1552 英翻中 Be wise about christian stewardship 明智地履行基督徒的管家職分 26/04/2026
CHAPTER 13 BE WISE ABOUT CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP 1 Corinthians 16 第十三章 明智地履行基督徒的管家職分 哥林多前書 16章
It is
to the credit of the believers at Corinth Jerusalem
This
chapter may seem unrelated to our needs today, but actually it deals in a very
helpful way with three areas of stewardship: money (1 Cor. 16:1–4),
opportunities (1 Cor. 16:5–9), and people (1 Cor. 16:10 –24). These are probably the greatest
resources the church has today, and they must not be wasted. 這一章的內容看似與我們今天的需要無關，但實際上它以非常有益的方式探討了管家職分的三個面向：金錢（林前 16:1-4）、機會（林前 16:5-9）和人（林前 16:10-24）。這些可能是教會今天擁有的最寶貴的資源，我們絕不可浪費。
1. Money (16:1–4) 1. 金錢（16:1-4）
One of
the most important ministries Paul had during his third journey was the
gathering of a special “relief offering” for the poor believers in Jerusalem Jerusalem 2:10 ).
Paul not only preached the gospel, but he also tried to assist those who had
physical and material needs.
保羅在第三次旅程中最重要的事工之一，就是為耶路撒冷的貧困信徒募集特別的「救濟奉獻」。他希望透過這次奉獻達成幾個目的。首先，外邦人有義務在物質上幫助猶太人，以回報猶太人給他們的屬靈祝福（羅15:25-27）。在多年前的耶路撒冷會議上，保羅曾承諾“記念窮人”，因此他正在履行自己的承諾（加2:10）。保羅不只傳講福音，也盡力幫助那些有物質和身體需要的人。
Why was
there such a great need in the Jerusalem Jerusalem 2:41 –47; 4:33 –37); but even their resources were limited.
There had also been a famine (Acts 11:27 –30),
and the relief sent at that time could not last for too long a time. 為什麼耶路撒冷教會會有這麼大的需要呢？很可能許多信徒在五旬節期間來到耶路撒冷，在那裡聽到了神的話語並得救了。這意味著他們是陌生人，沒有工作，教會必須照顧他們。教會初期，信徒們樂於彼此分享（使徒行傳 2:41-47；4:33-37），但即便如此，他們的資源也十分有限。當時還發生了飢荒（使徒行傳 11:27-30），當時送來的救濟物資也無法維持太久。
Apart
from keeping his promise and meeting a great need, Paul’s greatest motive for
taking up the offering was to help unite Jewish and Gentile believers. Paul was
a missionary to the Gentiles, and this bothered some of the Jewish believers
(Acts 17:21 –25). Paul
hoped that this expression of Gentile love would help to heal some wounds and
build some bridges between the churches. (For more information about this
offering, read 2 Cor. 8—9.) 除了信守承諾、滿足迫切需求之外，保羅發起奉獻的最大動機是為了幫助猶太信徒和外邦信徒合而為一。保羅是向外邦人傳教的，這讓一些猶太信徒感到不安（使徒行傳 17:21-25）。保羅希望這種外邦人之間的愛能彌合彼此間的裂痕，並在教會之間架起橋樑。 （關於這次奉獻的更多信息，請閱讀哥林多後書 8-9 章。）
Even though this was a special missionary offering, from Paul’s instructions we may learn some basic principles that relate to Christian stewardship. 儘管這是一個特別的宣教奉獻，但我們仍然可以從保羅的教導中學習到一些與基督徒管家職分相關的基本原則。
Giving
is an act of worship. Each member was to come to the Lord’s Day gathering
prepared to give his share for that week. The early church met on the first day
of the week in commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (The Holy
Spirit came on the church at Pentecost on the first day of the week.) It is
tragic when church members give only as a duty and forget that our offerings
are to be “spiritual sacrifices” presented to the Lord (Phil. 4:18 ). Giving should be an act of
worship to the resurrected and ascended Savior. 奉獻是一種敬拜的行為。每個成員都要預備好，並在主日聚會時獻上自己當週的奉獻。早期教會在每週的第一天聚會，是為了紀念耶穌基督的復活（聖靈在五旬節降臨在教會，也就是每週的第一天）。令人遺憾的是，有些教會成員只是把奉獻當作一種義務，卻忘了我們的奉獻是獻給主的「屬靈祭物」（腓立比書 4:18）。奉獻應是對復活升天的救主的敬拜。
Giving
should be systematic. Some students have suggested that many people were paid
on the first day of the week during that time in history. But even if they were
