Manna issue 68 - Fulfill Your Ministry—A Study on 2 Timothy (I) 完成自已的使命 - 提摩太後書研討 (I)
Serving God with endurance,
faithfulness and godliness.
以忍耐，信心，敬虔來服事神
Based on Bible Study Guide: Thessalonians, Timothy and Titus
Published by the True Jesus Church
參考，查經指導手冊：帖撒羅尼迦書，提摩太前後書，及提多書
真耶穌教會編印
INTRODUCTION 簡介
According to the testimony of the
early church, Paul was imprisoned
in Rome a second time and put to
death by the Roman Emperor Nero.
It was during this second Roman
imprisonment (A.D. 66–67) that
Paul penned the second epistle to
Timothy. The writing style of this
epistle is personal, reflecting Paul’s
farewell address to his fellow worker
and “beloved son” (1:2). This is also
Paul’s last epistle, written at the end
of his life.
根據早期教會的見証，
保羅在羅馬第二次的時候被抓，
並且被羅馬皇帝尼祿處死。
他在這第二次羅馬被抓的時候(主後 66-67年)，
保羅提筆寫下這給提摩太的第二封書信。
這封書信寫作的風格是比較私人的，
可以看出是保羅向他的同工，且又是"最愛之子"的提摩太，作最後道別的話語。(1:2)
這封信也是保羅所寫的最後一封信，
在他生命終了之前，所寫下來的。
Paul urges Timothy not to be
ashamed of the testimony of the Lord
but share with him in the sufferings
for the gospel. Knowing that false
teachers will rise to resist the truth,
Paul stresses the importance of
holding fast the pattern of sound
doctrine and instructs Timothy to be
strong. He gives Timothy the solemn
charge to preach the word and to
endure afflictions. With these last
words of exhortation, the apostle
passes on the legacy and the divine
commission to his son in the faith.
保羅鼓勵提摩太，不要因為成為主的見証人，而感到羞恥，
而是要與主因福音的原故，而同受苦楚。
要知道，假教師會出現，來抵擋真理，
所以保羅一再強調，要持保純正教義模式的重要性，
並且指示提摩太要剛強起來。
他給提摩太下了很慎重的命令，要傳福音，要忍受苦楚。
因著這些最後勸勉的話話，
這位使徒把他的信仰上的遺產及神聖的使命，
交託給他信仰上的兒子。
Below are some of Paul’s invaluable
messages to Timothy, which are
equally applicable to us.
下面就是一些保羅給提摩太很珍貴的訊息，
對我們而言，也是同樣非常的適用。
DO NOT BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL 不因福音而恥
In the opening chapter, Paul
encouraged Timothy to press on in
the calling and ministry of God even
in the face of adversity.
在開頭的篇幅中，保羅鼓勵提摩太要繼續從事神的呼召和事工，
即使會面臨到一些困難。
Remember God’s Blessings 數算神的恩典
“I thank God, whom I serve with a
pure conscience.” (1:3)
3我感謝神，就是我接續祖先用清潔的良心所事奉的神。
(1：3)
The early church was undergoing
great persecution when this epistle
was written, and many saints had
already been martyred. Paul himself
had been imprisoned and knew that
he had reached the end of his life. In
the face of great persecution from
the authorities, the presence of false
brethren within the church, heresies
clouding the truth, workers leaving
the ministry and faithful workers being
martyred, Paul continued to give
thanks to God when he remembered
Timothy’s genuine faith, which dwelt
first in Timothy’s grandmother and
mother. Timothy’s genuine faith in
God serves as a source of comfort
and encouragement to Paul.
