舊約尼希米記 1:1–3:32
書卷介紹:尼希米記歷史書
藉著禱告、同心和遵行神的話,重建城牆,也重建百姓的生活。
尼希米是波斯王的酒政,聽說耶路撒冷城牆仍然破損,就禁食禱告,並求王准他回去重建。他帶領百姓分工合作,一面防備敵人,一面建造,只用五十二天就完成城牆。城牆完工後,以斯拉向百姓宣讀律法,百姓認罪並與神立約。尼希米也在之後處理百姓再度鬆懈的問題。
前情提要
上回說到
昨天(拉 9–10 章):以斯拉得知歸回的百姓與拜偶像的外族通婚,就撕裂衣服、禁食認罪;百姓也痛哭悔改,按律法處理這件事。以斯拉記到此結束。
今天你會讀到
尼希米在波斯王宮作酒政,聽說耶路撒冷城牆拆毀、城門被燒,就禁食禱告;王看出他面帶愁容,他默禱之後求王差他回去重建,王就准了。尼希米夜間察看城牆,鼓勵眾人「起來建造」;第 3 章記錄各家各族分段修城。
閱讀小提示
留意 尼希米「默禱天上的 神」:他從基斯流月()到尼散月()已經禱告了約四個月,到了關鍵時刻,仍是先禱告再開口。
點時代可看說明
亞達薛西王二十年約是主前 445 年,比以斯拉回耶路撒冷晚約十三年。在希伯來聖經的傳統中,以斯拉記和尼希米記原本合為一卷。
點經節可選取,長按即複製點經節可選取,按 Ctrl+C⌘C 複製
尼希米記 第 1 章
尼希米聽到耶路撒冷的光景
1哈迦利亞的兒子尼希米的言語如下:亞達薛西王二十年,我在的宮中。These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,
2那時,有我一個弟兄哈拿尼,同著幾個人從猶大來。我問他們那些被擄歸回、剩下逃脫的猶大人和耶路撒冷的光景。Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3他們對我說:「那些被擄歸回剩下的人在猶大省遭大難,受凌辱;並且耶路撒冷的城牆拆毀,城門被火焚燒。」And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
尼希米禁食認罪禱告
4我聽見這話,就坐下哭泣,悲哀幾日,在天上的 神面前禁食祈禱,說:When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5「耶和華─天上的 神,大而可畏的 神啊,你向愛你、守你誡命的人守約施慈愛。Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,
6願你睜眼看,側耳聽,你僕人晝夜在你面前為你眾僕人以色列民的祈禱,承認我們以色列人向你所犯的罪;我與我父家都有罪了。let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.
7我們向你所行的甚是邪惡,沒有遵守你藉著僕人摩西所吩咐的誡命、律例、典章。We have behaved corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that You gave Your servant Moses.
8求你記念所吩咐你僕人摩西的話,說:『你們若犯罪,我就把你們分散在萬民中;Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses when You said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,
9但你們若歸向我,謹守遵行我的誡命,你們被趕散的人雖在,我也必從那裡將他們招聚回來,帶到我所選擇立為我名的居所。』but if you return to Me and keep and practice My commandments, then even if your exiles have been banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name.’
10這都是你的僕人、你的百姓,就是你用大力和大能的手所救贖的。They are Your servants and Your people. You redeemed them by Your great power and mighty hand.
11主啊,求你側耳聽你僕人的祈禱,和喜愛敬畏你名眾僕人的祈禱,使你僕人現今亨通,在王面前蒙恩。」我是作王的。O Lord, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.)
尼希米記 第 2 章
王問尼希米為何愁容
1亞達薛西王二十年尼散月,在王面前擺酒,我拿起酒來奉給王。我素來在王面前沒有愁容。Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence,
2王對我說:「你既沒有病,為甚麼呢?這不是別的,必是你心中愁煩。」於是我甚懼怕。so the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This could only be sadness of the heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear
3我對王說:「願王萬歲!我列祖墳墓所在的那城荒涼,城門被火焚燒,我豈能面無愁容嗎?」and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
4王問我說:「你要求甚麼?」於是我默禱天上的 神。“What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven
5我對王說:「僕人若在王眼前蒙恩,王若喜歡,求王差遣我往猶大,到我列祖墳墓所在的那城去,我好重新建造。」and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.”
