Manna issue 67 - Do Not Think Highly of Yourself 不要看自己過於所當看的
Humility is key. 謙卑最重要
cleftforme—Singapore 新加坡
There are times in life when we meet
with arrogant people whom, we feel,
think too highly of themselves. It could
be that bossy employee at work, or that
“wise guy” in class. Perhaps they do
deserve our respect for what they have
accomplished and we are just envious
of them. Or perhaps they really are selfdeluded
in assuming that, just because
they hold themselves with high regard,
others around them should do the same.
Apparently, this was also a common sight
two millennia ago, because Jesus warned
of such people in one of His parables (Lk
14:7–11).
在生命中有很多時候，我們會遇到自大的人，
在我們的感覺，他們把自已看得太砲了。
可能是跋扈的員工，或是班上"最聰明的學生"。
或許因為他們的成就，值得我們加以尊敬，
而許我們很忌妒。
或許他們真的是在自我欺騙，有這樣的想法，
只因為他們一直是自視甚高，
他們身邊的其他人也如此行。
很明顯地，這也是二千年前，一般的看法，
因為耶穌在其中一個比諭，有警告這些人。
(路 14：7-11)
CHOOSING THE BEST PLACES 選擇最好的地方
So He told a parable to those who were
invited, when He noted how they chose
the best places, saying to them: “When you
are invited by anyone to a wedding feast,
do not sit down in the best place, lest one
more honorable than you be invited by
him; and he who invited you and him come
and say to you, ‘Give place to this man,’
and then you begin with shame to take the
lowest place.”
(Lk 14:7–9)
7耶穌見所請的客揀擇首位，就用比喻對他們說：
8你被人請去赴婚姻的筵席，不要坐在首位上，恐怕有比你尊貴的客被他請來；
9那請你們的人前來對你說：讓座給這一位罷！你就羞羞慚慚的退到末位上去了。
(路 7-9)
According to Jewish custom, whenever
there is a feast, the host would sit at the
head of the table. The seats next to him
were reserved for those guests he held
with the highest honor or respect. This is
evident even in the Old Testament, when
Samuel first met young Saul and invited
him to a feast. Samuel had him seated in
the “place of honor among those who
were invited” (1 Sam 9:22) after God
revealed to Samuel that Saul would be
Israel’s first king.
根據猶太人的習俗，只要有宴席，
主人就會坐在首座。
而首座旁的座位，是為了那些最尊貴，最值的尊重的客人所保留的。
舊約甚至有這樣的例子，
當撒母耳第一次遇年年輕的掃羅，邀請他參加宴席。
撒母耳在神啟示他，掃羅會是第一個以色列王之後，
在請來的客中坐首位
(撒上 9：22)
The above parable relates how an
individual chose the best seat for himself,
without waiting to be invited by the host.
He made this decision, not because all
other seats were taken, but because he
assumed that he was the most respected
among the guests. Naturally, he deserved
the seat beside the host, as custom
permits.
上面的故事，涉及了一個人如何來選擇自已最合適的座位，
不用等候主人來邀請。
他作這樣的決定，不是因為別的座位已經被佔據了，
而是因為，他認為自已是所有客人之中，最為尊貴的人。
理所當然的，他會坐在主人旁邊，就如一般習俗一樣。
Although Jesus did not mention who
the invitees to the feast were, interestingly,
the “best place” in the parable draws
reference to the “best places” (Mt 23:6,
Mk 12:39, Lk 20:46) that the Pharisees
and scribes would usually take when they
attended these feasts. Being teachers
of the law and for some, rulers of the
synagogues, they commanded high
standing in Jewish society. Thus, it was
reasonable for them to assume that these
seats of honor would be reserved for
them whenever they were present, just
as the parking space in the foyer of a
building is reserved only for VIPs.
