5002 英翻中 IS ANYBODY LISTENING? 有人在听吗？ 14/02/2026

5002 英翻中             IS ANYBODY LISTENING?                 有人在听吗？                                                                        14/02/2026

親愛的訪友,   編輯者第一次研讀   "希伯來書"   就遇到五種勸勉警告的問題:

 
1.  It Is a Book of Evaluation
1. 希伯来书是评价书

2.  It Is a Book of Exhortation
2.  希伯来书是劝勉的书

 

3.  It Is a Book of Examination                                                                                                                  3.  希伯來書是本測试书 

4.  It Is a Book of Expectation
4.  希伯來書是本帶有盼望的书

5.  It Is a Book of Exaltation
5.  希伯来书是一本超升之書

           請朋友先在這五個問題中作模,   作模.   然後請提出意見共同討論,   好嗎?

CHAPTER ONE                   IS ANYBODY LISTENING?           Hebrews 1:1–3
第一章                                    有人在听吗？                                   希伯来书 1:1-3

A man from Leeds, England visited his doctor to have his hearing checked. The doctor removed the man’s hearing aid, and the patient’s hearing immediately improved! He had been wearing the device in the wrong ear for over twenty years!
有位来自英国利兹(Leeds)的人去看他的医生要检查耳朵的听力。医生拿下他的助听器，那病人的听力立刻好转了！ 二十多年来，他一直把助听器装置戴在错误的耳朵里！
 
I once asked a pastor friend, “Do you have a deaf ministry in your church?” He replied, “There are times when I think the whole church needs a deaf ministry— they just don’t seem to hear me.”
我曾经问过一位牧师朋友，“你的教会有聋哑事工吗？”他回答说，“有时我认为整个教会都需要聋哑的事工   — 他们只是似乎听不见我的声音。”

There is a difference between listening and really hearing, Jesus often cried, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” This statement suggests that it takes more than physical ears to hear the voice of God. It also requires a receptive heart. “Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Heb. 3:7–8).
听与真听是有区别的，耶稣常常喊着说：“有耳可听的，就让他听吧！”这句话表明，要听到上帝的声音，需要的不仅仅是身体的耳朵。它还需要接纳的心。 “今天，你们若要听见祂的声音，就不要硬着心”（希伯来书 3:7-8）                         

Many people have avoided the epistle to the Hebrews and, consequently, have robbed themselves of practical spiritual help. Some have avoided this book because they are “afraid of it.”   The “warnings” in Hebrews have made them uneasy. Others have avoided this book because they think it is “too difficult” for the average Bible student. To be sure, there are some profound truths in Hebrews, and no preacher or teacher would dare to claim that he knows them all! But the general message of the book is clear and there is no reason why you and I should not understand and profit from it.                                                                                                                                     许多人躲避不讀希伯来书，因此剥夺他們实际的属灵帮助。有些人躲避这本书，因为他们“害怕讀希伯来书”。希伯来书的“警告”使他们感到不安。其他人则避开这本书，因为他们认为这对普通圣经学生来说“太难了”。肯定的是希伯来书中有很多深奥的真理，没有传教士或教师敢声称他知道所有这些真理！但是希伯来书的总体信息是明确的，你我没有理由不去理解，并从中受益。

Perhaps the best way to begin our study is to notice five characteristics of the epistle to the Hebrews.
也许研究希伯来书的最好方法是我们在开始時，就注意它的五種勸勉警告的特征。
 
1.  It Is a Book of Evaluation
1. 希伯来书是评价书

The word better is used thirteen times in this book as the writer shows the superiority of Jesus Christ and His salvation over the Hebrew system of religion. Christ is “better than the angels” (Heb. 1:4). He brought in “a better hope” (Heb. 7:19) because He is the Mediator of “a better covenant, which was established on better promises” (Heb. 8:6).
“更好” 一词在本书中使用了 13 次，因为作者展示耶稣基督和祂的救恩对希伯来宗教体系的优越性。基督“比天使更好”（希伯来書 1:4）。祂带来了“更美的希望”（希伯来書7:19），因为祂是“更美之约的中保，这约是建立在更美的应许之上”（希伯来書8:6）。
 
Another word that is repeated in this book is perfect; in the original Greek it is used fourteen times. It means a perfect standing before God. This perfection could never be accomplished by the Levitical priesthood (Heb. 7:11) or by the law (Heb. 7:19), nor could the blood of animal sacrifices achieve it (Heb. 10:1). Jesus Christ gave Himself as one offering for sin, and by this He has “perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Heb. 10:14).
本书中重复的使用另一个词是  “完美的”；在原始希腊语版本中，使用它十四次。这意味着在上帝面前完美的站立。利未人的祭司职位（希伯来書7:11）或律法（希伯来書 7:19）永远无法实现这种完美，动物祭祀的血也无法实现（希伯来書 10:1）。耶稣基督将自己献上作为赎罪祭，因此祂“使成圣的人永远完美”（希伯来書10:14）。
 