當這封信在寫作的時候，
初代教會正面臨大逼迫，
而且有許多古聖徒已經殉教了。
保羅自已也被下到監牢中，
並且他知道，快要走到自已生命的終點了。
面對來自官方的大逼迫，教會裡面有假弟兄，
各種異端適著要蒙敝真理，工人離開了福音的崗位，忠心的工人殉道了，
但一想到提摩太有真正的信仰，而這信仰一開始在存在提摩太的祖母和母親身上，
保羅就一直很感謝神。
而提摩太有真正的信仰，
就成為保羅內心的一種安慰和鼓勵的來源。
In our journey of faith, we must
continue in fervent prayer and give
thanks to God, irrespective of our
environment. This is possible only if
we always remember the good things
God has done for us and deeply trust
that God has His purpose behind the
adversities that befall us.
在我們信仰的旅程後，一定要繼續熱心禱告，感謝神，無論我們遇到什麼樣子的環境。
要能夠這樣作，只有我們一直記得神為我們作的好事，
深信神在我們所遇到的任何苦難之中，都有祂美好的旨意。
Stir up the Gift of God 啟動神的恩賜
“Therefore I remind you to stir
up the gift of God which is in you
through the laying on of my hands.”
(1:6)
6為此我提醒你，使你將神藉我按手所給你的恩賜再如火挑旺起來。
(1:6)
God has enabled Timothy to have
an excellent legacy of faith (1:5).
Because of this precious legacy, Paul
reminds Timothy that he must put
this faith to good use. He must not
neglect the gift of the ministry he has
received (cf. 1 Tim 4:14), but must
stir up this gift.
神讓提摩太擁有最好的信仰傳承。(1：5)
因著有這珍貴的傳承，保羅就提醒提摩太，
他一定要好好珍惜這份信仰。
他也一定不能忽略了自已已經領受傳福音的恩賜，(參考，提前 4：14)
而且一定要激勵起神所給的恩賜。
Likewise, for us today, we ought
to constantly examine and revive
our zeal and our commitment to the
Lord’s ministry. It is easy to become
disheartened and give up when we
meet with difficulties in our ministry.
But we cannot let circumstances
defeat us and put out the flame that
God has placed in our hearts. Instead,
we need to stir up the gift that is in us
and serve the Lord with even greater
vigor.
今日的我們也是同樣的情況，
應該要一直檢查自已的內心和對神的託負，讓熱心再次挑旺起來，
可以完成主的福音事工。
在我們傳福音的時候，若遇到了困難，
變灰心，並且放棄，是很容易的。
但是我們不能讓四週的環境來打敗我們，
澆熄那神放在我們內心的火焰。
相反的，我們要喚起我們內心裡面的恩賜，
甚至付出更多了精力來服事主。
Spirit of Power, Love and Sound Mind 聖靈的力量，愛和健全的心態
“For God has not given us a spirit of
fear, but of power and of love and
of a sound mind.” (1:7)
7因為神賜給我們，不是膽怯的心，乃是剛強、仁愛、謹守的心。
(1:7)
This is an apt reminder for us
living in the last days. God has given
us power so that we may do what
seems humanly impossible and carry
out God’s will (cf. Acts 4:33; 2 Cor
4:7–11; 10:4–5; 12:9–10; Eph 3:20;
6:10–20; Phil 4:10–13; Col 1:9–11;
2 Thess 1:11; Heb 11:32–34). With
the spirit of power in us, we can be
strong and we do not need to be
afraid of hardship or difficulties.
對活在末世中的我們，這是很合適的提醒。
神已經給我們力量，所以我們可以作那些看起來，
以人力所不能完成的事情，並且執行神的旨意。
(參考，徒 4：33；林後 4：7-11；10：4-5；12：9-10；
弗 3：20；6：10-20；腓 4：10-13；歌 1：9-11；帖後 1：11；來 11：32-34)
因著我們有聖經力量的幫助，
就可以剛強起來，不再需要去害怕艱苦和困難。
Having the love of God in our
hearts, we will be motivated to live
for Christ and bring the gospel of
salvation to others (2 Cor 5:14–15).
This spirit of love gives us the courage
to overcome all obstacles in the way
of our service. When we only seek
our selfish interests, we will fear
suffering for the gospel. But if we are
selfless, then we will not hesitate to
sacrifice ourselves for the gospel.