6那時王后坐在王的旁邊。王問我說:「你去要多少日子?幾時回來?」我就定了日期。於是王喜歡差遣我去。Then the king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time.
7我又對王說:「王若喜歡,求王賜我詔書,通知大河西的省長准我經過,直到猶大;I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah.
8又賜詔書,通知管理王園林的亞薩,使他給我木料,做屬殿之門的橫樑和城牆,與我自己房屋使用的。」王就允准我,因我 神施恩的手幫助我。And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.
尼希米來到耶路撒冷
9王派了軍長和馬兵護送我。我到了河西的省長那裡,將王的詔書交給他們。Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.
10和倫人,並為奴的亞捫人,聽見有人來為以色列人求好處,就甚惱怒。But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.
夜間察看城牆
11我到了耶路撒冷,在那裡住了三日。After I had arrived in Jerusalem and had been there three days,
12我夜間起來,有幾個人也一同起來;但 神使我心裡要為耶路撒冷做甚麼事,我並沒有告訴人。除了我騎的牲口以外,也沒有別的牲口在我那裡。I set out at night with a few men. I did not tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one on which I was riding.
13當夜我出了谷門,往去(野狗:或譯龍),到了糞廠門,察看耶路撒冷的城牆,見城牆拆毀,城門被火焚燒。So I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Well of the Serpent and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire.
14我又往前,到了泉門和王池,但所騎的牲口沒有地方過去。Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to get through;
15於是夜間沿溪而上,察看城牆,又轉身進入谷門,就回來了。so I went up the valley by night and inspected the wall. Then I headed back and reentered through the Valley Gate.
16我往哪裡去,我做甚麼事,官長都不知道。我還沒有告訴猶大平民、祭司、、官長,和其餘做工的人。The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, for I had not yet told the Jews or priests or nobles or officials or any other workers.
我們起來建造吧
17以後,我對他們說:「我們所遭的難,耶路撒冷怎樣荒涼,城門被火焚燒,你們都看見了。來吧,我們重建耶路撒冷的城牆,免得再受凌辱!」Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned down. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.”
18我告訴他們我 神施恩的手怎樣幫助我,並王對我所說的話。他們就說:「我們起來建造吧!」於是他們奮勇做這善工。I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me. “Let us start rebuilding,” they replied, and they set their hands to this good work.
敵人嗤笑
19但和倫人參巴拉,並為奴的亞捫人多比雅和阿拉伯人基善聽見就嗤笑我們,藐視我們,說:「你們做甚麼呢?要背叛王嗎?」But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”
20我回答他們說:「天上的 神必使我們亨通。我們作他僕人的,要起來建造;你們卻在耶路撒冷。」So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”
尼希米記 第 3 章
從羊門到魚門
1那時,大祭司以利亞實和他的弟兄眾祭司起來建立,分別為聖,安立門扇,又築城牆到哈米亞樓,直到哈楠業樓,分別為聖。At the Sheep Gate, Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests began rebuilding. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated the wall.
2其次是耶利哥人建造。其次是音利的兒子撒刻建造。The men of Jericho built next to Eliashib, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them.
3哈西拿的子孫建立魚門,架橫樑、安門扇,和閂鎖。The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
4其次是哈哥斯的孫子、烏利亞的兒子米利末修造。其次是米示薩別的孫子、比利迦的兒子米書蘭修造。其次是巴拿的兒子撒督修造。Next to them, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, made repairs. Next to him, Meshullam son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs; and next to him, Zadok son of Baana made repairs as well.
5其次是提哥亞人修造;但是他們的貴冑不用肩(原文是頸項)擔他們主的工作。Next to him, the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
從古門到寬牆
6巴西亞的兒子耶何耶大與比所玳的兒子米書蘭修造古門,架橫樑,安門扇和閂鎖。The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
7其次是基遍人米拉提,米倫人雅頓與基遍人,並屬河西總督所管的米斯巴人修造。Next to them, repairs were made by Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, who were under the authority of the governor of the region west of the Euphrates.
