39 英翻中 HOW TO BE A GOOD SHEPHERD 如何做好牧人 14/04/2025

39 英翻中                     HOW TO BE A GOOD SHEPHERD     如何做好牧人               14/04/2025

CHAPTER 11                         HOW TO BE A GOOD SHEPHERD                            1 Peter 5:1–4第 11 章                                    如何成为好牧人                                                             彼得前書 5:1-4 

Times of persecution demand that God’s people have adequate spiritual leadership. If judgment is to begin at God’s house (1 Peter 4:17), then that house had better be in order, or it will fall apart! This explains why Peter wrote this special message to the leaders of the church, to encourage them to do their work faithfully. Leaders who run away in times of difficulty are only proving that they are hirelings and not true shepherds (John 10:12–14).                                                                        迫害时期要求上帝的子民有足够的属灵领导。如果审判要从上帝的家开始（彼得前书 4:17），那么那家最好有条不紊，否则就会分崩离析！这就解释了为什么彼得写这篇特别信息给教会领袖，鼓励他们忠实地工作。在困难时期逃跑的领袖只是证明他们是雇工而不是真正的牧羊人（约翰福音 10：12-14）。

The New Testament assemblies were organized under the leadership of elders and deacons (1 Tim. 3). The words elder and bishop refer to the same office (Acts 20:17, 28). The word bishop is often translated “overseer” (see 1 Peter 5:2, and note that this title is applied to Christ in 1 Peter 2:25). “Elder” refers to the maturity of the officer, and “bishop” to the responsibility of the office. The word pastor (which means “shepherd”) is another title for this same office (Eph. 4:11). The elders were appointed to office (Acts 14:23, where the verb “ordain” means “to appoint by the raising of hands”). Apparently each congregation had the privilege of voting on qualified men.                      新约叢書是在长老和执事的领导下編輯成的（提前 3章）。长老和主教这两个词指的是同一个职位（使徒行传 20:17, 28）。主教这个词经常被翻译为“监督者”（见    彼得前书 5:2，并注意这个头衔在彼得前书 2:25 中适用于基督）。 “长老”指官员的成熟，“主教”指办公室的职责。牧师（意思是“牧羊人”）是这职位的另一个头衔（弗 4:11）。长老被任命担任职务（使徒行传 14:23，其中动词“按立”的意思是“举手任命”）。显然，每个会众都有权投票选出合格的人。

Peter was concerned that the leadership in the local churches be at its best. When the fiery trial would come, the believers in the assemblies would look to their elders for encouragement and direction. What are the personal qualities that make for a successful pastor?                                  彼得担心地方教会的领导层处于最佳状态。当火热的试炼来临时，大会中的信徒会向他们的 长老寻求鼓励和指导。什么是成功的牧师的个人品质？ 

1.  A Vital Personal Experience with Christ (5:1)                                                                                1. 与基督的重要个人经历（5:1） 

Peter did not introduce himself in this letter as an apos[1]tle or a great spiritual leader, but simply as another elder. However, he did mention the fact that he had personally witnessed Christ’s sufferings (see Matt. 26:36ff). The Greek word translated “witness” gives us our English word martyr. We think of a martyr only as one who gives his life for Christ, and Peter did that, but basically, a martyr is a witness who tells what he has seen and heard.                                                彼得在这封信中没有将自己介绍为使徒或伟大的属灵领袖，而只是作为另一位长老。然而，他确实提到了他亲眼目睹了基督的苦难这一事实（见    马太福音 26:36 比照研讀）。翻译为“见证”的希腊词给了我们英文单词殉道者(martyr)。我们认为殉道者只是为基督献出生命的人，彼得就是这样做的，但基本上，殉道者是见证人，讲述他所见所闻。

It is interesting to read 1 Peter 5 in the light of Peter’s personal experiences with Christ. First Peter 5:1 takes us to Gethsemane and Calvary. “The glory that shall be revealed” reminds us of Peter’s experience with Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1–5; 2 Peter 1:15–18). The emphasis in 1 Peter 5:2 on the shepherd and the sheep certainly brings to mind John 10 and our Lord’s admonition to Peter in John 21:15–17.                                                                                根据彼得与基督的个人经历来阅读彼得前书 5 章很有趣。彼得前书 5:1 将我们带到客西马尼园和髑髅地。 “那将要显现的荣耀”让我们想起彼得在变容山上与基督的经历（马太福音 17：1-5；彼得后书 1：15-18）。彼得前书 5章2節 对牧羊人和绵羊的强调肯定让人想起约翰福音 10 章和我们的主在约翰福音 21章15-17 等節中对彼得的警告。