So the writer was contrasting the Old Testament system of law with the New Testament ministry of grace. He was making it clear that the Jewish religious system was temporary and that it could not bring in the eternal “better things” that are found in Jesus Christ.
因此，作者将旧约的律法体系与新约的恩典事工进行了对比。他明确表示，犹太宗教制度是暂时的，它不能带来在耶稣基督里找到的永恒的“更好的事物”。
 
Eternal is a third word that is important to the message of Hebrews. Christ is the “author of eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9). Through His death, He “obtained eternal redemption” (Heb. 9:12), and He shares with believers “the promise of eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15). His throne is forever (Heb. 1:8) and He is a priest forever (Heb. 5:6; 6:20; 7:17, 21). “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8).
“永恒”  是希伯来书在它的信息中使用的第三个重要词。基督是“永恒救恩的创始者”（希伯来书 5:9）。通过祂的死，祂“获得了永恒的救赎”（希伯来书 9:12），并且祂与信徒分享了“永恒产业的应许”（希伯来书 9:15）。祂的宝座是永远的（希伯来书1:8），祂是永远的祭司（希伯来书5:6；6:20；7:17, 21）。 “耶稣基督，昨日，今日，一直到永远是一样的”（希伯来书13:8）。
 
When you combine these three important words, you discover that Jesus Christ and the Christian life He gives us are better because these blessings are eternal and they give us a perfect standing before God. The religious system under the Mosaic law was imperfect because it could not accomplish a once-for-all redemption that was eternal.
当你结合这三个重要的词时，你会发现耶稣基督和祂给我们的基督徒生活更好，因为这些祝福是永恒的，它们让我们在上帝面前拥有完美的地位。摩西律法下的宗教制度是不完善的，因为它无法一次完成永远的救赎。
 
But why did the writer ask his readers to evaluate their faith and what Jesus Christ had to offer them? Because they were going through difficult times and were being tempted to go back to the Jewish religion. The temple was still standing when this book was written, and all the priestly ceremonies were still being carried on daily. How easy it would have been for these Jewish believers to escape persecution by going back into the old Mosaic system that they had known before.
但为什么作者要他的读者评价他们的信心，和耶稣基督必须賜给他们的信心？因为他们正在经历逼迫时期，并被逼使回到犹太宗教。写这本书的时候，寺庙还屹立不倒，所有的祭祀仪式每天都在进行。对于这些犹太信徒来说，回到他们以前知道的古老的摩西的系统是比逃脱迫害要容易得多。
 
These people were “second generation believers,” having been won to Christ by those who had known Jesus Christ during His ministry on earth (Heb. 2:3). They were true believers (Heb. 3:1) and not mere professors. They had been persecuted because of their faith (Heb. 10:32–34; 12:4; 13:13–14), and yet they had faithfully ministered to the needs of others who had suffered (Heb. 6:10). But they were being seduced by teachers of false doctrine (Heb. 13:9), and they were in danger of forgetting the true Word that their first leaders, now dead, had taught them (Heb. 13:7).
这些人是“第二代信徒”，是被那些在耶稣基督在地上传道时认识他的人赢得归向基督的（希伯来书2:3）。他们是真正的信徒（希伯来书3:1），而不仅仅是教授。他们因信仰而受到迫害（希伯来书 10:32-34；12:4；13:13-14），但他们仍忠心地满足其他受苦者的需要（希伯来书 6:10）。但是他们被错误教义的教师所引诱（希伯来书13:9），他们有可能忘记教導他们真道的现已去世的第一位领袖（希伯来书13:7）。
 

待續

The tragic thing about these believers is that they were at a standstill spiritually and in danger of going backward (Heb. 5:12ff.). Some of them had even forsaken the regular worship services (Heb. 10:25) and were not making spiritual progress (Heb. 6:1). In the Christian life, if you do not go forward, you go backward; there is no permanent standing still.
有關于这些信徒悲惨之事，是他们在灵性上处于停滞状态，并且還有倒退的危险（希伯来书 5:12 比照研讀）。他们中的一些人甚至已经放弃了常规的敬拜事奉（希伯來書 10:25）并且在灵性上没有进步（希伯來書6:1）。在基督徒的生活中，如果你不前进，就会倒退；没有永远的静止不动的可能。
 
“How can you go back into your former religion?” the writer asked them. “Just take time to evaluate what you have in Jesus Christ. He is better than anything you ever had under the law.”
作者问他们，“你怎么能回到以前的宗教信仰？ 花点时间评估一下，你在耶稣基督里拥有的信心。有祂比你在律法之下所拥有的任何东西都要更好。”
 
The book of Hebrews exalts the person and the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. When you realize all that you have in and through Him, you have no desire for anyone else or anything else!
希伯来书高举上帝的儿子耶稣基督的位格和作為。当你意识到在祂里面和藉由祂拥有的一切时，你就不再渴望任何其他人或任何其他东西！
 
