MHC:哥林多前書 13

Chapter 13

13

The necessity and advantage of the grace of love.

(1–3)

Its excellency represented by its properties and effects;

(4–7)

and by its abiding, and its superiority.

(8–13)

Verses 1 – 3

The excellent way had in view in the close of the former chapter, is not what is meant by charity in our common use of the word, almsgiving, but love in its fullest meaning; true love to God and man. Without this, the most glorious gifts are of no account to us, of no esteem in the sight of God. A clear head and a deep understanding, are of no value without a benevolent and charitable heart. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is not a liberal and charitable heart. Doing good to others will do none to us, if it be not done from love to God, and good-will to men. If we give away all we have, while we withhold the heart from God, it will not profit. Nor even the most painful sufferings. How are those deluded who look for acceptance and reward for their good works, which are as scanty and defective as they are corrupt and selfish!

1-3節

上一章末尾介紹的極好的方法，並不是我們通常所說的慈善的意思，而是完全意義上的愛，對神對人的真愛。沒有愛，最好的恩賜對我們沒有價值，對神是不敬重的。沒有一顆仁慈寬恕的心，聰明的頭腦和深入的理解，都是沒有價值的。沒有一顆仁慈寬恕的心，即使慷慨周濟窮人，如果不是因為對神和對人的愛，對我們也是無益的。如果我們放棄了所有，同時拒絕愛神，那麼也是無益的。或者甚至是最痛苦的經歷。How are those deluded who look for acceptance and reward for their good works, which are as scanty and defective as they are corrupt and selfish! 那些被蒙蔽的希望通過他們的善行來獲得稱讚和回報，他們自私敗壞

Verses 4 – 7

Some of the effects of charity are stated, that we may know whether we have this grace; and that if we have not, we may not rest till we have it. This love is a clear proof of regeneration, and is a touchstone of our professed faith in Christ. In this beautiful description of the nature and effects of love, it is meant to show the Corinthians that their conduct had, in many respects, been a contrast to it. Charity is an utter enemy to selfishness; it does not desire or seek its own praise, or honour, or profit, or pleasure. Not that charity destroys all regard to ourselves, or that the charitable man should neglect himself and all his interests. But charity never seeks its own to the hurt of others, or to neglect others. It ever prefers the welfare of others to its private advantage. How good-natured and amiable is Christian charity! How excellent would Christianity appear to the world, if those who profess it were more under this Divine principle, and paid due regard to the command on which its blessed Author laid the chief stress! Let us ask whether this Divine love dwells in our hearts. Has this principle guided us into becoming behaviour to all men? Are we willing to lay aside selfish objects and aims? Here is a call to watchfulness, diligence, and prayer.

4-7節

愛的一些果效已有了陳述，即我們可以知道我們是否有這個恩賜；而且如果我們沒有，那麼我們會等到有了才會安息。這愛是重生的證明，是我們信仰基督的試金石，對愛的本質和果效優美的描述，是為了讓哥林多教會知道他們的行為在許多方面都是有悖於它的。愛可以徹底打敗自私/自我中心；它不需要或尋求自己的讚美、榮耀、益處或喜樂。愛並不是要摧毀所有自我有關的東西，或者說充滿愛的人應該忽視他自己和他所有的興趣益處。而是愛從不因為自己而傷害他人，或者忽視他人。總是他人的益處優先於自己的益處。基督徒的愛是多麼溫柔親切！對世界而言，基督信仰是多麼優秀卓越，如果基督徒更加順服這神聖的原則，遵守神的命令，也是最大的誡命！讓我們問問自己這神聖的愛是否居住在我們的心中。這個原則有沒有引導我們做出應該的行為？我們是否願意放棄自私的目標？在此我們呼籲大家警醒、勤勉、禱告。

Chapter 13

Verses 8 – 13

Charity is much to be preferred to the gifts on which the Corinthians prided themselves. From its longer continuance. It is a grace, lasting as eternity. The present state is a state of childhood, the future that of manhood. Such is the difference between earth and heaven. What narrow views, what confused notions of things, have children when compared with grown men! Thus shall we think of our most valued gifts of this world, when we come to heaven. All things are dark and confused now, compared with what they will be hereafter. They can only be seen as by the reflection in a mirror, or in the description of a riddle; but hereafter our knowledge will be free from all obscurity and error. It is the light of heaven only, that will remove all clouds and darkness that hide the face of God from us. To sum up the excellences of charity, it is preferred not only to gifts, but to other graces, to faith and hope. Faith fixes on the Divine revelation, and assents thereto, relying on the Divine Redeemer. Hope fastens on future happiness, and waits for that; but in heaven, faith will be swallowed up in actual sight, and hope in enjoyment. There is no room to believe and hope, when we see and enjoy. But there, love will be made perfect. There we shall perfectly love God. And there we shall perfectly love one another. Blessed state! how much surpassing the best below! God is love, 1Jo 4:8, 16. Where God is to be seen as he is, and face to face, there charity is in its greatest height; there only will it be perfected.

8-13節

Charity is much to be preferred to the gifts on which the Corinthians prided themselves. From its longer continuance. 這恩惠持續到永遠。我們目前處於孩童幾段，未來才是成年。這就是地上和天上的區別。與成年人相比，兒童觀點狹隘，對事情的觀念是模糊混亂的。因此當我們來到天堂，讓我們想想我們在這個世界上擁有的最有寶貴的恩賜。現在所有的事情都是模糊而混亂的。我們現在看到的就像是通過像鏡子反射的映像一般，或者像謎語的描述一般；但是來世我們的知識將是自由的，不再陰暗晦澀，沒有錯誤。是天堂的光，驅散了所有隱藏神的面的雲和黑暗。總結愛的優越性，它不僅是恩賜，還有其他的恩惠，信心和盼望。靠著基督，信心讓我們確信神的啟示，讚美神。我們對未來的幸福充滿盼望，並等待著；然而在天堂，信心和盼望會被我們看到的景象所吞沒。當我們看到並享受那種喜樂的時候，並不需要相信和盼望。但是，那裡讓愛更加完美。在那裡，我們對神的愛是完美的。我們對他人的愛是完美的。幸福的國度！勝過地上最好的！神是愛，約壹4:8,16。在那裡，我們可以和神面對面，充滿愛，只有完美。

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