一部分。哥林多的信徒忘记了他们得救的代价。他们已经把目光从十字架上移开。他们也参与了一些小事——“婴儿玩具”——因为他们已经失去了神对他们的伟大计划的奇妙。他们需要回到圣灵的事工上，这将是保罗的下一个要点。
3. The Gospel Is Revealed
by the Spirit through the Word (2:10 –16)
3. 福音是圣灵借着话语启示的（2:10-16）
Our
salvation involves all three Persons in the Godhead (Eph. 1:3–14; 1 Peter 1:2).
You cannot be saved apart from the Father’s electing grace, the Son’s loving
sacrifice, and the Spirit’s ministry of conviction and regeneration. It is not
enough to say, “I believe in God.” What God? Unless it is “the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 1:3), there can be no salvation.
我们的救恩涉及神格中的所有三个位格（弗 1:3-14；彼得前书 1:2）。如果没有父的拣选恩典、子的慈爱牺牲，以及圣灵的定罪和重生的事工，你就无法得救。仅仅说“我相信上帝”是不够的。什么神？除非是“我们主耶稣基督的神和父”（弗 1:3），否则就不可能有救恩。
This
trinitarian aspect of our salvation helps us to understand better some of the
mysteries of our salvation. Many people get confused (or frightened) when they
hear about election and predestination. As far as the Father is concerned, I
was saved when He chose me in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph.
1:4); but I knew nothing about that the night I was saved! It was a hidden part
of God’s wonderful eternal plan.
我们救恩的三位一体方面有助于我们更好地理解救恩的一些奥秘。许多人听到拣选和预定时会感到困惑（或害怕）。就天父而言，当他在创世之前在基督里拣选了我时，我得救了（弗 1:4）；但我得救的那天晚上我一无所知！这是神奇妙的永恒计划的一个隐藏部分。
As far
as God the Son is concerned, I was saved when He died for me on the cross. He
died for the sins of the whole world, yet the whole world is not saved. This is
where the Spirit comes in: as far as the Spirit is concerned, I was saved in
May 1945 at a Youth for Christ rally where I heard Billy Graham (then a young
evangelist) preach the gospel. It was then that the Holy Spirit applied the
Word to my heart, I believed, and God saved me.
就子神而言，当他为我死在十字架上时，我得救了。他为全世界的罪而死，但全世界都没有得救。这就是圣灵进来的地方：就圣灵而言，我于 1945 年 5 月在一次青年为基督集会上得救，在那里我听到葛培理（当时是一位年轻的福音传道者）传福音。就在那时，圣灵将话语应用到我的心上，我相信了，上帝拯救了我。
Paul
pointed out four important ministries of the Holy Spirit of God.
保罗指出了上帝圣灵的四个重要事工。
(1) The Spirit indwells
believers (v. 12). The very moment you trusted Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God
entered your body and made it His temple (1 Cor. 6:19 –20). He baptized you (identified you) into the body
of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13 ).
He sealed you (Eph. 1:13 –14)
and will remain with you (John 14:16 ).
He is God’s gift to you.
(1) 圣灵住在信徒里面（12 节）。在你信任耶稣基督的那一刻，神的灵进入你的身体，并把它变成他的圣殿（林前 6:19-20）。他将你（确认你）洗入基督的身体（林前 12:13）。他印证了你（弗 1:13-14）并将与你同在（约翰福音 14:16）。他是上帝给你的礼物。
The
Holy Spirit is the Spirit of liberty (2 Cor. 3:17 ). We have not received the “spirit of the world”
because we have been called out of this world and no longer belong to it (John 17:14 , 16). We are no longer under
the authority of Satan and his world system.
圣灵是自由之灵（林后 3:17）。我们没有接受“世界的灵”，因为我们已经被召唤出这个世界，不再属于它（约翰福音 17:14, 16）。我们不再处于撒旦和他的世界体系的权柄之下。
Nor
have we received a “spirit of bondage again to fear” (Rom. 8:15 ). The Holy Spirit ministers to us and makes
the Father real to us. This ties in with 2 Timothy 1:7—“For God hath not given
us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound [disciplined]
mind.” We have a wealth of spiritual resources because the Spirit lives within
us!
我们也没有得到“再次为奴仆的心”（罗马书 8:15）。圣灵为我们服务，使父对我们成为真实的。这与提摩太后书 1:7 相关——“因为上帝没有赐给我们恐惧的精神；而是权力、爱和健全的[纪律严明的]头脑。”我们拥有丰富的属灵资源，因为圣灵住在我们里面！
(2) The Spirit searches
(vv. 10–11). I cannot know what is going on within your personality, but your
human spirit within you knows. Neither can I know “the deep things of God”
unless somehow I can enter into God’s personality. I cannot do that—but by His
Spirit, God has entered into my personality. Through the Holy Spirit, each
believer becomes a sharer of the very life of God.
(2) 圣灵寻找（10-11 节）。我不知道你的人格中发生了什么，但你内在的人类精神知道。除非我能进入神的位格，否则我也不能知道“神深奥的事”。我不能那样做——但通过他的灵，上帝已经进入了我的人格。借着圣灵，每个信徒都成为神生命的分享者。
The
Holy Spirit knows “the deep things of God” and reveals them to us. First
Corinthians 2:10 makes it
clear that “the deep things of God” is another description of “the things which
God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Cor. 2:9). God wants us to know
today all the blessings of His grace that He has planned for us.
圣灵知道“神深奥的事”，并把它们启示给我们。哥林多前书 2:10 清楚地表明，“神深奥的事”是对“神为爱他的人所预备的事”的另一种描述（林前 2:9）。上帝希望我们今天知道他为我们计划的所有他恩典的祝福。
(3) The Spirit teaches
(v. 13). Jesus promised that the Spirit would teach us (John 14:26 ) and guide us into truth (John
16:13 ). But we must note
carefully the sequence here: the Spirit taught Paul from the Word, and Paul
then taught the believers. The truth of God is found in the Word of God. And it
is very important to note that these spiritual truths are given in specific
words. In the Bible, we have much more than inspired thoughts; we have inspired
words. “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me” (John 17:8).
