52 英翻中 CHAP. 4 Be wise about the christian inistry
CHAPTER
4 BE WISE ABOUT THE
In 1
Corinthians 3, Paul presented three pictures of the local church. Now he
presents three pictures of the minister—a steward (1 Cor. 4:1–6), a spectacle
(1 Cor. 4:7–13), and a father (1 Cor.
We must avoid extremes when it comes to evaluating men and their ministries. On the one hand, we can be so indifferent that we accept anybody who comes along. But the other extreme is to be so hypercritical that Paul himself would fail the test. It is important that we “try the spirits” (1 John 4:1–6; and note 2 John), but we must be careful not to grieve the Spirit as we do so. 在評價人及其事工時，我們必須避免走極端。一方面，我們可以如此冷漠，以至於接受任何遇到的人。但另一個極端就是吹毛求疵，以致於保羅自己也無法通過考驗。 「試驗那些靈」是很重要的（約翰一書 4:1-6；注意約翰二書），但我們必須小心，不要在這樣做的時候令聖靈擔憂。
In these three pictures of ministry, Paul presented three characteristics of a true minister of Jesus Christ. 在這三幅事工圖畫中，保羅展現了耶穌基督真正的牧師的三個特質。
1. Faithfulness—The Steward (4:1–6) 1. 忠誠－管家（4:1-6）
Paul answered the leaders of the various factions in the church when he called himself, Peter, and Apollos “ministers of Christ.” The word translated “ministers” is literally “under-rowers.” It described the slaves who rowed the huge Roman galleys. “We are not the captains of the ship,” said Paul, “but only the galley slaves who are under orders. Now, is one slave greater than another?” 當保羅稱自己、彼得和亞波羅為「基督的僕人」時，他回答了教會中各個派別的領導人。翻譯為「牧師」的字的字面意思是「划船者」。它描述了劃著巨大的羅馬帆船的奴隸。保羅說：“我們不是船長，只是奉命在船上的奴隸。難道一個奴隸就比另一個奴隸厲害嗎？”
Then
Paul explained the image of the steward. A steward is a servant who manages
everything for his master, but who himself owns nothing. Joseph was a chief
steward in Potiphar’s household (Gen. 39). The church is the “household of
faith” (Gal.
The responsibility of the steward is to be faithful to his master. A steward may not please the members of the household; he may not even please some of the other servants; but if he pleases his own master, he is a good steward. This same idea is expressed in Romans 14:4. 管家的責任就是對主人忠誠。管家可能不會取悅家裡的成員；他甚至可能不會讓其他一些僕人滿意；但如果他能讓主人高興，他就是一個好管家。羅馬書 14:4 也表達了同樣的想法。
So, the main issue is not, “Is Paul popular?” or, “Is Apollos a better preacher than Paul?” The main issue is, “Have Paul, Apollos, and Peter been faithful to do the work God assigned to them?” Jesus had this same test in mind when He told the parable recorded in Luke 12:41–48. If a servant of God is faithful in his personal life, in his home, and in his ministry of the Word, then he is a good steward and will be adequately rewarded. 因此，主要問題不是「保羅受歡迎嗎？」或「亞波羅比保羅更善於傳道嗎？」主要問題是：「保羅、亞波羅和彼得是否忠實地完成上帝賦予他們的工作？」當耶穌講述路加福音 12:41-48 中記載的寓言時，他想到了同樣的考驗。如果上帝的僕人在祂的個人生活、家庭生活和傳道工作中都忠誠，那麼祂就是一個好的管家，並將得到足夠的回報。
But a servant is constantly being judged. There is always somebody criticizing something he does. Paul pointed out that there are three judgments in the life of the steward. 但僕人卻不斷受到審判。總是有人批評他所做的事情。保羅指出管家的一生要面對三次審判。
There
is man’s judgment (v. 3a). Paul did not get upset when people criticized him,
for he knew that his Master’s judgment was far more important. The phrase man’s
judgment is literally “man’s day.” This is in contrast to God’s day of judgment
yet to come (1 Cor. 1:8;
The
most important judgment is God’s judg[1]ment
(v. 4b). Certainly God judges us today through His Word (Heb.
These
verses must not be used to cultivate a selfrighteous independence of people.
The local church is a family, and members of the family must help eachother to
grow. There is a place for honest, loving criti[1]cism (Eph.