2.  It Is a Book of Exhortation
2.  希伯来书是劝勉的书
 
The writer called this epistle “the word of exhortation” (Heb. 13:22). The Greek word translated “exhortation” simply means “encouragement.” It is translated “com[1]fort” in Romans 15:4, and “consolation” in 2 Corinthians 1:5–7; 7:7. This word is related to the Greek word translated “Comforter” in John 14:16, referring to the Holy Spirit. The epistle to the Hebrews was not written to frighten people, but to encourage people. We are commanded to “encourage one another daily” (Heb. 3:13 niv). It reminds us that we have “strong encouragement” in Jesus Christ (Heb. 6:18 nasb).
作者称这封书信为“劝勉的话”（希伯来书 13:22）。翻译为“劝勉”的希腊词的意思是“鼓励”。它在罗马书 15章4節 中被翻译为“安慰”，在 哥林多後书 1章5至7 等節及 7章7節中，被翻译为“安慰”。这词与约翰福音 14章16節 中翻译为“安慰者”的希腊词有关，指的是圣灵。写给希伯来人的书信不是为了吓唬人，而是为了鼓励人。我们被命令“天天互相鼓励”（希伯来书 3:13 新國際版）。它提醒我们在耶稣基督里得到了“强烈的鼓励”（希伯来书 6:18 新美國標準版）。
 
At this point we must answer the usual question: “But what about those five terrible warnings found in Hebrews?”
在这点上，我们必须回答常见的问题：“希伯来书中的那五个可怕的勸勉和警告呢？”
 
To begin with, these five passages are not really “warnings.” Three basic words are translated “warn” in the New Testament, and the only one used in Hebrews is translated “admonished” in Hebrews 8:5 (kjv, where it refers to Moses) and “spake” in Hebrews 12:25. Only in Hebrews 11:7 is it translated “warned,” where it refers to Noah “being warned of God.” I think that the best description of the five so-called warning passages is the one given in Hebrews 13:22—“exhortation” (kjv), or “encouragement” (brv). This does not minimize the seriousness of these five sections of the book, but it does help us grasp their purpose: to encourage us to trust God and heed His Word.
首先，这五段经文并不是真正的“警告”。三个基本词在新约中被翻译为“警告”，而在希伯来书中唯一使用的一个词在希伯来书 8章5節（欽定版中指摩西），在希伯来书 12章25 節中翻译为“劝告”。只有在希伯来书 11章7節中才翻译为“警告”，它指的是挪亚“受上帝警告”。我认为对这五个所谓的勸勉警告段落中，最好的描述是希伯来书 13章22節中给出的“劝勉”（欽定版）或“鼓励”（brv版）。这并没有降低希伯來书这五个部分的严肃性，但它确实帮助我们理解它们的目的：鼓励我们相信上帝并听从祂的话语。
 
The epistle to the Hebrews opens with an important declaration: “God … has spoken to us in His Son” (Heb. 1:1–2 nasb). Near the close of the book, the writer stated, “See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking” (Heb. 12:25 nasb). In other words, the theme of Hebrews seems to be “God has spoken; we have His Word. What are we doing about it?”
希伯来书以重要的宣告开始：“上帝……借着祂儿子对我们说话”（希伯来书 1:1-2 新美國標準版）。在本书快要结束时，作者说：“你们要小心，不要拒绝说话的人”（希伯来书 12:25新美國標準版）。换句话说，希伯来书的主题似乎是“上帝说话了；有祂的话语。我们該怎么做？”
 
With this truth in mind, we can now better understand the significance of those five “problem passages” in Hebrews. Each of these passages encourages us to heed God’s Word (“God … has spoken”) by pointing out the sad spiritual consequences that result if we do not. Let me list these passages for you and explain their sequence in the book of Hebrews. I think you will see how they all hang together and present one message: heed God’s Word.
在心志中记住这真理，我们现在可以更好地理解希伯来书中那五个“问题段落”的意义。这些段落中的每一段落，都通过指出如果我们不这样做会导致可悲的属灵后果，鼓励我们留心上帝的话语（“上帝……已经说过”）。让我为你列出这些段落，并解释它们在希伯来书中的顺序。我想你会看到他们如何联系在一起并传达一件信息：注意上帝的话语。
 