(3) 圣灵教导（第 13 节）。耶稣应许圣灵会教导我们（约翰福音 14:26）并引导我们进入真理（约翰福音 16:13）。但我们必须仔细注意这里的顺序：圣灵从话语中教导保罗，然后保罗教导信徒。神的真理可以在神的话语中找到。重要的是要注意这些属灵真理是用特定的词给出的。在圣经中，我们的思想远不止受到启发；我们有启发的话。 “因为我已经将你所赐给我的话给了他们”（约翰福音 17:8）。
Each of
our four children has a different vocation. We have a pastor, a nurse, an
electronics designer, and a secretary in a commercial real estate firm. Each of
the children had to learn a specialized vocabulary in order to succeed. The
only one I really understand is the pastor.
我们的四个孩子都有不同的职业。我们有一位牧师、一位护士、一位电子设计师和一家商业房地产公司的秘书。每个孩子都必须学习专门的词汇才能成功。我唯一真正了解的是牧师。
The
successful Christian learns the vocabulary of the Spirit and makes use of it.
He knows the meaning of justification, sanctification, adoption, propitiation,
election, inspiration, and so forth. In understanding God’s vocabulary, we come
to understand God’s Word and God’s will for our lives. If the engineering
student can grasp the technical terms of chemistry, physics, or electronics,
why should it be difficult for Christians, taught by the Spirit, to grasp the vocabulary
of Christian truth?
成功的基督徒学习圣灵的词汇并加以利用。他知道称义、成圣、收养、平息、拣选、默示等等的意义。在理解上帝的词汇时，我们开始理解上帝的话语和上帝对我们生活的旨意。如果工科学生能掌握化学、物理学或电子学的专业术语，那么受圣灵教导的基督徒为什么很难掌握基督教真理的词汇呢？
Yet I
hear church members say, “Don’t preach doc[1]trine. Just give
us heartwarming sermons that will encourage us!” Sermons based on what? If they
are not based on doctrine, they will accomplish nothing! “But doctrine is so
dull!” people complain. Not if it is pre[1]sented the way
the Bible presents it. Doctrine to me is exciting! What a thrill to be able to
study the Bible and let the Spirit teach us “the deep things of God” (1 Cor. 2:10 ).
然而我听到教会成员说，“不要传教义。只要给我们温暖的布道，鼓励我们！”讲道基于什么？如果他们不以教义为基础，他们将一事无成！ “可是教义太枯燥了！”人们抱怨。如果它是以圣经呈现的方式呈现，则不会。教义对我来说是令人兴奋的！能够学习圣经并让圣灵教导我们“上帝深奥的事”（林前 2:10），真是令人兴奋。
How
does the Spirit teach the believer? He compares “Spiritual things with
spiritual.” He reminds us of what He has taught us (John 14:26 ), relates that truth to something new, and
then leads us into new truth and new applications of old truth. What a joy it
is to sit before the pages of the Bible and let the Spirit reveal God’s truth.
The trouble is, many Christians are too busy for this kind of quiet meditation.
What enrichment they are missing!
圣灵如何教导信徒？他将“属灵的事物与属灵的事物”进行比较。他提醒我们他所教导我们的（约翰福音 14:26），将真理与新事物联系起来，然后引导我们进入新真理和旧真理的新应用。坐在圣经的书页前，让圣灵启示神的真理是何等的喜乐。问题是，许多基督徒忙于这种安静的默想。他们缺少什么丰富的东西！
The
Holy Spirit is like a householder who “bringeth forth out of his treasure
things new and old” (Matt. 13:52 ).
The new always comes out of the old and helps us better understand the old. God
gives us new insights into old truths as we compare one part of Scripture with
another. Jesus based His teaching on the Old Testament, yet people were amazed
at what He taught because it was so fresh and exciting.
圣灵就像一个家主，“从他的宝藏里发出新旧的东西”（马太福音 13:52）。新的总是从旧的中出来，帮助我们更好地理解旧的。当我们将圣经的一部分与另一部分进行比较时，上帝给了我们对旧真理的新见解。耶稣的教导以旧约为基础，但人们对他的教导感到惊讶，因为它是如此新鲜和令人兴奋。
I
suggest that you make time every day to read the Word and meditate on it.
Follow a regular schedule in your reading, and give yourself time to pray,
think, and meditate. Let the Spirit of God search the Word and teach you. The
study and application of basic Bible doctrine can transform your life.
我建议你每天抽出时间阅读圣经并默想它。在你的阅读中遵循一个有规律的时间表，给自己时间祈祷、思考和冥想。让上帝的灵查考圣经并教导你。学习和应用基本的圣经教义可以改变你的生活。
(4) The Spirit matures the believer (vv. 14–16).
The contrast here is between the saved person (called “spiritual” because he is
indwelt by the Spirit) and the unsaved person (called “natural” because he does
not have the Spirit within). In 1 Corinthians 3:1–4, Paul will introduce a
third kind of person, the “carnal man.” He is the immature Christian, the one
who lives on a childhood level because he will not feed on the Word and grow.
(4) 圣灵使信徒成熟（14-16 节）。这里的对比是在得救的人（称为“属灵的”，因为他有圣灵内住）和未得救的人（称为“自然的”，因为他里面没有圣灵）之间的对比。在哥林多前书 3：1-4，保罗将介绍第三种人，即“属肉体的人”。他是不成熟的基督徒，生活在童年的水平，因为他不会以话语为食并成长。
At one
time, every Christian was “natural,” having only the things of nature. When we
trusted the Savior, the Spirit came in and we moved into the plane of
“spiritual”—able to live in the realm of the Spirit. Then we had to grow! The
unsaved man cannot receive the things of the Spirit because he does not believe
in them and cannot understand them. But as the Christian day by day receives
the things of the Spirit, he grows and matures.
曾几何时，每个基督徒都是“自然的”，只拥有自然的事物。当我们信任救主时，圣灵就进来了，我们进入了“属灵”的层面——能够生活在圣灵的领域。然后我们必须成长！未得救的人不能接受圣灵的事，因为他不相信它们，也不能理解它们。但是当基督徒一天天接受圣灵的事时，他就长大成熟了。
One of
the marks of maturity is discernment—the ability to penetrate beneath the
surface of life and see things as they really are. Unsaved people “walk by
sight” and really see nothing. They are spiritually blind. The maturing
Christian grows in his spiritual discern[1]ment and develops
the ability (with the Spirit’s help) to understand more and more of the will
and mind of God. The Corinthians lacked this discernment; they were spiritually
ignorant.
