1611 英翻中(腓力比書第十二課) The secret of contentment 滿足的秘訣 10/06/2026

1611 英翻中(腓力比書第十二課)         The secret of contentment        滿足的秘訣        10/06/2026

CHAPTER ELEVEN      THE SECRET OF CONTENTMENT       Philippians 4:10–23
第十二課                           滿足的秘訣                                                    腓立比書 4:10-23
 
        The trouble with him is that he’s a thermometer and not a thermostat!”
問題在於他是溫度計，而不自動調溫器！”
 
         This statement by one of his deacons aroused the pastor’s curiosity. They were discussing possible board members, and Jim’s name had come up.
有位執事的話引起牧師的好奇。他們正在討論可能的董事會成員，吉姆的名字出現了。
 
         “Pastor, it’s like this,” the deacon explained. “A thermometer doesn’t change anything around it—it just registers the temperature. It’s always going up and down. But a thermostat regulates the surroundings and changes them when they need to be changed. Jim is a thermometer—he lacks the power to change things. Instead, they change him!”
執事解釋，“牧師，是這樣的，溫度計不會改變它周圍的任何東西，它只記錄溫度的上升和下降。但是自動調溫器可以調節周圍環境，並在需要更換時，可以進行更換。吉姆是溫度計，他缺乏改變環境的能力。反被它們改變！”
 
        The apostle Paul was a thermostat. Instead of having spiritual ups and downs as the situation changed, he went right on, steadily doing his work and serving Christ. His personal references at the close of this letter indicate that he was not the victim of circumstances but the victor over circumstances: I can accept all things (Phil. 4:11); “I can do all things” (Phil. 4:13); I have all things (Phil. 4:18). Paul did not have to be pampered to be content; he found his contentment in the spiritual resources abundantly provided by Christ.
使徒保羅是自動調溫器。他沒有隨著環境的變化，而使他屬靈上有起起落落，他只是勇往直進，穩打穩扎為事奉基督而作工。在這封信結束時，有關他個人參考表明，他不是環境的受害者，而是戰勝環境的人：我都可以知足（腓 4:11）； “我凡事都能做”（腓 4:13）；我樣樣都有（腓 4:18）。保羅不必為了知足而任性。他在基督豐富的屬靈資源中找到了滿足。
 
         Contentment is not complacency, nor is it a false peace based on ignorance. The complacent believer is unconcerned about others, while the contented Christian wants to share his blessings. Contentment is not escape from the battle, but rather an abiding peace and confidence in the midst of the battle. “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (Phil. 4:11). Two words in that verse are vitally important—“learned” and “content.”
知足不是自滿，也不是基於無知的虛假平靜。自滿的信徒不關心別人，而知足的基督徒想要分享他得到的祝福。知足不是逃避戰鬥，而是在戰鬥中持久的平靜和信心。“我已經學會了，無論處於什麼樣環境，都可以知足”（腓 4:11）。這節經文中有兩個非常重要單詞“學會”和“知足”。
 
         The verb “learned” means “learned by experience.” Paul’s spiritual contentment was not something he had immediately after he was saved. He had to go through many difficult experiences of life in order to learn how to be content. The word content actually means “contained.” It is a description of the man whose resources are within him so that he does not have to depend on substitutes without. The Greek word means “self-sufficient” and was a favorite word of the stoic philosophers. But the Christian is not sufficient in himself; he is sufficient in Christ. Because Christ lives within us, we are adequate for the demands of life.
動詞“學會”的意思是“從經驗中學到的”。 保羅的屬靈滿足，並不是他得救後立刻就有的。他必須經歷許多艱難的生活，才能學會知足。“知足” 實際上的意思是 “都有”。這是指在他體內的資源的描述，因此他不必依賴於外在替代品。希臘詞的意思是“自給自足”，這是受苦派哲學家最喜歡的詞。但基督徒依靠本身是不夠的；當他在基督裡就夠了。因為基督住在我們裡面，就足以應付我們生活的需要。
 
         In this chapter, Paul named three wonderful spiritual resources that make us adequate and give us contentment.
在這一章中，保羅列舉了三種奇妙的屬靈資源，使我們能夠適當，並給予滿足。
 
