Manna issue 73 - Philemon: Appeal for Forgiveness and Acceptance
英文嗎哪雜誌中譯 73 期 - 腓利門書:懇求饒恕與接納
Chinese translation by Bloomwitz
Based on the Bible Study Guide on Philemon and Hebrews
Published by True Jesus Church
本文立論基於真耶穌教會出版(腓利門書及希伯來書指南)
BACKGROUND
寫作背景
Around 58 to 61 AD, while
imprisoned in Rome, Paul wrote a
letter to Philemon, a wealthy Greek
believer who lived within the vicinity
of Colosse (in present-day Turkey).
The letter concerns Onesimus,
Philemon’s slave who has left his
master.
大約於公元58到61世紀，當時保羅被囚禁在羅馬，他寫了一封信給腓利門。
腓利門是一位富有的信徒，當時居住在歌羅西的鄰近地區(歌羅西即今日的土耳其)，
在信中關切了已經離開腓利門的僕人阿尼西姆。
The epistle is silent on the reason
behind Onesimus’ departure from
Philemon. The traditional belief is
that Onesimus is a runaway slave,
and that, according to Roman law, is
an offence punishable by flogging or
even death. But recent investigations
on slavery during Roman times
present a different picture; one where
racial, religious, or cultural factors
play no role; and where many slaves
are educated (with some even better
educated than their owners). Slaves
also perform social functions; they
can own properties and assemble in
public, and, above all, the majority
of urban and domestic slaves can
legitimately be free by the age of
thirty.
這封保羅的書信並未提及阿尼西母離開主人的原因。
一般認為阿西姆是逃走的僕人，根據羅馬的法律，僕人逃逸的罪刑能被處以鞭刑甚致死刑。
但是針對羅馬時期的奴隸制度的最新研究提出了不同的見解。
在這個見解之下種族、宗教和文化完全不具影響力，事實上在羅馬時期的奴隸有大多數都接受了教育(有些甚至比雇主更好)。
奴隸能夠參與社交活動、能保有私人財產並且有集會自由，最重要的是，大多數於城市及家庭工作的奴隸能夠在三十歲時合法獲得自由。
offence n. 違法行為﹐違例; 犯罪
Onesimus has believed in Jesus
during his stay with Paul. Now
Paul, intending to send him back
to Philemon, decides to also make
an appeal on his behalf. Thus Paul
writes to Philemon, urging him to
forgive and receive Onesimus, and to
consider this former slave as a dear
brother in the Lord. His letter of tactful
persuasion follows the conventional
structure found in the genre of Greek
rhetoric: commendation, appeal to
reason, and appeal to emotion. And
in this letter, Paul uses more terms
of endearment than in all his other
epistles, to strengthen his appeal “for
love’s sake.”
阿尼西姆在與保羅同在時相信耶穌，現在保羅嘗試著將阿尼西姆送回腓利門的身邊，保羅也決定為阿尼西姆求情。
故此保羅寫信給腓利門，鼓勵他饒恕並重新接受阿尼西姆，並且將這個從前的僕人視為主內親愛的弟兄。
他信中圓融的勸說採用傳統的寫作結構及希臘修辭:首先是問候，再來說之以理，最後動之以情。
在這封信中保羅使用了更多表達親愛之意的詞彙，比他其他的書信都還要多，目的乃強調他的懇求出於愛、本於愛。
tactful a. 機智的；圓滑的；老練的
rhetoric n. 修辭；辭令，言語
commendation n. 表揚，稱讚
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S GRACE AND GOODNESS
領會神的恩典與慈愛
I thank my God, making mention of
you always in my prayers, hearing of
your love and faith which you have
toward the Lord Jesus and toward
all the saints, that the sharing of
your faith may become effective by
the acknowledgment of every good
thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
(Phm 4–6)
4.我禱告的時候提到你，常為你感謝我的神；
5.因聽說你的愛心並你向主耶穌和眾聖徒的信心（或作：因聽說你向主耶穌和眾聖徒有愛心有信心）。
6.願你與人所同有的信心顯出功效，使人知道你們各樣善事都是為基督做的。
(腓利門書4-6節)
Paul begins his letter with a
salutation, followed by a prayer.