8其次是銀匠哈海雅的兒子烏薛修造。其次是做香的哈拿尼雅修造。這些人修堅耶路撒冷,直到寬牆。Next to them, Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. And next to him, Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs. They fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
9其次是管理耶路撒冷一半、戶珥的兒子利法雅修造。Next to them, Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, made repairs;
10其次是哈路抹的兒子耶大雅對著自己的房屋修造。其次是哈沙尼的兒子哈突修造。next to him, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs across from his house; and next to him, Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs.
11哈琳的兒子瑪基雅和巴哈‧摩押的兒子哈述修造一段,並修造爐樓。Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-moab repaired another section, as well as the Tower of the Ovens.
12其次是管理耶路撒冷那一半、哈羅黑的兒子沙龍和他的女兒們修造。And next to them, Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of the other half-district of Jerusalem, made repairs, with the help of his daughters.
谷門、糞廠門、泉門
13哈嫩和撒挪亞的居民修造谷門,立門,安門扇和閂鎖,又建築城牆一千肘,直到糞廠門。The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it, installed its doors, bolts, and bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Dung Gate.
14管理伯‧哈基琳、利甲的兒子瑪基雅修造糞廠門,立門,安門扇和閂鎖。The Dung Gate was repaired by Malchijah son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem. He rebuilt it and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
15管理米斯巴、各荷西的兒子沙崙修造泉門,立門,蓋門頂,安門扇和閂鎖,又修造靠近王園的牆垣,直到那從大衛城下來的臺階。The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Col-hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofed it, and installed its doors, bolts, and bars. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah near the king’s garden, as far as the stairs that descend from the City of David.
從大衛墳地到城角
16其次是管理伯‧夙一半、押卜的兒子尼希米修造,直到大衛墳地的對面,又到挖成的池子,並勇士的房屋。Beyond him, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of a half-district of Beth-zur, made repairs up to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Mighty.
17其次是利未人巴尼的兒子利宏修造。其次是管理基伊拉一半、哈沙比雅為他所管的本境修造。Next to him, the Levites made repairs under Rehum son of Bani, and next to him, Hashabiah, ruler of a half-district of Keilah, made repairs for his district.
18其次是利未人弟兄中管理基伊拉那一半、希拿達的兒子巴瓦伊修造。Next to him, their countrymen made repairs under Binnui son of Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah.
19其次是管理米斯巴、耶書亞的兒子以謝修造一段,對著的上坡、城牆轉彎之處。And next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section opposite the ascent to the armory, near the angle in the wall.
20其次是薩拜的兒子巴錄竭力修造一段,從城牆轉彎,直到大祭司以利亞實的府門。Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai diligently repaired another section, from the angle to the doorway of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
21其次是哈哥斯的孫子、烏利亞的兒子米利末修造一段,從以利亞實的府門,直到以利亞實府的盡頭。Next to him, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired another section, from the doorway of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house.
22其次是住平原的祭司修造。And next to him, the priests from the surrounding area made repairs.
23其次是便雅憫與哈述對著自己的房屋修造。其次是亞難尼的孫子、瑪西雅的兒子亞撒利雅在靠近自己的房屋修造。Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house, and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house.
24其次是希拿達的兒子賓內修造一段,從亞撒利雅的房屋直到城牆轉彎,又到城角。After him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the angle and the corner,
25烏賽的兒子巴拉修造對著城牆的轉彎和王上宮凸出來的城樓,靠近的那一段。其次是巴錄的兒子毘大雅修造。and Palal son of Uzai made repairs opposite the angle and the tower that juts out from the upper palace of the king near the courtyard of the guard. Next to him, Pedaiah son of Parosh
26(尼提寧住在俄斐勒,直到朝東水門的對面和凸出來的城樓。)and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.
27其次是提哥亞人又修一段,對著那凸出來的大樓,直到俄斐勒的牆。And next to them, the Tekoites repaired another section, from a point opposite the great tower that juts out to the wall of Ophel.
從馬門到羊門
28從馬門往上,眾祭司各對自己的房屋修造。Above the Horse Gate, each of the priests made repairs in front of his own house.