1.  The Overruling Providence of God (4:10)
1. 上帝至上統治的眷顧（4:10）
 
         In this day of scientific achievement, we hear less and less about the providence of God. We sometimes get the idea that the world is a vast natural machine and that even God Himself cannot interrupt the wheels as they are turning. But the Word of God clearly teaches the providential workings of God in nature and in the lives of His people. The word providence comes from two Latin words: pro, meaning “before,” and video, meaning “to see.” God’s providence simply means that God sees to it beforehand. It does not mean that God simply knows beforehand, because providence involves much more. It is the working of God in advance to arrange circumstances and situations for the fulfilling of His purposes.
在這個科學成就的日子裡，越來越少聽到上帝的旨意。我們有時會認為世界是個巨大的自然車輪，即使是上帝自己也無法在它轉動時阻止它們。但上帝的話語清楚地教導祂在自然界和祂子民生活中的屬天作為。“上帝眷顧” 由兩個拉丁詞：pro，“之前”，和 “視頻”，是“看到”的意思。上帝的眷顧是祂事先看到。 不是說祂只是事先知道，而是祂涉及到祂的大愛。因上帝愛我們，祂預先為我們安排環境和情況，以完成祂的旨意，這是上帝的作為。
 
        The familiar story of Joseph and his brothers illustrates the meaning of providence (Gen. 37—50). Joseph’s brothers envied him and sold him as a slave when he was only seventeen years old. He was taken to Egypt, and there God revealed that seven years of famine were coming after seven years of plenty. It was through Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams that this fact was discovered. Because of that, Joseph was elevated to the position of second ruler in Egypt. After twenty years of separation, Joseph’s brothers were reconciled to him, and they understood what the Lord had done.
約瑟被他兄弟們出賣的故事闡明上帝的旨意（創 37-50）。因約瑟的哥哥嫉妒他，在他十七歲時把他賣給埃及商人為奴隸。帶到埃及，在那裡上帝啟示他七年的豐收之後，七年的飢荒的埃及大事。藉由約瑟為法老解夢得以証明。正因為如此，約瑟成為埃及的宰相。分別二十年後，約瑟與他的兄弟見面和好，他們明白主及時眷顧。
 
         “God did send me before you to preserve life,” said Joseph (Gen. 45:5). “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good” (Gen. 50:20). This is the providence of God: His hand ruling and overruling in the affairs of life. Paul experienced this divine providence in his life and ministry, and he was able to write, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). God in His providence had caused the church at Philippi to become concerned about Paul’s needs, and it came at the very time Paul needed their love most! They had been concerned, but they had lacked the opportunity to help. Many Christians today have the opportunities, but they lack the concern!
約瑟說，“上帝確實先差我來到埃及，以保全我們全家的生命”（創 45:5）。 “至於你們對我所懷有惡意；但上帝的意思是好的”（創 50:20）。這就是上帝至上大愛的作為：祂的手掌管愛祂的人生活的一切。保羅在他的生活和事工中經歷了上帝這樣的眷顧，他才能寫出，“萬事都互相效力，叫愛上帝的人得益處，就是按祂旨意蒙召的人”（羅8 :28)。照著上帝早先預備的眷顧，祂使腓立比教會開始關心保羅的需要，而這正是保羅最需要他們的愛的時候！他們一直為此很擔心，但他們找不到幫助他的機會。今天很多基督徒有機會，但沒有關懷的愛心！
 
        Life is not a series of accidents; it is a series of appointments. “I will guide thee with mine eye” (Ps. 32:8). Abraham called God “Jehovah-Jireh,” meaning “the Lord will see to it” (Gen. 22:14). “And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them” (John 10:4). This is the providence of God, a wonderful source of contentment.
人生不是一連串的意外；而是一系列的天命。 “我要親眼引導你”（詩 32:8）。亞伯拉罕稱上帝為“以勒(幫助者)”，意思是“主必眷顧”（創 22:14）。 “祂放出自己的羊，就在羊群前頭走”（約 10：4）。這是上帝的及時預備，是使人滿足的奇妙源泉。
 