Having heard of Philemon’s exemplary
love and faith (Phm 5), Paul prays
for Philemon, that the sharing of his
faith may become effective through
his good deeds. Paul’s salutation,
with the emphasis on “all the saints”
remind us, the modern-day reader, of
the need to love every brother and
sister, without any bias or prejudice.
Paul also reminds us to share our faith
by testifying of God’s goodness (cf.
Phm 6). Therefore, we need to truly
know God and personally experience
His grace. Our life of faith needs to
be dynamic and vibrant, a testimony
of His goodness.
保羅以問候開始他的書信，隨後是一段祈禱文。「聽說你的愛心並你向主耶穌和眾聖徒的信心。」(門5)
保羅為腓利門禱告希望他的信仰能促使他行出好行為。保羅的問候中強調「所有的聖徒」，
提醒我們這些現代讀者，放下偏見，放心去愛弟兄姊妹。
保羅也提醒我們藉由見證神的慈愛來分享我們的信仰(門6)。
因此，我們需要真正認識神，並且親自體驗它的恩典。我們需使生命和信仰成為一個動態且充滿活力的見證。
salutation n. 招呼，致意；行禮；問候
exemplary a. 模範的
CHOOSE THE WAY OF LOVE
選擇愛的方法
Therefore, though I might be very
bold in Christ to command you
what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I
rather appeal to you--being such a
one as Paul, the aged, and now also
a prisoner of Jesus Christ—(Phm
8–9)
8.我雖然靠著基督能放膽吩咐你合宜的事；
9.然而像我這有年紀的保羅，現在又是為基督耶穌被囚的，寧可憑著愛心 求你
(腓力門書8-9節)
Although Paul has the authority
in Christ to command Philemon
(Phm 8) and expect his obedience
(cf. Phm 21), he opts to appeal
instead. He asks Philemon to receive
Onesimus as he would receive Paul.
In taking this step, Paul relinquishes
his apostolic authority and humbly
identifies himself as “aged” and
as a “prisoner.” Given their close
rapport, Paul just has to make a
personal request, and he trusts that
Philemon will accede. And because
Philemon is an exemplary believer
who loves all the saints, Paul does
not need to command him to display
the same level of love to Onesimus.
Instead of making Philemon act out
of compulsion, Paul wants him to
accept Onesimus out of freewill.
雖然保羅有基督賦予的權柄，他能要求腓力門（門8）並且期待他的順服(參見 門21) 然而他卻選擇了懇求的方式。
他要腓利門接受阿尼希姆就像當初接受保羅一樣。
為此，保羅放下了他身為使徒的權威，並且謙卑認為自己只是年歲稍長，並且身在牢獄。
鑑於與腓利門親密的關係，保羅相信只需要提出個人要求腓利門就會照做。
沒有愛我們無法成就身為基督徒的使命，如被說服前的腓利門一樣。
並且由於腓利門是一位愛聖徒的模範信徒，保羅無需命令他也會對阿尼希姆展示出相同程度的愛。
保羅希望腓利門的行為是出於自由意志而不是被強迫的。
relinquish vt. 放棄
Choosing appeal over command
teaches us that the motivation
behind our actions ought to be
love. Like Paul, we encourage
others out of love. And like
Philemon, we discharge our duty
out of love.
選擇以懇求代替命令，為的是教導我們所行為的動機皆須出於愛。
就像保羅，出於愛我們互相鼓勵，就像腓利門，出於愛我們盡本份彼此相愛。
While a command or instruction
may temporarily force someone
to act superficially and grudgingly,
an appeal can touch the heart of a
person and enable him to gladly
and willingly do what is right. Such
approach is most effective when we
know that the person has always
acted with love and faith and only
needs a simple reminder to continue
to do what is right.
