全新四年樂活讀經
W5 2011-08-26 (羅9)
經文: 羅馬書 9:15-18 因他對摩西說：我要憐憫誰就憐憫誰，要恩待誰就恩待誰。據此看來，這不在乎那定意的，也不在乎那奔跑的，只在乎發憐憫的神。因為經上有話向法老說：「我將你興起來，特要在你身上彰顯我的權能，並要使我的名傳遍天下。」如此看來，神要憐憫誰就憐憫誰，要叫誰剛硬就叫誰剛硬。
默想: 保羅在本章中討論到神學上一個爭議的議題，也就是上帝的主權 (Sovereignty of God)。特別是上帝恩典的主權。主耶穌曾經為此說一個比喻，有一個園主，雇人進葡萄園做工，講好一天一錢銀子。有的上午九點就入園工作，整天辛苦揮汗，有的到下午五點才入園，工作才一小時就收工了。主人集合工人，從下午五點入園的開始發放工錢，給他們一錢銀子，他們當然萬分感恩的拿錢走了。可是主人這個動作，卻在上午入園、工作整天的工人心裡，造成一種推論，他們自忖，這最後一批入園的工人，才工作一個小時，就領了一錢銀子，那麼我們是上午九點就入園，揮汗工作，辛苦了九個小時，依照同工同酬的公義理論，我們應該可以拿到九錢銀子才算公平。那裡知道，他們等了半天，好不容易等到他們被叫去領工錢時，竟然只有一錢銀子。他們將內心的不滿向園主發出抱怨，想不到園主的回答是，朋友，我不虧負你，你與我講定的不是一錢銀子嗎？拿你的走吧！我給那後來的和給你一樣，這是我願意的。我的東西難道不可隨我的意思用嗎？因為我作好人，你就紅了眼嗎？(太20:1-16) 在這裡我們發現，上帝是公義的，工作一天一錢銀子是上帝的公義，這是全世界的人類都要同時面對公義的審判。但是，上帝不只是公義的，上帝也是恩典與憐憫的，上帝的恩典與憐憫就是上帝絕對的主權。我們完全沒有立場去要求上帝的恩典與憐憫也必須普世公平的分配。主啊！求你憐憫我。
題目: 1-5節，保羅說：「為我弟兄、我骨肉之親，就是自己被咒詛，與基督分離，我也願意。」是什麼意思？他內心的焦慮為何？你曾否有如此感受？
9:1 我在基督裡說真話，並不謊言，有我良心被聖靈感動，給我作見證；
I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit,
9:2 我是大有憂愁，心裡時常傷痛；
that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
9:3 為我弟兄，我骨肉之親，就是自己被咒詛，與基督分離，我也願意。
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen by race.
9:4 他們是以色列人；那兒子的名分、榮耀、諸約、律法、禮儀、應許都是他們的。
They are Israelites, and to them belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
9:5 列祖就是他們的祖宗，按肉體說，基督也是從他們出來的，他是在萬有之上，永遠可稱頌的 神。阿們！
to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ. God who is over all be blessed for ever. Amen.
9:6 這不是說 神的話落了空。因為從以色列生的不都是以色列人，
But it is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,
9:7 也不因為是亞伯拉罕的後裔就都作他的兒女；惟獨從以撒生的才要稱為你的後裔。
and not all are children of Abraham because they are his descendants; but "Through Isaac shall your descendants be named."
9:8 這就是說，肉身所生的兒女不是 神的兒女，惟獨那應許的兒女才算是後裔。
This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are reckoned as descendants.
9:9 因為所應許的話是這樣說：到明年這時候我要來，撒拉必生一個兒子。
For this is what the promise said, "About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son."
9:10 不但如此，還有利百加，既從一個人，就是從我們的祖宗以撒懷了孕，
And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,
9:11 （雙子還沒有生下來，善惡還沒有做出來，只因要顯明 神揀選人的旨意，不在乎人的行為，乃在乎召人的主。）
though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call,
9:12 神就對利百加說：將來大的要服事小的。
she was told, "The elder will serve the younger."
9:13 正如經上所記：雅各是我所愛的；以掃是我所惡的。
As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
9:14 這樣，我們可說甚麼呢？難道 神有甚麼不公平麼？斷乎沒有！
What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!
9:15 因他對摩西說：我要憐憫誰就憐憫誰，要恩待誰就恩待誰。
For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
9:16 據此看來，這不在乎那定意的，也不在乎那奔跑的，只在乎發憐憫的 神。
So it depends not upon man's will or exertion, but upon God's mercy.
