Born Free
全新四年樂活讀經
W2 2012-07-10 (加4)
經文: 加拉太書 4:1-3 我說那承受產業的，雖然是全業的主人，但為孩童的時候卻與奴僕毫無分別，乃在師傅和管家的手下，直等他父親預定的時候來到。我們為孩童的時候，受管於世俗小學之下，也是如此。
默想: 使徒保羅在本段經文中，討論到一個很有趣的議題，就是為了栽培全業主人的兒子，好讓他在長大之後，有能力可以掌管父親的全部產業，父親就安排讓要繼承他全部產業的兒子，在師傅與管家的手下。照理說，這些專業的師傅與管家，應該努力教導主人的小兒子，讓他學習各種管理產業的方法，好準備這個小兒子，在長大成年之後，有能力來作各種情況的判斷與處理的抉擇。為了達到這個目的，這些專業的師傅與管家，會設計各種方法、技巧、守則等來教導這個主人的小兒子。這些方法、技巧、守則等只是為了訓練主人的小兒子，好讓他於長大成年之後，俱有觀察、分析、整合、預測的獨立判斷能力，而不是要這個小兒子，將這些方法、技巧、守則死背，將來遇到情況，就照本宣科、照表操課。但是，這個小兒子如果沒有獨立思考判斷的潛能，則這些原來是要啟發他的獨立思考判斷潛能的東西，卻成為他長大以後行事為人的綑綁與束縛了。The liberating pedagogy turned into a enslaving confinement.這是多麼讓使徒保羅感嘆不已的畸形發展啊！求主保守我，能夠好好學習各種世俗小學的學問，但是也能夠發揮你所賞賜給我的創意與潛能，好叫我在將來能夠超越這些世俗小學的學問，得以享受上帝兒子的真自由。
題目: 我們是他的兒女，上帝就差遣他的兒子的靈進入我們的心，呼叫「阿爸！我的父親！」…這樣，上帝就以你為繼承人。試想，你曾常常因是宇宙之真神的繼承人而雀躍嗎？
4:1 我說那承受產業的，雖然是全業的主人，但為孩童的時候卻與奴僕毫無分別，
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate;
4:2 乃在師傅和管家的手下，直等他父親預定的時候來到。
but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father.
4:3 我們為孩童的時候，受管於世俗小學之下，也是如此。
So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe.
4:4 及至時候滿足， 神就差遣他的兒子，為女子所生，且生在律法以下，
But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
4:5 要把律法以下的人贖出來，叫我們得著兒子的名分。
to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
4:6 你們既為兒子， 神就差他兒子的靈進入你們（原文作我們）的心，呼叫：阿爸！父！
And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
4:7 可見，從此以後，你不是奴僕，乃是兒子了；既是兒子，就靠著 神為後嗣。
So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.
4:8 但從前你們不認識 神的時候，是給那些本來不是 神的作奴僕；
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were in bondage to beings that by nature are no gods;
4:9 現在你們既然認識 神，更可說是被 神所認識的，怎麼還要歸回那懦弱無用的小學，情願再給他作奴僕呢？
but now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits, whose slaves you want to be once more?
4:10 你們謹守日子、月分、節期、年分。
You observe days, and months, and seasons, and years!
4:11 我為你們害怕、惟恐我在你們身上是枉費了工夫。
I am afraid I have labored over you in vain.
4:12 弟兄們，我勸你們要像我一樣，因為我也像你們一樣。你們一點沒有虧負我。
Brethren, I beseech you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong;
4:13 你們知道我頭一次傳福音給你們，是因為身體有疾病。
you know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first;
4:14 你們為我身體的緣故受試煉，沒有輕看我，也沒有厭棄我，反倒接待我，如同 神的使者，如同基督耶穌。
and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
4:15 你們當日所誇的福氣在那裡呢？那時你們若能行，就是把自己的眼睛剜出來給我，也都情願。這是我可以給你們作見證的。
What has become of the satisfaction you felt? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
4:16 如今我將真理告訴你們，就成了你們的仇敵嗎？
Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
4:17 那些人熱心待你們，卻不是好意，是要離間你們（原文是把你們關在外面），叫你們熱心待他們。
They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.
