Manna issue 67 - True Wisdom: Finding Knowledge and Life in the Scriptures 真智慧：找到聖經裡面的知識和生命
Finding life in the Scriptures
through faith.
經由信仰在聖經裡找到生命
K.C. Tsai—Toronto, Canada
加拿大多倫多 蔡恆忠執事
Learning the Holy Scriptures is an essential
part of Jewish life since the Jews believe
that eternal life lies within them (Jn 5:39).
Jewish children learn the Scriptures from
young so that they will know the Law and
the prophets by the age of thirteen. This
is when they become a “Bar Mitzvah”, or
“Son of the Commandment”, and start
to be accountable for their own actions.
學習聖經是猶太人生活重要的一部份，
因為猶太人相信，在聖經裡面有永生。
(約 5：39)
猶太兒童從小讀聖經，
這麼一來，在13歲的時候，他才會了解律法和先知。
只有當他們在成年禮時，變成要"接受誡命的約束"，或是成為"誡命之子"，
這時就要開始為他們自已的行為來負責。
Despite such emphasis on learning the
Scriptures, the Jews rejected Jesus when
He came into the world. Jesus rebuked
them:
雖然非常強調學習聖經，
但猶太人卻拒絕耶穌，
由其是當祂來到世界的時候。
耶穌斥責他們：
You search the Scriptures, for in them you
think you have eternal life; and these are
they which testify of Me. But you are not
willing to come to Me that you may have
life.
(Jn 5:39–40)
39你們查考聖經（或作：應當查考聖經），因你們以為內中有永生；給我作見證的就是這經。
40然而，你們不肯到我這裡來得生命。
(約 5：39-40)
On the other hand, there were many
who did go to Jesus. They were there
when He preached the gospel of the
heavenly kingdom and performed
miracles. They followed Him, amazed by
His miracles, and they desired Him to feed
them with physical bread. Jesus fed them
but He also taught them the truth about
the bread of life. He said He was “the
bread which came down from heaven”
(Jn 6:41), and “those who eat this bread
will live forever” (Jn 6:58). After hearing
this, many of His disciples left.
另一方面，也有許多人來就近耶穌。
當耶穌傳天國的福音，以及施行神蹟奇事的時候，
他們都在在那裡。
百姓跟隨耶穌，對祂的神蹟覺得很奇妙，
他們希望耶穌可以用世上的麵包來餵養他們。
耶穌不但餵飽了他們，而且也教導他們有關生命之糧的真理。
耶穌說，自已是，
41從天上降下來的糧
(約 6：41)
58吃這糧的人就永遠活著
(約 6：58)
聽到這句話之後，許多祂的門徒就離開了。
These were people who had come to
Him. They had eaten and drunk their
fill in His presence; they had heard His
profound and precious teachings. Yet
pitifully, they remained mere bystanders
of His salvation.
這些就是過去就近耶穌的人。
他們在祂還在世上的時候，吃了，喝了自已的那一份；
他們已經聽到耶穌深入及寶貴的教導。
然而很可惜的是，他們仍僅僅是，耶穌救贖的旁觀者。
Today, some of us may be guilty of the
same mistakes. We devote our lives to
the study of the Bible but fail to see the
eternal life that is within it. We think we
have come to Jesus because we regularly
attend Sabbath services (and more) and
read our Bibles on schedule. Yet in the
Lord’s eyes, we may have turned our
metaphorical backs on Him.
今日，我們有一些人，或許因犯相同的錯誤而有罪。
我們獻上自已的生命來學習聖經，
但卻不能看到在聖經裡面有永生。
我們認為，自已已經來到耶穌這裡，
因為我們定期參加安息日聚會，(或者更多的教會活動)
而且自已也按照規劃在讀聖經。
然而在神的眼中，我們可能已經就像比喻一樣，把自已的背部轉向祂了。
So how do we avoid repeating history?
How can we truly gain life from the
Scriptures?
那麼我們到底要怎麼作，才能避免歷史重蹈？
我們要怎麼作，才能真的從聖經裡面，得到真正的生命呢？
I. Bar Mitzvah: Strive
to Be a True Son of the
Commandment
I. 成年禮：努力成為神誡命的真兒子
But you must continue in the things which
you have learned and been assured of,
knowing from whom you have learned
them, and that from childhood you have
known the Holy Scriptures, which are able
to make you wise for salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(2 Tim 3:14–15)
14但你所學習的，所確信的，要存在心裡；因為你知道是跟誰學的，
15並且知道你是從小明白聖經，這聖經能使你因信基督耶穌，有得救的智慧。
(提後 3：14-15)
Timothy had known the Holy Scriptures
since childhood (2 Tim 3:15). Therefore
he qualified as a true Bar Mitzvah when
he turned thirteen, although he was not
circumcised at the time. However, giving
young Timothy access to the Scriptures
had not been an easy task for his mother,
Eunice.