2.  The Unfailing Power of God (4:11–13)
2. 上帝永遠勝算的大能（4:11-13）
 
         Paul was quick to let his friends know that he was not complaining! His happiness did not depend on circumstances or things; his joy came from something deeper, something apart from either poverty or prosperity. Most of us have learned how to “be abased,” because when difficulties come we immediately run to the Lord! But few have learned how “to abound.” Prosperity has done more damage to believers than has adversity. “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:17).
保羅的朋友很快知道他沒有發怨言！ 他的喜樂不受環境或事的影響；它來自更深層次與貧窮或富貴不同。我們大多數人都學會如何“謙卑”，因為當困難來臨時，我們會立即奔向主！ 但很少有人學會如何處“豐富”。與逆境相比，順境對信徒的傷害更大。 “我富足，發了財，一無所缺”的目中無人（啟3:17）。
 
        The word instructed in Philippians 4:12 is not the same as “learned” in Philippians 4:11. “Instructed” means “initiated into the secret.” This word was used by the pagan religions with reference to their “inner secrets.” Through trial and testing, Paul was “initiated” into the wonderful secret of contentment in spite of poverty or prosperity. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). It was the power of Christ within him that gave him spiritual contentment.
腓立比書 4章12節的 “教導” 一詞，與腓立比書 4章11節的“學習”意義不同。 “教導”的意思是“開始進入奧秘”。異教徒使用該詞來指他們的“內在秘密”。 藉由試煉和測試，保羅“才開始”進入了，不論是貧窮，還是富裕，都學會知足心態的奧秘。 “我靠著那加給我力量的，凡事都能做”（腓 4:13）。正是基督在他裡面的大能給了他屬靈上的滿足。

        Fog had moved into O’Hare Field, the airport that serves Chicago, and my departure had been delayed. I was sitting in the terminal reading a book and quietly asking God to work out His plans for the trip. Near me was a gentleman waiting for the same plane, but he was pacing up and down like a caged lion, and the language he was using to describe the fog was making the atmosphere more dense! I thought, “Here is a man without any inner resources.” Later, he asked me how I could be so calm when the planes were all late, and I had the opportunity to share the gospel with him. While flying back to Chicago from upper New York via New York City, we had to stay in our holding pattern over Kennedy Airport for more than an hour. When the stewardess announced that we would be landing an hour late, a man across the aisle shouted, “Bring out the booze!” This was his only resource when things were going against him.
大霧使芝加哥的阿黑爾機場關閉，我搭乘的飛機無法起飛。我坐在候機室裡看書，靜靜地祈求上帝照祂對我的旅行計劃而作為。靠近我坐的還有位搭乘同機的紳士，他卻像籠中的獅子似的踱來踱去，以他形容大霧的語氣，讓周圍的氣氛變得更糟！  我想，“他是個沒有任何內心資源的人。”後來，他問我，所有的飛機都誤點，我怎麼能這麼冷靜，這時我才有機會跟他分享福音。從北紐約經紐約市區飛回芝加哥時，我們不得不在甘迺迪機場上空，我們不得不在空中回旋等待一個多小時。當空姐宣布我們將晚一個小時降落時，走道對面的朋友喊道，“把酒拿出來！”當事情對他不利時，這是他內心唯一的資源。
 
         All of nature depends on hidden resources. The great trees send their roots down into the earth to draw up water and minerals. Rivers have their sources in the snow-capped mountains. The most important part of a tree is the part you cannot see, the root system, and the most important part of the Christian’s life is the part that only God sees. Unless we draw on the deep resources of God by faith, we fail against the pressures of life. Paul depended on the power of Christ at work in his life (see Phil. 1:6, 21; 2:12–13; 3:10). “I can— through Christ!” was Paul’s motto, and it can be our motto too.
所有自然的生物都依賴於隱藏的資源生存。大樹將根扎入地下，汲取水和礦物質。河流的源頭是雪山。 樹最重要的部分是你看不見的根，而基督徒生命中最重要的部分是信心，只有上帝才能看到的部分。除非憑信心汲取上帝的深層資源，否則我們就無法承受生活的壓力。保羅依靠基督在他生命中的大能（見 腓 1:6、21；2:12-13；3:10）。 “我可以藉由基督！”是保羅的座右銘，也可以成為我們的座右銘。
 