有神的愛在我們心中，
我們就會受到激勵，為基督而活，把拯救人的福音帶給別人。
(林後 5：14-15)
這有愛的聖靈，會給我們勇氣，
來克服我們服事工作上，一切的姐礙。
若我們只尋求自私的好處，就會因為要為福音而受苦，而感到害怕。
但若我們一點也不自私，
那麼就會為了福音來犧牲自已，毫不遲疑。
A sound mind, or self-discipline,
enables us to act with composure
and wisdom (cf. Ex 14:10–14; 1
Sam 30:6; Acts 7:54–60). Instead of
panicking with fear, we can trust in
God and be prudent in our actions.
若有健全的心態，以及自律的準備，
就能讓我們以冷靜及智慧的心，為人處世。
(參考，出 14：10-14；撒上 30：6；徒 7：54-60)
不會因為害怕而驚慌失措，
就可以信靠神，行為謹慎。
It is easy to become disheartened and give up when we meet with difficulties
in our ministry. But we cannot let circumstances defeat us and put out the
flame that God has placed in our hearts. Instead, we need to stir up the gift
that is in us and serve the Lord with even greater vigor.
在我們傳福音的時候，若遇到了困難，
變灰心，並且放棄，是很容易的。
但是我們不能讓四週的環境來打敗我們，
澆熄那神放在我們內心的火焰。
相反的，我們要喚起我們內心裡面的恩賜，
甚至付出更多了精力來服事主。
Know Whom You Have Believed 知道你所信的是誰
For this reason I also suffer these
things; nevertheless I am not
ashamed, for I know whom I have
believed and am persuaded that
He is able to keep what I have
committed to Him until that Day.
(1:12)
12為這緣故，我也受這些苦難。然而我不以為恥；
因為知道我所信的是誰，也深信他能保全我所交付他的（或作：他所交託我的），直到那日。
(1:12)
In this famous conviction
statement, Paul shows total trust in
the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul does not
say, “I know what I have believed,”
but he says, “I know whom I have
believed.” His knowledge is not
just in a set of creeds, theories, or
philosophies; rather, he has come
to know Jesus Christ personally. He
knows Jesus Christ as his Savior, who
loved him and died for him, the chief
of sinners (1 Cor 2:2; Gal 2:20; 1 Tim
1:15–16). He knows Jesus Christ as
his Lord, to whom he has dedicated
his life (2 Cor 5:15; 1 Tim 1:1).
He also knows Jesus Christ as his
Defender, who has always stood by
him, and his Deliverer, who will not
forsake him but will deliver him from
every evil work and preserve him for
His heavenly kingdom (2 Tim 4:18).
在這有名的確信聲明之中，
保羅展現了對主耶穌基督的全部信賴。
保羅並沒有說，"我知道所信的是什麼"，
而他是說，"我知道我所信的是誰"。
他的知識不是只是一套教義，理論或是哲學的學問而已；
反而，他已經在個人的基礎上，認識了耶穌基督。
他知道耶穌基督是救主，祂愛他，為了他而死，而他卻是罪魁。
(林前 2：2；加 2：20；提前 1：15-16)
他了解到，耶穌基督是他的救主，
而保羅為主而獻出自已的生命。
(林後 2：2；提前 1：1)
他也知道，耶穌基督是他的守護者，
一直以來都陪在他身邊，拯教他，
永遠不會放棄他，而會救他脫離各樣的惡事，
保守他得享天國的福份。
(提後 4：18)
As believers who have already
accepted Christ, our knowledge of
the Lord must grow and deepen. This
knowledge comes about when we
live a new life in Christ (2 Cor 5:16–
17). As members of Christ’s body, we
can grow in our knowledge of Jesus
Christ through mutual edification
with the truth (Eph 4:11–13). In our
personal lives, we may grow in our
knowledge of Christ by diligently
conforming to Christ’s likeness and
obeying Christ’s commands (Eph
4:20–24; Phil 3:8–10; Col 1:10; 3:8–
10; 2 Pet 1:2–8; 1 Jn 2:4; 3:6). We
also need to pray for the fullness of
the Spirit of wisdom and revelation
so that our knowledge of God may
continue to grow (Eph 1:17–18;
3:14–19).