not, each believer was to set aside his offering at home and then bring it to
the assembly on the first day. Paul did not want to have to take up a number of
collections when he arrived in Corinth
Giving was personal and individual. Paul expected each member to share in the offering, the rich and poor alike. Anyone who had an income was privi[1]leged to share and to help those in need. He wanted all to share in the blessing. 奉獻是個人的、個人的。保羅期望每個成員，無論貧富，都能參與奉獻。凡有收入的人都有權利參與奉獻，幫助有需要的人。他希望所有人都能分享祝福。
Giving is to be proportionate. “As God hath prospered him” (1 Cor. 16:2) suggests that believers who have more should give more. The Jewish believers in the church would have been accustomed to the tithe, but Paul did not mention any special proportion. Certainly the tithe (10 percent of one’s income) is a good place to begin our stewardship, but we must not remain at that level. As the Lord gives us more, we should plan to give more. 奉獻應適度。 「照著神所賜他的」（林前16:2）表明，信徒越富有，就應當奉獻越多。教會中的猶太信徒習慣於什一奉獻，但保羅並沒有提及任何特定的比例。當然，什一奉獻（收入的10%）是我們開始管家職分的良好起點，但我們不能止步於此。隨著主賜給我們更多，我們也應當計劃奉獻更多。
The trouble is, too many saints, as they earn more, involve themselves in more and more financial obligations; and then they do not have more to give to the Lord. Instead of finding a suitable “level” and remain[1]ing there, they keep trying to “go higher,” and their income is spent rather than invested. As the old saying goes, “When your outgo exceeds your income, then your upkeep is your downfall.” 問題在於，許多信徒隨著收入的增加，承擔了越來越多的財務責任；於是，他們就沒有更多可以奉獻給主了。他們沒有找到一個合適的“水平”並安於現狀，而是不斷地試圖“向上攀升”，結果收入都被花掉了，而不是用於投資。正如古語所說：“支出超過收入，就會陷入困境。”
Paul
made it clear in 2 Corinthians 8—9 that Christian giving is a grace, the
outflow of the grace of God in our lives and not the result of promotion or
pressure. An open heart cannot maintain a closed hand. If we appreciate the
grace of God extended to us, we will want to express that grace by sharing with
others.
保羅在哥林多後書8-9章中清楚地表明，基督徒的奉獻是一種恩典，是上帝在我們生命中恩典的流露，而不是晉升或壓力的結果。一顆敞開的心不可能緊握雙手。如果我們珍惜上帝給我們的恩典，我們就會想要表達這份恩典。
Money
is to be handled honestly. The various churches involved in this special
offering appointed delegates to help Paul manage it and take it safely to Jerusalem 8:20 –21).金錢必須誠實管理。參與這項特別奉獻的各教會都委派了代表，協助保羅管理這筆款項，並安全地將其帶到耶路撒冷。 （關於協助保羅的“財務委員會”，詳見哥林多後書 8:16-24。）基督教事工若因管理不善受託資金而失去見證，實屬不幸。每個事工都應在財務方面秉持專業的態度。保羅非常謹慎，不讓任何事情發生，以免給他的敵人留下指控他挪用資金的機會（哥林多後書 8:20-21）。
This explains why Paul encouraged the churches to share in the offering and to select dependable representatives to help manage it. Paul was not against individuals giving personally; in this chapter, as well as in Romans 16, he named various individuals who assisted him personally. This no doubt included helping him with his financial needs. But generally speaking, Christian giving is church-centered. Many churches encourage their members to give designated gifts through the church budget. 這就解釋了為什麼保羅鼓勵各教會參與奉獻，並選出可靠的代表來協助管理。保羅並不反對個人奉獻；在本章以及羅馬書 16 章中，他都提到了一些曾經親自幫助過他的人。這無疑包括幫助他解決經濟上的需要。但總的來說，基督徒的奉獻是以教會為中心的。許多教會鼓勵會友透過教會預算進行指定奉獻。