Drifting from the Word—2:1–4 (neglect)
偏离圣经  :  2:1-4（忽视）
 
Doubting the Word—3:7—4:13 (hard heart)
怀疑上帝的话  :  3:7—4:13（硬心）
 
Dullness toward the Word—5:11—6:20 (sluggishness)
对上帝的话迟钝  :  5:11—6:20（呆滞）
 
Despising the Word—10:26–39 (willfulness)
藐视上帝的话  :  10:26-39（任性）
 
Defying the Word—12:14–29 (refusing to hear)
违抗上帝的话  :  12:14-29（拒绝听）
 
If we do not listen to God’s Word and really hear it, we will start to drift. Neglect always leads to drifting, in things material and physical as well as spiritual. As we drift from the Word, we start to doubt the Word, because faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). We start to get hard hearts, and this leads to spiritual sluggishness, which produces dullness toward the Word. We become “dull of hearing”—lazy listeners! This leads to a despiteful attitude toward the Word to the extent that we willfully disobey God, and this gradually develops into a defiant attitude—we almost “dare” God to do anything!
如果我们不听神的话语并真正听到它，我们就会开始偏離。忽视总是导致偏離，无论是物质的、还是屬靈的。当我们偏离上帝的道时，我们便會开始怀疑上帝的道，因为信心来自听上帝的话（罗马书 10:17）。我们的心开始变得刚硬，这导致属灵的緩慢，导致对上帝话语的迟钝。我们变得“听力迟钝”，成為一群懒惰的听众！这导致我们对上帝的话语态度傲慢，以至于行成故意不顺服神，并逐渐发展出我們挑衅的心态，我们几乎“敢”做任何背逆上帝的事！
 
Now what does God do while this spiritual regression is going on? He keeps speaking to us, encouraging us to get back to the Word. If we fail to listen and obey, then He begins to chasten us. This chastening process is the theme of Hebrews 12, the climactic chapter in the epistle. “The Lord shall judge his people” (Heb. 10:30, italics mine). God does not allow His children to become “spoiled brats” by permitting them to willfully defy His Word. He always chastens in love.
当属灵倒退正在进行的當兒，上帝將會做什么？ 祂會不断对我们说话，鼓励我们回到祂的话中。如果我们不听和不顺服，祂就会开始管教我们。这管教的过程是希伯来书第 12 章的主题，也是这封书信的高潮章节。 “主必审判祂的百姓”（希伯来书 10:30，斜体字的mine）。上帝不允许祂的孩子们故意违抗祂的话语，从而让他们成为“被宠坏的孩子”。祂总是用爱来管教。
 
These five exhortations are addressed to people who are truly born again. Their purpose is to get the readers to pay close attention to God’s Word. While there is some stern language in some of these passages, it is my understanding that none of these exhortations “threatens” the reader by suggesting that he may “lose his salvation.” If he persists in defying God’s Word, he may lose his life (“Shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?” Heb. 12:9). The inference is that if we do not submit, we might die. “There is a sin unto death” (1 John 5:16). But if the epistle to the Hebrews teaches anything, it teaches the assurance of eternal life in a living High Priest who can never die (Heb. 7:22–28).
这五句劝勉警告的聖言，是写给真正重生的人。該聖言的目的是让读者密切关注上帝的话语。虽然其中有幾段含有严厉的语言，但據我的理解，这些劝告都没有暗示读者可能“失去救恩”来“威胁”他。如果他坚持违背上帝的话语，他可能会失去生命（“何況萬靈的父，我们豈不更當顺服祂而得生吗？”希伯来书 12:9）。但推論是，若我们不順服，我们可能会死。 “有至于死的罪”（约翰一书 5:16）。但是，若希伯来书要教导什么，那就是教导永生的活活着的大祭司，祂有永生的確证（希伯来书 7:22-28）。
 
Some students try to explain away the “problem” of “losing your salvation” or “apostasy” by claiming that the readers were not truly born again, but were only “professors” of Christian faith. However, the way the writer addresses them would eliminate that approach; for he called them “holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling” (Heb. 3:1). He told them that they had a High Priest in heaven (Heb. 4:14), which he would not have written if they were lost. They had been “made partakers of the Holy Spirit” (Heb. 6:4). The admonitions in Hebrews 10:19–25 would be meaningless if addressed to unsaved people. The epistle to the Hebrews is a book of evaluation, proving that Jesus Christ is better than anything the law of Moses has to offer.
有些学生试图藉由声称，读者并没有真正重生，而只是對基督信仰的“表白者”来解释“失去救恩”或“背教”的“问题”。不過，作者對這問題解决的方式，試用消除这种方法；因为作者称他们为“同蒙天召圣洁的弟兄”（希伯来书 3:1）。他告诉他们，他们在天上有位大祭司（希伯來書 4:14），如果他们是喪失者，他就不会写這書信。他们已经“与圣灵有分”（希伯来书 6:4）。如果是针对未得救的人，希伯来书 10章19至25等節中的劝勉将毫无意义。希伯来书是评价书，证明耶稣基督比摩西律法所提供的任何东西都好。
 
The epistle is also a book of exhortation, urging its readers to hear and heed the Word of God, lest they regress spiritually and experience the chastening hand of God.
这封新約普通书信也是劝勉的书，劝勉读者要听上帝的话，順从祂的话，免得他們自己的灵性倒退，且要经历上帝管教的手。
 
3.  It Is a Book of Examination
3.  希伯來書是本測试书
 
As you study this book, you will find yourself asking: “What am I really trusting? Am I trusting the Word of God, or am I trusting the things of this world that are shaking and ready to fall away?”
当你研习这本书时，你会发现自己在问，“我真正相信什么？ 我相信上帝的话语，还是相信这世界上正在漂流摇晃，并准备堕落的事呢？”
 