成熟的标志之一是洞察力——能够穿透生活的表面，看到事物的真实面目。未得救的人“眼见为实”，实际上什么也看不见。他们在灵性上是盲目的。成熟的基督徒在他的属灵辨别力上成长，并发展出能力（在圣灵的帮助下）越来越多地理解上帝的旨意和思想。哥林多人缺乏这种辨别力。他们在属灵上是无知的。
To
“have the mind of Christ” does not mean we are infallible and start playing God
in the lives of other people. Nobody instructs God! (Paul quoted Isa. 40:13.
Also see Rom. 11:33 –36.)
To “have the mind of Christ” means to look at life from the Savior’s point of
view, having His values and desires in mind. It means to think God’s thoughts
and not think as the world thinks.
“有基督的心”并不意味着我们是无懈可击的，并开始在其他人的生活中扮演上帝。没有人指导上帝！ （保罗引用了以赛亚书 40:13。另见罗马书 11:33-36。）“以基督为心”意味着从救主的角度看待生活，牢记他的价值观和愿望。意思是想上帝的想法，而不是像世界的想法那样思考。
The
unsaved person does not understand the Christian; they live in two different
worlds. But the Christian understands the unsaved person. First Corinthians
2:15 does not suggest that unsaved people cannot point out flaws in the
believer’s life (they often do), but that the unsaved man really cannot penetrate
into the full understanding of what the Christian’s life is all about. I like
the New American Standard Bible’s translation: “But he who is spiritual
appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man.” That “no man”
includes other Christians as well. We must be very careful not to become
spiritual dictators in the lives of God’s people (2 Cor. 1:24 ).
未得救的人不了解基督徒；他们生活在两个不同的世界。但基督徒了解未得救的人。哥林多前书 2:15 并不是说未得救的人不能指出信徒生命中的缺陷（他们经常这样做），而是说未得救的人真的无法完全理解基督徒生命的意义。我喜欢《新美国标准圣经》的翻译：“但属灵的人评价一切，但他自己却无人评价。” “无人”也包括其他基督徒。我们必须非常小心，不要成为上帝子民生活中的属灵独裁者（林后 1:24）。
The
Corinthian Christians were so wrapped up in the miraculous gifts of the Spirit
that they were neglecting the basic ministries of the Spirit. And in their
emphasis on the Spirit, they were also neglecting the Father and the Son.
哥林多的基督徒如此沉迷于圣灵的神奇恩赐，以至于忽略了圣灵的基本事工。在他们强调圣灵的同时，他们也忽视了父和子。
Blessed
are the balanced! And blessed are they who understand and share “all the
counsel of God” (Acts 20:27 ).
平衡的人有福了！明白并分享“上帝一切旨意”的人有福了（使徒行传 20:27）。
CHAPTER
TWO YOU DON’T HAVE TO
FAIL! 2 Corinthians
1:12—2:17
In his book Profiles in Courage, John F. Kennedy wrote, “Great crises
produce great men and great deeds of courage.” While it is true that a crisis
helps to make a person, it is also true that a crisis helps to reveal what a
person is made of. Pilate faced a great crisis, but his handling of it did not
give him either courage or greatness. How we handle the difficulties of life
will depend largely on what kind of character we have; for what life does to us
depends on what life finds in us.
In this
very personal letter, Paul opened his heart to the Corinthians (and to us) and
revealed the trials he had experienced. To begin with, he had been severely
criticized by some of the people in Corinth because he had changed his plans
and apparently not kept his promise. When Christians misunderstand each other,
the wounds can go very deep. Then, there was the problem of opposition to his
apostolic authority in the church. One of the members—possibly a leader—had to
be disciplined, and this gave Paul great sorrow. Finally, there were the
difficult circumstances Paul had to endure in Asia (2 Cor. 1:8–11), a trial so
severe that he despaired of life.
What
kept Paul from failing? Other people, facing these same crises, would have
collapsed! Yet Paul not only triumphed over the circumstances, but out of them
produced a great letter that even today is helping God’s people experience
victory. What were the spiri[1]tual
resources that kept Paul going?
1. A Clear Conscience
(1:12–24)
Our
English word conscience comes from two Latin words: com, meaning “with,” and
scire, meaning “to know.” Conscience is that inner faculty that “knows with”
our spirit and approves when we do right, but accuses when we do wrong.
Conscience is not the law of God, but it bears witness to that law. It is the
window that lets in the light; and if the window gets dirty because we disobey,
then the light becomes dimmer and dimmer (see Matt. 6:22–23; Rom. 2:14–16).
Paul
used the word conscience twenty-three times in his letters and spoken ministry
as given in Acts. “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience
void of offense toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16). When a person has a
good conscience, he has integrity, not duplicity; and he can be trusted.
Why
were the Corinthians accusing Paul of deception and carelessness? Because he
had been forced to change his plans. He had originally promised to spend the
winter in Corinth “if the Lord permit” (1 Cor. 16:2–8). Paul wanted to gather
the offerings that the Corinthians collected for the poor Jewish believers and
give the church the privilege of sending him and his associates on their way to
Jerusalem.
Much to
Paul’s regret and embarrassment, he had to change those plans. I sympathize
with him, for in my own limited ministry I have sometimes had to change plans
and even cancel meetings—and without benefit of apostolic authority! “Plans get
you into things,” said Will Rogers, “but you have to work your way out.” Paul
now planned to make two visits to Corinth, one on his way into Macedonia, and
the other on his way from Macedonia. He would then add the Corinthian
collection to that of the Macedonian churches and go on his way to Jerusalem.
Alas,
even Plan B had to be scrapped. Why? Because his own loving heart could not
endure another “painful visit” (2 Cor. 1:23; 2:1–3). Paul had informed the
church about his change in plans, but even this did not silence the opposition.
They accused him of fol[1]lowing
“fleshly wisdom” (2 Cor. 1:12), of being careless with the will of God (2 Cor.
1:17), and of making plans just to please himself. They were saying, “If Paul
says or writes one thing, he really means another! His yes is no, and his no is
yes.”
Misunderstandings
among God’s people are often very difficult to untangle, because one
misunderstand[1]ing
often leads to another. Once we start to question the integrity of others or
distrust their words, the door is opened to all kinds of problems. But, no
matter what his accusers might say, Paul stood firm because he had a clear
conscience. What he wrote, what he said, and what he lived were all in
agreement. And, after all, he had added to his original plan “if the Lord
permit” (1 Cor. 16:7; and note James 4:13–17).