         “I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me,” is the way J. B. Phillips translated Philippians 4:13. The Living Bible puts it this way: “I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.” No matter which translation you prefer, they all say the same thing: the Christian has all the power within that he needs to be adequate for the demands of life. We need only release this power by faith.
“靠著那加給我力量的主，我已經準備好接受任何職事”，這是腓利( J. B. Phillips) 對腓立比書 4章13節的翻譯。活聖經版本是這樣翻譯的：“我靠著那加給我力量的，凡事都能作。”無論喜歡哪種翻譯，它們都有同樣的意思：基督徒擁有滿足生活需求所需的全部能力。我們只需要憑信去釋放這種大能。
 
         Every Christian ought to read Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor, because it illustrates this principle of inner power in the life of a great missionary to China. For many years, Hudson Taylor worked hard and felt that he was trust[1]ing Christ to meet his needs, but somehow he had no joy or liberty in his ministry. Then a letter from a friend opened his eyes to the adequacy of Christ. “It is not by trusting my own faithfulness, but by looking away to the Faithful One!” he said. This was a turning point in his life. Moment by moment, he drew on the power of Christ for every responsibility of the day, and Christ’s power carried him through.
基督徒都應該讀一讀戴德生夫婦所著的戴德生的屬靈生活秘密，因為它說明偉大的中國傳教士生活中的內在力量原則。多年來，戴德生努力工作，覺得他相信基督會滿足他的需要，但不知何故，他在事工中沒有喜樂或自由。然後朋友的一封信讓他看到了基督的充分性。 “這不是靠相信我自己的忠誠，而是靠著把目光轉向忠實者！”他說。這是他人生的轉折點。每時每刻，他都在利用基督的能力來承擔一天的每一項責任，而基督的能力使他度過了難關。
 
         Jesus teaches this same lesson in the sermon on the vine and branches in John 15. He is the Vine; we are the branches. A branch is good only for bearing fruit; otherwise you may as well burn it. The branch does not bear fruit through its own self-effort, but by drawing on the life of the Vine. “Without me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). As the believer maintains his communion with Christ, the power of God is there to see him through. “I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency” (Phil. 4:13, amp).
耶穌在約翰福音 15 章關於葡萄樹和枝子的佈道中也教導了同樣的教訓。我們是樹枝。枝子只為結果子；否則你也可以燒掉它。枝子不是靠自己的努力結果子，而是靠著葡萄樹的生命結果子。 “沒有我，你們什麼都不能做”（約翰福音 15：5）。當信徒保持與基督的交通時，上帝的大能就在那裡幫助他渡過難關。 “我在基督的自給自足上自給自足”（腓 4:13，amp版）。
 
        The overruling providence of God and the unfailing power of God are two spiritual resources on which we can draw that we might be adequate for the tasks of life. But there is a third resource.
上帝壓倒一切的天意，和上帝永不停歇的大能，是我們可以利用的兩種屬靈資源，使我們能夠勝任生活的任務。但是還有第三種資源。

3.  The Unchanging Promise of God (4:14–20)
3. 上帝不變的應許（4:14-20）
 
        Paul thanked the church at Philippi for their generous gift. He compared their giving to three very familiar things.
保羅感謝腓立比教會慷慨的禮物。他將他們的捐贈比作三件非常熟悉的事情。
 
         (1)  A budding tree (v. 10). The word flourished carries the idea of a flower or tree budding or blossoming. Often we go through “winter seasons” spiritually, but then the spring arrives and there is new life and blessing. The tree itself is not picked up and moved; the circumstances are not changed. The difference is the new life within.
(1) 一棵發芽的樹（第 10 節）。蓬勃發展這個詞帶有花或樹發芽或開花的想法。我們常常在靈性上經歷“冬季”，但春天來了，有新的生命和祝福。樹本身不會被撿起和移動；情況沒有改變。不同之處在於內在的新生命。
 
         (2)  An investment (vv. 14–17). Paul looked on their missionary gift as an investment that would pay them rich spiritual dividends. The word communicate is our familiar word “fellowship. “ The church entered into an arrangement of “giving and receiving”; the church gave materially to Paul and received spiritually from the Lord. The Lord keeps the books and will never fail to pay one spiritual dividend! That church is poor that fails to share materially with others.
(2) 投資（14-17 節）。保羅將他們的傳教恩賜視為一項投資，可以為他們帶來豐厚的屬靈紅利。交流這個詞是我們熟悉的詞“團契”。 “ 教會進入了“給予和接受”的安排；教會在物質上給予保羅，在屬靈上從主那裡領受。主保守書本，必不辜負一份屬靈的紅利！那個教會很窮，無法與他人分享物質。
 
