第28章 劳碌与磨炼的日子
§1
第28章 劳碌与磨炼的日子
§2
Chap. 28 - Days of Toil and Trial
§3
（本章根据：徒19:21-41；20:1）
§4
以弗所作为保罗工作的中心，计达三年多之久。这里建立了一个日渐兴旺的教会，福音也从这个城市散布到亚西亚省的犹太人和外邦人之中。[1]{AA 291.1 }
§5
For over three years Ephesus was the center of Pauls work. A flourishing church was raised up here, and from this city the gospel spread throughout the province of Asia, among both Jews and Gentiles. {AA 291.1 }[1]
§6
使徒保罗这时已经考虑好久要再作一次旅行布道。他“心里定意，经过了马其顿、亚该亚，就往耶路撒冷去，又说：我到了那里以后，也必须往罗马去看看。”为了配合这个计划，他“从帮助他的人中，打发提摩太、以拉都二人，往马其顿去。”但他既感觉以弗所的圣工仍需要他的在场，他就决定留在那里，直到过了五旬节。虽然如此，但不久发生了一件事，竟促使他提早离开了。[2]{AA 291.2 }
§7
The apostle had now for some time had been contemplating another missionary journey. He purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. In harmony with this plan he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but feeling that the cause in Ephesus still demanded his presence, he decided to remain until after Pentecost. An event soon occurred, however, which hastened his departure. {AA 291.2 }[2]
§8
在以弗所，一年一度要举行特别的礼节来尊崇女神亚底米。这些礼节吸引了大量的民众从全省各地前来参加。在这期间，人们要举行许多极为豪奢隆重的庆典宴乐。[3]{AA 291.3 }
§9
Once a year, special ceremonies were held at Ephesus in honor of the goddess Diana. These attracted great numbers of people from all parts of the province. Throughout this period, festivities were conducted with the utmost pomp and splendor. {AA 291.3 }[3]
§10
这一庆祝的时期乃是那些新近信奉基督的人经受考验的时期。那一群在推喇奴学房里聚会的人乃是欢乐歌声中一个不谐和的音调，因此，他们不免被人任意加以讥讽、责骂和侮辱。保罗的工作已经对异教崇拜予以有效的打击，结果使前来参加全国庙会的人数显然减少，而朝拜之人的热忱也衰落了。可见他的教训的影响并不限于那些正式悔改信奉基督的人。连许多尚未公开接受这新道理的人也都大受开导，以至对于自己的假神完全失去信心。[4]{AA 292.1 }
§11
This gala season was a trying time for those who had newly come to the faith. The company of believers who met in the school of Tyrannus were an inharmonious note in the festive chorus, and ridicule, reproach, and insult were freely heaped upon them. Pauls labors had given the heathen worship a telling blow, in consequence of which there was a perceptible falling off in the attendance at the national festival and in the enthusiasm of the worshipers. The influence of his teachings extended far beyond the actual converts to the faith. Many who had not openly accepted the new doctrines became so far enlightened as to lose all confidence in their heathen gods. {AA 292.1 }[4]
§12
当时还存在着另一个令人不满的原因。以弗所有一种范围广大而利润丰厚的生意颇为发达，那就是模仿亚底米的庙宇和神像、制造并贩卖小型神龛与神像。那些与这一行业有利害关系的人发现自己的利润减少了，于是大家一致将这种令人不快的变化归咎于保罗的工作。[5]{AA 292.2 }
§13
There existed also another cause of dissatisfaction. An extensive and profitable business had grown up at Ephesus from the manufacture and sale of small shrines and images, modeled after the temple and the image of Diana. Those interested in this industry found their gains diminishing, and all united in attributing the unwelcome change to Pauls labors. {AA 292.2 }[5]
§14
一个制造神龛的银匠底米丢召集他同行的工人，说：“众位！你们知道我们是倚靠这生意发财。这保罗不但在以弗所，也几乎在亚西亚全地，引诱迷惑许多人，说：人手所作的不是神，这是你们所看见所听见的。这样，不独我们这事业被人藐视，就是大女神亚底米的庙也要被人轻忽，连亚西亚全地和普天下所敬拜的大女神之威荣，也要消灭了。”这些话引起了群众的愤慨。他们“就怒气填胸，喊着说：大哉以弗所人的亚底米啊！”[6]{AA 292.3 }
§15
Demetrius, a manufacturer of silver shrines, calling together the workmen of his craft, said: Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands: so that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshipeth. These words roused the excitable passions of the people. They were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. {AA 292.3 }[6]
§16
有关这一番讲演的风闻很快传开，“满城都轰动起来。”人们搜寻保罗，但是找不到他。因为弟兄们得到有关这危险的通知，早已催促他离开那里了。上帝的天使也奉差遣来保护使徒；因为他为道殉身的时候还没有到。[7]{AA 293.1 }
§17
A report of this speech was rapidly circulated. The whole city was filled with confusion. Search was made for Paul, but the apostle was not to be found. His brethren, receiving an intimation of the danger, had hurried him from the place. Angels of God had been sent to guard the apostle; his time to die a martyrs death had not yet come. {AA 293.1 }[7]
§18
众人既找不到他们泻愤的对象，便拿住那“与保罗同行的马其顿人该犹和亚里达古，”带着他们“齐心拥进戏园里去。”[8]{AA 293.2 }