9:17 因為經上有話向法老說：我將你興起來，特要在你身上彰顯我的權能，並要使我的名傳遍天下。
For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth."
9:18 如此看來， 神要憐憫誰就憐憫誰，要叫誰剛硬就叫誰剛硬。
So then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills.
9:19 這樣，你必對我說：他為甚麼還指責人呢？有誰抗拒他的旨意呢？
You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?"
9:20 你這個人哪，你是誰，竟敢向 神強嘴呢？受造之物豈能對造他的說：你為甚麼這樣造我呢？
But who are you, a man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me thus?"
9:21 窯匠難道沒有權柄從一團泥裡拿一塊做成貴重的器皿，又拿一塊做成卑賤的器皿嗎？
Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for beauty and another for menial use?
9:22 倘若 神要顯明他的忿怒，彰顯他的權能，就多多忍耐寬容那可怒預備遭毀滅的器皿，
What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the vessels of wrath made for destruction,
9:23 又要將他豐盛的榮耀彰顯在那蒙憐憫早預備得榮耀的器皿上。
in order to make known the riches of his glory for the vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory,
9:24 這器皿就是我們被 神所召的，不但是從猶太人中，也是從外邦人中。這有甚麼不可呢？
even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
9:25 就像 神在何西阿書上說：那本來不是我子民的，我要稱為我的子民；本來不是蒙愛的，我要稱為蒙愛的。
As indeed he says in Hose'a, "Those who were not my people I will call `my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call `my beloved.'"
9:26 從前在甚麼地方對他們說：你們不是我的子民，將來就在那裡稱他們為永生 神的兒子。
"And in the very place where it was said to them, `You are not my people,' they will be called `sons of the living God.'"
9:27 以賽亞指著以色列人喊著說：以色列人雖多如海沙，得救的不過是剩下的餘數；
And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved;
9:28 因為主要在世上施行他的話，叫他的話都成全，速速的完結。
for the Lord will execute his sentence upon the earth with rigor and dispatch."
9:29 又如以賽亞先前說過：若不是萬軍之主給我們存留餘種，我們早已像所多瑪，蛾摩拉的樣子了。
And as Isaiah predicted, "If the Lord of hosts had not left us children, we would have fared like Sodom and been made like Gomor'rah."
9:30 這樣，我們可說甚麼呢？那本來不追求義的外邦人反得了義，就是因信而得的義。
What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith;
9:31 但以色列人追求律法的義，反得不著律法的義。
but that Israel who pursued the righteousness which is based on law did not succeed in fulfilling that law.
9:32 這是甚麼緣故呢？是因為他們不憑著信心求，只憑著行為求，他們正跌在那絆腳石上。
Why? Because they did not pursue it through faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,
9:33 就如經上所記：我在錫安放一塊絆腳的石頭，跌人的磐石；信靠他的人必不至於羞愧。
as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall; and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."
I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit,
9:2 我是大有憂愁，心裡時常傷痛；
that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
9:3 為我弟兄，我骨肉之親，就是自己被咒詛，與基督分離，我也願意。
For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen by race.
9:4 他們是以色列人；那兒子的名分、榮耀、諸約、律法、禮儀、應許都是他們的。
They are Israelites, and to them belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;
9:5 列祖就是他們的祖宗，按肉體說，基督也是從他們出來的，他是在萬有之上，永遠可稱頌的 神。阿們！
to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ. God who is over all be blessed for ever. Amen.
9:6 這不是說 神的話落了空。因為從以色列生的不都是以色列人，
But it is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,
9:7 也不因為是亞伯拉罕的後裔就都作他的兒女；惟獨從以撒生的才要稱為你的後裔。
and not all are children of Abraham because they are his descendants; but "Through Isaac shall your descendants be named."
9:8 這就是說，肉身所生的兒女不是 神的兒女，惟獨那應許的兒女才算是後裔。
This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are reckoned as descendants.
9:9 因為所應許的話是這樣說：到明年這時候我要來，撒拉必生一個兒子。
For this is what the promise said, "About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son."
9:10 不但如此，還有利百加，既從一個人，就是從我們的祖宗以撒懷了孕，
And not only so, but also when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,
9:11 （雙子還沒有生下來，善惡還沒有做出來，只因要顯明 神揀選人的旨意，不在乎人的行為，乃在乎召人的主。）
though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call,
9:12 神就對利百加說：將來大的要服事小的。
she was told, "The elder will serve the younger."
9:13 正如經上所記：雅各是我所愛的；以掃是我所惡的。
As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
9:14 這樣，我們可說甚麼呢？難道 神有甚麼不公平麼？斷乎沒有！
What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!