29其次是音麥的兒子撒督對著自己的房屋修造。其次是守東門、示迦尼的兒子示瑪雅修造。Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house, and next to him, Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the guard of the East Gate, made repairs.
30其次是示利米雅的兒子哈拿尼雅和薩拉的第六子哈嫩又修一段。其次是比利迦的兒子米書蘭對著自己的房屋修造。Next to him, Hananiah son of Shelemiah, as well as Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. Next to them, Meshullam son of Berechiah made repairs opposite his own quarters.
31其次是銀匠瑪基雅修造到尼提寧和商人的房屋,對著哈米弗甲門,直到城的角樓。Next to him, Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the upper room above the corner.
32銀匠與商人在城的角樓和羊門中間修造。And between the upper room above the corner and the Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.
摘要
尼希米身為波斯王酒政,聽聞耶路撒冷城牆毀壞、百姓受辱,便禁食禱告認罪,求神開路。他蒙王恩准返回猶大重建城牆,夜間親自巡察城牆破損情況後,號召百姓同心起來建造。第三章詳列各家族、祭司、官長與平民各負責修造城牆的一段,展現全民合一參與的重建工程,儘管外有仇敵嗤笑與攔阻。
反思問題
- 當你得知群體或教會面臨困境時,你的第一反應是什麼?尼希米先禱告後行動的次序對你有何啟發?
- 尼希米在王面前既懼怕又勇敢開口,你在面對權柄或重要決定時,如何倚靠神的同在來克服恐懼?
- 第三章中各人「對著自己的房屋修造」,你目前在信仰群體中承擔了哪一段「城牆」的責任?有沒有你可以更積極參與的服事?
新約使徒行傳 17:1–34
前情提要
上回說到
昨天():保羅和西拉在腓立比被打、下在內監,半夜禱告唱詩時地大震動;禁卒和全家信了主。天亮後官長知道他們是羅馬人,只好親自請他們離城。
今天你會讀到
保羅在帖撒羅尼迦的會堂講論耶穌是基督,有人信了,也有人嫉妒鬧事;庇哩亞人天天考查聖經;到了雅典,保羅看見滿城偶像,就在亞略巴古向哲學家講論那位創造天地、定了日子要審判天下、又叫耶穌從死裡復活的神,有人譏誚,也有人信了。
閱讀小提示
比較 和 –31:對熟悉聖經的猶太人,保羅「本著聖經」講;對雅典人,他從他們的「未識之神」和詩人的話講起。同一個福音,不同的切入點。
點時代可看說明
帖撒羅尼迦前後書就是保羅離開帖撒羅尼迦後不久寫給這間教會的;傳統認為約在主後 50–51 年,在哥林多寫成。
使徒行傳 第 17 章
在帖撒羅尼迦會堂辯論
1保羅和西拉經過暗妃坡里、亞波羅尼亞,來到,在那裡有猶太人的會堂。When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
2保羅照他素常的規矩進去,一連三個安息日,本著聖經與他們辯論,As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3講解基督必須受害,從死裡復活;又說:「我所傳與你們的這位耶穌就是基督。」explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared.
4他們中間有些人聽了勸,就附從保羅和西拉,並有許多虔敬的希臘人,尊貴的婦女也不少。Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women.
不信的猶太人鬧事
5但那不信的猶太人心裡嫉妒,招聚了些,搭夥成群,聳動合城的人闖進耶孫的家,要將保羅、西拉帶到百姓那裡。The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people.
6找不著他們,就把耶孫和幾個弟兄拉到地方官那裡,喊叫說:「那也到這裡來了,But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here,
7耶孫收留他們。這些人都違背凱撒的命令,說另有一個王耶穌。」and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”
8眾人和地方官聽見這話,就驚慌了;On hearing this, the crowd and city officials were greatly disturbed.
9於是取了耶孫和其餘之人的保狀,就釋放了他們。And they collected bond from Jason and the others and then released them.
庇哩亞人天天考查聖經
10弟兄們隨即在夜間打發保羅和西拉往去。二人到了,就進入猶太人的會堂。As soon as night had fallen, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went into the Jewish synagogue.
11這地方的人帖撒羅尼迦的人,甘心領受這道,天天考查聖經,要曉得這道是與不是。Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
12所以他們中間多有相信的,又有希臘尊貴的婦女,男子也不少。As a result, many of them believed, along with quite a few prominent Greek women and men.