身為已經接受基督的信徒，
我們主的認知一定要再成長，並且加深。
當我們在基督裡過著新生活的時候，
這種對神更深的認識就會加深。
(林後 5：16-17)
身為基督的肢體，我們可以透過在真理上彼此造就，
而能在對耶穌基督的認識上有所成長。(弗 4：11-13)
在我們私人生活中，可以殷勤效法基督的榜樣，遵守基督的誡命，
而達到個人對基督認識的成長。
(弗 4：20-24；腓 3：8-10；西 1：10；3：8-10；
彼後 1：2-8；約壹 2：4；3：6)
我們也要禱告，祈求帶有智慧及可以給人啟示的聖靈，可以多多的充滿我們，
這樣我們對神的認識，才可以繼續一直成長。
(弗 1：17-18；3：14-19)
The Lord is trustworthy. Those
who believe in Him will not be put
to shame (Rom 10:11). Because
Paul knows that the Lord he trusts
in is dependable, he is not ashamed
of the testimony of the Lord. God is
able to keep what the believer has
committed to Him until His return.
The believer’s deposit in Christ
includes his salvation, his walk of
faith, and his service.
主是值得信賴的。
那些相信祂的人，將不致於羞愧。(羅 10：11)
因為保羅知道，他所信任的主，是值得依靠的，
所以他並不以為主作見証為恥。
神能仍夠保守那些信徒所交託祂的事，直到再來。
信徒對基督的寄託，包括了，
可以得救，信仰的行為，並且對神的服事。
Be Rooted in the Truth 在真理上札根
Hold fast the pattern of sound
words which you have heard from
me, in faith and love which are in
Christ Jesus. That good thing which
was committed to you, keep by the
Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
(1:13–14)
13你從我聽的那純正話語的規模，要用在基督耶穌裡的信心和愛心，常常守著。
14從前所交託你的善道，你要靠著那住在我們裡面的聖靈牢牢的守著。
(1:13–14)
The word “pattern” means
prototype. The gospel that the
apostles preached is the prototype
to which Timothy and all preachers
of the gospel must conform (cf. Eph
2:20). This also applies to us who are
entrusted with the same “pattern of
sound words”. We have to be deeply
rooted in the truth and guard the
faith, the ministry, and the sound
doctrine that the Lord has entrusted
to us.
"規模"這個字，代表了典範。
使徒所傳的福音，就是一種典範，
也就是提摩太和所有傳福音的人，要遵循的典範。(參考，弗 2：20)
這個原則對我們也同樣適用，
因為我們也被託負了同樣的"純正話語的規模"。
我們要在直理上深深的札根，保守這份信仰，
保守這個福音工作，持守這純全，神所託負我們的健全教義。
This is to be done through constant
prayer in the Holy Spirit and heeding
the Spirit’s voice, as the Holy Spirit
is a sword through the word of God
(Eph 6:17). He enables us to wage
the good warfare, combating all false
doctrines.
要達成這種情況，需要透過在聖靈裡的不斷禱告，
留心聽聖靈的聲音，因為聖靈經由神的話，就像一把劍一樣。
(弗 6：17)
祂讓我們能打美好的仗，來打擊所有錯誤的教義。
A GOOD WORKER OF JESUS CHRIST 耶穌基督的好工人
In the second chapter, Paul teaches
Timothy how to be a good worker
of God. The attributes of a good
worker can be broadly classified into
three aspects: endurance in hardship,
faithfulness to the truth, and godly
character.
在第二章，保羅教導提摩太，如何成為一個神的好工人。
好工人的特質，可以大約歸類到三方面：
在困難中忍耐，對真理保持忠心，及敬虔的人格特質。
It is by depending on the
gracious help of God rather
than on self-confidence that we
can truly be strong.