Paul’s “therefore” in 1 Corinthians 4:5 alerts us that he is about to make a personal application of the truths just discussed. He closed this section with a threefold rebuke. 保羅在哥林多前書 4:5 中的「因此」提醒我們，他即將親自應用剛才討論過的真理。他以三重斥責結束了本節。
First, “you are judging God’s servants at the wrong time” (v. 5). It is when the Lord returns that He will evaluate their lives and ministries, so wait until then. In fact, you cannot see into men’s hearts; you cannot begin to judge their motives. Only God can do that. “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). 第一，「你們審判神的僕人真是失禮了」（第5節）。當主回來時，祂會評價他們的生活和事工，所以等到那時。事實上，你無法看透男人的心；你無法判斷他們的動機。只有上帝才能做到這一點。 「人是看外貌，耶和華是看內心」（撒母耳記上 16:7）。
The Corinthians who were passing judgment on Paul were actually “playing God” and assuming to themselves the privileges that only God has. How often in my own ministry I have made this mistake! How easy it is to misread a situation and misjudge a person. 那些對保羅進行評判的哥林多人實際上是在“扮演上帝”，並妄稱只有上帝才擁有的特權。在我自己的服事中我曾經多少次犯過這種錯誤！誤解一種情況和錯誤判斷一個人是多麼容易。
Second, “you are judging by the wrong standard” (v. 6a). The Corinthians were measuring different men by their own personal preferences and prejudices. They were even comparing ministers with one another. The only true basis for evaluation is “that which is written”—the Word of God. 第二，「你們判斷的標準錯了」（第 6 節上）。哥林多人以自己的個人喜好和偏見來衡量不同的人。他們甚至互相比較部長。唯一真正的評價依據是「所寫的」──上帝的話語。
The Bible clearly reveals what kind of life and service is required of God’s ministers. There is no need for us to devise new standards. Often I receive letters from churches seeking pastors, asking if I could recommend candidates to them. Too often their “requirements” have gone beyond what God requires in His Word. Again, it is the problem Paul discussed in 1 Corinthians 1 and 2—the wisdom of men versus the wisdom of God. 聖經清楚地揭示了上帝的牧師需要過什麼樣的生活和服事。我們沒有必要製定新的標準。我經常收到教會尋找牧師的來信，詢問我是否可以向他們推薦候選人。他們的「要求」常常超越了上帝在《聖經》中的要求。再一次，這是保羅在哥林多前書第 1 章和第 2 章中討論的問題——人的智慧與上帝的智慧。
Third, “you are judging with the wrong motive” (v. 6b). Each group in the church was tearing down the other preachers in order to build up the man they liked. Their motive was not at all spiritual. They were promoting division in the church by being partisan to one man as opposed to the others. They needed to examine their own hearts and get rid of the pride that was destroying the church. 第三，「你們判斷人，是存心不良」（第 6 節下）。教會裡的每個團體都在貶低其他傳教士，以建立他們喜歡的人。他們的動機根本不是精神上的。他們擁護一個人而反對其他人，從而加劇了教會的分裂。他們需要審視自己的內心，擺脫正在摧毀教會的驕傲。
God’s servants are stewards of His truth, and the key test is Have they been faithful to obey and to teach the Word of God? Not just faithful preaching, but faithful practicing as well. The testimony of Samuel (1 Sam. 12:1–5) and Paul (Acts 20:17ff.) will bear witness to this truth. 上帝的僕人是祂的真理的管家，關鍵的考驗是他們是否忠實地遵守和傳授上帝的話語？不僅要忠實地傳道，也要忠實實踐。撒母耳（撒母耳記上 12:1-5）和保羅（使徒行傳 20:17 比照研讀）的證詞將證明這真理。
2. Humbleness—The Spectacle (4:7–13) 2. 謙卑－奇觀（4:7-13）
When
Paul called himself and other apostles “a specta[1]cle unto the
world” (1 Cor. 4:9), he was using an image familiar to people in the
When the “main events” were ended, then the poorest and weakest prisoners were brought in to fight with the beasts. Nobody expected too much from their performance. 當「主要活動」結束後，最貧窮、最弱小的囚犯就會被帶去與野獸搏鬥。沒有人對他們的表現抱有太高的期望。
What a picture of the apostles of Jesus Christ! But it forms the background for a series of contrasts that Paul presented for the purpose of trying to humble the Corinthians. 這真是耶穌基督使徒的圖畫！但它構成了保羅為了試圖讓哥林多人謙卑而提出的一系列對比的背景。
Kings—prisoners
(vv. 7–9). The questions in 1 Corinthians 4:7 ought to make all of us stop and
think. I like the New American Standard Bible’s translation of the first
question: “Who regards you as superior?” A young preacher once said to a friend
of mine, “Please pray that I will stay humble.” My friend replied, “Tell me,
what do you have to be proud about?” Why would anybody regard us as superior?