The warning in 1 Peter 5:3 about “lording it over” the saints reminds us of Christ’s lesson about true greatness in Luke 22:24–30, as well as the other times that He taught His disciples about humility and service. The phrase in 1 Peter 5:5, “Be clothed with humility,” takes us back to the Upper Room where Jesus put on the towel and washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:1–17).                彼得前书 5章3節 中关于“统管”圣徒的警告提醒我们基督在路加福音 22章24-30等節 中关于真正伟大的教训，以及祂在其他时候教导祂的门徒, 关于谦卑和服务的教训。彼得前书 5章5節 中的短语“以谦卑为衣”，带我们回到角楼上的房间，耶稣在那里披上毛巾并为门徒洗脚（约翰福音 13:1-17）。

The warning about Satan in 1 Peter 5:8 parallels our Lord’s warning to Peter that Satan was going to “sift” him and the other apostles (Luke 22:31). Peter did not heed that warning, and he ended up denying his Lord three times.                                                                                                  彼得前书 5章8節 中关于撒旦的警告与我们的主对彼得的警告相似，即撒旦将“筛选”他和其他使徒（路加福音 22:31）。彼得没有听从这个警告，结果他三次否认他的主。 

It is interesting to note that the verb “make you perfect” (1 Peter 5:10) is translated “mending their nets” in Matthew 4:21, the account of the call of the four fishermen into the Lord’s service.有趣的是，动词“使你完全”（彼得前书 5:10）在马太福音  4:章21節 中被翻译为“补网”，这是四个渔夫被召唤为主服务的记述。

In other words, Peter wrote these words, inspired by the Spirit of God, out of his own personal experience with Jesus Christ. He had a vital and growing relationship with Christ, and this made it possible for him to minister effectively to God’s people.                                                                    换句话说，彼得写下这些话，是出于他自己与耶稣基督的亲身经历，是受上帝的灵所默示的。他与基督的关系至关重要且不断增长，这使他能够有效地服事上帝的子民。

The pastor of the local assembly must be a man who walks with God and who is growing in his spiritual life. Paul admonished young Timothy: “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress” (1 Tim. 4:15 niv). The word progress in the original means “pioneer advance.” The elders must constantly be moving into new territories of study, achievement, and ministry. If the leaders of the church are not moving forward, the church will not move forward.                                                                                                                              地方大会的牧师必须是一个与上帝同行，并在属灵生命中成长的人。保罗告诫年轻的提摩太：“在这些事上要殷勤；把你自己完全献给他们，这样每个人都可以看到你的进步”（提前 4:15 新國際版）。原文中的进步一词的意思是“先锋前进”。长老们必须不断地进入学习、成就和事工的新领域。如果教会的领袖不前进，教会就不会前进。

“We love our pastor,” a fine church member said to me during a conference, “but we get tired of the same thing all the time. He repeats himself and doesn’t seem to know that there are other books in the Bible besides Psalms and Revelation.” That man needed to become a “spiritual pioneer” and move into new territory, so that he might lead his people into new blessings and challenges.                                                                                                                                              “我们爱我们的牧师，”一位优秀的教会成员在一次会议上对我说，“但我们总是厌倦同一件事。他重复自己，似乎不知道圣经中除了诗篇和启示录之外还有其他书。”那个人需要成为“屬靈的先驱”并进入新的领域，以便祂可以带领祂的人民进入新的祝福和挑战。

Sometimes God permits trials to come to a church so that the people will be forced to grow and discover new truths and new opportunities. Certainly Peter grew in his spiritual experience as he suffered for Christ in the city of Jerusalem. He was not perfect by any means; in fact, Paul had to rebuke him once for inconsistency (Gal. 2:11–21). But Peter was yielded to Christ and willing to learn all that God had for him.                                                                                                                有时上帝允许试炼来到教会，这样人们就会被迫成长, 并发现新的真理和新的机会。当彼得在耶路撒冷城为基督受苦时，他的属灵经历当然成长了。他无论如何都不完美。事实上，保罗曾因他前后不一而责备他一次（加 2:11-21）。但彼得顺服了基督，愿意学习上帝为他预备的一切。