This letter was written to believers at a strategic time in history. The temple was still standing and the sacrifices were still being offered. But in a few years, both the city and the temple would be destroyed. The Jewish nation would be scattered, and this would include Jewish believers in Jesus Christ. The ages were colliding! God was “shaking” the order of things (Heb. 12:25–29). He wanted His people to have their feet on the solid foundation of faith; He did not want them to trust in things that would vanish.
这封信是在历史上的战略时刻写给希伯來信徒的。圣殿依然屹立未倒，獻祭仍在进行中。但在几年后，城市和寺庙都会被摧毁。犹太民族将被驅散，这将包括信耶稣基督的犹太信徒。时代在抵觸！上帝正在“震動”事物的秩序（希伯来书 12:25-29）。祂希望祂的子民的信心立足于坚实基础；不願意他们的信心將会消失。
 
I believe that the church today is living in similar circumstances. Everything around us is shaking and changing. People are discovering that they have been depending on the “scaffolding” and not on the solid foundation. Even God’s people have gotten so caught up in this world’s system that their confidence is not in the Lord, but in money, buildings, programs, and other passing material things. As God continues to “shake” society, the scaffolding will fall away, and God’s people will discover that their only confidence must be in the Word of God.
我相信今天的教会也生活在类似的环境中。我们周围的一切都在震动和变化。人发现他们一直依赖于“支架”，而不是坚实的基础。就连上帝的子民也被这世界系统所吸引，以至于他们的信心不是在主身上，而是在金钱、建筑、计划和其他过时的物质上。随着上帝继续“震动”社会，支架会倒塌，上帝的子民会发现，他们唯一的信心必须是上帝的话语。
 
God wants our hearts to be “established with grace” (Heb. 13:9). That word established is used, in one form or another, eight times in Hebrews. It means “to be solidly grounded, to stand firm on your feet.” It carries the idea of strength, reliability, confirmation, permanence. This, I think, is the key message of Hebrews: “You can be secure while everything around you is falling apart!” We have a “kingdom which cannot be moved” (Heb. 12:28). God’s Word is steadfast (Heb. 2:2) and so is the hope we have in Him (Heb. 6:19).
上帝希望我们的心“被恩典坚固”（希伯来书 13:9）。这词在希伯来书中以各种形式使用過八次。意思是“堅固的基礎，脚踏实地”。它承载着力量、可靠性、堅信、持久性的理念。我认为，这就是希伯来书的关键信息：“当你周围的一切都分崩离析时，你仍能很安全！”我们有“不能震动的国度”（希伯来书 12:28）。上帝的话语是坚定不移的（希伯來書 2:2），我们对祂的盼望也是如此（来 6:19）。
 
Of course, there is no security for a person who has never trusted Jesus Christ as his own Savior from sin. Nor is there security to those who have made a “lip profession” but whose lives do not give evidence of true salvation (Matt. 7:21–27; Titus 1:16). Christ saves “to the uttermost” (i.e., “eternally”) only those who have come to God through faith in Him (Heb. 7:25).
誠然，对于从未相信耶稣基督，为他自己贖罪的救主的人来说，是没有安全感的。对于那些“只是口头上承认”但在生活上，并没有证明真正得救的人来说，他们也没有安全感（马太福音 7:21-27；提多书 1:16）。基督只為那些因信祂，而来到上帝面前的人，拯救他們“到底”（即“永远”）（希伯来书 7:25）。
 
I like to tell congregations the story about the conductor who got on the train, began to take tickets, and told the first passenger whose ticket he took, “Sir, you’re on the wrong train.” When he looked at the next ticket, he told that passenger the same thing.
我喜欢给会众讲这样的故事，列车员上了火车，开始驗票，对第一个取票的乘客说，“先生，你上错车了。”当他看下一张票时，他告诉了那个乘客同样的事情。
 
“But the brakeman told me to get on this train,” the passenger protested.
乘客抗议地說，“但是刹车员让我上这列火车。”
 
The conductor said，“I’ll double-check。” He did and discovered that he was on the wrong train!
列車员说，“我再会仔细检查。”他再檢查，发现自己坐错了火车！
 
I fear there are many people who have a false faith, who have not really heard and heeded God’s Word. Sometimes they are so busy telling everybody else what to do that they fail to examine their own situations. The epistle to the Hebrews is a book of examination: it helps you discover where your faith really is.
我担心有很多人的信心是错误的，他们没有真正听進去，和听从上帝的话语。有时，他们忙于告诉其他人该做什么，以至于没有检查自己的信心情况。希伯来书是測試书：它可以帮助你发现你的基督信仰真正在哪里。 