Perhaps it is our own biased opinion that makes us feel so important. The best
commentary on 1 Corinthians 4:7 is the witness of John the Baptist: “A man can
receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.… He [Christ] must increase,
but I must decrease” (John
Paul
used a bit of sanctified sarcasm in 1 Corinthians 4:8 when he described the
Corinthians as kings. “I wish I could reign with you and be important!” he
wrote. “But instead, I must go into the arena and suffer for the Lord Jesus
Christ. You are first in men’s eyes, but we apostles are last.” In the eyes of
God, the apostles were first (1 Cor.
There
is no place for pride in the ministry. If a truly great leader like Paul
considered himself “on exhibition last in the program,” where does this leave
the rest of us? Church members are wrong when they measure ministers other than
by the standards God has given. They are also wrong when they boast about their
favorite preachers. This is not to say that faithful ser[1]vants cannot be
recognized and honored, but in all things God must be glorified (1 Thess.
Wise
men—fools (v. 10a). Paul was a fool accord[1]ing to the
standards of men. Had he remained a Jewish rabbi, he could have attained great
heights in the Jewish religion (Gal.
The
Corinthians were wise in their own eyes, but they were actually fools in the
sight of God. By depending on the wisdom and the standards of the world, they
were acting like fools. The way to be spiri[1]tually wise is to
become a fool in the eyes of the world (1 Cor.
Strong men—weak (v. 10b). There was a time when Paul gloried in his strengths; but then he metJesus Christ and discovered that what he thought were assets were really liabilities (Phil. 3). It was through his own personal suffering that Paul discovered that his spiritual strength was the result of personal weakness (2 Cor. 12:7–10). Strength that knows itself to be strength is weakness; but weakness that knows itself to be weakness becomes strength. 強人－弱者（第 10b 節）。保羅曾經一度為自己的力量而自豪；但後來他遇見了耶穌基督，發現他所認為的資產實際上是負債（腓立比書 3）。保羅透過自己的親身經歷發現，他的精神力量源自於個人的軟弱（哥林多後書 12：7-10）。知道自己是強者，便是弱者；但知道自己是弱點的弱點就會變成力量。
The Corinthians were proud of their spiritual achievements. The factions in the church were proud of their human leaders and favorite preachers. But all of this was only weakness. There is strength only when God gets the glory. “My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). 哥林多人對他們的精神成就感到自豪。教會內的各個派係都以他們的人類領袖和受人喜愛的傳教士為榮。但這一切只是弱點。只有當上帝得著榮耀時，才有力量。 「我的力量是在人的軟弱上顯得完全」（哥林多後書 12:9）。
Honorable—despised
(vv. 10c–13). This was the crux of the whole matter: The Christians in
Paul then described the privations and sufferings that he had to endure as a servant of God. The fact that he worked with his own hands as a tentmaker would have lowered him in the eyes of many, because the Greeks despised manual labor. 保羅接著描述了他作為上帝的僕人所必須忍受的困苦和苦難。事實上，他親手製作帳篷，這在許多人眼中降低了他的地位，因為希臘人鄙視體力勞動。
Paul
also described how he responded to the way people treated him; and this, in
itself, helped to make him great. What life does to us depends on what life
finds in us. When Paul was reviled, he blessed—just as Jesus commanded (Matt.
What
was the result? Men treated him “as the filth of the world … the offscouring of
all things” (1 Cor.
Faithfulness in service and humbleness of mind: these are two important characteristics of a minister of Jesus Christ. He must be willing to work and willing to suffer. It is one thing to be faithful and quite another to be popular. But there is a third characteristic that helps to balance the others. 忠誠服事和謙卑的心態：這是耶穌基督牧師的兩個重要特質。他必須願意工作並且願意受苦。忠誠是一回事，受歡迎則是另一回事。但還有第三個特徵可以幫助平衡其他特徵。
3. Tenderness—The
Father (
Paul had already compared the local church to a family (1 Cor. 3:1–4). But now the emphasis is on the minister as a “spiritual father.” In none of his letters did Paul ever call himself “father.” He was mindful of the Lord’s teaching in Matthew 23:8–12. But in comparing himself to a “spiritual father,” Paul reminded the church of the important ministries he had performed on their behalf.保羅已經將地方教會比喻為一個家庭（哥林多前書 3：1-4）。但現在重點是牧師作為「精神之父」。保羅在他的所有書信中都沒有稱自己為「父親」。他牢記主在馬太福音 23:8-12 的教導。但當保羅將自己比喻為「屬靈的父親」時，他提醒教會他為他們所做的重要事工。
First,
Paul had founded the family (vv. 14–15). The Corinthians were Paul’s beloved
children in the faith. Whenever we share the gospel with someone and have the
joy of leading him to faith in Christ, we become a “spiritual parent” in his
life. This does not give us any special authority over his faith (2 Cor.