第二章你不必失败！ 哥林多後书 1:12—2:17
约翰·F·肯尼迪在他的《勇气档案》一书中写道：“巨大的危机产生了伟大的人，产生了伟大的勇气。”虽然危机确实有助于塑造一个人，但危机也有助于揭示一个人是由什么构成的。彼拉多面临着巨大的危机，但他的处理并没有给他勇气或伟大。我们如何处理生活中的困难，很大程度上取决于我们拥有什么样的性格；因为生命对我们做了什么，取决于生命在我们身上找到了什么。
在这封非常私人的信中，保罗向哥林多人（和我们）敞开了心扉，并透露了他所经历的考验。首先，他受到了科林斯一些人的严厉批评，因为他改变了计划，显然没有遵守诺言。当基督徒互相误解时，伤口会很深。然后，就是在教会中反对他的使徒权威的问题。其中一名成员——可能是一位领袖——必须受到纪律处分，这让保罗非常难过。最后，保罗不得不在亚洲忍受艰难的环境（哥林多后书 1:8-11），这种考验如此严峻，以至于他对生命感到绝望。
是什么让保罗没有失败？其他人，面对同样的危机，会崩溃！然而，保罗不仅战胜了环境，而且从环境中产生了一封伟大的信，即使在今天，它仍在帮助上帝的子民经历胜利。让保罗坚持下去的属灵资源是什么？
1. 无愧的良心（1:12-24）
我们的英语单词 conscience 来自两个拉丁词：com，意思是“与”，和 scire，意思是“知道”。良心是一种内在的能力，它“知道”我们的精神，当我们做对时认可，但在我们做错时指责。良心不是上帝的律法，但它见证了这个律法。是让光线进来的窗户；如果窗户因为我们不服从而变脏，那么光线就会变得越来越暗（见马太福音 6：22-23；罗马书 2：14-16）。
保罗在使徒行传中的书信和口述事工中用了 23 次良心这个词。 “我在此操练自己，对神对人，常存无亏的良心”（使徒行传 24:16）。一个人有良心，就是正直，没有口是心非；他可以信任。
为什么哥林多人指责保罗欺骗和粗心？因为他被迫改变计划。他最初承诺“如果主允许”（林前 16:2-8）将在哥林多过冬。保罗想要收集哥林多人为可怜的犹太信徒收集的供物，并让教会有特权将他和他的同伙送往耶路撒冷。
令保罗感到遗憾和尴尬的是，他不得不改变这些计划。我同情他，因为在我自己有限的事工中，有时我不得不改变计划，甚至取消会议——而且没有使徒权威的好处！ “计划会让你陷入困境，”威尔·罗杰斯说，“但你必须努力摆脱困境。”保罗现在计划两次访问哥林多，一次是在前往马其顿的途中，另一次是在从马其顿的途中。然后，他会将科林斯式的收藏添加到马其顿教堂的收藏中，然后前往耶路撒冷。
唉，即使是 B 计划也不得不取消。为什么？因为他自己的爱心无法忍受另一次“痛苦的访问”（林后 1:23；2:1-3）。保罗已经通知教会他改变了计划，但即使这样也没有让反对者安静下来。他们指责他遵循“肉体的智慧”（哥林多后书 1:12），对上帝的旨意漠不关心（哥林多前书 1:17），并制定计划只是为了取悦自己。他们说：“如果保罗说或写的是一件事，他的意思是另一件事！他的肯定就是否定，他的否定就是肯定。”
上帝子民之间的误解往往很难解开，因为一个误解往往会导致另一个误解。一旦我们开始质疑他人的诚信或不信任他们的话，各种问题的大门就打开了。但是，无论控告他的人怎么说，保罗都坚定不移，因为他问心无愧。他写的，他说的，他的生活都是一致的。毕竟，他已经在“如果主允许”的情况下添加到他原来的计划中（林前 16:7；请注意雅各书 4:13-17）。
When
you have a clear conscience, you will live in the light of the return of Jesus
Christ (v. 14). “The day of Jesus Christ” refers to that time when Christ
appears and takes His church to heaven. Paul was certain that, at the judgment
seat of Christ, he would rejoice over the Corinthian believers and they would
rejoice over him. Whatever misunderstandings there may be today, when we stand
before Jesus Christ, all will be forgiven, forgotten, and transformed into
glory, to the praise of Jesus Christ.
When
you have a clear conscience, you will be serious about the will of God (vv.
15–18). Paul did not make his plans carelessly or haphazardly; he sought the
leading of the Lord. Sometimes he was not sure what God wanted him to do (Acts
16:6–10), but he knew how to wait on the Lord. His motives were sincere: he was
seeking to please the Lord and not men. When we stop to consider how difficult
both transportation and communication were in that day, we can marvel that Paul
did not have more problems with his busy schedule.
Jesus
instructed us to mean what we say. “Say just a simple, ‘Yes, I will’ or ‘No, I
won’t.’ Your word is enough. To strengthen your promise with a vow shows that
something is wrong” (Matt. 5:37 tlb). Only a per[1]son with bad
character uses extra words to strengthen his yes or no. The Corinthians knew
that Paul was a man of true character, because he was a man with a clear
conscience. During his eighteen months of min[1]istry among them,
Paul had proved himself faithful; and he had not changed.
When
you have a clear conscience, you glorify Jesus Christ (vv. 19–20). You cannot
glorify Christ and practice deception at the same time. If you do, you will
violate your conscience and erode your character; but eventually the truth will
come out. The Corinthians were saved because Paul and his friends preached
Jesus Christ to them. How could God reveal truth through false instruments? The
witness and the walk of the minister must go together, for the work that we do
flows out of the lives that we live.
There
is no yes-and-no about Jesus Christ. He is God’s “eternal yes” to those who
trust Him. “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are yes in
Christ. And so through him the Amen is spoken by us to the glory of God” (2
Cor. 1:20 niv). Jesus Christ reveals the promises, fulfills the promises, and
enables us to claim the promises! One of the blessings of a good conscience is
that we are not afraid to face God or men, or to claim the promises God gives
in His Word. Paul was not guilty of “manipulating” the Word of God in order to
support his own sinful practices (see 2 Cor. 4:2).