4.  It Is a Book of Expectation
4.  希伯來書是本帶有盼望的书
 
The focus in this book is on the future. The writer informs us that he is speaking about “the world to come” (Heb. 2:5), a time when believers will reign with Christ. Jesus Christ is “heir of all things” (Heb. 1:2) and we share the “promise of eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15). Like the patriarchs lauded in Hebrews 11, we are looking for that future city of God (Heb. 11:10–16, 26).
本书的重点是未来。作者告诉我们，他说的是“来世”（希伯來書 2:5），即信徒将与基督一同作王的时代。耶稣基督是“承受万有的”（希伯來書1:2），我们分享“永恒产业的应许”（希伯來書9:15）。就像希伯来书 11 章所称赞的先祖一样，我们正在寻找未来的上帝之城（希伯来书 11:10-16, 26）。
 
Like these great men and women of faith, we today should be “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb. 11:13). This is one reason why God is shaking every[1]thing around us. He wants us to turn loose from the things of this world and stop depending on them. He wants us to center our attention on the world to come. This does not mean that we become so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good. Rather it means that we “hang loose” as far as this world is concerned, and start living for the eternal values of the world to come.
像这些有信心的伟人一样，我们今天应该是“地上的陌生人和客旅”（希伯来书 11:13）。这就是为什么上帝要震动我们周围的一切的原因之一。祂希望我们摆脱这世界的事物，不再依赖它们。祂希望我们将注意力集中在未来的天上。这并不意味着我们是如此的属天，以至于我们在尘世中一无是处。相反，这意味着，對这世界而言，我们“並不在乎”，并开始为未来世界的永恒价值而生活。
 
Abraham and Lot, his nephew, illustrate these two different attitudes (Gen. 13—14). Abraham was a wealthy man who could have lived in an expensive house in any location that he chose. But he was first of all God’s servant, a pilgrim and a stranger, and this meant living in tents. Lot chose to abandon the pilgrim life and move into the evil city of Sodom. Which of these two men had true security? It would appear that Lot was safer in the city than Abraham was in his tents on the plain. But Lot became a prisoner of war! And Abraham had to rescue him.
亚伯拉罕和他的侄子罗得说明了这两种不同的心态（创世纪 13-14）。亚伯拉罕是富有的人，他可以住在由他选择的任何地方的昂贵房子里。但他首先是上帝的仆人，朝圣者和陌生人，这意味着住在帐篷里。罗得选择放弃朝圣的生活，搬到邪恶的所多玛城。在这两个人中，谁有真正的安全感？ 看起来罗得在城里比亚伯拉罕在平原上的帐篷里更安全。但罗得成了战俘！亚伯拉罕不得不去救他。
 
Instead of heeding God’s warning, Lot went back into the city, and when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot lost everything (Gen. 19). Lot was a saved man (2 Peter 2:7), but he trusted in the things of this world instead of trusting the Word of God. Lot forfeited the permanent because he depended on and lived for the immediate.
罗得没有听从上帝的警告，而是回到城里，当上帝毁灭所多玛和蛾摩拉时，罗得失去了一切（创世纪 19）。罗得是得救的人（彼得后书 2:7），但他相信这个世界的事情，而不相信上帝的话语。罗得放弃了永久的事物，因为他依赖眼前的事物，并为眼前事物而活。
 
Martyred missionary Jim Elliot said it best: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”
殉道的传教士吉姆· . 埃利奥(Jim Elliot)说得最好，“给予他不能保留的东西，获得他不能失去的东西，祂是智慧者。”
 
You and I as God’s children have been promised a future reward. As with Abraham and Moses of old, the decisions we make today will determine the rewards tomorrow. More than this, our decisions should be motivated by the expectation of receiving rewards. Abraham obeyed God because “he looked for a city” (Heb. 11:10). Moses forsook the treasures and the pleasures of Egypt because “he had respect unto the recompense of the reward” (Heb. 11:26). These great men and women (Heb. 11:31, 35) of faith “lived in the future tense” and thus were able to overcome the temptations of the world and the flesh.
作为上帝的孩子，你我已经得到了未来的奖赏。就像古代的亚伯拉罕和摩西一样，我们今天做出的决定将决定明天的回报。更重要的是，我们的决定应该以获得奖励的期望为活力。亚伯拉罕顺服上帝，因为“他在寻找一座城”（希伯來書 11:10）。摩西离弃埃及的财宝和宴乐，因为“他重视赏赐的回报”（希伯來書11:26）。这些有信心的伟人（希伯來書11:31, 35）“生活在将来时制(future tense)”，因此能够战胜現在世界和肉体的试探。
 
In fact, it was this same attitude of faith that carried our Lord Jesus Christ through the agony of the cross: “Jesus … for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2). The emphasis in the epistle to the Hebrews is “Don’t live for what the world will promise you today! Live for what God has promised you in the future! Be a stranger and a pilgrim on this earth! Walk by faith, not by sight!”
事实上，正是这同樣信心的态度，使我们的主耶稣基督经历了十字架的痛苦：“耶稣……因摆在他面前的喜乐，藐视羞辱，忍受了十字架”（希伯来书 12:2）。希伯来书的重点是“不要为今天世界所​​应许的事而活！ 要为上帝在未来所应许的事而活！做这地上的陌生人和朝圣者！靠信心而不是靠眼界！”
 