自從小時候，提摩太就已經了解聖經了。
(提後 3：15)
所以，當他13歲的時候，他很符合真正誡命之子的資格，
雖然那時他還沒有接受割禮。
然而，對他的母親友尼基而言，
要讓小孩提摩太讀聖經，一直以來都不是容易的事情。
During Timothy’s time, the Holy
Scriptures—comprising just the Old
Testament—had to be inscribed word
by word onto parchment. To listen to
God’s word, the people had to go to the
synagogue on the Sabbath (Acts 15:21).
But was there a synagogue in Lystra
where Eunice and her son lived? From
the following, we can infer that there
probably was not any synagogue.
在提摩太的時代裡，聖經-只是由舊約組成而已 -
要在羊皮紙上一字一字寫下來。
要讀到神的話語，人就要在安息日的時候，跑去猶太人的會堂。
(徒 15：21)
但是在友尼基和她兒子所居的城市路司得，那裡有猶太人的會堂嗎？
從下面的文章，我們可以推論，
那裡或許沒有一間猶太會堂。
Throughout his missionary journeys,
Paul made it a principle to always preach
in the Jewish synagogues first (Acts 13:5,
14–41; 14:1; 17:1–2, 10, 16–17; 18:1,
4; 19:1, 8–10). He did so because he
thought, “it was necessary that the word
of God should be spoken to you {the
Jews} first; but since you reject it, and
judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting
life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles”
(Acts 13:46).
保羅整個福音佈道的旅程中，
他遵守一個規則，總是先向猶太會堂裡的人來傳福音。
(徒 13：5，14-41；14：1；17：1-2，10，16-17；18：1，4；19：1，8-10)
保羅會這麼作，是因為他認為，
46神的道先講給你們原是應當的；只因你們棄絕這道，斷定自己不配得永生，我們就轉向外邦人去。
(徒 13：46)
However when Paul and Barnabas
arrived in Lystra during their first
missionary trip, they immediately
performed a miracle and preached the
gospel on the street. Later, they were
stoned and dragged out of Lystra by the
Jews who came from Antioch of Pisidia,
and Iconium. Throughout all the events,
there was no mention of a synagogue in
Lystra. Had there been a synagogue, they
would have gone there upon their arrival,
as Paul’s principle dictated.
然而，在他們第一次傳道旅行的時候，
那時，保羅和巴拿巴到達路司得，
他們立刻就行神蹟，在街上傳福音。
後來，他們被來自彼西底安提阿和以哥念的猶太人丟石頭，並且拖出城外。
從頭到尾整個事件，都沒有提到路司得有一間猶太人的會堂。
若是那裡有一間猶太會堂，
當他們到達那裡的時候，就會去拜訪，
就像是前面所說，保羅的原則。
In addition, the Bible says that Timothy
was praised by the brethren, both in his
hometown, Lystra, and in Iconium (Acts
16:2). This indicates that he must have
been a regular there. Since Timothy’s
father was Greek, it was his mother
who made the effort to bring him up in
the faith. Most likely, she took Timothy
to Iconium to listen to readings of the
Scriptures and the rabbinic teachings. To
do this, mother and son would have had
to leave early on Friday in order to arrive
in the neighboring village of Iconium by
sunset. In this way, Timothy acquired his
knowledge of the Scriptures and became
just as well-versed in God’s word as most
of his Jewish peers.
此外，聖經說，提摩太為弟兄姐妹所稱讚，
不論是在他的家鄉，還是在路司得，或以哥念。
(徒 16：2)
這就代表，提摩太一定常定期在那裡。
因為提摩太的父親的希臘人，
就只有他的母親，盡全力在信仰上，把他扶養長大。
最有可能的情況是，她帶著提摩太到以哥念，
到那裡去聽別人讀聖經，以及聖經拉比的教導。
為了這樣作，母親和兒子就一定要在星期五早點離開，
為了可以在太陽下山之前，到達以哥念的鄰近村莊。
就是這樣的方式，提摩太學到了他的聖經知識，
對神的話語，他變得像大部份的猶太同學一樣，相當的精通。
In 2 Timothy 3:14–15, Paul said Timothy
knew from whom he had learned the
truth. There were clearly three sources.
The first must have been the Holy Spirit.
Without the revelation of the Holy Spirit
no one can truly understand the things
of God, for the Holy Spirit searches all
things, even the deep things of God (1
Cor 2:10).