Finally,
when you have a clear conscience, you will be on good terms with the Spirit of
God (vv. 21–24). The word established is a business term and refers to the
guarantee of the fulfilling of a contract. It was the assurance that the seller
gave to the buyer that the product was as advertised, or that the service would
be rendered as promised.
The
Holy Spirit is God’s guarantee that He is dependable and will accomplish all
that He has promised. Paul was careful not to grieve the Holy Spirit; and,
because the Spirit was not convicting him, he knew that his motives were pure
and his conscience was clear.
All
Christians have been anointed by the Spirit (2 Cor. 1:21). In the Old
Testament, the only persons who were anointed by God were prophets, priests,
and kings. Their anointing equipped them for service. As we yield to the
Spirit, He enables us to serve God and to live godly lives. He gives us the
special spiritual discernment that we need to serve God acceptably (1 John
2:20, 27).
The
Spirit has also sealed us (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13) so that we belong to Christ
and are claimed by Him. The witness of the Spirit within guarantees that we are
authentic children of God and not counterfeit (Rom. 5:5; 8:9). The Spirit also
assures us that He will protect us, because we are His property.
当你问心无愧时，你就会活在耶稣基督再来的光中（第 14 节）。 “耶稣基督的日子”是指基督出现并将他的教会带到天堂的那一天。保罗确信，在基督的审判台上，他会为哥林多信徒欢欣，他们也会为他欢喜。无论今天有什么误解，当我们站在耶稣基督面前时，一切都会被赦免、被遗忘，并转化为荣耀，以赞美耶稣基督。
当你问心无愧时，你就会认真对待神的旨意（15-18 节）。保罗没有草率地或随意地制定他的计划。他寻求主的引导。有时他不确定神要他做什么（使徒行传 16:6-10），但他知道如何等候主。他的动机是真诚的：他寻求取悦主，而不是取悦人。当我们停下来想想那天的交通和通讯有多困难时，我们会惊叹保罗在他繁忙的日程安排中没有更多的问题。
耶稣教导我们要说到做到。 “简单地说，‘是的，我会’或‘不，我不会’。你的话就足够了。用誓言来巩固你的诺言，表明有些事情是错误的”（马太福音 5:37 tlb）。只有性格不好的人才会用多余的词来加强他的“是”或“否”。哥林多人知道保罗是一个有真正品格的人，因为他是一个问心无愧的人。在他们中间的十八个月里，保罗证明了自己是忠诚的。他没有改变。
当你问心无愧时，你就是在荣耀耶稣基督（19-20 节）。你不能在荣耀基督的同时实行欺骗。如果这样做，就会违背良心，侵蚀人品；但最终真相会浮出水面。哥林多人得救是因为保罗和他的朋友们向他们传讲耶稣基督。上帝怎么能通过虚假的工具来揭示真理呢？传道人的见证和行走必须同时进行，因为我们所做的工作是从我们的生活中流露出来的。
关于耶稣基督没有是非。他是上帝对那些相信他的人的“永恒的肯定”。 “因为无论上帝作出多少应许，在基督里都是肯定的。因此，通过他，我们对上帝的荣耀说阿门”（2 Cor. 1:20 niv）。耶稣基督启示了应许，实现了应许，使我们能够得到应许！无愧于良心的福分之一是我们不惧怕面对神或人，或宣称神在他的话语中所给予的应许。保罗并没有犯“操纵”上帝的话语以支持他自己的犯罪行为（见哥林多前书 4:2）。
最后，当你问心无愧时，你就会与神的灵相处融洽（21-24 节）。成立一词是一个商业术语，是指履行合同的保证。这是卖方向买方保证产品与广告一样，或者服务将按承诺提供。
圣灵是上帝的保证，祂是可靠的，会成就祂所应许的一切。保罗小心翼翼地不让圣灵担忧。而且，因为圣灵没有使他知罪，他知道他的动机是纯洁的，他的良心是清楚的。
所有的基督徒都被圣灵膏抹（林后 1:21）。在旧约中，唯一被上帝膏抹的人是先知、祭司和君王。他们的恩膏装备他们服务。当我们屈服于圣灵时，他使我们能够侍奉上帝并过敬虔的生活。他给了我们特殊的属灵洞察力，我们需要以可接受的方式侍奉上帝（约翰一书 2:20, 27）。
圣灵也印证了我们（林后 1:22；以弗所书 1:13），因此我们属于基督并被他认领。圣灵的见证保证我们是上帝真正的儿女，而不是假冒的（罗马书 5:5；8:9）。圣灵也向我们保证他会保护我们，因为我们是他的财产。
Finally,
the Holy Spirit enables us to serve others (2 Cor. 1:23–24), not as “spiritual
dictators” who tell others what to do, but as servants who seek to help others
grow. The false teachers who invaded the Corinthian church were guilty of being
dictators (see 2 Cor. 11), and this had turned the hearts of the people away
from Paul, who had sacrificed so much for them.
The
Spirit is God’s “earnest” (down payment, guarantee, security) that one day we
shall be with Him in heaven and possess glorified bodies (see Eph. 1:14). He
enables us to enjoy the blessings of heaven in our hearts today! Because of the
indwelling Holy Spirit, Paul was able to have a clear conscience and face
misunderstandings with love and patience. If you live to please people,
misunderstandings will depress you; but if you live to please God, you can face
misunderstandings with faith and courage.
2. A Compassionate
Heart (2:1–11)
One of
the members of the Corinthian church caused Paul a great deal of pain. We are
not sure if this is the same man Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 5, the man
who was living in open fornication, or if it was another person, someone who
publicly challenged Paul’s apostolic authority. Paul had made a quick visit to
Corinth to deal with this problem (2 Cor. 12:14; 13:1) and had also written a
painful letter to them about the situation. In all of this, he revealed a
compassionate heart. Note the evidences of Paul’s love.
Love
puts others first (vv. 1–4). He did not think of his own feelings, but of the
feelings of others. In Christian ministry, those who bring us great joy can
also create for us great sorrow; and this was what Paul was experiencing. He
wrote them a stern letter, born out of the anguish of his own heart, and bathed
in Christian love. His great desire was that the church might obey the Word,
discipline the offender, and bring purity and peace to the congregation.
“Faithful
are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Prov.
27:6). Paul knew that his words would wound those he loved, and this brought pain
to his heart. But he also knew (as every loving parent knows) that there is a
big difference between hurting someone and harming him. Sometimes those who
love us must hurt us in order to keep us from harming ourselves.