It is interesting that Paul mentioned the offering just after his discussion about the resurrection. There were no “chapter breaks” in the original manuscripts, so the readers would go right from Paul’s hymn of victory into his discussion about money. Doctrine and duty go together; so do worship and works. Our giving is “not in vain” because our Lord is alive. It is His resurrection power that motivates us to give and to serve. 有趣的是，保羅在論述復活之後緊接著就提到了奉獻。原始手稿中沒有“章節分隔”，因此讀者會直接從保羅的勝利頌歌進入他對金錢的討論。教義與責任相輔相成；敬拜與行為亦然。我們的奉獻“並非徒然”，因為我們的主活著。是祂復活的大能激勵我們奉獻和服事。
3. Opportunities (16:5–9) 3. 機會（16:5-9）
“Be
very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of
every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15 –16 niv). Paul was as careful in his use of
time as he was in his use of money. Someone has said that killing time is the
chief occupation of modern society, but no Christian can afford to kill time or
waste opportunities. 「你們行事為人要謹慎，不要像愚昧人，當像智慧人。要把握機會，因為現今的世代邪惡。」（弗5:15-16）保羅對待時間如同對待金錢一樣謹慎。有人說，虛度光陰是現代社會的主要消遣，但基督徒絕不能虛度光陰或錯失良機。
Paul
informed his friends at Corinth
Paul
was at Ephesus Macedonia Corinth Judea with the collection. From
November to February, it was impossible to travel by ship; so it would have
been convenient for Paul to stay at Corinth 11:34 ). 保羅寫這封信時在以弗所。他計劃前往馬其頓進行一段時間的服事（哥林多前書16:5中的「經過」指的是「有計劃地服事」），在哥林多過冬，然後帶著募集的款項前往猶太。從十一月到二月，乘船旅行是不可能的；因此，保羅留在哥林多與朋友們在一起會很方便。教會裡有一些問題需要解決，保羅也曾承諾會去幫助教會的領袖（哥林多前書11:34）。
However,
various circumstances forced Paul to revise his plans at least twice. His plan
B was to visit Corinth Macedonia Corinth Judea (2 Cor. 1:15 –16). Instead of one long visit,
he planned two shorter visits; but even this plan did not materialize. Plan C
turned out to be a quick and painful visit to Corinth Ephesus Troas to wait for Titus (who had been sent to Corinth Macedonia Judea . He did not spend as
much time at Corinth
What do we learn from this difficult experience of Paul’s? For one thing, a Christian must use his com[1]mon sense, pray, study the situation, and seek the best he can to determine the will of God. Proverbs 3:5–6 (“lean not unto thine own understanding”) must not be interpreted to mean “Put your brain in neutral and don’t think!” God gave us our minds and He expects us to think, but He does not want us to depend only on our own reasoning. We must pray, meditate on the Word, and even seek the counsel of mature Christian friends. 我們從保羅的這段艱難經歷中能學到什麼呢？首先，基督徒必須運用常識，禱告，考察情況，並盡其所能地尋求神的旨意。箴言3:5-6（「不要倚靠自己的聰明」）絕不能被解釋為「讓你的大腦處於空擋，什麼都不用想！」上帝賜給我們理智，祂期望我們思考，但祂不希望我們僅僅依靠自己的推理。我們必須禱告，默想神的話語，甚至尋求成熟基督徒朋友的勸勉。
Second,
our decisions may not always be in the will of God. We may make promises that
we cannot keep and plans that we cannot fulfill. Does this mean that we are
liars or failures? (Some of the believers at Corinth 1:12 —2:13 .) In my own ministry, I have
had to change my plans and alter my schedule because of situations over which I
had no control. Did this mean I had been out of the will of God in making my
plans? Not necessarily. Even an apostle (who had been to heaven and back)
occasionally had to revise his datebook. 其次，我們的決定未必常合乎神的旨意。我們可能會做出無法兌現的承諾，制定無法實現的計劃。這是否意味著我們是說謊者或失敗者呢？ （哥林多教會的一些信徒認為保羅是騙子，不可信賴。參考哥林多後書1:12-2:13。）在我自己的事奉中，我也曾因一些我無法掌控的情況而不得不改變計劃和調整日程。這是否意味著我制定計劃時違背了神的旨意？未必如此。即使是使徒（他曾到過天堂又回來）也偶爾需要修改他的日程。
There
are two extremes we must avoid in thisimportant matter of seeking God’s will.