§19
Failing to find the object of their wrath, the mob seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Pauls companions in travel, and with these they rushed with one accord into the theater. {AA 293.2 }[8]
§20
保罗藏身的地方离戏园不远，所以很快就听说他所爱的弟兄的危险。他忘记了自己的安全，唯愿立即到戏园去向暴众讲话。但是“门徒却不许他去。”该犹和亚里达古既不是众人寻找的对象；明知他们是不至遭受重大伤害的，但众人一旦看到使徒那灰白疲惫的脸，势必立即生出最恶劣的情绪，那时人力是毫无可能营救他的性命了。[9]{AA 293.3 }
§21
Pauls place of concealment was not far distant, and he soon learned of the peril of his beloved brethren. Forgetful of his own safety, he desired to go at once to the theater to address the rioters. But the disciples suffered him not. Gaius and Aristarchus were not the prey the people sought; no serious harm to them was apprehended. But should the apostles pale, care-worn face be seen, it would arouse at once the worst passions of the mob and there would not be the least human possibility of saving his life. {AA 293.3 }[9]
§22
保罗仍然迫切地想要当着群众为真理辩护；但最后有人从戏园送信来阻止他。“有亚西亚几位首领，是保罗的朋友，打发人来劝他，不要冒险到戏园里去。”[10]{AA 293.4 }
§23
Paul was still eager to defend the truth before the multitude, but he was at last deterred by a message of warning from the theater. Certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theater. {AA 293.4 }[10]
§24
戏园里的骚乱情形越来越厉害了，“有喊叫这个的，有喊叫那个的，大半不知道是为什么聚集。”由于保罗和他某些同人是属于希伯来族的这一事实，使在场的犹太人急欲坦陈他们是不同情保罗和他的工作的。于是他们推举一个代表来向众人表白这事。所选的发言人乃是一个铜匠亚力山大；保罗后来提到这个人曾“多多的害”过他（见提后4:14）。亚力山大是一个颇有才干的人，他尽力设法导使众人的愤慨单独朝向保罗和他的同伴。但群众既认出亚力山大是个犹太人，就把他推开；“大家同声喊着说：大哉！以弗所人的亚底米啊！如此约有两小时。”[11]{AA 294.1 }
§25
The tumult in the theater was continually increasing. Some . . . cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. The fact that Paul and some of his companions were of Hebrew extraction made the Jews anxious to show plainly that they were not sympathizers with him and his work. They therefore brought forward one of their own number to set the matter before the people. The speaker chosen was Alexander, one of the craftsmen, a coppersmith, to whom Paul afterward referred as having done him much evil. 2 Timothy 4:14. Alexander was a man of considerable ability, and he bent all his energies to direct the wrath of the people exclusively against Paul and his companions. But the crowd, seeing that Alexander was a Jew, thrust him aside, and all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. {AA 294.1 }[11]
§26
最后，众人精疲力竭，停止喊叫，会场暂时安静下来了。于是城里的书记引起了群众的注意，并由于他的职分获得了他们的倾听。他以众人自己的话来应付他们，并说明这一次的骚乱是毫无理由的。他诉诸他们的理性，说：“以弗所人哪！谁不知道以弗所人的城，是看守大亚底米的庙，和从丢斯那里落下来的像呢？这事既是驳不倒的，你们就当安静，不可造次。你们把这些人带来，他们并没有偷窃庙中之物，也没有谤渎我们的女神。若是底米丢和他同行的人，有控告人的事，自有放告的日子；也有方伯，可以彼此对告。你们若问别的事，就可以照常例聚集断定。今日的扰乱，本是无缘无故，我们难免被查问；论到这样聚集，我们也说不出所以然来了。说了这话，便叫众人散去。”[12]{AA 294.2 }
§27
At last, from sheer exhaustion, they ceased, and there was a momentary silence. Then the recorder of the city arrested the attention of the crowd, and by virtue of his office obtained a hearing. He met the people on their own ground and showed that there was no cause for the present tumult. He appealed to their reason. Ye men of Ephesus, he said, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshiper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another. But if ye inquire anything concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly. For we are in danger to be called in question for this days uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. {AA 294.2 }[12]
§28
底米丢在他的演讲中曾说：“我们这事业被人藐视。”这句话就说明了以弗所那一次骚乱的真正原因，也说明了使徒们在工作上遭遇许多逼迫的缘故。底米丢和他的同行看出由于福音的传授与广布，使制造偶像的行业感到危险。这与邪教祭司和手艺人的收入也颇有关系；由于这个缘故，他们才向保罗发动了最苦毒的攻击。[13]{AA 295.1 }
§29
In his speech Demetrius had said, This our craft is in danger. These words reveal the real cause of the tumult at Ephesus, and also the cause of much of the persecution which followed the apostles in their work. Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen saw that by the teaching and spread of the gospel the business of image making was endangered. The income of pagan priests and artisans was at stake, and for this reason they aroused against Paul the most bitter opposition. {AA 295.1 }[13]