雖然耶穌並沒有提到，受邀來參加宴席的是那些人，
有趣的是，故事中"最好的地方"，
參考了以下經節中所說的"最好的地方"，
(太23：6，可 12：39，路 20：46)
也就是法利賽人和文士，通常當他們參加宴會時，會坐的地方。
身為律法教師，而且某些人，還是猶太會堂的領導者，
他們強制要求在猶太社會中，有高的地位。
因此，無論何時他們出現的時候，
對他們而言，自然而然的會認為，
這座尊貴的座位是為他們所保留的，
就像是大樓前廳的停車位，只會為重要人物所保留。
However, to Jesus, these notable
men in society who loved “greetings
in the marketplaces and to be called
by men, Rabbi, Rabbi” (Mt 23:7) were
contemptible, as they merely “[appeared]
righteous to men, but inside… [were]
full of hypocrisy and lawlessness” (Mt
23:28). Though the Pharisees thought
highly of themselves, given the respect
awarded to them by the people, in the
eyes of Jesus, these “serpents, brood of
vipers” deserved the “condemnation of
hell” (Mt 23:33). In the eyes of men they
may have been great, but in the eyes of
Jesus they were the least of all. I would
imagine that if Jesus ever hosted a feast,
he would have followed the example of
the host in the parable to usher them
away from the best places because He
did not think highly of them at all.
然而，對耶穌而言，這些社會上高貴的人，就是，
7又喜愛人在街市上問他安，稱呼他拉比（拉比就是夫子）。
(太 23：7)
他們都是卑劣的，他們只不過是，
28你們也是如此，在人前，外面顯出公義來，
裡面卻裝滿了假善和不法的事。
(太 23：28)
雖然法利賽人自視甚高，
由於人們會給予他們尊重，
但在耶穌的眼中，
這些"蛇類，毒蛇之種啊"，
應該受到"地獄的刑罰"。
(太 23：33)
在人的眼中，一直以來他們都很偉大，
但在耶穌的眼中，他們是眾人之中，最小的一個。
我會這樣想，若耶穌曾有機會舉行自已宴會的話，
他會照著故事中，宴會主人安排座位的例子，
會請這些人離開尊貴的座席，
因為耶穌一點也不覺得他們值得尊重。
HOW WE MIGHT THINK 我們會怎麼想？
Similar to the character in the parable,
the Pharisee’s main flaw was their preconceived
notion that the host would
honor them, just because they were
deemed honorable by the society. Today,
this wrong thinking may also be present
in some of us. When we congregate in
church, do we consider ourselves as
better than our brethren, and hence more
deserving of honor in God’s eyes?
和比諭之中的角色一樣，
法利賽人主要的缺失，就是他們早已自已認為，
主人會尊重他們，因為他們註定在社會上要受尊重。
今日，這種錯誤的想法，也或許出現在我們一些人之中。
當我們聚集在教會中，
我們會不會認為自已比其他的弟兄姐妹更加優秀，
因為在神的眼中，是更加值得別人尊重呢？
We are aware that we should treat
each other equally as children of God.
However, the danger comes when
contrasting principles of the world
infiltrate our minds. Secular organizations
esteem high-performing, result-oriented
employees, and high profile assignments
are more sought after than “behind the
scenes” tasks, much like the singer who
performs on stage and the songwriter
who remains hidden.
我們都知道，要平等的看待彼此，如同神的子女。
然而，當世界上相反的原則，滲透進我們的想法之中時，
危險就臨到了。
世界上的組織機構，尊重有高效能的人，
注重產出結果的員工，更多的人追求受人矚目的工作，
而"躲在幕後的"工作，則乏人問津，
就好像是，歌星在舞台上表演，
而作曲者則仍是隱藏著。
Similarly, the church has a variety
of duties, which we have to fulfill.
However, if we are not careful, we may
bring worldly concepts into the church.