Paul
could have exercised his apostolic authority and commanded the people to
respect him and obey him; but he preferred to minister with patience and love.
God knew that Paul’s change in plans had as its motive the sparing of the
church from further pain (2 Cor. 1:23–24). Love always considers the feelings
of others and seeks to put their good ahead of everything else.
Love
also seeks to help others grow (vv. 5–6). It is worth noting that Paul did not
mention the name of the man who had opposed him and divided the church family.
However, Paul did tell the church to discipline this man for his own good. If
the person referred to is the fornicator mentioned in 1 Corinthians 5, then
these verses indicate that the church did hold a meeting and discipline the
man, and that he repented of his sins and was restored.
True
discipline is an evidence of love (see Heb. 12). Some young parents with
“modern views” of how to raise children refuse to discipline their disobedient
off[1]spring
because these parents claim they love their children too much. But if they
really loved their chil[1]dren,
they would chasten them.
Church
discipline is not a popular subject or a widespread practice. Too many churches
sweep such things under the rug instead of obeying the Scriptures and
confronting the situation boldly by “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).
“Peace at any price” is not a biblical principle, for there cannot be true
spiritual peace without purity (James 3:13–18). Problems that are swept under
the rug have a way of multiplying and creating even worse problems later on.
The man
whom Paul confronted, and whom the church disciplined, was helped by this kind
of loving attention. When I was a child, I didn’t always appreci[1]ate
the discipline that my parents gave me, though I must confess that I deserved
far more than I received. But now that I look back, I can thank God that they
loved me enough to hurt me and hinder me from harming myself. Now I understand
what they really meant when they said, “This hurts us more than it hurts you.”
Love
forgives and encourages (vv. 7–11). Paul urged the church family to forgive the
man, and he gave solid reasons to back up this admonition. To begin with, they
were to forgive him for his own sake, “lest [he] be swallowed up with overmuch
sorrow” (2 Cor. 2:7–8). Forgiveness is the medicine that helps to heal broken
hearts. It was important that the church assure this repentant member of their
love.
最后，圣灵使我们能够为他人服务（林后 1:23-24），而不是作为告诉别人该做什么的“精神独裁者”，而是作为寻求帮助他人成长的仆人。入侵哥林多教会的假教师犯了独裁者的罪行（见哥林多前书 2 章 11 节），这使人们的心远离了为他们做出如此多牺牲的保罗。
圣灵是上帝的“认真”（首付、保证、保障），有一天我们将在天堂与他同在，并拥有荣耀的身体（见弗 1:14）。祂使我们今天在心中享受天堂的祝福！因着内住的圣灵，保罗得以有无愧的良心，以爱心和耐心面对误解。如果你活着是为了取悦别人，误解会让你沮丧；但如果你活着是为了取悦上帝，你可以用信心和勇气面对误解。
2. 慈悲的心（2:1-11）
哥林多教会的一位成员给保罗带来了极大的痛苦。我们不确定这是否是保罗在哥林多前书 5 章中所写的那个人，那个生活在公开淫乱中的人，或者是另一个人，一个公开挑战保罗使徒权威的人。为了解决这个问题，保罗快速访问了哥林多（哥林多后书 12:14；13:1），并且还给他们写了一封关于这种情况的痛苦信。在这一切中，他流露出一颗慈悲的心。注意保罗爱的证据。
爱把别人放在第一位（1-4 节）。他考虑的不是自己的感受，而是别人的感受。在基督教事工中，给我们带来极大喜乐的人，也会给我们带来极大的悲伤；这就是保罗所经历的。他给他们写了一封严厉的信，来自他自己内心的痛苦，沐浴在基督徒的爱中。他最大的愿望是教会可以顺服圣经，管教犯罪者，并为会众带来纯洁与和平。
“忠实是朋友的伤口；仇敌的亲嘴是诡诈的”（箴 27:6）。保罗知道他的话会伤害他所爱的人，这给他的心带来了痛苦。但他也知道（正如每个慈爱的父母都知道的那样）伤害一个人和伤害他是有很大区别的。有时，爱我们的人必须伤害我们，以免我们伤害自己。
保罗本可以行使他的使徒权柄，命令人们尊重他，服从他。但他更愿意以耐心和爱心服侍。上帝知道保罗改变计划的动机是让教会免于进一步的痛苦（林后 1:23-24）。爱总是考虑他人的感受，并力求将他人的利益置于一切之上。
爱也寻求帮助他人成长（5-6 节）。值得注意的是，保罗没有提到反对他并分裂教会家庭的人的名字。然而，保罗确实告诉教会为了他自己的利益管教这个人。如果所指的人是哥林多前书五章提到的淫乱者，那么这几节经文表明教会确实开会管教了这个人，并且他悔改了自己的罪并得到了恢复。
真正的管教是爱的证据（见希伯来书 12）。一些对如何抚养孩子有“现代观点”的年轻父母拒绝管教他们不听话的后代，因为这些父母声称他们太爱自己的孩子。但如果他们真的爱他们的孩子，他们就会管教他们。
教会纪律不是一个流行的主题或普遍的做法。太多的教会对这些事情一无所知，而不是顺服圣经，勇敢地面对这种情况，“用爱心说诚实话”（弗 4:15）。 “不惜一切代价的和平”不是圣经原则，因为没有纯洁就不可能有真正的属灵和平（雅各书 3:13-18）。被扫到地毯下的问题有一种方法会在以后成倍增加并产生更严重的问题。
保罗面对的那个人，教会管教的那个人，得到了这种慈爱的关注。当我还是个孩子的时候，我并不总是欣赏父母给我的管教，尽管我必须承认，我应得的远远超过我得到的。但现在回想起来，我可以感谢上帝，他们爱我足以伤害我，阻止我伤害自己。现在我明白他们所说的“这对我们的伤害比对你的伤害更大”时的真正意思。
爱宽恕并鼓励（7-11 节）。保罗敦促教会家庭宽恕这个人，并给出了充分的理由来支持这一劝告。首先，他们要为他自己的缘故原谅他，“以免 [他] 被过度的悲伤吞没”（林后 2:7-8）。宽恕是帮助治愈破碎心灵的良药。教会向这位悔改的成员保证他们的爱是很重要的。
In my
own pastoral ministry, I have shared in meetings where disciplined members have
been forgiven and restored to fellowship; and they have been high and holy
hours in my life. When a church family assures a forgiven brother or sister
that the sin is forgoten and the fellowship restored, there is a sense of the
Lord’s presence that is wonderful to experience. Every parent who disciplines a
child must follow that discipline with assurance of love and forgiveness, or
the discipline will do more harm than good.