§30
书记以及其它在市内有尊贵地位之人所作的决定，都向众人表明保罗并没有什么不法的行为。这确是基督教又一次战胜谬道和迷信的胜利。上帝竟兴起一位官长来为他的使徒申辩，并遏制那暴乱的群众。保罗满心感谢上帝，因为他的性命得蒙保全，同时基督教也并未因以弗所的一次暴乱而受到羞辱。[14]{AA 295.2 }
§31
The decision of the recorder and of others holding honorable offices in the city had set Paul before the people as one innocent of any unlawful act. This was another triumph of Christianity over error and superstition. God had raised up a great magistrate to vindicate His apostle and hold the tumultuous mob in check. Pauls heart was filled with gratitude to God that his life had been preserved and that Christianity had not been brought into disrepute by the tumult at Ephesus. {AA 295.2 }[14]
§32
“乱定之后，保罗请门徒来，劝勉他们，就辞别起行，往马其顿去。”他在这一次行程中有两位忠心的以弗所弟兄为伴，那就是推基古和特罗非摩。[15]{AA 295.3 }
§33
After the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. On this journey he was accompanied by two faithful Ephesian brethren, Tychicus and Trophimus. {AA 295.3 }[15]
§34
保罗在以弗所的工作就此结束。他在那里服务的时期，乃是一个连续操劳，多受考验，和深切痛苦的时期。他曾公开教训众人，也曾挨家拜访，多多的流泪教导并警戒他们。他一直遭受犹太人的反对，他们也不遗余力地想尽方法要煽动众人来反对他。[16]{AA 296.1 }
§35
Pauls labors in Ephesus were concluded. His ministry there had been a season of incessant labor, of many trials, and of deep anguish. He had taught the people in public and from house to house, with many tears instructing and warning them. Continually he had been opposed by the Jews, who lost no opportunity to stir up the popular feeling against him. {AA 296.1 }[16]
§36
保罗就是这样一方面与反对的势力作战，以不息不倦热忱推进福音的工作，并看守一个在真道上尚属幼小的教会，同时还要在他的心上一直为众教会背负重担。[17]{AA 296.2 }
§37
And while thus battling against opposition, pushing forward with untiring zeal the gospel work, and guarding the interests of a church yet young in the faith, Paul was bearing upon his soul a heavy burden for all the churches. {AA 296.2 }[17]
§38
那从他所建立的某些教会传来的离道反教的消息令他深为忧伤。他唯恐他为他们所作的努力将要归于徒然。当他听说有人用各种方法反对他的工作时，他多数是整夜不睡而用来为祈祷和沉思默想。他遇有机会，就根据各教会情形的需要写信给他们，责备、指导、劝诫并勉励他们。使徒很少在这些书信中讲论自己所受的磨炼，然而其中也偶尔提到他在基督的圣工上所尽到的辛劳和所遭受的痛苦。鞭打和监禁，寒冷和饥渴，陆上与海上的危险，城市和旷野的遭遇，自己同胞和外邦邪教徒以及假弟兄的陷害，这一切他都为福音的缘故忍受了。他曾“被人毁谤，”“被人咒骂，”“被人看作万物中的渣滓，”“心里作难，”“遭逼迫，”“四面受敌，”“时刻冒险，”“常为耶稣被交于死地。”[18]{AA 296.3 }
§39
News of apostasy in some of the churches of his planting caused him deep sorrow. He feared that his efforts in their behalf might prove to be in vain. Many a sleepless night was spent in prayer and earnest thought as he learned of the methods employed to counteract his work. As he had opportunity and as their condition demanded, he wrote to the churches, giving reproof, counsel, admonition, and encouragement. In these letters the apostle does not dwell on his own trials, yet there are occasional glimpses of his labors and sufferings in the cause of Christ. Stripes and imprisonment, cold and hunger and thirst, perils by land and by sea, in the city and in the wilderness, from his own countrymen, from the heathen, and from false brethren--all this he endured for the sake of the gospel. He was defamed, reviled, made the offscouring of all things, perplexed, persecuted, troubled on every side, in jeopardy every hour, alway delivered unto death for Jesus sake. {AA 296.3 }[18]
§40
在经常遭受反对的暴风雨、仇敌的骚扰与友人的遗弃之下，这个刚毅的使徒几乎灰心丧胆了。但他一追想髑髅地，便以新的热忱向前挺进，要推广有关钉十字架之主的知识。他只是在追踪基督在他以前所行走的血迹斑斑的道路。他决不退出战斗，直到他必须在救赎主脚前卸下盔甲为止。[19]{AA 297.1 }
§41
Amidst the constant storm of opposition, the clamor of enemies, and the desertion of friends the intrepid apostle almost lost heart. But he looked back to Calvary and with new ardor pressed on to spread the knowledge of the Crucified. He was but treading the blood-stained path that Christ had trodden before him. He sought no discharge from the warfare till he should lay off his armor at the feet of his Redeemer. {AA 297.1 }[19]