第48章 保罗在尼罗面前
§1
第48章 保罗在尼罗面前
§2
Chap. 48 - Paul Before Nero
§3
当保罗被传到尼罗皇帝面前受审时，他已是前途无望、必死无疑的了。那控告他的罪状既然性质严重，而对基督徒的仇恨又颇为得势，因此就没有多少可望得到有利结果的余地了。[1]{AA 492.1 }
§4
When Paul was summoned to appear before the emperor Nero for trial, it was with the near prospect of certain death. The serious nature of the crime charged against him, and the prevailing animosity toward Christians, left little ground for hope of a favorable issue. {AA 492.1 }[1]
§5
在希腊和罗马人中，按照惯例准许被告有权雇请律师出庭为他辩护。这样的一个律师借着有力的论据，动人的辞令，或者由于央告、恳求、与流泪，往往竟为囚犯获得有利的判决，即或不能作到，也可能减轻他的严重处分。但当保罗被传到尼罗面前时，却没有人敢于出面作他的顾问或律师；也没有朋友在场记录那些控告他的罪状，或保存他为自己辩护时所提出来的论据。在罗马的基督徒当中，没有一个人在这苦难的时辰出来站在他旁边。[2]{AA 492.2 }
§6
Among the Greeks and Romans it was customary to allow an accused person the privilege of employing an advocate to plead in his behalf before courts of justice. By force of argument, by impassioned eloquence, or by entreaties, prayers, and tears, such an advocate often secured a decision in favor of the prisoner or, failing in this, succeeded in mitigating the severity of the sentence. But when Paul was summoned before Nero, no man ventured to act as his counsel or advocate; no friend was at hand even to preserve a record of the charges brought against him, or of the arguments that he urged in his own defense. Among the Christians at Rome there was not one who came forward to stand by him in that trying hour. {AA 492.2 }[2]
§7
关于那一次审讯唯一可靠的记录，乃是保罗在写给提摩太的第二封书信中亲自留下的。使徒写道：“我初次申诉，没有人前来帮助，竟都离弃我；但愿这罪不归与他们。唯有主站在我旁边，加给我力量；使福音被我尽都传明，叫外邦人都听见；我也从狮子口里被救出来。”（提后4:16-17）[3]{AA 493.1 }
§8
The only reliable record of the occasion is given by Paul himself, in his second letter to Timothy. At my first answer, the apostle wrote, no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 2 Timothy 4:16, 17. {AA 493.1 }[3]
§9
保罗在尼罗面前，这是何等鲜明的对照啊！这个傲慢的帝王，就是那位属上帝的人在他面前为自己信仰申辩的暴君，他在属世的能力、权威、和财富方面，都已达到巅峰了，同时他的恶行和罪孽却已落到了最低的深渊。他在权力和雄大方面乃是盖世无双的。无人敢质问他的威权，或抗拒他的意志。列国的君王都要将冠冕放在他的脚前。强大的军队遵照他的命令出发，他的海军旗帜乃是胜利的表征。他的雕像设立在各审判厅中，元老院的命令和审判官的判决不过是他意愿的随声附和而已。千万的人都俯伏顺从他的谕旨。尼罗的名字曾使全世界战栗不已。招惹他的不悦，就要丧失财产、自由、生命；他的怒容较比瘟疫更为可怕。[4]{AA 493.2 }
§10
Paul before Nero--how striking the contrast! The haughty monarch before whom the man of God was to answer for his faith, had reached the height of earthly power, authority, and wealth, as well as the lowest depths of crime and iniquity. In power and greatness he stood unrivaled. There were none to question his authority, none to resist his will. Kings laid their crowns at his feet. Powerful armies marched at his command, and the ensigns of his navies betokened victory. His statue was set up in the halls of justice, and the decrees of senators and the decisions of judges were but the echo of his will. Millions bowed in obedience to his mandates. The name of Nero made the world tremble. To incur his displeasure was to lose property, liberty, life; and his frown was more to be dreaded than a pestilence. {AA 493.2 }[4]
§11
这个没有金钱，没有朋友，没有辩士的老年囚犯站在尼罗面前，皇帝的面貌表露着他内心酝酿的邪情恶欲；而被告的容颜则显明一颗与上帝和好的心。保罗的一生经历乃是贫穷、克己、和痛苦的。他虽然经常被人误表、责难和凌辱，虽然他的仇敌力图借这种手段来威吓他，但他依然毫无畏惧地高举十字架的旗帜。他像他的主一样，曾经是个无家可归的流浪者，他也像他一样，曾经一生造福人群。这一个反复无常，动辄发怒，而且荒淫无度的暴君尼罗，怎能明了或赏识到这个上帝的儿子的品格和动机呢？[5]{AA 493.3 }
§12
Without money, without friends, without counsel, the aged prisoner stood before Nero--the countenance of the emperor bearing the shameful record of the passions that raged within; the face of the accused telling of a heart at peace with God. Pauls experience had been one of poverty, self-denial, and suffering. Notwithstanding constant misrepresentation, reproach, and abuse, by which his enemies had endeavored to intimidate him, he had fearlessly held aloft the standard of the cross. Like his Master, he had been a homeless wanderer, and like Him, he had lived to bless humanity. How could Nero, a capricious, passionate, licentious tyrant, understand or appreciate the character and motives of this son of God? {AA 493.3 }[5]