儘管只要一個命令或教訓就能暫時約束人的表面行為，然而一個懇求卻能打動並促使一個人甘心情願的行義。
這種方法對於行為總是出於愛及信仰只是偶爾需要被提醒才能持續的人而言很有效。
grudgingly ad. 勉強地
As fellow servants of Christ, we
may sometimes argue over who is
right and who should have the final
say. Worse, we may insist on our
views and expect others to follow.
But this approach usually results in
disunity, and even when others give
in to our demands, these are not
done willingly. A preferred approach
is to choose the way of love and
gently share our views with others,
believing that they will have the
wisdom and willingness to do what
is right.
身為基督的僕人，我們有時卻會議論誰是正確的，誰有資格判斷，
更糟的是，我們常常自以為是並期待他人服己。
但這樣的方法終將造成信徒的不團結，即使有些人讓步並服從我們的要求，他們並不會是甘心樂意而行。
我們當本著愛，以溫和的方式與他人分享我們的觀點，並相信他們有屬靈的智慧及意志做出正確的事 。
Choosing appeal over command
teaches us that the motivation
behind our actions ought to be love.
Like Paul, we encourage others
out of love. And like Philemon, we
discharge our duty out of love.
選擇懇求而非命令，這教導了我們我們行為背後的動機理應是愛。
如同保羅，我們能以愛鼓勵他人;若如同腓利門，沒有愛，我們將無法成就身為基督徒的使命。
LOVE WITHOUT BIAS
愛一沒有偏見
I appeal to you for my son
Onesimus, whom I have begotten
while in my chains, who once was
unprofitable to you, but now is
profitable to you and to me. I am
sending him back. You therefore
receive him, that is, my own heart
…. (Phm 10–12)
10就是為我在捆鎖中所生的兒子阿尼西母（就是有益處的意思）求你。
11他從前於你沒有益處，但如今於你我都有益處。
12我現在打發他親自回你那裡去，他是我心上的人。
(腓利門書10-12節)
Paul’s appeal to Philemon is
not merely an appeal to receive
Onesimus back as a slave—he hopes
that Philemon will receive Onesimus
the same way he receives Paul, as
a beloved brother in Christ. Before,
Onesimus was valuable to Philemon
for economic reasons. But now, he is
valuable to him in a spiritual sense,
having become a dear brother in
Christ. Paul asks Philemon to look
beyond Onesimus’ social status
and to regard his spiritual status to
be of greater worth. Now, not only
has Philemon gained a profitable
employee, he has gained a beloved
brother in the Lord (Phm 16).
保羅對於腓利門的懇求不僅僅是要求他接納阿尼希姆這個僕人，他希望腓利門接納他如主內親愛的弟兄一般，就像他接納保羅一般。
先前，阿尼希姆在經濟上而言對於腓利門相當重要。
但是現在，在精神上已然成為了腓利門珍貴的屬靈弟兄。
保羅要腓利門看待阿尼希姆的屬靈的身份勝過其社會地位。
現在，腓利門不僅得到了一位好員工，更增加了一位主內親愛的弟兄（門16）。
Similarly, as we relate to our fellow
brethren, we ought not assess them
based on their social standing or
economic worth. Instead, we ought
to regard them as our beloved
brethren and love them simply
because they are members of Christ’s
family. As the Bible states, “for you
are all sons of God through faith in
Christ Jesus. For as many of you as
were baptized into Christ have put
on Christ. There is neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither slave nor free,
there is neither male nor female; for
you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal
3:26–28).
同理，我們也不該根據社經地位高低來評價弟兄。
相反的，我們應將他們視為親愛的弟兄，愛他們僅因同屬主內一家。
如同聖經上所記:
「26所以，你們因信基督耶穌都是神的兒子。
27你們受洗歸入基督的都是披戴基督了。
28並不分猶太人、希利尼人，自主的、為奴的，或男或女，因為你們在基督耶穌裡都成為一了。
(加拉太書3章26-28節)」
FORGIVE AS GOD FORGAVE YOU
免了我們的債，如同我們免了人的債
If then you count me as a partner,
receive him as you would me. But
if he has wronged you or owes
anything, put that on my account. I,
Paul, am writing with my own hand.