It is
important to note that Paul did not take the credit for their conversion. Their
spiritual birth was in Christ and through the gospel. Sinners are born again
through the ministry of the Spirit of God and the Word of God (John 3:6; 1
Peter
This
section prepared the way for the next two chapters that deal with discipline in
the local church. There was much sin in the Corinthian congregation, and Paul
was prepared to deal with it. He had already written them a letter about the
matter (1 Cor. 5:9), but the congregation had not obeyed him. It was then that
some of the more spiritual members contacted Paul (1 Cor.
Paul founded the church and Apollos followed him and taught the people. In some way that is not made clear in the Scriptures, Peter also ministered at
Second, Paul was an example to the family (vv. 16–17). Children have a way of imitating their par[1]ents, either for good or for ill. Researchers tell us that teenagers learn to drink at home and not from their peers. My guess is that other bad habits are learned the same way. 第二，保羅為全家樹立了榜樣（16-17節）。孩子有模仿父母[1]的方式，無論好壞。研究人員告訴我們，青少年是在家裡學會喝酒的，而不是從同儕那裡學會的。我猜想其他壞習慣也是透過同樣的方式養成的。
The word followers literally is “mimics.” Paul gave the same admonition in Philippians 3:17, but we must not think that he was exalting himself. Little children learn first by example, then by explanation. When Paul pastored the church in
But Paul was also a good teacher. It takes both example and instruction to bring a child to maturity. Paul sent Timothy (also one of his spiritual children) to remind the church of the doctrines and practices that Paul always taught. Timothy did not carry the letter to the church (1 Cor.
God does not have one standard for one church and a different standard for another church. He may work out His will in different ways (Phil.
This section prepared the way for the next two chapters that deal with discipline in the local church. There was much sin in the Corinthian congregation, and Paul was prepared to deal with it. He had already written them a letter about the matter (1 Cor. 5:9), but the congregation had not obeyed him. It was then that some of the more spiritual members contacted Paul (1 Cor.
Paul founded the church and Apollos followed him and taught the people. In some way that is not made clear in the Scriptures, Peter also ministered at
Second, Paul was an example to the family (vv. 16–17). Children have a way of imitating their par[1]ents, either for good or for ill. Researchers tell us that teenagers learn to drink at home and not from their peers. My guess is that other bad habits are learned the same way. 第二，保羅為全家樹立了榜樣（16-17節）。孩子有模仿父母[1]的方式，無論好壞。研究人員告訴我們，青少年是在家裡學會喝酒的，而不是從同儕那裡學會的。我猜想其他壞習慣也是透過同樣的方式養成的。
The word followers literally is “mimics.” Paul gave the same admonition in Philippians 3:17, but we must not think that he was exalting himself. Little children learn first by example, then by explanation. When Paul pastored the church in
But Paul was also a good teacher. It takes both example and instruction to bring a child to maturity. Paul sent Timothy (also one of his spiritual children) to remind the church of the doctrines and practices that Paul always taught. Timothy did not carry the letter to the church (1 Cor.
God does not have one standard for one church and a different standard for another church. He may work out His will in different ways (Phil.
Paul founded the church and Apollos followed him and taught the people. In some way that is not made clear in the Scriptures, Peter also ministered at
Second, Paul was an example to the family (vv. 16–17). Children have a way of imitating their par[1]ents, either for good or for ill. Researchers tell us that teenagers learn to drink at home and not from their peers. My guess is that other bad habits are learned the same way. 第二，保羅為全家樹立了榜樣（16-17節）。孩子有模仿父母[1]的方式，無論好壞。研究人員告訴我們，青少年是在家裡學會喝酒的，而不是從同儕那裡學會的。我猜想其他壞習慣也是透過同樣的方式養成的。
The word followers literally is “mimics.” Paul gave the same admonition in Philippians 3:17, but we must not think that he was exalting himself. Little children learn first by example, then by explanation. When Paul pastored the church in
But Paul was also a good teacher. It takes both example and instruction to bring a child to maturity. Paul sent Timothy (also one of his spiritual children) to remind the church of the doctrines and practices that Paul always taught. Timothy did not carry the letter to the church (1 Cor.