If I have any counsel for God’s shepherds today, it is this: cultivate a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, and share what He gives you with your people. That way, you will grow, and they will grow with you.                                                                                                                                   如果我今天对上帝的牧羊人有什么忠告，那就是：与耶稣基督建立不断增长的关系，并与你的人民分享祂给你的东西。这样，你就会成长，他们也会和你一起成长。

2.  A Loving Concern for God’s Sheep (5:2–3)                                                                                  2. 关爱上帝的羊（5:2-3） 

The image of the flock is often used in the Bible, and it is a very instructive one (see Ps. 23; 100; Isa. 40:11; Luke 15:4–6; John 10; Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:20–21; 1 Peter 2:25; Rev. 7:17). We were once stray sheep, wandering toward ruin, but the Good Shepherd found us and restored us to the fold.                                                                                                                                                            羊群的形象经常在圣经中使用，这是非常有启发性的形象（见 诗篇 23；100；赛 40:11；路 15:4-6；约 10；使 20:28；来   13:20-21；彼前 2:25；启 7:17）。我们曾经是迷途的羊，正在走向毁灭，但好牧人发现了我们，并把我们带回了羊圈。 

Sheep are clean animals, unlike dogs and pigs (2 Peter 2:20–22). Sheep tend to flock together, and God’s people need to be together. Sheep are notoriously ignorant and prone to wander away if they do not follow the shepherd. Sheep are defenseless, for the most part, and need their shepherd to protect them (Ps. 23:4).                                                                                                                        羊是干净的动物，不像狗和猪（彼得后书 2：20-22）。羊群往往聚集在一起，上帝的子民需要在一起。羊是出了名的无知，如果不跟随牧羊人，它们很容易走迷。大部分情况下，绵羊没有防御能力，需要牧羊人保护它们（诗篇 23:4）。

Sheep are very useful animals. Jewish shepherds tended their sheep, not for the meat (which would have been costly) but for the wool, milk, and lambs. God’s people should be useful to Him and certainly ought to “reproduce” themselves by bringing others to Christ. Sheep were used for the sacrifices, and we ought to be “living sacrifices,” doing the will of God (Rom. 12:1–2).            羊是非常有用的动物。犹太牧羊人照料他们的羊，不是为了肉（那会很贵），而是为了羊毛、牛奶和羊羔。上帝的子民应该对他有用，当然应该通过将他人带到基督面前来“繁殖”自己。羊被用来献祭，我们应该成为“活祭”，遵行上帝的旨意（罗 12:1-2）。

Peter reminded the shepherd-elders of their God given responsibilities.                                            彼得提醒牧羊长老们，上帝赋予他们的责任。                     

Feed the flock of God (v. 2). The word feed means “shepherd, care for.” The shepherd had many tasks to perform in caring for the flock. He had to protect the sheep from thieves and marauders, and the pastor must protect God’s people from those who want to spoil the flock (Acts 20:28–35). Sometimes the sheep do not like it when their shepherd rebukes or warns them, but this ministry is for their own good.                                                                                                                                喂养上帝的羊群（第 2 节）。饲料这个词的意思是“牧羊人，照顾”。牧羊人有许多照顾羊群的任务。他必须保护羊群免受小偷和掠夺者的伤害，而牧师必须保护上帝的子民免受那些想要掠夺羊群的人的伤害（使徒行传 20:28-35）。有时羊不喜欢牧羊人责备或警告它们，但这种事工是为了它们自己好。

A faithful shepherd not only protected his flock, but he also led them from pasture to pasture so that they might be adequately fed. The shepherd always went before the flock and searched out the land so that there would be nothing there to harm his flock. He would check for snakes, pits, poisonous plants, and dangerous animals. How important it is for pastors to lead their people into the green pastures of the Word of God so that they might feed themselves and grow.                      一个忠心的牧羊人不仅保护他的羊群，而且带领他们从一个牧场到另一个牧场，以便他们得到充足的食物。牧羊人总是走在羊群之前，在这片土地上搜寻，以免那里没有任何东西伤害他的羊群。他会检查蛇、坑、有毒植物和危险动物。对于牧师来说，带领他们的会众进入上帝话语的绿色牧场是多么重要，这样他们才能养活自己并成长。