提後三章14-15節，保羅說，
提摩太知道是從誰那裡才學到真理。
很明顯地有三個來源。
第一個來源一定就是聖經。
若沒有聖靈的啟示，沒有人真的了解神的事情，
10因為聖靈參透萬事，就是神深奧的事也參透了。
(林前 2：10)
Second, Timothy gained a profound
understanding of the salvation grace
from Paul, his spiritual father, who
took him along on missionary journeys.
These helped Timothy explore the depth
and true meaning of life. But the most
fundamental role belonged to his mother,
Eunice. She did whatever was necessary
to ensure that her son was educated in
the word of God. Simply put, she had
sparked and accompanied him in his
spiritual journey towards maturity.
第二，提摩太從保羅身上，得到了對救贖恩典有深入的了解，
他屬靈的父親，保羅在他傳福音旅行的時候，把他帶在身邊。
這些都幫助了提摩太，來探討生命的深度和真正的意義。
但是最根本重要的角色，是他的母親，友尼基。
她盡一切的可能，來確保自已的兒子接受到神話語的教育。
簡單來說，她給予提摩太啟發，
陪伴著他走在屬靈的旅行中，直到靈性成熟。
This is thus the first step to receiving
the true wisdom of salvation: We must
strive to ensure that we and our children
and grandchildren receive God’s word of
life.
因此，這就是要得到救贖真智慧的第一步：
我們一定要努力確保，自已和兒女，孫兒，
都能得神生命的話語。
Today, God continues to speak to us—through the Scriptures, events in
our lives and other channels. We must not only strive to hear but also seek
to understand. And the only way to understand His word is to have a
reverent heart that is inspired by the Holy Spirit.
今日，神一直向我們說話 - 透過聖經，
透過日常生活的事情和其他的管道。
我們不只要努力聽，而且也要尋求去了解。
要了解神話語的唯一方法，就是有一個敬畏的心，而且受到聖靈的感動。
II. Shema (Hear): Strive to
Understand the Oracles of
God
II Shema(聽)：努力了解神的預言
Our heavenly Father is a God Who
seems to hide Himself, for we often find
it difficult to understand His plans and
actions (Isa 45:15). Yet He puts in much
effort to convey His oracles to His chosen
people (Rom 3:2) and uses various ways
to do so.
我們天父，是一位看起來會隱藏自已的神，
因為我們常常發現很難去了解祂的計劃和行動。
(賽 45：15)
然而，祂用了很大的力氣，要傳達祂的預言給選民
(羅 3：2)
而且用很多的方式來作這件事。
Once, He spoke directly to the Israelites
from the top of Mount Sinai where He
gave them the Ten Commandments.
However, the people were terrified by
the thunder and lightning flashes, the
sound of the trumpet, and the smoking
mountain. They trembled and stood afar,
asking Moses to mediate instead.
有一次，祂從西奈上頂上，真接向以色列人說話，
在那裡祂頒佈了十誡。
然而，百姓都被雷聲和閃電，號角的聲音，冒煙的山所嚇壞了。
他們發抖，站的遠遠的，
反而請摩西來代為向神傳達。
God had spoken directly to Moses,
both on Mount Sinai and from above the
mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant,
so that Moses could pass God’s oracles
to the children of Israel. And earlier, God
had spoken directly with the patriarchs
and the prophets.
過去神直接向摩西說話，
不但在西奈山上，也從約櫃的施恩坐上，
就因為這樣，摩西才能被神的命令，向以色列兒女傳達。
而更早之前，神更直接向早期的族長，長老和先知說話。
Sometimes, God’s word was revealed
through the response of various biblical
figures. An example was David. After
he had done his utmost to prepare the
materials for temple building, he said,
“Who am I, and who are my people, that
we should be able to offer so willingly as
this? For all things come from You, and
of Your own we have given You” (1 Chr
29:14).
有時候，神的話語是透過各種聖經比喻的回應，來顯明的。
其中一個例子就是大衛。
在他已經盡他最大的努力，來為了建築聖殿準備材料之後，
他說，
14我算甚麼，我的民算甚麼，竟能如此樂意奉獻？因為萬物都從你而來，我們把從你而得的獻給你。
(代上 29：14)
Moreover, God’s messages may be
communicated through events. For
instance, He allowed the Babylonians
to invade the Holy City and destroy the
temple because He wanted His people
to realize how repugnant their sins
were. On the Babylonian invasion, He
sent the prophet Jeremiah to comfort
the Israelites. The prophet’s lament
reassured the Israelites that they could
still have hope in a dire situation; for
God’s unceasing mercy and compassion
are new every morning (Lam 3:22–26).