One is to be so frightened at making a mistake that we make no deci[1]sions
at all. The other is to make impulsive decisions and rush ahead, without taking
time to wait on the Lord. After we have done all we can to determine the
leading of the Lord, we must decide and act, and leave the rest to the Lord. If
we are in some way out of His will, He will so work that we will finally have
His guid[1]ance.
The important thing is that we sincerely want to do His will (John 7:17 ). After all, He guides us “for
his name’s sake” (Ps. 23:3), and it is His reputation that is at stake. 在尋求神旨意這件重要的事情上，我們必須避免兩種極端。一種是害怕犯錯而完全不做任何決定[1]。另一種是衝動行事，不花時間等候主的指引就貿然行動。當我們盡一切努力尋求主的帶領之後，就必須做出決定並採取行動，其餘的就交託給主。如果我們在某些方面偏離了祂的旨意，祂會動工，最終使我們得到祂的引導[1]。重要的是，我們真心想要遵行祂的旨意（約翰福音 7:17）。畢竟，祂「為自己的名」引導我們（詩篇 23:3），這關乎祂的名譽。
Paul
had an open door of ministry in Ephesus, and this was important to him. He
wanted to win the lost in Ephesus Corinth
An
ancient Roman proverb says, “While we stop to think, we often miss our
opportunity.” Once we know what to do, we must do it and not delay. We can usually
think of many reasons (or excuses) not to act. Even though Paul was in danger
in Ephesus 15:32 ), he planned to
remain there while the door was open. Like a wise merchant, he had to “buy up
the opportunity” before it vanished and would never return. 一句古羅馬諺語說：「我們停下來思考的時候，往往錯失良機。」一旦我們知道該做什麼，就必須去做，不可拖延。我們通常能找到許多不行動的理由（或藉口）。即使保羅在以弗所身處險境（哥林多前書 15:32），他仍然計劃在機會之門敞開時留在那裡。就像一位精明的商人，他必須在機會消失、一去不復返之前「抓住它」。
The stewardship of opportunity is important. The individual believer, and the church family, must con[1]stantly ask, What opportunities is God giving us today? Instead of complaining about the obstacles, we must take advantage of the opportunities, and leave the results with the Lord. 把握機會至關重要。信徒個人和教會大家庭必須不斷地問自己：神今天給了我們什麼機會？我們不應抱怨所遇到的障礙，而應把握機會，並將結果交託給主。
3. People (16:10 –24) 3. 人（16:10-24）
Often at the close of his letters, Paul named various people who were a part of his life and his ministry; and what a variety they were! He was not only a soul-win[1]ner, but he was a friend maker; and many of his friends found their way into dedicated service for the Lord. Evangelist Dwight L. Moody possessed this same gift of making friends and then enlisting them for the Lord’s service. Some of the greatest preachers and musi[1]cians of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were “found” by Moody, including Ira Sankey, G. Campbell Morgan, Henry Drummond, and F. B. Meyer. 保羅常在書信結尾提及他生命和事工中遇到的形形色色的人；這些人真是形形色色！他不僅是一位靈魂的拯救者，也是一位廣交朋友的人；他的許多朋友後來都走上了為主獻身的道路。福音佈道家德懷特·L·穆迪也擁有同樣的恩賜，他善於結交朋友，並帶領他們為主事奉。十九世紀末和二十世紀初一些最偉大的傳道人和音樂家都是穆迪「發掘」的，包括艾拉·桑基、G·坎貝爾摩根、亨利·德拉蒙德和F·B·邁耶。
Money and opportunities are valueless without people. The church’s greatest asset is people, and yet too often the church takes people for granted. Jesus did not give His disciples money, but He did invest three years training them for service so they might seize the opportunities He would present them. If people are pre[1]pared, then God will supply both the opportunities and the money so that His work will be accomplished. 沒有關係，金錢和機會都毫無價值。教會最大的財富是人，然而教會常常把人視為理所當然。耶穌沒有給門徒金錢，但他花了三年時間訓練他們服事，使他們能夠抓住他所賜予的機會。如果人們預備好了，神就會供應機會和金錢，使他的工作得以完成。 Timothy (vv. 10–11). Timothy, along with Titus, was one of Paul’s special assistants, usually sent to the most difficult places. 提摩太（10-11節）。提摩太和提多是保羅的特別助手，通常被派往最艱苦的地方。