I will repay--not to mention to you
that you owe me even your own self
besides. (Phm 17–19)
17你若以我為同伴，就收納他，如同收納我一樣。
18他若虧負你，或欠你什麼，都歸在我的帳上，
19我必償還。這是我保羅親筆寫的。我並不用對你說，連你自己也是虧欠於我。
（腓立比書17-19節）
Here, Paul reiterates his appeal. In
verse 17, Paul identifies himself with
Onesimus. In verse 18, he volunteers
to settle the wrongs and debts
of Onesimus. At the same time,
he reminds Philemon of his own
indebtedness to Paul. As Philemon
is probably converted by Paul, Paul
reminds him that if he, Paul, does not
expect repayment from Philemon,
Philemon should, likewise, forgive
Onesimus over a debt which is of
much less worth.
這裡，保羅再次呼籲強調，在17節，保羅稱自己與阿尼希姆為弟兄。
在18節他自願承擔阿尼希姆對腓利門所有虧負，
與此同時，他也喚起了腓利門對自己的信任之心，
腓利門很有可能被保羅說服，因為保羅提醒他，換作是保羅自己，他不會對腓利門要求任何補償，
相同的，免去阿尼希姆的債並不會是一件難事。
Our Lord Jesus Christ has also
identified Himself with us (Heb 2:11–
18; 4:15). He took our sins upon
Himself and paid for them with His
own life (Isa 53:4–6; 1 Cor 5:3; 2 Cor
5:21; Gal 1:3–4; 1 Jn 2:2). Since He
removed our heavy debt of sin, who
are we not to forgive those who have
offended us (cf. Mt 18:21–35)?
我們的耶穌基督也稱我們為弟兄（希伯來書2:11-18; 4:15）
祂用生命承擔了我們的罪愆（賽53章4-6節; 林前5章3節; 林後5章21節; 加1章3-4節; 約一2章2節）
既然祂都已赦免了我們的罪債，我們難道不該饒恕那些得罪我們的人嗎？（參見馬太福音18章21-35節）
BE WILLING
甘心樂意而行
Having confidence in your
obedience, I write to you, knowing
that you will do even more than I
say. (Phm 21)
21我寫信給你，深信你必順服，知道你所要行的，必過於我所說的。
(腓利門書21節)
Before Paul concludes, he appeals
to Philemon’s good Christian
character once again by highlighting
Philemon’s obedience, love, and
willingness to serve and please
God (Phm 20–22). He trusts that
Philemon would obey and do beyond
what was asked. Trust is essential in
our interactions within the family
of Christ. At times, we may be too
quick to correct and admonish our
brethren, without trusting that they
will do the right thing. But if we
learn to trust, we may only need to
gently encourage rather than sharply
rebuke.
在結論之前，保羅以強調出腓利門的愛心及順服並樂於助人和服事主，再次呼籲腓利門身為基督徒的好行為（門20-22）
他相信腓利門會順服並做得比保羅說的還要好，信任在基督徒大家庭的互動中是不可或缺的。
有些時候，我們可能太急於糾正和責備我們的弟兄，不相信他們會做對的事，但如果我們知道去相信，我們只需要溫和的鼓勵而非苛責。
admonish vt. 責備
Our Lord Jesus Christ has identified Himself with us. He took our
sins upon Himself and paid for them with His own life. Since He
removed our heavy debt of sin, who are we not to forgive those
who have offended us?
～我們的耶穌基督也稱我們為弟兄
祂，用生命承擔了我們的罪愆
既然祂已免我們的罪債，我們難道不該饒恕那些得罪我們的人嗎？～
It would seem that Philemon is
someone who will do more than
what is asked of him. We are likely go
the extra mile willingly for someone
we love. Love is a strong motivating
force. In our service to the Lord, the
same principle applies. If we serve out
of love, this love will motivate us to
do the best for Him. Our service will
be one of constant joy, discharged
with a willingness that is without
prompting and without complaint.