They
should confirm their love to the forgiven brother for the Lord’s sake (2 Cor.
2:9–10). After all, discipline is as much a matter of obedience to the Lord as
it is obligation to a brother. The problem was not simply between a sinning
brother and a grieving apostle: it was also between a sinning brother and a
grieving Savior. The man had sinned against Paul and the church, but he had most
of all sinned against the Lord. When timid church leaders try to whitewash
situations instead of facing them honestly, they are grieving the heart of the
Lord.
Paul
gave a third reason: they must forgive the offender for the church’s sake (2
Cor. 2:11). When there is an unforgiving spirit in a congregation because sin
has not been dealt with in a biblical manner, it gives Satan a “beachhead” from
which he can operate in the congregation. We grieve the Holy Spirit and “give
place to the devil” when we harbor an unforgiving spirit (Eph. 4:27–32).
One of
Satan’s “devices” is to accuse believers who have sinned so that they feel
their case is hopeless. I have had people write me or phone me to ask for help
because they have been under satanic oppression and accusation. The Holy Spirit
convicts us of sin so that we will confess it and turn to Christ for cleansing;
but Satan accuses us of sin so that we will despair and give up.
When an
offending brother or sister is disciplined according to the Bible, and repents,
then the church family must forgive and restore the member, and the matter must
be forgotten and never brought up again. If the church family—or any person in
the family— carries an unforgiving spirit, then Satan will use that attitude as
a beachhead for new assaults against the church.
Paul
was able to overcome the problems that he faced because he had a clear
conscience and a compassionate heart. But there was a third spiritual resource
that gave him victory.
A
Conquering Faith (2:12–17) It appeared in Asia that Paul’s plans had completely
fallen apart. Where was Titus? What was going on at Corinth? Paul had open
doors of ministry at Troas, but he had no peace in his heart to walk through
those doors. Humanly speaking, it looked like the end of the battle, with Satan
as the victor.
在我自己的牧灵事工中，我曾在聚会中分享受纪律的成员被宽恕并恢复团契；在我的生命中，它们是崇高而神圣的时刻。当一个教会家庭向一位被赦免的弟兄或姊妹保证，罪已被忘记，团契得以恢复时，就会有一种奇妙的体验到主的同在。每个管教孩子的父母都必须以爱和宽恕的保证来遵守管教，否则管教弊大于利。
他们应该为主的缘故确认他们对被宽恕的兄弟的爱（2 哥林多前书 2:9-10）。毕竟，管教既是对主的顺服，也是对兄弟的义务。问题不只是在一个有罪的兄弟和一个悲伤的使徒之间：也存在于一个有罪的兄弟和一个悲伤的救主之间。这个人得罪了保罗和教会，但最重要的是他得罪了主。当胆怯的教会领袖试图粉饰情况而不是诚实地面对它们时，他们正在使主的心伤心。
保罗给出了第三个理由：他们必须为教会的缘故原谅冒犯者（林后 2:11）。当会众中有一种不宽恕的精神，因为罪没有以圣经的方式得到处理，它给了撒旦一个“滩头阵地”，他可以从这里在会众中运作。当我们怀有不饶恕的精神时，我们会让圣灵担忧并“给魔鬼留地步”（弗 4:27-32）。
撒但的“诡计”之一是控告犯了罪的信徒，使他们觉得自己的案子没有希望了。我曾有人给我写信或打电话寻求帮助，因为他们一直受到撒旦的压迫和指责。圣灵使我们知罪，使我们认罪并转向基督来洁净；但撒旦指责我们有罪，所以我们会绝望和放弃。
当一个得罪的弟兄姊妹按圣经管教，悔改了，那么教会家庭就必须饶恕和挽回这个肢体，这件事必须忘记，不再提起。如果教会家庭——或家庭中的任何人——怀有不饶恕的精神，那么撒但就会利用这种态度作为滩头阵地，对教会发起新的攻击。
保罗能够克服他所面临的问题，因为他有一颗无愧的良心和一颗富有同情心的心。但还有第三种精神资源给了他胜利。
征服的信心（2:12-17） 保罗的计划在亚洲看来完全落空了。提多在哪里？科林斯发生了什么？保罗在特罗亚的事工之门敞开，但他心里没有平安穿过这些门。从人的角度来说，这似乎是战斗的结束，撒旦是胜利者。
Except
for one thing: Paul had a conquering faith! He was able to break out in praise
and write, “Thanks be unto God” (2 Cor. 2:14). This song of praise was born out
of the assurances Paul had because he trusted the Lord.
Paul
was sure that God was leading him (v. 14a). The circumstances were not
comfortable, and Paul could not explain the detours and disappointments, but he
was sure that God was in control. The believer can always be sure that God is
working everything together for good, so long as we love Him and seek to obey
His will (Rom. 8:28). This promise is not an excuse for carelessness, but it is
an encouragement for confidence.
A
friend of mine was to meet a Christian leader behind the iron curtain and
arrange for the publishing of a certain book, but all the arrangements fell
through. My friend was alone in a dangerous place wondering what to do next,
when he “chanced” to make contact with a stranger—who took him right to the
very lead[1]ers
he wanted to reach! It was the providence of God at work, the fulfilling of
Romans 8:28.
Paul
was also sure that God was leading him in triumph (v. 14b). The picture here is
that of the “Roman Triumph,” the special tribute that Rome gave to their
conquering generals. It was their equivalent of the American ticker-tape
parade.
If a
commander in chief won a complete victory over the enemy on foreign soil, and
if he killed at least five thousand enemy soldiers and gained new territory for
the emperor, then that commander in chief was entitled to a Roman Triumph. The
processional would include the commander riding in a golden chariot, sur[1]rounded
by his officers. The parade would also include a display of the spoils of
battle, as well as the captive enemy soldiers. The Roman priests would also be
in the parade, carrying burning incense to pay tribute to the victorious army.
The
procession would follow a special route through the city and would end at the
Circus Maximus, where the helpless captives would entertain the people by
fighting wild beasts. It was a very special day in Rome when the citizens were
treated to a full[1]scale
Roman Triumph.