Timothy
had been brought up in a godly home (2 Tim. 1:5), but it was Paul who had led
the young man to Christ. Paul usually referred to him as “my own son in the
faith” (1 Tim. 1:2). When John Mark abandoned Paul and returned to Jerusalem 2:20 –22). Eventually, Timothy took
Paul’s place at Ephesus
The
advice Paul gave the Corinthians about Timothy (1 Cor. 16:10 ) would suggest that the young man had some
physical and emotional problems (1 Tim. 5:23 ;
2 Tim. 1:4). He needed all the encourage[1]ment he could
get. The important thing was that he was doing God’s work and laboring with
God’s servant. A church should not expect every servant of God to be an apostle
Paul. Young men starting out in service have great potential, and the church
should encourage them. “Let no man despise thee!” 保羅給哥林多人的關於提摩太的勸勉（哥林多前書 16:10）表明，這位年輕人當時可能存在一些身心方面的問題（提摩太前書 5:23；提摩太後書 1:4）。他需要盡可能多的鼓勵。重要的是，他正在做上帝的工作，與上帝的僕人一同勞動。教會不應該期望每一位上帝的僕人都成為使徒保羅。剛開始服事的年輕人擁有巨大的潛力，教會應當鼓勵他們。 “不可讓人輕視你！”
Apollos
(vv. 12–14). Apollos was an eloquent Jew who was brought into the full
understanding of the gospel by Priscilla and Aquila
(Acts 18:24 –28). He had
ministered with great power at Corinth 1:12 ; 3:4–8). It is unlikely that
Apollos pro[1]moted
this division, for his great concern seemed to be to preach Christ. In spite of
the division (“The Apollos Fan Club”), Paul did not hesitate to encourage
Apollos to return to Corinth
Paul did not have the authority to place men against their will. Apollos did not feel he should go to Corinth at that time, and Paul had to concur with his decision. It is wonderful the way these different men worked together. 保羅沒有權力強迫他人違背意願。亞波羅當時覺得不該去哥林多，保羅也只能同意他的決定。這些不同的人能夠如此合作，真是令人驚嘆。
Perhaps it was in the light of the divisions in the church that Paul gave the admonitions in 1 Corinthians 16:13–14. Watch simply means “Be alert! Be vigilant!” The enemy is always at hand, and we are never safe from attack. Satan would certainly attack the church and try to hinder the ministry of Timothy or Apollos. 或許正是鑑於教會內部的分裂，保羅才在哥林多前書16:13-14中發出了勸誡。 「警醒」的意思是「要警醒！要謹慎！」敵人無所不在，我們永遠無法免於攻擊。撒但肯定會攻擊教會，並試圖阻撓提摩太或亞波羅的事工。
To stand fast in the faith means to have mature sta[1]bility. Paul had already warned them that they were immature children who needed to grow up (1 Cor. 3:1ff.). No wonder Paul added, Quit you like men, which means, “Act like men, not children.” (The word quit is short for “acquit”—to perform or act.) It was a call to courageous manliness at an hour when mature leadership was needed.在信仰上站立得穩意味著擁有成熟的穩固性。保羅之前已經警告過他們，他們是需要長大的幼稚孩子（林前3:1及以下）。難怪保羅補充說：“你們要像個大人”，意思是“要像個大人，不要像個孩子”。 （「quit」一詞是「acquit」的縮寫，意為履行或行動。）在需要成熟領導力的時刻，這呼喚著勇敢的男子氣概。
But even manliness needs to be balanced with love, lest leadership become dictatorship. Paul had expounded the value and virtues of love in 1Corinthians 13. Carl Sandburg, when addressing the United States Congress, said that Abraham Lincoln was a man of “velvet steel.” That is a good image for the Christian to borrow, for true manliness does not exclude tenderness. 但即使是男子氣概也需要與愛平衡，以免領導力淪為獨裁。保羅在《哥林多前書》13章中闡述了愛的價值和美德。卡爾桑德堡在向美國國會演講時說，亞伯拉罕林肯是一位「天鵝絨般堅韌」的人。基督徒可以藉鏡這個比喻，因為真正的男子氣概並不排斥溫柔。
Stephanas
and his household (vv. 15–18). These were the first people to be won to Christ
in Achaia, and Paul had baptized them himself, instead of leaving it to one of
his helpers (1 Cor. 1:16 ).