God does not have one standard for one church and a different standard for another church. He may work out His will in different ways (Phil.
Third, Paul was faithful to discipline the family (vv. 18–21). A child’s will must be broken, but not destroyed. Until a colt is broken, it is dangerous and useless; but once it learns to obey, it becomes gentle and useful. Pride is a terrible thing in the Christian life and in the church. The yeast of sin (leaven, 1 Cor. 5:6–8) had made the Corinthians “puffed up,” even to the point of saying, “Paul will not come to us! His bark is worse than his bite!” (2 Cor. 10:8–11) 第三，保羅忠心管教家人（18-21節）。孩子的意志必須被打破，但不能被摧毀。小馬若未被馴服，便是危險而無用的；但一旦它學會服從，它就會變得溫順和有用。在基督徒的生活和教會中，驕傲是一件可怕的事。罪的酵（酵，哥林多前書 5:6-8）使哥林多人“心高氣傲”，甚至說：“保羅不會來找我們！他說話算數！” （哥林多後書 10:8-11）
Paul had been patient with their disobedience, but now he warned them that the time had come for disci[1]pline. Paul was not like the tolerant modern mother who shouted at her spoiled son, “This is the last time I’m going to tell you for the last time!” 保羅對他們的不服從一直很有耐心，但現在他警告他們，懲戒的時候到了[1]。保羅不像現代寬容的母親那樣，對被寵壞的兒子大喊：“這是我最後一次告訴你！”
A faithful parent must discipline his children. It is not enough to teach them and be an example before them; he must also punish them when they rebel and refuse to obey. Paul would have preferred to come with meekness and deal with their sins in a gentle manner, but their own attitude made this difficult. They were puffed up—and even proud of their disobedience (1 Cor. 5:1–2)! 忠誠的父母必須管教自己的孩子。教導他們並為他們樹立榜樣是不夠的；當他們反抗並拒絕服從時，他也必須懲罰他們。保羅本來希望以溫柔的態度來處理他們的罪，但他們自己的態度使這件事變得困難。他們驕傲自大，甚至為自己的不服從而感到自豪（哥林多前書 5：1-2）！
The contrast in this paragraph is between speech and power, words and deeds. The arrogant Corinthians had no problem “talking big,” the way children often will do; but they could not back up their talk with their “walk.” Their religion was only in words. Paul was prepared to back up his talk with power, with deeds that would reveal their sins and God’s holiness. 本段對比的是言論與權力、言語與行為的對比。傲慢的哥林多人不介意“說大話”，就像小孩子常做的那樣；但他們無法用行動來支持他們的言論。他們的宗教只停留在口頭上。保羅準備用權力和行動來支持他的言論，以揭露他們的罪和上帝的神聖。
It is a principle of life that those who will not gov[1]ern themselves must be governed. Insurance companies and medical authorities urged drivers to wear seat belts, but many of them refused. So the government passed a law requiring drivers to wear seat belts. If you fail to obey, you will be punished. 人生的一條原則是：那些不願意管理自己的人，必須被管理。保險公司和醫療機構敦促駕駛人繫安全帶，但許多人拒絕這樣做。因此政府通過了一項法律，要求司機繫安全帶。如果你不服從，你就會受到懲罰。
Paul
gave the Corinthian church opportunity to set their household in order. In the
following chapters, he explained how the local church ought to be governed in
the will of God. Unfortunately, the church did not immediately obey. Paul had
to make a quick visit to Corinth, and his experience during that visit was very
painful (2 Cor. 2:1;
To the
glory of God, the matters did get settled for the most part. There was still
some mopping up to do (2 Cor.
It is not an easy thing to be a minister of Jesus Christ. As a steward, you must be faithful to your Master no matter what men may say to you or do to you. You will be treated as refuse by the people of the world. Your own spiritual children may break your heart and have to be disciplined.成為耶穌基督的牧師並不是一件容易的事。作為一名管家，無論人們對您說什麼或做什麼，您都必須忠於您的主人。你們將被世人視為廢物。你自己的精神孩子可能會傷你的心並且必須受到管教。
God’s faithful servants deserve our love, respect, obedience, and prayer support. 上帝忠實的僕人值得我們的愛、尊重、順服和禱告支持。
No comments:
Post a Comment