For instance, we may feel we are better
than our brother, and when a church
duty is assigned to him and not to us,
we become upset. We may think that
we can undertake and accomplish a task
better than others. We may believe that
God will favor us more if we carry out
the more prominent work in church, for
example delivering sermons, in contrast
with duties, deemed less honorable in
societal standards, such as cleaning and
maintenance. It is not wrong to aspire
to be honored by God, but it is wrong
when we assume that God honors man
the same way as the world does.
同樣的情況，教會有各式各樣的工作，
不論何事我們都要去完成。
然而，若我們不夠小心，就會把世上的想法帶進教會來。
例如，我們會認為，自已比別的弟兄更優秀，
當有一件教會工作分配給他，而不是給我們，
我們就覺得很灰心。
我們會認為，自已比別人更容易，
從事一件工作，去完成它。
我們會相信，神會更加愛我們，
若我們從事更加顯著的教會工作，
例如，講道，與其他各職任務相反的，
其他任務在社會的標準來看，是被認為不太起眼的，
例如，清掃的工作和維護的工作。
會期待得神看重，並不是錯誤的，
但是當我們認為，神和世界一樣，
以相同的方式來給人有面子，就是錯的。
HOW WE OUGHT TO THINK 我們該怎麼想？
Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God.
(Rom 12:2)
2不要效法這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，
叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。
(羅 12：2)
When we come to the house of God,
we have to understand that God perceives
things differently from the people of the
world. Quite often, we fall into the trap
of thinking highly of ourselves because
our focus is always on what we think,
shaped by our interactions with society,
and not on what God thinks. How should
we renew our minds so we can conform
to God’s will instead?
當我們來到神的家中，
就一定要了解到，
神和世上的人，看到事情的角度是不一樣的。
常常有時候，我們會掉入了陷阱，自視甚高，
因為我們注重的，總是自已怎麼想，
而這種想法是與社會互動而塑造出來的，
而不是基於神的旨意所產生出來的想法。
我們該如何更新自已的心思，
相對的我們才能好好執行神的旨意呢？
With Humility 謙卑下來
But when you are invited, go and sit down
in the lowest place, so that when he who
invited you comes he may say to you,
‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have
glory in the presence of those who sit at the
table with you.
(Lk 14:10)
10你被請的時候，就去坐在末位上，好叫那請你的人來對你說：
朋友，請上坐。那時，你在同席的人面前就有光彩了。
(路 14：10)
Jesus introduces the attitude that we
ought to have when invited to the feast.
Instead of presuming our honorable
status and taking the best seats at the
table, we should go to the lowest places.
Our own perspective or even that of
other guests towards ourselves as having
the least honor should not influence us.
Deciding on who is more honorable is the
prerogative of the master. We must leave
this decision to God and remain humble,
no matter how much we have done for
Him.
耶穌教導我們一種態度，
當我們受邀參加宴會之時，都該有這種態度。
不是自已預先認為，自已有尊貴的地位，
去坐那些最尊貴的座位，
而是應該走向最卑微的位子。
我們自已的看法，或甚至是其他客人對我們的看法，
就算是一點也不看重我們，都不應該對我們產生影響。
決定誰比較尊貴，是主人的特權。
我們一定要把這個決定留給神，維持謙卑，
不論我們為神作了多少的事情。
With Sobriety 用警醒的心
For I say, through the grace given to me, to
everyone who is among you, not to think of
himself more highly than he ought to think,
but to think soberly, as God has dealt to
each one a measure of faith.
(Rom 12:3)
3我憑著所賜我的恩對你們各人說：
不要看自己過於所當看的，
要照著神所分給各人信心的大小，
看得合乎中道。
(羅 12：3)
When we serve God, we have to
remember that our talents and abilities
are God-given, according to His
purpose. Also, we should never have
the misconception that certain aspects
of divine work are more honorable than
others, for God does not view them
the same way as the world does. In our
service to God, all duties are to be treated
with equal importance and discharged
with humility.