They became important leaders in the church, for they “devoted themselves” to
Christ’s service. The verb means “they appointed themselves,” but it does not
suggest that they pushed their way into leadership. Rather, whenever they saw a
need, they went to work to meet it without waiting to be asked. They were Paul’s
helpers, and they labored (“toiled to the point of exhaustion”) for the Lord.
What a wonderful thing it is when an entire family serves the Lord faithfully
in the local church. 司提反和他的家人（15-18節）。他們是亞該亞最早歸信基督的人，保羅親自為他們施洗，而不是交給他的助手（《哥林多前書》1:16）。他們後來成為教會的重要領袖，因為他們「獻身」事奉基督。這裡的動詞意思是“他們委身於基督”，但這並不意味著他們強行奪取了領導地位。相反，每當他們發現需要時，都會主動承擔，無需等待請求。他們是保羅的助手，為主辛勤工作（「勞動到筋疲力盡」）。當整個家庭都忠心地在地方教會服事主時，這是多麼美好的事啊！
Stephanas
was joined by Fortunatus and Achaicus as an official committee sent from Corinth Ephesus Corinth
This is a good place to encourage church members to refresh and encourage their pastor. Too often, believers share only problems and burdens with their spiritual leaders, and rarely share the blessings. Who is the pastor’s pastor? To whom does the pastor turn for spiritual refreshment and encouragement? Every church member, if he will, can help refresh the pastor and make his burdens lighter. 這裡正是鼓勵教友更新鼓勵牧師的好地方。信徒常常只與屬靈領袖分享問題和重擔，卻很少分享祝福。誰是牧師的牧師？牧師在尋求屬靈更新和鼓勵時，會向誰尋求呢？教會的每一位成員，只要願意，都能幫助牧師恢復精力，減輕他的負擔。
Paul encouraged the church to honor this very special family and submit to their spiritual leadership. It is right to honor faithful Christians if God gets the glory. 保羅鼓勵教會尊重這個特別的家庭，並順服他們的屬靈帶領。如果榮耀歸於神，那麼尊重忠心的基督徒是理所當然的。
Aquila and Priscilla (vv. 19–20). These two were a dedicated
husband-and-wife team whose lives and ministries intersected and intertwined
with Paul’s. The apostle met them at Corinth Rome Aquila was a Jew; but that was only
part of God’s providence to get them to Corinth
Priscilla must have been a remarkable woman. This couple’s names occur in the New Testament six times, and in four of these instances, Priscilla’s name stands first. (The best texts put Priscilla first in Acts 18:26.) We get the impression that she was the stronger of the two, a devoted leader and witness. They worked together in serving the Lord and helping Paul. 百基拉必定是一位非凡的女性。這對夫婦的名字在新約中出現了六次，其中四次百基拉的名字排在第一位。 （使徒行傳18:26中，最好的經文將百基拉放在前面。）由此可見，她比亞居拉和百基拉更堅強，是一位忠誠的領袖和見證人。他們同心合意地服事主，幫助保羅。
When
Paul moved from Corinth Ephesus Aquila and Priscilla packed up and moved their busi[1]ness
with him and assisted in founding the church in that needy city (Acts
18:18ff.). So capable were they that Paul left them to oversee the ministry
while he returned to Antioch Ephesus
Every
local church can be thankful for husbands and wives like Aquila
and Priscilla, people who work together in serving the Lord and helping the
preacher. The fact that his wife was a better leader did not hin[1]der
Aquila from standing with her in their united
ministry. (I am sure that Priscilla submitted to her hus[1]band and did not
try to act important.) One of the Ephesian assemblies met in their house, which
shows they were people given to hospitality. Romans 16:4 states that, at one
time, this dedicated couple risked their own lives to help save Paul. (See Acts
19:29–30; 20:19 for
possible situations where this rescue might have occurred.) 每個地方教會都應該感謝像亞居拉和百基拉這樣的夫妻，他們同心合意地服事主，幫助傳道人。儘管妻子比丈夫更有能力，但這並沒有妨礙亞居拉與她並肩服侍，共同參與事工。 （我相信百基拉順服她的丈夫，並沒有擺架子。）以弗所教會的一個聚會曾在他們家中舉行，這表明他們是熱情好客的人。羅馬書16:4記載，這對忠誠的夫婦曾冒著生命危險幫助保羅脫險。 （關於這次營救可能發生的具體情況，請參閱使徒行傳19:29-30；20:19。）
But
Priscilla and Aquila did not remain in Ephesus Rome Rom.