Sometimes it was necessary for a shepherd to seek out a wayward sheep and give it personal attention. Some pastors today are interested only in the crowds; they have no time for individuals. Jesus preached to great multitudes, but He took time to chat with Nicodemus (John 3), the woman at the well (John 4), and others who had spiritual needs. Paul ministered to people personally in Thessalonica (1 Thess. 2:11) and loved them dearly.                                                                            有时牧羊人有必要寻找一只任性的羊并给予个人关注。今天有些牧师只对人群感兴趣。他们没有时间照顾个人。耶稣向许多人传道，但他花时间与尼哥底母（约翰福音 3 章）、井边的妇人（约翰福音 4 章）以及其他有属灵需要的人交谈。保罗亲自服侍帖撒罗尼迦的人（帖前 2:11）并深爱他们。

If a sheep is too rebellious, the shepherd may have to discipline him in some way. If a sheep has a special need, the shepherd might carry it in his arms, next to his heart. At the close of each day, the faithful shepherd would examine each sheep to see if it needed special attention. He would anoint the bruises with healing oil and remove the briars from the wool. A good shepherd would know each of his sheep by name and would understand the special traits of each one.                    如果一只羊太叛逆，牧羊人可能不得不以某种方式管教它。如果一只羊有特殊需要，牧羊人可能会把它抱在怀里，紧挨着他的心。每天结束时，忠实的牧羊人会检查每只羊，看是否需要特别注意。他会用治疗油涂抹瘀伤，并去除羊毛上的荆棘。一个好的牧羊人会知道他的每只羊的名字，并且会了解每只羊的特殊特征。

It is not an easy thing to be a faithful shepherd of God’s sheep!  It is a task that never ends and that demands the supernatural power of God if it is to be done correctly. What makes it even more challenging is the fact that the flock is not the shepherd’s; it is God’s. I sometimes hear pastors say, “Well, at my church …,” and I know what they mean; but strictly speaking, it is God’s flock, purchased by the precious blood of His Son (Acts 20:28). We pastors must be careful how we minister to God’s sheep, because one day we will have to give an account of our ministry. But the sheep will also one day give an account of how they have obeyed their spiritual leaders (Heb. 13:17), so both shepherds and sheep have a great responsibility to each other.做上帝的群羊的忠心牧羊人可不是件容易的事！这是一项永无止境的任务，如果要正确完成，就需要上帝的超自然力量。更具挑战性的是羊群不是牧羊人的事实。这是上帝的。我有时会听到牧师说，“嗯，在我的教会……”，我知道他们的意思；但严格来说，这是上帝的羊群，是用祂儿子的宝血买来的（使徒行传 20:28）。我们牧师必须小心我们如何服侍祂的羊，因为有一天我们将不得不对我们的服事作出交代。但有一天，羊也会交代他们是如何顺服属灵领袖的（来 13:17），因此牧羊人和羊对彼此都负有重大责任。

Take the oversight (v. 2). The word bishop means “overseer, one who looks over for the purpose of lead[1]ing.” You will notice that the shepherd is both “among” and “over,” and this can create problems if the sheep do not understand. Because he is one of the sheep, the pastor is “among” the members of the flock. But because he is called to be a leader, the pastor is “over” the flock. Some people try to emphasize the “among” relationship and refuse to follow the authority of the shepherd. Others want to put the pastor on a pedestal and make him a “super saint” who never mixes with the people. The effective pastor needs both relationships. He must be “among” his people so that he can get to know them, their needs and problems, and he needs to be “over” his people so he can lead them and help them solve their problems. There must be no conflict between pastoring and preaching, because they are both ministries of a faithful Shepherd. The preacher needs to be a pastor so he can apply the Word to the needs of the people. The pastor needs to be a preacher so that he can have authority when he shares in their daily needs and problems. The pastor is not a religious lecturer who weekly passes along information about the Bible. He is a shepherd who knows his people and seeks to help them through the Word.                                        接受监督（第 2 节）。主教一词的意思是“监督者，为领导而监督的人”。你会注意到牧羊人既是“中间”又是“结束”，如果羊不理解，这可能会产生问题。因为他是羊中的一员，所以牧师是羊群中的“成员”。但是因为他被呼召成为领袖，所以牧师“超越”了羊群。有些人试图强调“之间”的关系，拒绝服从牧羊人的权威。其他人则想把牧师高高在上，让他成为从不与人交往的“超级圣人”。有效的牧师需要两种关系。他必须“融入”他的人民，这样他才能了解他们、他们的需求和问题，他需要“超越”他的人民，这样他才能领导他们并帮助他们解决问题。牧养和讲道之间不能有冲突，因为它们都是忠心牧人的事工。传道人需要成为一名牧师，这样他才能将圣言应用到人们的需要上。牧师需要成为一名传道人，这样当他分享他们的日常需要和问题时，他才能拥有权威。牧师不是每周传递有关圣经信息的宗教讲师。祂是一位了解他的人民并寻求通过圣经帮助他们的牧羊人 