不僅如此，神也可以透過事件來傳達訊息。
例如，祂允許巴比倫來侵略聖城，摧毀聖殿，
因為祂要自已的百姓了解，他們的罪惡是有多麼另人討厭。
在巴比倫侵略的時候，祂派耶利米先知來安慰以色列人。
先知的哀歌，再次和以色列人保証，
他們在這惡劣的環境之中，仍然還有盼望；
因為神永不停止的慈愛和憐憫，每天早晨都是新的。
(哀 3：22-26)
Today, God continues to speak to us—
through the Scriptures, events in our lives
and other channels. We must not only
strive to hear but also seek to understand.
And the only way to understand His word
is to have a reverent heart that is inspired
by the Holy Spirit.
今日，神一直向我們說話 - 透過聖經，
透過日常生活的事情和其他的管道。
我們不只要努力聽，而且也要尋求去了解。
要了解神話語的唯一方法，就是有一個敬畏的心，而且受到聖靈的感動。
III. True Faith in Christ Jesus:
Strive to Become Wise for
Salvation
III. 基督耶穌裡的真信仰：為了得救努力變得有智慧
Like many Jews in Paul’s time, Timothy
had a good knowledge of the Scriptures.
However, this could not make him
wise for salvation until he believed in
Christ Jesus. Today, we have acquired
knowledge of the Scriptures and a belief
in Jesus but does our faith truly make us
wise for salvation? What kind of faith do
we require?
就像許多在保羅時代的猶太人，
提摩太也很熟悉聖經。
然而，這卻不能讓他有得救的智慧，直到他信基督耶穌。
今日，我們得到聖經的知識，並且信靠耶穌，
但是我們的信心是不是真讓我們有得救的智慧呢？
我們需要有什麼樣子的信心呢？
Jesus said, 耶穌說，
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take
My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I
am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls.“ (Mt 11:28)
28凡勞苦擔重擔的人可以到我這裡來，我就使你們得安息。
(太 11：28)
If we want salvation (rest for our souls),
we must “come to Him”. But coming
to Him means taking up His yoke and
learning from Him to be gentle and lowly
in heart. What does it mean to be gentle
and lowly in heart?
若我們想要得救(靈魂的安息)，
就一定要"就近祂"。
但是就近祂代表了，背起祂的軛，學他的樣式，內心溫柔謙卑。
而內心溫柔謙卑又是什麼意思呢？
The prophet Zechariah said that the
King of Peace would make a lowly entry
into the holy city (Zech 9:9). However,
Jesus was hailed as a glorious king when
He entered Jerusalem triumphantly. The
multitudes ushered Him in with great
honor and praises, saying, “Hosanna
to the son of David… Hosanna!” (Mt
21:9). Once in the holy city, He drove
out those who bought and sold in the
temple, and overturned the tables of the
money changers and the seats of those
who sold doves. Why did the prophet
describe Jesus as “lowly”, despite these
vivid scenes of a furious Jesus?
撒迦利亞先知說，和平的君王會謙謙和和地進入聖城。
(亞 9：9)
然而，當耶穌勝利般地進入耶穌撒冷的時候，
他接受歡呼，就像一位榮耀的君王。
耶穌帶著無比的榮耀，讓百姓引導著祂進來，
大家讚美說，
9和散那（原有求救的意思，在此是稱頌的話）歸於大衛的子孫！和散那！
(太 21：9)
一旦進入了聖城，祂趕出在聖殿裡面買賣的人，
推翻兌換銀錢商人的桌子，推倒販賣鴿子商人的座位。
雖然感覺到耶穌有種非常鮮明的憤怒，
但為何先知卻描寫耶穌是"謙謙和和"的呢？
On the surface, Jesus’ entry into
Jerusalem appeared to be a splendid
affair. But in fact, Jesus demonstrated
true humility through His complete
submission to the will of the Father. He
was determined to endure the agony of
crucifixion that awaited Him. He humbled
Himself and courageously took up the
bitter cup that the Father gave Him.
As a sacrificial lamb waiting to be
slaughtered, He bore His yoke alone in
front of the cheering multitudes, and
cleansed the temple for His Father. Only
total humility and submission to the
Father’s will could accomplish such a
thing (Jn 14:10).