只有靠著神恩典的幫助，而不依賴自信，
我們才能真正變得剛強起來。
Be Strong 剛強起來
You therefore, my son, be strong in
the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And
the things that you have heard from
me among many witnesses, commit
these to faithful men who will be
able to teach others also.
(2:1–2)
1我兒阿，你要在基督耶穌的恩典上剛強起來。
2你在許多見證人面前聽見我所教訓的，也要交託那忠心能教導別人的人。
(2:1–2)
In this context, to be strong
means to have the courage and the
endurance to face hardship. This
strength is not based on human
courage, but on the grace of Christ
Jesus. In other words, it is by
depending on the gracious help of
God rather than on self-confidence
that we can truly be strong.
在這段經節裡面，剛強起來代表了，
要有勇氣，並且可以在面對困難的時候，有所忍耐。
這樣的力量，並不是來自人本身自已的勇氣，
而是基督耶穌的恩典。
換句話說，
只有靠著神恩典的幫助，而不依賴自信，
我們才能真正變得剛強起來。
Apart from serving God faithfully
and fulfilling our ministry, it is
important that we pay attention to
searching out faithful men to whom
we can entrust the word of God
and the ministry. These faithful men
themselves must also be able to teach
others in order to ensure continuity
of the word and the ministry. This
principle applies to all areas of church
work where we need to consciously
nurture successors.
除了忠心的服事神，及完成個人的傳福音的使命之外，
很重要的是，我們有留心要找出有忠心的人，
讓我們可以把神的話語，及福音的工作，交託給他們。
這些忠心的人，他們自已也要能夠教導別人，
為了就是可以確保，神話語及事工可以持續下去。
教會工作的所有地方，都可以適用這個原則，
而我們也要有意識地來培養繼承者。
Endure Hardship 忍耐艱苦
“You therefore must endure
hardship…” (2:3)
3你要和我同受苦難，
(2:3)
Paul uses analogies of soldier,
athlete and farmer to illustrate this
point. A soldier needs to endure
hardship. He has to be absolutely
focused on his mission and not
entangle himself with civilian affairs.
An athlete needs to push himself to
the limit in training and competition,
and he must also exercise selfdiscipline
and integrity in following
rules of the competition. A farmer has
to labor and endure physical fatigue
from dawn till dusk. He also needs to
wait patiently for the time of harvest.
保羅使用軍人，運動員及農夫的類比法，來描述這一點。
軍人需要忍受苦難。
他一定要絕對專注在任務上，
不被自已的任何其他事務所纏身。
運動員則要鞭策自已，可以在訓練及比賽上，突破自已的極限。
他也要利用自律，忠心遵從比賽的規則。
農夫要努力工作，忍受著肉體上的勞累，
從天剛亮一直工作到黃昏。
他也要耐心等候，直到收獲的時節來到。
All three metaphors illustrate the
physical and mental endurance that
a good worker of God must have.
In order to carry out the Lord’s
commission, we need to persevere
and not shrink from hardship. Just as
the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer
do not labor without a purpose,
our endurance has a purpose, as it
achieves for us the reward in heaven.
As we press on toward this reward,
we must be focused, disciplined, and
diligent in the ministry.
這三個比喻全部都在描寫，
一個神的好工人，在肉體及心理上，要能夠忍耐。
為了執行主的使命，我們要能堅持不懈，不從苦難中退縮。
就如士兵，運動員，和農夫一樣，他們並不是沒有目標而白費力氣，
我們的忍耐是有目標的，因為到最後，這能幫我們贏得天國的獎賞。
當我們繼續向這個獎賞直奔時，
就一定要能在這份福音工作上，夠專注，自律，和殷勤。
The secret of the ability to endure
hardship is to focus on Jesus Christ’s
resurrection, the foundation on
which the gospel and the ministry
stand. Because Christ is risen, our
faith and our message are not in
vain. We serve and preach the risen
Savior, so our work is most noble.
Christ’s resurrection also signifies
the victory that Christians will have
(1 Cor 15:51–58). Hence, just as
Christ initially endured in suffering
but emerged victorious eventually,
we will likewise be victorious if we
continue to endure.