感覺上腓利門是一個做得比被要求的還多的人。
我們願意為所愛的人付出許多，愛是強大的驅力。
在我們對神的事奉中，也是如此。如果我們憑著愛心服事神，愛會促使我們盡力而為。
我們的事奉也會充滿喜樂而非怠惰與怨言。
GOD’S GRACE EMPOWERS US
主恩常與我們
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with your spirit. Amen. (Phm 25)
Apostle Paul ends his letter to
Philemon with a benediction and
prayer for God’s grace to be with
Philemon. Through His grace, we
have received God’s generous
provision of salvation and heavenly
blessings. And through His grace, we
are able to fulfill His will in our lives
(1 Cor 15:10; Eph 2:10; Phil 2:13;
4:13; 2 Tim 2:1). In the same way, it
is by God’s grace that Philemon could
continue his deeds of love and do
beyond what Paul has asked. Indeed,
this benediction aptly concludes
Paul’s appeal in this epistle.
25願我們主耶穌基督的恩常在你的心裡。阿們！（腓利門書25節）
使徒保羅以祝福與祈求主恩常與腓利門來結束這封信，
透過神的恩典，我們得了慷慨的救贖與天堂般的祝福，並且能夠在生命中完成祂的旨意。（林前15章10節; 弗2章10節; 門2章13節; 4章13節; 提後2章1節）
相同的，也是由於神的愛，腓利門才能繼續行出愛並且行的比保羅所說得更好。
確實，這樣的祝福適切的總括了保羅在信中的呼籲。
benediction n.祝福
CONCLUSION
結論
For the modern reader, Paul’s letter
to Philemon continues to serve as an
appeal to Christian love. The “players”
in this epistle are themselves a symbol
of our unity in Christ. Slavery may
no longer be around, but we may
still assess and receive others based
on their social standing. We know
that we are of one body in Christ,
but do we look down on someone
because of his social status, physical
appearance, income, or intellect? Or
do we consider every believer a dear
brother or sister?
對現代讀者而言，保羅給腓利門的書信依然呼籲著神的愛，
保羅在書信中的祈禱就表徵了我們在主裡聯合奴隸制度不再，但我們仍以社會階級待人。
我們都知道主內一家，卻仍然由於社會地位、外貌、收入或智能而看輕他人嗎？
又或者我們將每一位信徒都視為親愛的弟兄姊妹？
Paul’s letter also teaches the spirit
of reconciliation. Is anyone indebted
to us? Or has he wronged us in some
way? Do we continue to bear grudges
or do we forgive and overlook these
wrongs? If two members of Christ’s
body are at odds, will we be the
mediator to reconcile them?
These are questions that we can
ask ourselves if we want to manifest
the life of a true Christian, one who
is renewed and created in the image
of God, in true righteousness and
holiness.
保羅的書信也教導了我們和諧順從的道理。有人虧欠我們嗎？
或者他哪裡得罪我們了？我們還在記恨又或者我們饒恕他們的錯誤？
如果有主內有兩位肢體意見分歧我們是否願意居中調停？
如果我們想明晰真信徒的生活，我們可以問問自己這些問題，一個真信徒必需更新，在公義與聖潔上成為基督的形象。
… and be renewed in the spirit
of your mind, and that you put
on the new man which was
created according to God, in true
righteousness and holiness. ... Let all
bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and
evil speaking be put away from you,
with all malice. And be kind to one
another, tenderhearted, forgiving
one another, even as God in Christ
forgave you.
(Eph 4:23–24, 31–32)
23又要將你們的心志改換一新，
24並且穿上新人；這新人是照著神的形像造的，有真理的仁義和聖潔。
31一切苦毒、惱恨、忿怒、嚷鬧、毀謗，並一切的惡毒（或作：陰毒），都當從你們中間除掉；
32並要以恩慈相待，存憐憫的心，彼此饒恕，正如神在基督裡饒恕了你們一樣。
(以弗所書4章23-24; 31-32節)
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