當我們服事神的時候，
就一定要記得，我們的天賦和才能，
都是神根據祂的旨意給我們的。
再者，我們永遠不該有錯誤的認知，
某一些方面的聖工，會比其他的聖工更加貴重，
因為神並不像世界的看法一樣，來看聖工。
在我們服事神的時候，
所有的工作，都該以一樣的重要性來看待，
並且以謙卑的態度卸下工作。
Without Expecting a Reward 不要期待獎勵
So likewise, when you have done all those
things which you are commanded, say “We
are unprofitable servants. We have done
what was our duty to do.”
(Lk 17:10)
10這樣，你們做完了一切所吩咐的，只當說：
我們是無用的僕人，所做的本是我們應分做的。
(路 17：10)
Once our work is done, we must not
think highly of ourselves and expect a
reward in return. As we serve Him, we
should not focus on the reward of being
esteemed and honored by Him. If we
do so, we may unknowingly become
boastful. Instead, apply the teaching of
our Lord Jesus and remind ourselves:
“We are unprofitable servants. We have
only done our duty. Let our reward be to
give all glory and honor to Him alone.”
一旦我們作完了工作，就一定不能自視甚高，
期待有回報。
因為我們服事祂的時候，
就不應該去注重能被別人敬重，或被神稱讚的獎賞。
若我們這麼作了，我們或許在無意之中，變得自誇。
相反的，要運用主耶穌的教導，提醒自已：
"我們是無用的僕人，所做的本是我們應分做的。
願我們的獎賞，可以是把一切的尊貴和榮耀，只獻給神。
FROM HUMBLED TO EXALTED 從謙卑以致於高昇
Let this mind be in you which was also in
Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God,
did not consider it robbery to be equal with
God, but made Himself of no reputation,
taking the form of a bondservant…He
humbled Himself and became obedient
to the point of death, even the death of
the cross. Therefore, God also has highly
exalted Him and given Him the name which
is above every name.
(Phil 2:5–9)
5你們當以基督耶穌的心為心：
6他本有神的形像，不以自己與神同等為強奪的；
7反倒虛己，取了奴僕的形像，成為人的樣式；
8既有人的樣子，就自己卑微，存心順服，以至於死，且死在十字架上。
9所以，神將他升為至高，又賜給他那超乎萬名之上的名，
(腓 2：5-9)
Jesus came as God in the flesh and,
this alone, according to worldly standards
warranted the right to be exalted by
man. Yet Jesus did not choose to be
tainted by these principles and consider
Himself more honorable than any other
man. Rather, He remained humble in
His ministry until He breathed His last.
Jesus knew clearly that the will of the
Father went contrary to the ways of the
world. As a result of His humility and
submissiveness, the Father exalted Him
to the most honorable place—the right
hand of God.
耶穌身為神，道成肉身，
光是這樣，以世上的標準來看，
就足以保証，耶穌本身就有權被尊崇。
反而，神在服事的時候，一直保持謙卑，直到最後一口氣。
耶穌很清楚知道，天父的旨意是和世上的道路相反。
因著祂的謙卑和順服，天父尊崇祂到至高榮耀之處 -
在神的右手邊。
Jesus has set the standard for us; He
has shown us the need to remain humble.
We must take heed that we don’t confuse
the principles of the world with how God
wants us to view ourselves. Let us renew
our minds and “humble (ourselves) under
the mighty hand of God, that He may
exalt us in due time” (1 Pet 5:5–6).
耶穌為我們立下了標準；
祂早已告訴我們有必要保持謙卑。
我們一定要小心，不可以把神要我們如何看待自已，
和世上的一些原則來搞混。
讓我們更新自已的心思，
6所以，你們要自卑，服在神大能的手下，到了時候他必叫你們升高。
(彼前 5：5-6)
For whoever exalts himself will be
humbled, and he who humbles himself will
be exalted.
(Lk 14:11)
11因為，凡自高的，必降為卑，自卑的，必升為高。
(路 14：11)
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
歡迎主內同靈來信加入翻譯
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)