         (3)  A sacrifice (v. 18). Paul looked on their gift as a spiritual sacrifice, laid on the altar to the glory of God. There are such things as “spiritual sacrifices” in the Christian life (see 1 Peter 2:5). We are to yield our bodies as spiritual sacrifices (Rom. 12:1–2), as well as the praise of our lips (Heb. 13:15). Good works are a sacrifice to the Lord (Heb. 13:16), and so are the lost souls that we are privileged to win to Christ (Rom. 15:16). Here, Paul saw the Philippian believers as priests, giving their offering as a sacrifice to the Lord. In the light of Malachi 1:6–14, we need to present the very finest that we have to the Lord.
(3) 獻祭（18 節）。保羅把他們的禮物看作是一種屬靈的犧牲，放在祭壇上以榮耀上帝。基督徒生活中有諸如“屬靈祭祀”之類的東西（見彼得前書 2:5）。我們要獻出我們的身體作為屬靈的祭物（羅馬書 12:1-2），以及我們嘴唇的讚美（希伯來書 13:15）。善行對主來說是一種祭品（來 13:16），我們有幸為基督贏得失喪的靈魂也是如此（羅馬書 15:16）。在這裡，保羅將腓立比信徒視為祭司，將他們的供物當作祭物獻給主。根據瑪拉基書 1：6-14，我們需要將最好的獻給主。
 
         But Paul did not see this gift as simply coming from Philippi. He saw it as the supply of his need from heaven. Paul’s trust was in the Lord. There is an interesting contrast between Philippians 4:18 and 19. We might state it this way if we were to paraphrase Paul: “You met my need, and God is going to meet your need. You met one need that I have, but my God will meet all of your needs. You gave out of your poverty, but God will supply your needs out of His riches in glory!”
但保羅並不認為這份禮物只是來自腓立比。他認為這是從天上供應他的需要。保羅信靠主。腓立比書 4:18 和 19兩節 之間有一個有趣的對比。如果我們轉述保羅的話，我們可能會這樣說：“你滿足了我的需要，上帝會滿足你的需要。你滿足了我的一個需求，但我的上帝會滿足你所有的需求。你因貧窮而奉獻，但上帝會用祂榮耀的豐富供應你的需要！”

         God has not promised to supply all our “greeds.” When the child of God is in the will of God, serving for the glory of God, then he will have every need met. Hudson Taylor often said, “When God’s work is done in God’s way for God’s glory, it will not lack for God’s supply.”
上帝並沒有應許供應我們所有的“貪婪”。當上帝的孩子在上帝的旨意中，為上帝的榮耀服務時，他的一切需要都會得到滿足。戴德生常說：“當上帝的工作以祂的方式作成榮耀上帝的時候，就不會缺少上帝

        A young pastor came to a church that had been accustomed to raising its annual budget by means of suppers, bazaars, and the like. He told his officers he could not agree with their program. “Let’s pray and ask God to meet every need,” he suggested. “At the end of the month, pay all the bills and leave my salary till the last. If there isn’t enough money for my salary, then I’m the one who suffers, and not the church. But I don’t think anybody is going to suffer!” The officers were sure that both the pastor and the church would die, but such was not the case. Each month every bill was paid, and at the end of the year there was a surplus in the treasury for the first time in many years.
一位年輕的牧師來到了一個習慣於通過晚餐、集市等方式來提高年度預算的教堂。他告訴他的官員他不能同意他們的計劃。 “讓我們祈禱並祈求上帝滿足每一個需要，”他建議道。 “月底，付清所有賬單，把我的工資留到最後。如果沒有足夠的錢支付我的薪水，那麼受苦的就是我，而不是教會。但我認為沒有人會受苦！”官員們確信牧師和教會都會死，但事實並非如此。每個月都付清了賬單，到了年底，國庫中出現了多年來的首次盈餘。
 
        Contentment comes from adequate resources. Our resources are the providence of God, the power of God, and the promises of God. These resources made Paul sufficient for every demand of life, and they can make us sufficient too.
滿足來自充足的資源。我們的資源是上帝的眷顧，祂的能力，和祂的應許。這些資源使保羅足以滿足他生活的每一個需求，並且祂也可以使我們有餘。