Being the spiritual leader of a flock has its dangers, and Peter pointed out some of the sins that the elders must avoid. The first was laziness—“not by constraint but willingly.” His ministry must not be a job that he has to perform. He should do God’s will from his heart (Eph. 6:6). Dr. George W. Truett was pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas for nearly fifty years. Often he was asked to accept other positions, and he refused, saying, “I have sought and found a pastor’s heart.” When a man has a pastor’s heart, he loves the sheep and serves them because he wants to, not because he has to.                                                                                                                                作为羊群的属灵领袖有其危险，彼得指出了一些长老必须避免的罪。第一个是懒惰——“不是强迫，而是自愿。”他的事工不能是他必须执行的工作。他应该发自内心地遵行上帝的旨意（弗 6:6）。 George W. Truett 博士在德克萨斯州达拉斯的第一浸信会教堂担任牧师近 50 年。他经常被要求接受其他职位，但他拒绝了，说：“我已经寻找并找到了一颗牧师的心。”当一个人有牧师的心时，他爱羊并为它们服务是因为他想这样做，而不是因为他必须这样做。

If a man has no conscience, the ministry is a good place to be lazy. Church members rarely ask what their pastor is doing with his time, and he can “borrow” sermons from other preachers and use them as his own. I met one pastor who spent most of his week on the golf course; then on Saturday he listened to tapes of other preachers and used their sermons on Sunday. He seems to be getting away with it, but what will he say when he meets the Chief Shepherd?                            如果人没有良心，事工是懒惰的好地方。教会成员很少问他们的牧师用他的时间做什么，他可以从其他传教士那里“借用”布道，并将其用作自己的。我遇到了一位牧师，他一周的大部分时间都在高尔夫球场上度过。然后在星期六，他听其他传教士的录音带，并在星期天使用他们的布道。他似乎侥幸逃脱，但遇到牧长会说什么？

Next to laziness, the shepherd must beware of covetousness—“not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.” It is perfectly proper for the church to pay the pastor (1 Cor. 9; 1 Tim. 5:17–18), and they ought to be as fair and generous as possible. But making money must not be the main motive for his ministry. Paul stressed this in his qualifications for an elder: “not greedy of filthy lucre” (1 Tim. 3:3); “not given to filthy lucre” (Titus 1:7). He must not be a lover of money nor devote himself to pursuing money.                                                                                                                      除了懒惰之外，牧羊人还必须提防贪婪——“不是为了贪婪，而是为了一个准备好的头脑。”教会付钱给牧师是完全合适的（林前 9；提前    5:17-18），而且他们应该尽可能公平和慷慨。但赚钱绝不能成为他事工的主要动机。保罗在他对长老的资格中强调了这一点：“不贪污财”（提前 3:3）； “不贪污财”（提多书 1:7）。不能贪财，更不能一心追求金钱。

 