This letter is not a diet for “spiritual babes” who want to be spoon-fed and coddled (Heb. 5:11–14). In this letter you will find “strong meat” that demands some “spiritual molars” for chewing and enjoying. The emphasis in Hebrews is not on what Christ did on the earth (the “milk”), but what He is now doing in heaven (the “meat” of the Word). He is the great High Priest who enables us by giving us grace (Heb. 4:14–16). He is also the Great Shepherd of the sheep who equips us to do His will (Heb. 13:20–21). He is working in us to accomplish His purposes. What a thrill it is for us to be a part of such a marvelous ministry!
这封信不是为想要被匙喂养和宠爱的“屬靈婴孩”所写的節食食譜（希伯来书 5:11-14）。在这封信中，你会发现“强壮的肉”需要一些“屬靈的臼齿”来咀嚼和享受。希伯来书强调的不是基督在地上所做的（“奶食物”），而是他现在在天上所做的（圣经的“肉食”美味）。耶穌是伟大的大祭司，祂赐给我们恩典（希伯来书4:14-16）。祂也是群羊的大牧人，装备我们遵行祂的旨意（希伯来书 13:20-21）。祂在我们里面工作，以完成祂的旨意。我们成为如此奇妙職事的一份子，該是何等激动！
 
Dr. A. W. Tozer used to remind us, “Every man must choose his world.” True believers have “tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world [age] to come” (Heb. 6:5); this should mean we have no better than the angels—1:4—2:18 (Exhortation: drifting from the Word, 2:1–4) interest in or appetite for the present sinful world system. Abraham chose the right world and became the father of the faithful. Lot chose the wrong world and became the father of the enemies of God’s people (Gen. 19:30–38). Abraham became the friend of God (2 Chron. 20:7), but Lot became the friend of the world—and lost everything. Lot was “saved, yet so as by fire” (1 Cor. 3:15) and lost his reward.
陶恕(A. W. Tozer) 博士曾经提醒我们，“每个人都必须选择他的世界。”真信徒“曾尝过上帝善道的滋味，尝过将来世界（时代）的大能”（希伯来书 6:5）；这应该意味着我们没有比天使更好 --- 希伯來書1章4節至2章18節（警誡和劝勉：偏离上帝的话语，希伯来书2:1-4）对当前有罪的世界体系感兴趣或胃口大开。亚伯拉罕选择了正确的世界，成为了信心之父。罗得选择了错误的世界，成为上帝子民敌人的父亲（创世记 19:30-38）。亚伯拉罕成为上帝的朋友（歷代志下  20:7），但罗得成为世界的朋友，并失去了一切。罗得“得救了，仍像經過火燒一样”（哥林多前書 3:15）并失去了他的奖赏。
 
5.  It Is a Book of Exaltation
5.  希伯来书是一本超升之書
 
The epistle to the Hebrews exalts the person and the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. The first three verses set this high and holy theme, which is maintained throughout the entire book. Their immediate purpose is to prove that Jesus Christ is superior to the prophets, men who were held in the highest esteem by the Jewish people. In His person, Christ is superior to the prophets. To begin with, He is the very Son of God and not merely a man called by God. The author makes it clear that Jesus Christ is God (Heb. 1:3), for his description could never be applied to mortal man. “Brightness of his glory” refers to the shekinah glory of God that dwelt in the tabernacle and temple. (See Ex. 40:34–38 and 1 Kings 8:10. The word Shekinah is a transliteration of a Hebrew word that means “to dwell.”) Christ is to the Father what the rays of the sun are to the sun. He is the radiance of God’s glory. As it is impossible to separate the rays from the sun, it is also impossible to separate Christ’s glory from the nature of God.
希伯来书高举我们主耶稣基督的位格和作為。一章前三节设定了這崇高而神圣的主题，贯穿全书。他们的直接目的是证明耶稣基督超越先知，先知是犹太人最尊敬的人。就祂本身而言，基督比先知更超越。首先，祂是上帝的儿子，而不仅仅是祂所呼召的人。作者清楚地表明耶稣基督是上帝（希伯来书 1:3），因为他的描述永远不能适用于凡人。 “祂荣耀的光辉”是指住在帐幕和圣殿中的上帝的荣耀。 （见  出埃及记  40:34-38 和列王纪上  8:10。“居住(Shekinah)”  是希伯来语词的音译。）基督之于天父，就像太阳之光之于太阳一样。他是上帝荣耀的光辉。既不可能将光线与太阳分开，也不可能将基督的荣耀与上帝的本性分开。
 
 “Express image” (Heb. 1:3) carries the idea of “the exact imprint.” Our English word character comes from the Greek word translated “image.” Literally, Jesus Christ is “the exact representation of the very sub[1]stance of God” (see Col. 2:9). Only Jesus could honestly say, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). When you see Christ, you see the glory of God (John 1:14).
“表达形象”（希伯来书 1:3）带有“确切印记”的概念。英语翻译为“图像”的希腊语单词。从字面上看，耶稣基督是“上帝本體的真像”（见  歌羅西  2:9）。只有耶稣才能诚实地说，“人看见了我，就是看见了天父”（约翰福音 14：9）。当你看见基督时，你就看见了上帝的荣耀（约翰福音 1:14）。
 