4:18 在善事上，常用熱心待人原是好的，卻不單我與你們同在的時候才這樣。
For a good purpose it is always good to be made much of, and not only when I am present with you.
4:19 我小子啊，我為你們再受生產之苦，直等到基督成形在你們心裡。
My little children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you!
4:20 我巴不得現今在你們那裡，改換口氣，因我為你們心裡作難。
I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
4:21 你們這願意在律法以下的人，請告訴我，你們豈沒有聽見律法嗎？
Tell me, you who desire to be under law, do you not hear the law?
4:22 因為律法上記著，亞伯拉罕有兩個兒子，一個是使女生的，一個是自主之婦人生的。
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman.
4:23 然而，那使女所生的是按著血氣生的；那自主之婦人所生的是憑著應許生的。
But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise.
4:24 這都是比方：那兩個婦人就是兩約。一約是出於西奈山，生子為奴，乃是夏甲。
Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.
4:25 這夏甲二字是指著阿拉伯的西奈山，與現在的耶路撒冷同類，因耶路撒冷和她的兒女都是為奴的。
Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.
4:26 但那在上的耶路撒冷是自主的，她是我們的母。
But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
4:27 因為經上記著：不懷孕、不生養的，你要歡樂；未曾經過產難的，你要高聲歡呼；因為沒有丈夫的，比有丈夫的兒女更多。
For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."
4:28 弟兄們，我們是憑著應許作兒女，如同以撒一樣。
Now we, brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.
4:29 當時，那按著血氣生的逼迫了那按著聖靈生的，現在也是這樣。
But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now.
4:30 然而經上是怎麼說的呢？是說：把使女和她兒子趕出去！因為使女的兒子不可與自主婦人的兒子一同承受產業。
But what does the scripture say? "Cast out the slave and her son; for the son of the slave shall not inherit with the son of the free woman."
4:31 弟兄們，這樣看來，我們不是使女的兒女，乃是自主婦人的兒女了。
So, brethren, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no better than a slave, though he is the owner of all the estate;
4:2 乃在師傅和管家的手下，直等他父親預定的時候來到。
but he is under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father.
4:3 我們為孩童的時候，受管於世俗小學之下，也是如此。
So with us; when we were children, we were slaves to the elemental spirits of the universe.
4:4 及至時候滿足， 神就差遣他的兒子，為女子所生，且生在律法以下，
But when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
4:5 要把律法以下的人贖出來，叫我們得著兒子的名分。
to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
4:6 你們既為兒子， 神就差他兒子的靈進入你們（原文作我們）的心，呼叫：阿爸！父！
And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
4:7 可見，從此以後，你不是奴僕，乃是兒子了；既是兒子，就靠著 神為後嗣。
So through God you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son then an heir.
4:8 但從前你們不認識 神的時候，是給那些本來不是 神的作奴僕；
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were in bondage to beings that by nature are no gods;
4:9 現在你們既然認識 神，更可說是被 神所認識的，怎麼還要歸回那懦弱無用的小學，情願再給他作奴僕呢？
but now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and beggarly elemental spirits, whose slaves you want to be once more?
4:10 你們謹守日子、月分、節期、年分。
You observe days, and months, and seasons, and years!
4:11 我為你們害怕、惟恐我在你們身上是枉費了工夫。
I am afraid I have labored over you in vain.
4:12 弟兄們，我勸你們要像我一樣，因為我也像你們一樣。你們一點沒有虧負我。
Brethren, I beseech you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong;
4:13 你們知道我頭一次傳福音給你們，是因為身體有疾病。
you know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first;
4:14 你們為我身體的緣故受試煉，沒有輕看我，也沒有厭棄我，反倒接待我，如同 神的使者，如同基督耶穌。
and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.
4:15 你們當日所誇的福氣在那裡呢？那時你們若能行，就是把自己的眼睛剜出來給我，也都情願。這是我可以給你們作見證的。
What has become of the satisfaction you felt? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.
4:16 如今我將真理告訴你們，就成了你們的仇敵嗎？
Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?
4:17 那些人熱心待你們，卻不是好意，是要離間你們（原文是把你們關在外面），叫你們熱心待他們。
They make much of you, but for no good purpose; they want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.