9:15 因他對摩西說：我要憐憫誰就憐憫誰，要恩待誰就恩待誰。
For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
9:16 據此看來，這不在乎那定意的，也不在乎那奔跑的，只在乎發憐憫的 神。
So it depends not upon man's will or exertion, but upon God's mercy.
9:17 因為經上有話向法老說：我將你興起來，特要在你身上彰顯我的權能，並要使我的名傳遍天下。
For the scripture says to Pharaoh, "I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth."
9:18 如此看來， 神要憐憫誰就憐憫誰，要叫誰剛硬就叫誰剛硬。
So then he has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills.
9:19 這樣，你必對我說：他為甚麼還指責人呢？有誰抗拒他的旨意呢？
You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?"
9:20 你這個人哪，你是誰，竟敢向 神強嘴呢？受造之物豈能對造他的說：你為甚麼這樣造我呢？
But who are you, a man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me thus?"
9:21 窯匠難道沒有權柄從一團泥裡拿一塊做成貴重的器皿，又拿一塊做成卑賤的器皿嗎？
Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for beauty and another for menial use?
9:22 倘若 神要顯明他的忿怒，彰顯他的權能，就多多忍耐寬容那可怒預備遭毀滅的器皿，
What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the vessels of wrath made for destruction,
9:23 又要將他豐盛的榮耀彰顯在那蒙憐憫早預備得榮耀的器皿上。
in order to make known the riches of his glory for the vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory,
9:24 這器皿就是我們被 神所召的，不但是從猶太人中，也是從外邦人中。這有甚麼不可呢？
even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
9:25 就像 神在何西阿書上說：那本來不是我子民的，我要稱為我的子民；本來不是蒙愛的，我要稱為蒙愛的。
As indeed he says in Hose'a, "Those who were not my people I will call `my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call `my beloved.'"
9:26 從前在甚麼地方對他們說：你們不是我的子民，將來就在那裡稱他們為永生 神的兒子。
"And in the very place where it was said to them, `You are not my people,' they will be called `sons of the living God.'"
9:27 以賽亞指著以色列人喊著說：以色列人雖多如海沙，得救的不過是剩下的餘數；
And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved;
9:28 因為主要在世上施行他的話，叫他的話都成全，速速的完結。
for the Lord will execute his sentence upon the earth with rigor and dispatch."
9:29 又如以賽亞先前說過：若不是萬軍之主給我們存留餘種，我們早已像所多瑪，蛾摩拉的樣子了。
And as Isaiah predicted, "If the Lord of hosts had not left us children, we would have fared like Sodom and been made like Gomor'rah."
9:30 這樣，我們可說甚麼呢？那本來不追求義的外邦人反得了義，就是因信而得的義。
What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith;
9:31 但以色列人追求律法的義，反得不著律法的義。
but that Israel who pursued the righteousness which is based on law did not succeed in fulfilling that law.
9:32 這是甚麼緣故呢？是因為他們不憑著信心求，只憑著行為求，他們正跌在那絆腳石上。
Why? Because they did not pursue it through faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,
9:33 就如經上所記：我在錫安放一塊絆腳的石頭，跌人的磐石；信靠他的人必不至於羞愧。
as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall; and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."
今日心得上傳及閱讀請到
1. 蔡茂堂牧師blog: http://hopingtsaidevotion.blogspot.com/
2. 李晶晶牧師blog: http://taipeihoping-chin.blogspot.com/
蔡茂堂牧師創世記查經班歷年錄音檔案:
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在 上帝面前, 保羅的良心受聖靈感動，他內心的焦慮是當他看見猶太人拒絕上帝在「基督裡」所賜的救恩。 可惜猶太人不認識彌賽亞、不認識基督、不願認罪，脫離黑暗的權勢，進入光明聖潔的國度， 重新與上帝和好；所以保羅為猶太人大大地憂傷，看到他的骨肉同胞選擇走自己的路，硬頸，輕看上帝對猶太人的應許，在此情景下，當然保羅會焦慮的。
回覆刪除保羅深愛自己的同胞，為骨肉之親的得救，願意自己被咒詛與基督分離。為基督的緣故，可見保羅願意以主的大愛和犧牲自己的精神，來換取他人(以色列人)的更大的好處。保羅這個傳福音「焦慮和急迫」的心志：愛上帝，愛人如己，願意捨己為人，這種無私的愛和付出，為主，為基督的緣故，願意放下自己，給我很大的啟示，無論在何時何地，若有傳福音的機會，絕不要輕言放棄。