忍受苦難能力的祕訣，就是要專注在耶穌基督的復活，
也是福音和事工起始的基礎。
因為基督已經復活了，我們的信仰和福音的訊息，就不致白費。
我們服事這復活的救主，為祂傳福音，所以我們的工作是最高尚的。
基督的復活也表示了，基督徒將會得到勝利。(林前 15：51-58)
因此，正如基督一開始就痛苦中忍耐，但到最後卻以勝利的姿態出現，
若我們能夠繼續忍耐下去，就會同樣的也能得到勝利。
Be Faithful to the Truth 對真理忠心
Remind them of these things,
charging them before the Lord not
to strive about words to no profit, to
the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent
to present yourself approved to
God, a worker who does not need
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
word of truth. But shun profane and
idle babblings, for they will increase
to more ungodliness.
(2:14–16)
14你要使眾人回想這些事，在主面前囑咐他們：不可為言語爭辯；這是沒有益處的，只能敗壞聽見的人。
15你當竭力在神面前得蒙喜悅，作無愧的工人，按著正意分解真理的道。
16但要遠避世俗的虛談，因為這等人必進到更不敬虔的地步。
(2:14–16)
Learning the word of God helps
us to understand the will of God
and edifies the listeners. It should
not be turned into a debate on
semantics. As an evangelist, Timothy
has to be circumspect in speech, and
refrain from participating in gossip
and useless chatter or proclaiming
popular ideologies. He must stay
away from everything that is contrary
to sound doctrine and godliness.
Because of the serious influence that
false doctrines can have on believers,
Paul “delivered such false teachers
to Satan” (1 Tim 1:19–20). John
also teaches us not to even greet
such people or receive them into our
house (2 Jn 10).
學習神的話，會幫助我們了解神的旨意，對領受的人有所造就。
而學習聖經將不可以成為一種語意學上的爭辯。
身為一個福音工人，提摩太在說話上非常的慎重，
而且要避免一起加入別人傳播流言，無意義的閒聊，以及傳播一般熱門的想法。
他一定要遠離那些和健全教義及敬虔相反的任何事。
因為那些虛假的教義，將對信徒有很嚴重的影響，
保羅說，"已經把他們假教師交給撒但"。(提 1：19-20)
約翰也甚至教我們，不要向這樣的人打招，或是接待他們到我們家裡去。
Just as important, Timothy must
also be diligent to present himself
approved to God. A teacher of God’s
word should faithfully proclaim
the word of God so that he has no
reason to be ashamed when his
work is tested. He needs to have a
clear understanding and be able to
discern between truth and error. He
must be filled with the Holy Spirit in
order to interpret the truth correctly
(1 Cor 2:12–14; Jn 16:13) and the
courage to make a clear stand for
what is right. Instead of preaching
messages that are both “yes and
no,” he will truthfully and faithfully
speak according to God’s will (2 Cor
1:17–20; Mt 5:37).
而同樣重要的是，提摩太一定也要努力，
要讓自已在神面前，可以得到認可。
神話語的教師，應該忠心宣揚神的話，
所以當他的工作接段試驗的時候，他就不會有任何原因會感到羞恥。
他應該要有清楚的認識，
能夠分辨真理和錯誤。
他一定要有聖靈充滿，這樣才可以正確地解釋真理，
(林前 2：12-14；約 16：13)
對於正確的事情，才有勇氣選擇正確的立場。
他不會去宣講"似是而非的"道理，
反而是會根據神的旨意，忠心及敬虔地傳達神的話給大家。
Depart from Iniquity 遠離罪惡
Nevertheless the solid foundation of
God stands, having this seal: “The
Lord knows those who are His,” and,
“Let everyone who names the name
of Christ depart from iniquity.”