How
does this piece of history apply to the burdened believer today? Jesus Christ,
our great Commander in chief, came to foreign soil (this earth) and completely
defeated the enemy (Satan). Instead of killing five thousand persons, He gave
life to more than five thousand persons—to three thousand plus at Pentecost and
to another two thousand plus shortly after Pentecost (Acts 2:41; 4:4). Jesus
Christ claimed the spoils of battle—lost souls who had been in bondage to sin
and Satan (Luke 11:14–22; Eph. 4:8; Col. 2:15). What a splendid victory!
The
victorious general’s sons would walk behind their father’s chariot, sharing in
his victory; and that is where believers are today—following in Christ’s tri[1]umph.
We do not fight for victory; we fight from victory. Neither in Asia nor in
Corinth did the situa[1]tion
look like victory to Paul, but he believed God—and God turned defeat into
victory.
Paul
was sure that God was using him as He was leading him (vv. 14c–17). As the
Roman priests burned the incense in the parade, that odor affected different
people in different ways. To the triumphant soldiers, it meant life and
victory; but to the conquered enemy, it meant defeat and death. They were on
their way to be killed by the beasts.
Using
this image of the incense, Paul pictured the Christian ministry. He saw
believers as incense, giving forth the fragrance of Jesus Christ in their lives
and labors. To God, believers are the very fragrance of Jesus Christ. To other
believers, we are the fragrance of life; 508 B.Glorious—3 2 Corinthians 2—3 but
to unbelievers, we are the fragrance of death. In other words, the Christian
life and ministry are matters of life and death. The way we live and work can
mean life or death to a lost world around us.
No
wonder Paul cried out, “And who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Cor. 2:16).
He gave his answer in the next chapter: “our sufficiency is of God” (2 Cor.
3:5). He reminded the Corinthians that his heart was pure and his motives
sincere. After all, there was no need to be clever and “peddle” the Word of
God, when he was following in the triumphant train of the victorious Savior!
They might misunderstand him, but God knew his heart.
We
don’t have to fail! Circumstances may discourage us, and people may oppose us
and misunderstand us; but we have in Christ the spiritual resources to win the
battle: a clear conscience, a compassionate heart, and a conquering faith.
“If God
be for us, who can be against us? … Nay, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom. 8:31, 37).
除了一件事：保罗有一个得胜的信心！他能够爆发出赞美并写道：“感谢上帝”（2
Cor. 2:14）。这首赞美之歌源于保罗因信靠主而得到的保证。
保罗确信上帝在引导他（14 节上）。环境并不舒适，保罗无法解释其中的弯路和失望，但他确信上帝在掌权。只要我们爱他并努力顺服他的旨意，信徒就总能确定神在为好而努力工作（罗马书
8:28）。这个应许不是粗心大意的借口，而是对信心的鼓励。
我的一个朋友要在铁幕后会见一位基督徒领袖，安排出版某本书，但一切都落空了。我的朋友独自一人在一个危险的地方想知道下一步该怎么做，当他“偶然”接触到一个陌生人时——他把他带到了他想接触的领导者面前！这是上帝的旨意在工作，应验了罗马书
8:28。
保罗也确信上帝正在带领他得胜（14 节下）。这里的图片是“罗马胜利”的图片，这是罗马对征服他们的将军的特别致敬。这相当于他们的美国自动收报机游行。
如果一位总司令在外国领土上完全战胜了敌人，并且如果他杀死了至少五千名敌军并为皇帝赢得了新的领土，那么这位总司令就有资格获得罗马的胜利。游行将包括骑着金色战车的指挥官，周围环绕着他的军官。游行还将包括展示战利品以及俘虏的敌方士兵。罗马祭司也将参加游行，携带焚香向胜利的军队致敬。
游行队伍将沿着一条特殊的路线穿过城市，并在 Circus
Maximus 结束，无助的俘虏将通过与野兽搏斗来娱乐人们。在罗马，这是一个非常特别的日子，市民们受到了全面的罗马胜利的对待。
这段历史如何适用于今天背负重担的信徒？耶稣基督，我们伟大的统帅，来到异域（地球），彻底击败了敌人（撒旦）。祂没有杀死五千人，而是使五千多人获得了生命——五旬节时有三千多人，五旬节后不久又有两千多人（使徒行传
2:41；4:4）。耶稣基督夺取了战利品——被罪和撒但束缚的迷失灵魂（路加福音
11:14-22；弗 4:8；西
2:15）。多么辉煌的胜利！
胜利的将军的儿子们会跟在父亲的战车后面，分享他的胜利；这就是今天的信徒——跟随基督的胜利。我们不为胜利而战；我们从胜利中战斗。无论是在亚洲还是在哥林多，情况对保罗来说都不像是胜利，但他相信上帝——上帝把失败变成了胜利。
保罗确信神在带领他时正在使用他（14c-17 节）。当罗马祭司在游行中烧香时，这种气味以不同的方式影响着不同的人。对胜利的士兵来说，这意味着生命和胜利；但对于被征服的敌人来说，这意味着失败和死亡。他们正准备被野兽杀死。
保罗用香的这幅图画描绘了基督教的事工。他视信徒为香，在他们的生活和工作中散发出耶稣基督的香气。对神来说，信徒就是耶稣基督的芬芳。对其他信徒来说，我们是生命的芬芳；
508 B.Glorious—3 2 哥林多前书 2—3 但对非信徒来说，我们是死亡的香气。换句话说，基督徒的生活和事奉事关生死。我们生活和工作的方式对于我们周围迷失的世界可能意味着生死。
难怪保罗喊道：“谁能做这些事呢？” （2 肺心病 2:16）。他在下一章给出了答案：“我们的充足来自上帝”（林后 3:5）。他提醒哥林多人，他的心是纯洁的，他的动机是真诚的。毕竟，当他跟随得胜救主的胜利列车时，根本不需要聪明和“兜售”上帝的话语！他们可能会误解他，但上帝知道他的心。
我们不必失败！环境可能使我们灰心，人们可能反对我们，误解我们；但我们在基督里有赢得战斗的属灵资源：无愧的良心、富有同情心的心和得胜的信心。
“如果上帝支持我们，谁能反对我们？ ……不，通过爱我们的主，我们在所有这些事情上都得胜了”（罗
8:31, 37）。
感謝主。