保羅被送到雅典
13但帖撒羅尼迦的猶太人知道保羅又在庇哩亞傳 神的道,也就往那裡去,聳動攪擾眾人。But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that Paul was also proclaiming the word of God in Berea, they went there themselves to incite and agitate the crowds.
14當時弟兄們便打發保羅往海邊去,西拉和提摩太仍住在庇哩亞。The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.
15送保羅的人帶他到了雅典,既領了保羅的命,叫西拉和提摩太速速到他這裡來,就回去了。Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then returned with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
雅典滿城偶像
16保羅在雅典等候他們的時候,看見滿城都是偶像,就;While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols.
17於是在會堂裡與猶太人和虔敬的人,並每日在市上所遇見的人,辯論。So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles, and in the marketplace with those he met each day.
18還有兩門的學士,與他爭論。有的說:「這要說甚麼?」有的說:「他似乎是傳說外邦鬼神的。」這話是因保羅傳講耶穌與復活的道。Some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was proclaiming the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.
19他們就把他帶到,說:「你所講的這新道,我們也可以知道嗎?So they took Paul and brought him to the Areopagus, where they asked him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
20因為你有些奇怪的事傳到我們耳中,我們願意知道這些事是甚麼意思。」For you are bringing some strange notions to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
21(雅典人和住在那裡的客人都不顧別的事,只將新聞說說聽聽。)Now all the Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing more than hearing and articulating new ideas.
保羅在亞略巴古講道
22保羅站在亞略•巴古當中,說:「眾位雅典人哪,我看你們凡事很。Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious.
23我遊行的時候,觀看你們所敬拜的,遇見一座壇,上面寫著『』。你們所不認識而敬拜的,我現在告訴你們。For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you.
創造萬物的神不住人手所造的殿
24創造宇宙和其中萬物的 神,既是天地的主,就不住人手所造的殿,The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.
25也不用人手服事,好像缺少甚麼;自己倒將生命、氣息、萬物,賜給萬人。Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
26他從一本(本:有古卷是血脈)造出萬族的人,住在全地上,並且預先定準他們的年限和所住的疆界,From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.
27要叫他們尋求 神,或者可以而得,其實他離我們各人不遠;God intended that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us.
28我們生活、動作、存留,都在乎他。就如你們,有人說:『我們也是他所生的。』‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’
29我們既是 神所生的,就不當以為 神的神性像人用手藝、心思所雕刻的金、銀、石。Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.
神吩咐各處的人悔改
30世人蒙昧無知的時候, 神並不,如今卻吩咐各處的人都要悔改。Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.
31因為他已經定了日子,要藉著他所設立的人按公義審判天下,並且叫他從死裡復活,給萬人作可信的憑據。」For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead.”
聽眾的反應
32眾人聽見從死裡復活的話,就有譏誚他的;又有人說:「我們再聽你講這個吧!」When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.”
33於是保羅從他們當中出去了。At that, Paul left the Areopagus.
34但有幾個人貼近他,信了主,其中有亞略•巴古的官丟尼修,並一個婦人,名叫大馬哩,還有別人一同信從。But some joined him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others who were with them.
摘要
保羅與西拉經帖撒羅尼迦、庇哩亞到雅典,在各地傳講基督受死復活的福音。庇哩亞人天天考查聖經來查驗所聽的道,被稱為賢於帖撒羅尼迦人。保羅在雅典亞略巴古面對希臘哲學家,從「未識之神」切入,宣講創造萬物的獨一真神,呼召人悔改,指向基督復活作審判的憑據;聽眾反應不一,有人譏誚,有人信從。
反思問題
- 庇哩亞人『甘心領受又天天考查聖經』的態度,對你個人讀經和聽道的習慣帶來什麼提醒?
- 保羅在雅典從對方的文化處境(未識之神、希臘詩人)出發來傳福音,你在與不同背景的人分享信仰時,如何找到對方能理解的切入點?
- 面對福音被譏誚或冷淡回應時,你如何像保羅一樣持守忠心,不因少數人的拒絕而灰心?