(2:19)
19然而，神堅固的根基立住了；上面有這印記說：
主認識誰是他的人；又說：凡稱呼主名的人總要離開不義。
(2:19)
The foundation of God denotes
what God has established, including
God’s election, the truth, and the
church on which the truth stands
(cf. 1 Tim 3:15). The foundation has
been sealed, which means it has been
established by a divine decree and
therefore cannot be changed. The
inscriptions on this seal are “The Lord
knows those who are His,” and, “Let
everyone who names the name of
Christ depart from iniquity.”
神的根基，代表了神已經建立的一切，
神的揀選，真理，以及真理存在的教會。
(參考，提前 3：15)
因著神的命定，這根基已經被封印了，
也就是說這根已經立定了。
而這印上的寫著，
"主認識誰是他的人"，又說，
"凡稱呼主名的人、總要離開不義。"
Just as a shepherd knows his sheep,
the Lord knows who are truly His (Jn
10:14). A believer who truly belongs
to God will be acknowledged and
accepted by God, regardless of how
others view him. When Korah and
others challenged God’s election of
Moses and Aaron as the leaders, the
Lord showed the assembly of Israel
who belonged to Him. In the same
way, the Lord will eventually reveal
who are His.
就像牧人認識他的羊，主也認識誰是他的人。
(約 10：14)
真正屬於神的信徒，就會得到神的認可，
不論別人如何看他，他都被神所接受。
當可拉和其他人，來挑戰摩西和亞倫作為以色列人領導的這件事，
主就向以色列眾民表明，誰才是真正屬於祂的人。
同樣的道理，主最後也會顯明誰是祂的人。
Therefore, we should simply trust
that God knows and will keep those
who belong to Him. Conversely, God
also commands everyone who names
the name of Christ to depart from
iniquity. While God is the ultimate
judge of who truly belongs to him,
we need to examine ourselves to see
if we can stand before God with a
clear conscience. Our part as people
who profess the name of Christ is
to make sure that we depart from
iniquity.
所以，我們應該要只相信，神都了解一切，
而祂會保守那些屬於祂的人。
相反地，神也命令大家，
凡稱呼主名的人、總要離開不義。
然而神才是真正屬於他之人的審判者，
所以我們要好好檢視自已，看看我們是不是能有著清潔的良心，站在神面前。
我們身為人的角色，又聲稱自已認識了基督的名字，
就是要確認自已，遠離不義的事。
Today, if we desire to serve
Him, we have to strive for
holiness. Only then can we
be useful and well pleasing
to our Lord.
今日，若我們希望可以服事祂，
我們一定要努力成為聖潔。
只有那樣我們才能有用，
讓我們的主喜悅。
Be Holy 成為聖潔
But in a great house there are not
only vessels of gold and silver,
but also of wood and clay, some
for honor and some for dishonor.
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself
from the latter, he will be a vessel
for honor, sanctified and useful for
the Master, prepared for every good
work.
(2:20–21)
20在大戶人家，不但有金器銀器，也有木器瓦器；有作為貴重的，有作為卑賤的。
21人若自潔，脫離卑賤的事，就必作貴重的器皿，成為聖潔，合乎主用，預備行各樣的善事。
(2:20–21)
Here Paul explains that when God
uses a person, He does not look
at the person’s skills or intelligence
because God can easily grant these to
whomever He chooses to use. Instead,
God chooses those who cleanse
themselves from iniquity, are pure in
heart, and who faithfully teach and
practice the word of truth.
Likewise today, if we desire to serve
Him, we have to strive for holiness.
Only then can we be useful and well
pleasing to our Lord.
在這裡，保羅作了解釋，當神要用一個人的時候，
祂不會看這個人有什麼技能，聰不聰明，
因為神很簡單就可以賜這些恩賜，
給那些祂選擇要用的人，得到這些恩賜。
相反地，神會選擇那些已經自我潔淨，遠離罪惡的人，
因為他們內心非常的純正，會忠心教導別人真理話語，並且實行出來。
今日是同樣的情況，若我們希望來服事祂，
我們就要努力成為聖潔。
只有這樣，我們才能有用，讓神喜悅。
(To be continued….) 待續...
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)