表面上，耶穌進入耶路撒冷，看起來是一件很風光的事情。
但事實上，透過耶穌完全順服天父的旨意的行為來看，
祂展現了真正的謙卑。
祂決定要忍受那等待著祂的釘十字架痛苦。
祂謙卑自已，勇敢地拿起天父給祂的苦杯。
成為一隻獻祭的羊羔，等待要被屠殺，
在一片歡呼的群眾面前，祂獨自背起自已的軛，
潔淨祂天父的聖殿。
只有完全的謙卑和順服天父的旨意，才能完成這樣的事情。
(約 14：10)
Sometimes it may be difficult to be
gentle and lowly in heart; but if we strive
to imitate the Lord Jesus and focus on the
will of God, we shall be victorious. Jesus
says that His yoke is easy and His burden
is light. If we give up ourselves to follow
the will of God, we shall experience this
lightness and ease. Like Paul, we shall
be strengthened by Christ Jesus and be
content in whatever circumstances (Phil
4:11–13). In addition, we shall be free
from any complaint against God and
men.
有時候，內心要溫柔謙卑或許是很難的；
但是若我們努力效法主耶穌，注意在神的旨意上，
我們應該會勝利。
耶穌說，他的軛是容易的，他的擔子是輕省的。
若我們放棄自已，來跟隨神的旨意，
我們就會這種輕盈及安逸。
就像保羅一樣，我們應該要被基督耶穌來加添力量，
不論處在什麼樣的環境，都會滿足。
(腓 4：11-13)
此外，我應該要脫離任何有關神和人的怨言。
To find life in the Scriptures, we need
to have true faith in Christ Jesus. This
requires us to be true disciples who
follow Him in word and deed, and be
transformed from listeners to doers. As
Jesus says, whoever hears His words and
does them, He will liken him to a wise
man who built his house upon the rock,
able to withstand the rain, floods and
winds (Mt 7:24–26).
若要在聖經裡面找到生命，
我們就要對基督耶穌有真正的信心。
這就需要我們成為真正的門徒，
在言行上跟隨耐，從聽道的人，轉變成實踐的人。
就如耶穌說，無論誰聽祂的話，並且加以實行之，
祂會把這個人比喻作一個有智慧的人，
他把房子建在磐石上，仍夠抵擋大雨，洪水和狂風。
(太 7：24-26)
Conclusion 結論
The world trumpets the importance of
knowledge. But as Christians, knowledge
of the Scriptures is even more important.
Without this, we cannot find the meaning
and destination of life.
世界鼓吹知識的重要性。
但是身為基督徒，聖經的知識甚至更重要。
若沒有聖經知識，我們就不能找出生命的意義和終點。
Eunice was an outstanding mother, and
particularly so in the religious education
of her son. Through exhausting and
countless trips walking the rugged road
to Iconium, she made sure that her son
was well-versed in the Scriptures. This
serves as a beautiful example for us—as
parents and believers. No matter what
circumstances we face, we must provide
our children with access to biblical
knowledge. At the same time, parents
themselves cannot afford to cease
learning and understanding the Scriptures
because these are words of eternal life (Jn
6:63, 68).
友尼基是一位傑出的母親，
特別是在對她兒子宗教教育的事上。
經過了無數次精疲力竭的旅程，走在崎嶇的路上到以哥念，
她確保了自已的兒子可以精通聖經。
這給我們作了一個很好的榜樣 - 是身為好義父母和好信徒的好榜樣。
不論我們要面對什麼樣的環境，
們一定要讓自已的兒女，有取得聖經知識的機會。
同時間，身為父母的，自已不能承擔因為停止學習和明白聖經的後果，
因為這些都是永生的話語。
(約 6：63，68)
But having said this, knowledge alone
benefits us little. It is vital for us to use our
biblical knowledge to nurture a true faith
in Christ Jesus—following His footsteps,
practicing His word in our daily lives.
但是雖然是這樣說，但知識本身對我們的助益很少。
對我們而言，用自已的聖經知識來培養出對基督耶穌真正的信心，是很重要的 -
要跟隨耶穌的腳蹤，在自已每日的生活中，實踐祂的教導。
In summary, true wisdom is not merely
knowledge of the Scriptures. Gaining
salvation from the Scriptures demands
a genuine faith, discipleship, and an
enduring determination to let God’s
will dictate our decisions and our life
everyday.
總之，真正的智慧，不只是聖經的知識而已。
要從聖經裡面得到救贖，需要有真正的信心，真正願意成為一位好門徒，
願意有忍耐的決心來讓神的旨意，
指引我們的決定和我們每天的生活。
To find life in the Scriptures,
we need to have true faith in
Christ Jesus. This requires us
to be true disciples who follow
Him in word and deed.
要在聖經裡找到生命，我們要對基督耶穌有真的信心。
這需要我們真的作到成為祂的真門徒，
在言語和行為上都跟隨祂的榜樣。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入翻譯
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)