In His work, Christ is also superior to the prophets. To begin with, He is the Creator of the universe, for by Him, God “made the worlds” (Heb. 1:2). Not only did Christ create all things by His Word (John 1:1–5), but He also upholds all things by that same powerful Word (Heb. 1:3). “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist [hold together]” (Col. 1:17).
在祂的作為上，基督也超越先知。首先，祂是宇宙的创造者，因为上帝藉由祂“创造了諸世界”（希伯来书 1:2）。基督不仅用祂的话语创造了万有（约翰福音 1:1-5），而且祂还用同样有力的话语托住了万有（希伯来书 1:3）。 “祂在万有之前，万有都靠祂构成[結合在一起]”（歌羅西書1:17）。
 
The word upholding (Heb. 1:3) does not mean “holding up,” as though the universe is a burden on the back of Jesus. It means “holding and carrying from one place to another.” He is the God of Creation and the God of providence who guides this universe to its divinely ordained destiny.
“托住” （希伯來書 1:3）并不意味着“支持”，好像宇宙是耶稣背上的重担。它的意思是“从一地托住并搬到另一地”。祂是创造之上帝和看顧之上帝，祂引导这宇宙走向其神圣按定的命运。
 
He is also the superior Prophet who declares God’s Word. The contrast between Christ the Prophet and the other prophets is easy to see:
祂也是宣讲上帝话语的至高先知。先知基督和其他先知之间的对比很容易由下表看出：
 
Christ                                                  The Prophets
基督                                                    先知
God th e Son                                       Men called by God
子上帝                                                上帝所呼召的人                              
One Son                                              Many prophets
一子                                                    眾多先知
           A final and complete message                       A fragmentary and incomplete message
           最终的、完整的消息                                                支离破碎的、不完整的消息
 
Of course, both the Old Testament and the gospel revelation came from God, but Jesus Christ was God’s “last word” as far as revelation is concerned. Christ is the source, center, and end of everything that God has to say.
当然，旧约和福音的启示都来自上帝，但就启示而言，耶稣基督是上帝的“最后话语”。基督是上帝所说一切的源头、中心和终結。
 
But Jesus Christ has a ministry as Priest, and this reveals His greatness. By Himself He “purged our sins” (Heb. 1:3). This aspect of His ministry will be explained in detail in Hebrews 7—10.
但是耶稣基督有祭司的职事，这显示了祂的伟大。祂亲自“洗净我们的罪”（希伯來書1:3）。祂的職事方面将在希伯来书 7至10 等章详细解释。
 
Finally, Jesus Christ reigns as King (Heb. 1:3). He has sat down, for His work is finished, and He has sat down “on the right hand of the Majesty on high,” the place of honor. This proves that He is equal with God the Father, for no mere created being could ever sit at God’s right hand.
最后，耶稣基督以君王的身份治理萬有（希伯來書1:3）。祂已经坐下，因为祂的職事已经完成，祂已经坐在“至高至尊的上帝右边”，即尊贵的地方。这证明祂与父上帝是平等的，因为任何受造之物都不能坐在上帝的右边。
 
Creator, Prophet, Priest, and King—Jesus Christ is superior to all of the prophets and servants of God who have ever appeared on the sacred pages of the Scriptures. It is no wonder that the Father said, at the hour of Christ’s transfiguration, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matt. 17:5). Two of the greatest prophets were there with Jesus— Moses and Elijah, but Christ is superior to them.
创造者、先知、祭司和君王的耶稣基督，比所有在圣经上曾出现的先知和上帝的仆人都超越。难怪天父在基督变像时说，“这是我的爱子，我所喜悦的；你们要听祂”（马太福音 17:5）。有两位最伟大的先知与耶稣一起在那里 : 摩西和以利亚，但基督比他们超越。
 
As we study Hebrews together, we must keep in mind that our purpose is not to get lost in curious doctrinal details. Nor is our purpose to attack or defend some pet doctrine. Our purpose is to hear God speak in Jesus Christ, and to heed that Word. We want to echo the prayer of the Greeks: “Sir, we would see Jesus” (John 12:21). If our purpose is to know Christ better and exalt Him more, then whatever differences we may have in our understanding of the book will be forgotten in our worship of Him.
当我们一起学习希伯来书时，必须记住我们的目的，不要迷失在奇怪的教义细节中。我们的目的也不是攻击或捍卫一些喜歡的教义。我们的目的是听到上帝在耶稣基督里说话，并听从那话语。我们想再次重復应希腊人的祷告，“先生，我们要见耶稣”（约翰福音 12:21）。如果我们的目的是更好地认识基督，并更高地高举祂，那么我们对希伯來书的理解可能有的任何差异，都会在敬拜祂时忘记。