In
Paul’s last letter, he sent greetings to Prisca (alter[1]nate spelling)
and Aquila by way of Timothy, who was then
overseeing the work in Ephesus 4:19 ). This
remarkable couple had left Rome and were now back in Ephesus, this time to
assist Timothy as they had assisted Paul. 在保羅的最後一封信中，他透過當時負責以弗所事工的提摩太向百基拉和亞居拉問安（提後4:19）。這對非凡的夫婦離開了羅馬，現在又回到了以弗所，這次是為了像他們之前協助保羅一樣協助提摩太。
How
many couples today would move as often as did Priscilla and Aquila ,
just to be able to serve the Lord better? And whenever they moved, they had to
move their business as well. People with this kind of dedication and sacrifice
are not easy to find, but they are great assets to the local church. 今天有多少夫婦會像百基拉和亞居拉一樣頻繁搬家，只為了更好地服事主呢？而且每次搬家，他們也必須搬遷他們的生意。擁有這種奉獻精神和犧牲精神的人並不多見，但他們對地方教會來說是寶貴的財富。
Paul’s
closing words need not detain us. The “holy kiss” (1 Cor. 16:20 ) was a common mode of greeting, the men
kissing the men and the women kissing the women (Rom. 16:16 ; 2 Cor. 13:12 ; 1 Thess. 5:26 ;
1 Peter 5:14 ). If Paul
were writing to Western churches, he would say, “Shake hands with one another.” 保羅的結尾語不必讓我們過度停留。 「聖潔的吻」（林前16:20）是常見的問候方式，男士之間親吻，女士之間親吻（羅16:16；林後13:12；帖前5:26；彼前5:14）。如果保羅寫信給西方教會，他會說：“彼此握手。”
Paul
usually dictated his letters and then took the pen and added his signature. He
also added his “benediction of grace” as a mark that the letter was authentic
(see Gal. 6:11 ; 2 Thess. 3:17 ). 保羅通常會口述信件，然後親自執筆簽名。他還會加上“恩典的祝福”，以表明信件的真實性（參考加6:11；帖後3:17）。
The
word anathema is Aramaic and means “accursed” (see 1 Cor. 12:3). Not to love
Christ means not to believe in Him, and unbelievers are accursed (John 3:16 –21). The word maranatha is
Greek and means “our Lord comes” or (as a prayer) “our Lord, come!” (see Rev.
22:20). If a person loves Jesus Christ, he will also love His appearing (2 Tim.
4:8). 「咒詛」（anathema）一詞源自亞蘭語，意為「被咒詛的」（參閱林前12:3）。不愛基督就是不信祂，不信的人是受咒詛的（約翰福音 3:16-21）。 「主來」一詞源自希臘語，意思是「我們的主來了」或（作為禱告）「我們的主，請來！」（參考啟示錄 22:20）。如果一個人愛耶穌基督，他也會愛祂的顯現（提摩太後書 4:8）。
Paul
had been stern with the Corinthian believers, but he closed his letter by
assuring them of his love. After all, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend”
(Prov. 27:6). 「咒詛」（anathema）一詞源自亞蘭語，意為「被咒詛的」（參閱林前12:3）。不愛基督就是不信祂，不信的人是受咒詛的（約翰福音 3:16-21）。 「主來」一詞源自希臘語，意思是「我們的主來了」或（作為禱告）「我們的主，請來！」（參考啟示錄 22:20）。如果一個人愛耶穌基督，他也會愛祂的顯現（提摩太後書 4:8）。
Paul
has shared a great deal of spiritual wisdom with us. May we receive it with
meekness and put it into practice to the glory of God.
保羅與我們分享了許多屬靈的智慧。願我們以謙卑的心領受，並付諸實踐，榮耀神。
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