Because of family or church situations, some pastors have to engage in outside employment. Paul was a tentmaker, so there is no disgrace in “moonlighting.” But, as soon as possible, the members of the church ought to relieve their pastor of outside employment so he can devote himself fully to the ministry of the Word. Pastors need to beware of getting involved in moneymaking schemes that detour them from their ministry. “No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer” (2 Tim. 2:4 niv). The phrase “a ready mind” means “an eager mind.” It is the same word Paul used in Romans 1:15—“I am so eager to preach the gospel” (niv). It means a willingness to serve because of a readiness and an eagerness within the heart. This is the difference between a true shepherd and a hireling: a hireling works because he is paid for it, but a shepherd works because he loves the sheep and has a heart devoted to them. Read Acts 20:17–38 for a description of the heart and ministry of a true shepherd.                          由于家庭或教会的情况，一些牧师不得不从事外部工作。保罗是个帐篷匠，所以“兼职”并不是什么丢脸的事。但是，教会的成员应该尽快解除他们的牧师在外面的工作，这样他就可以全身心地投入到圣经的事工中。牧师需要提防卷入使他们偏离事工的赚钱计划。 “没有人作为士兵参与民政——他想取悦他的指挥官”（提後 2:4 新國際版）。 “一个准备好的头脑”这个短语的意思是“一个热切的头脑”。这与保罗在罗马书 1:15 中使用的词相同——“我非常渴望传福音”（新國際版）。这意味着由于内心的准备和渴望而愿意服务。这就是真正的牧羊人和雇工之间的区别：雇工工作是因为他有报酬，但牧羊人工作是因为他爱羊群并有一颗献身于羊群的心。阅读使徒行传 20章17至38等節，了解真正牧人的内心和事工的描述。 

Be an example to the flock (v. 3). The contrast is between dictatorship and leadership. You cannot drive sheep; you must go before them and lead them. It has been well said that the church needs leaders who serve and servants who lead. A Christian leader said to me, “The trouble today is that we have too many celebrities and not enough servants.”                                                                      成为羊群的榜样（第 3 节）。独裁与领导之间的对比。你不能赶羊；你必须走在他们前面，带领他们。有人说教会需要服务的领袖和领导的仆人。一位基督徒领袖对我说：“今天的问题是我们有太多名人，没有足够的仆人。”

It is by being an example that the shepherd solves the tension between being “among” the sheep and “over” the sheep. People are willing to follow a leader who practices what he preaches and gives them a good example to imitate. I know of a church that was constantly having financial problems, and no one could understand why. After the pastor left, it was discovered that he had not himself contributed to the work of the church but had preached sermons telling others to contribute. We cannot lead people where we have not been ourselves.                                              牧羊人以身作则，解决了“在”羊群中和“在”羊群之间的紧张关系。人们愿意追随一位实践他所宣扬的并给他们一个模仿的好榜样的领导者。我知道一个教会经常遇到财务问题，没有人能理解为什么。牧师离开后，发现他自己并没有为教会的工作做出贡献，而是布道让别人做出贡献。我们不能把人们带到我们不是我们自己的地方。

Peter was not changing the image when he called the church “God’s heritage.” The people of God are certainly His priceless possession (Deut. 32:9; Ps. 33:12). This word means “to be chosen by lot,” as the dividing up of land (Num. 26:55). Each elder has his own flock to care for, but the sheep all belong to the one flock of which Jesus Christ is the Chief Shepherd. The Lord assigns His workers to the places of His choosing, and we must all be submissive to Him. There is no competition in the work of God when you are serving in the will of God. Therefore, nobody has to act important and “lord it over” God’s people. Pastors are to be “overseers” and not “overlords.”  当彼得称教会为“上帝的产业”时，他并没有改变形象。上帝的子民无疑是他无价的财产（申命记 32:9；诗篇 33:12）。这个词的意思是“抽签”，即土地的分配（民数记 26:55）。每个长老都有自己的羊群要照顾，但羊群都属于耶稣基督是大牧羊人的那群羊群。主将祂的工人分配到祂选择的地方，我们都必须顺服祂。当你在神的旨意中服侍时，神的工作就没有竞争。因此，没有人必须扮演重要的角色并“统治”上帝的子民。牧师要成为“监督者”而不是“霸主”。

4.  A Desire to Please Christ Alone (5:4)                                                                                              4. 渴望单单取悦基督（5:4） 

Since this is the epistle of hope, Peter brought in once again the promise of the Lord’s return. His coming is an encouragement in suffering (1 Peter 1:7–8) and a motivation for faithful service. If a pastor ministers to please himself or to please people, he will have a disappointing and difficult ministry. “It must be hard to keep all these people happy,” a visitor said to me after a church service. “I don’t even try to keep them happy,” I replied with a smile. “I try to please the Lord, and I let Him take care of the rest.”                                                                                                          既然这是盼望的书信，彼得就再一次带来了主再来的应许。他的到来是对苦难的鼓励（彼得前书 1:7-8）和忠心服务的动力。如果牧师事奉是为了取悦自己或取悦别人，他的事工会令人失望和困难。 “让所有这些人开心一定很难，”一位访客在教堂礼拜后对我说。 “我什至没有试图让他们开心，”我笑着回答。 “我努力取悦主，其余的我让他来处理。” 

Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd who died for the sheep (John 10:11), the Great Shepherd who lives for the sheep (Heb. 13:20–21), and the Chief Shepherd who comes for the sheep (1 Peter 5:4). As the Chief Shepherd, He alone can assess a man’s ministry and give him the proper reward. Some who appear to be first may end up last when the Lord examines each man’s ministry.        耶稣基督是为羊而死的好牧人（约翰福音 10:11），为羊而活的大牧人（来 13:20-21），以及为羊而来的大牧人（彼得前书 5： 4）。作为牧长，只有祂才能评估一个人的事工，并给予他适当的奖赏。当主检查每个人的事工时，一些看似在前的人可能最终会排在最后。

One summer day, I stood amid the ruins of a church near Anwoth in Scotland. The building at one time seated perhaps 150 people. By modern standards, it would not have been a successful church. But the man who pastored that flock was the saintly Samuel Rutherford, whose Letters of Samuel Rutherford is a spiritual classic. His ministry continues, though today his church building is in ruins. The Chief Shepherd has rewarded him for his faithful labors, which included a great deal of persecution and physical suffering.                                                                                            一个夏日，我站在苏格兰安沃斯附近一座教堂的废墟中。这座建筑曾经可容纳 150 人。按照现代标准，它不会是一个成功的教会。但牧养那群羊的是圣洁的塞缪尔·卢瑟福，他的《塞缪尔·卢瑟福来信》是一部精神经典。他的事工仍在继续，尽管今天他的教堂建筑已成废墟。大牧羊人因他忠实的工作而奖赏他，其中包括大量的迫害和身体上的痛苦。

 There were several kinds of “crowns” in those days. The one Peter mentioned was the athlete’s crown, usually a garland of leaves or flowers that would quickly fade away. The faithful pastor’s crown is a crown of glory, a perfect reward for an inheritance that will never fade away (1 Peter 1:4).                                                                                                                                                            那个年代有好几种“王冠”。彼得提到的那个是运动员的皇冠，通常是一个很快就会消失的叶子或花朵的花环。忠心牧师的冠冕是荣耀的冠冕，是对永不消逝的产业的完美奖赏（彼得前书 1:4）。

Today a Christian worker may labor for many different kinds of rewards. Some work hard to build personal empires; others strive for the applause of men; still others seek promotion in their denomination. All of these things will fade one day. The only reward we ought to strive for is the “Well done!” of the Savior and the unfading crown of glory that goes with it. What a joy it will be to place the crown at His feet (Rev. 4:10) and acknowledge that all we did was because of His grace and power (1 Cor. 15:10; 1 Peter 4:11). We will have no desire for personal glory when we see Jesus Christ face-to-face.                                                                                                                      今天一个基督徒工人可以为许多不同的奖赏而工作。有些人努力建立个人帝国；别人争取男人的掌声；还有一些人在他们的教派中寻求晋升。所有这些东西总有一天会褪色。我们应该争取的唯一奖励是“干得好！”救主和与之相伴的永不褪色的荣耀冠冕。将王冠放在祂的脚下（启示录 4:10）并承认我们所做的一切都是因为祂的恩典和能力（林前 15:10；彼得前书 4:11），这将是多么令人高兴。当我们面对面见到耶稣基督时，我们就不会渴望个人的荣耀。 

Everything in the local church rises or falls with leadership. No matter how large or small a fellowship might be, the leaders must be Christians, each with a vital personal relationship with Christ, a loving con[1]cern for their people, and a real desire to please Jesus Christ.                          地方教会的一切都随着领导而兴衰。无论团契有多大或多小，领袖都必须是基督徒，每个人都与基督有重要的个人关系，对他们的人民充满爱心，并真正渴望取悦耶稣基督。

We lead by serving, and we serve by suffering.                                                                                      我们通过服务来领导，我们通过苦难来服务。

This is the way Jesus did it, and this is the only way that truly glorifies Him.

耶稣就是这样做的，这是唯一真正荣耀祂的方法。