4:18 在善事上，常用熱心待人原是好的，卻不單我與你們同在的時候才這樣。
For a good purpose it is always good to be made much of, and not only when I am present with you.
4:19 我小子啊，我為你們再受生產之苦，直等到基督成形在你們心裡。
My little children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you!
4:20 我巴不得現今在你們那裡，改換口氣，因我為你們心裡作難。
I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.
4:21 你們這願意在律法以下的人，請告訴我，你們豈沒有聽見律法嗎？
Tell me, you who desire to be under law, do you not hear the law?
4:22 因為律法上記著，亞伯拉罕有兩個兒子，一個是使女生的，一個是自主之婦人生的。
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman.
4:23 然而，那使女所生的是按著血氣生的；那自主之婦人所生的是憑著應許生的。
But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise.
4:24 這都是比方：那兩個婦人就是兩約。一約是出於西奈山，生子為奴，乃是夏甲。
Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar.
4:25 這夏甲二字是指著阿拉伯的西奈山，與現在的耶路撒冷同類，因耶路撒冷和她的兒女都是為奴的。
Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.
4:26 但那在上的耶路撒冷是自主的，她是我們的母。
But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
4:27 因為經上記著：不懷孕、不生養的，你要歡樂；未曾經過產難的，你要高聲歡呼；因為沒有丈夫的，比有丈夫的兒女更多。
For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married."
4:28 弟兄們，我們是憑著應許作兒女，如同以撒一樣。
Now we, brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.
4:29 當時，那按著血氣生的逼迫了那按著聖靈生的，現在也是這樣。
But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now.
4:30 然而經上是怎麼說的呢？是說：把使女和她兒子趕出去！因為使女的兒子不可與自主婦人的兒子一同承受產業。
But what does the scripture say? "Cast out the slave and her son; for the son of the slave shall not inherit with the son of the free woman."
4:31 弟兄們，這樣看來，我們不是使女的兒女，乃是自主婦人的兒女了。
So, brethren, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.
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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。（提後 2:21）
回覆刪除經文摘要：
1. 我們為孩童的時候，受管於世俗小學之下，也是如此。及至時候滿足，神就差遣他的兒子，為女子所生，且生在律法以下，要把律法以下的人贖出來，叫我們得著兒子的名分。(加拉太書 4:3-5)
2. 你們既為兒子，神就差他兒子的靈進入你們（原文作我們）的心，呼叫：「阿爸！父！」可見，從此以後，你不是奴僕，乃是兒子了；既是兒子，就靠著神為後嗣 （adoption of sons）。(加拉太書 4:6-7)
從加拉太書第三章，只要信基督耶穌，相信福音真理的，受洗歸入主動名下，因為這個新約 （covenant或adoption）的緣故，我們和神有了新的關係，父與子的關係。第四章告訴我們當兒子名份的權利。
這段經文告訴我們，當神收納我們的時候，或是說神收養我們的時候，靠著神為後嗣的關係， 神就讓祂兒子的靈進到我們裏面，我們在這裏又呼喊「阿爸父」，從此以後，憑著神的應許作兒女，如同以撒一樣（加拉太書 4:28），我們不再是奴僕，乃是神的兒子了；既是兒子，是自主婦人的兒女， 就享有兒子名分的權利，照著應許，可以承受產業。
求主幫助我們，既成為神的兒女，不要認為我已得救了，我可以有上天國的保單，神國的產業非我莫屬，就可以為非作歹，胡亂作為。 記住，雖有兒子名份，但不是馬上就可以擁有兒子的權利，承受產業的。正如加拉太書 4:3-4節所述：「我們為孩童的時候，受管於世俗小學之下，也是如此。乃在師傅和管家的手下，直等他父親預定的時候來到」。這也提醒我們，受洗成為基督徒後，接受神對兒子的定規，要不斷地被操練，生命被改變，成為一個貴重的器皿，直到見主時，才能承受那永遠不朽的產業。這個成聖的過程，是讓我們在生活中來經歷神，受祂的管教，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。（提後 2:21），成為一個真正討神喜悅的子女。