§13
广大的厅堂里挤满了一班狂热而浮躁的群众，他们都涌向前面去要看看听听一切所要发生的事。无论高下、贫富、智愚、贵贱，他们都是同样的缺乏生命和得救之道的真知识。[6]{AA 494.1 }
§14
The vast hall was thronged by an eager, restless crowd that surged and pressed to the front to see and hear all that should take place. The high and the low were there, the rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, the proud and the humble, all alike destitute of a true knowledge of the way of life and salvation. {AA 494.1 }[6]
§15
犹太人仍然将从前那煽动叛乱和异端的罪名加在保罗身上，同时犹太人和罗马人又一同控告他教唆焚城的罪。当这些罪名强加在保罗头上的时候，他始终保持着镇定的态度。民众和审判官都惊奇地望着他。他们都曾出席过多次的审判，看见过许多的罪犯；但从未见过一个人像他们面前这个囚犯一样，带有这么神圣镇定的态度。审判官以惯于察觉囚犯脸色的锐利眼光观察保罗的面容，竟看不出一点有罪的表情。当他蒙准许为自己申诉时，大家都以热切的兴趣倾听着。[7]{AA 494.2 }
§16
The Jews brought against Paul the old charges of sedition and heresy, and both Jews and Romans accused him of instigating the burning of the city. While these accusations were urged against him, Paul preserved an unbroken serenity. The people and the judges looked at him in surprise. They had been present at many trials and had looked upon many a criminal, but never had they seen a man wear a look of such holy calmness as did the prisoner before them. The keen eyes of the judges, accustomed to read the countenances of prisoners, searched Pauls face in vain for some evidence of guilt. When he was permitted to speak in his own behalf, all listened with eager interest. {AA 494.2 }[7]
§17
保罗又再一次有机会在一班惊讶的群众面前高举十字架的旗帜。当他注视着他面前的群众犹太人、希腊人、罗马人，以及从许多地区来的外国人时，他的心中不禁为他们的得救兴起了一种强烈的愿望。他无视于当时的场面，那环绕他的危险，以及那似乎十分临近的可怕厄运。他只看见那作中保的耶稣，为这些有罪的人在上帝面前代求。保罗以超人的口才和能力讲论福音的真理。他向听众指明那为堕落之人类所作的牺牲。他声称为了救赎人类，无限的代价已经付出了。并已作了准备，使人能与上帝同坐宝座。借着天上的使者，地与天已经接连起来了，而且世人所有的行为，无论善恶，在无穷的公义者眼中，都是赤露敞开的。[8]{AA 494.3 }
§18
Once more Paul has an opportunity to uplift before a wondering multitude the banner of the cross. As he gazes upon the throng before him,--Jews, Greeks, Romans, with strangers from many lands,--his soul is stirred with an intense desire for their salvation. He loses sight of the occasion, of the perils surrounding him, of the terrible fate that seems so near. He sees only Jesus, the Intercessor, pleading before God in behalf of sinful men. With more than human eloquence and power, Paul presents the truths of the gospel. He points his hearers to the sacrifice made for the fallen race. He declares that an infinite price has been paid for mans redemption. Provision has been made for him to share the throne of God. By angel messengers, earth is connected with heaven, and all the deeds of men, whether good or evil, are open to the eye of Infinite Justice. {AA 494.3 }[8]
§19
这位真理的捍卫者就是这样提出辩护。他站在不信悖逆的人中间，作上帝的信实忠贞的代表；他的声音像是从天上来的声音。无论言语或容貌，都表露着毫无惧怕、忧愁、或失望。他因无罪的良心而刚强壮胆，披戴真理的甲胄，深以自己是上帝的儿子而欢喜快乐。他的言语好像是战场上胜利的呐喊。他声明他所奉献一生从事的事业，乃是唯一永远不能失败的事业。虽然他或许要被消灭，但福音决不至消灭。上帝是永活的，他的真理必定要得胜。[9]{AA 495.1 }
§20
Thus pleads the advocate of truth. Faithful among the faithless, loyal among the disloyal, he stands as Gods representative, and his voice is as a voice from heaven. There is no fear, no sadness, no discouragement in word or look. Strong in a consciousness of innocence, clothed in the panoply of truth, he rejoices that he is a son of God. His words are as a shout of victory above the roar of battle. He declares the cause to which he has devoted his life, to be the only cause that can never fail. Though he may perish, the gospel will not perish. God lives, and His truth will triumph. {AA 495.1 }[9]
§21
那一天，许多观看他的人，“见他的面貌，好像天使的面貌。”（徒6:15）[10]{AA 495.2 }
§22
Many who that day looked upon him saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. Acts 6:15. {AA 495.2 }[10]
§23
这一群人从未听过像这样的话。这些话连那些最刚硬的心肠也感动了。清晰而令人折服的真理推翻了谬道。真光照耀在许多人的心中，他们后来就欣然跟从这光。虽然发表这些话的嘴唇将要在殉道者的坟墓中紧闭起来，但那一天所讲述的真理却命定要震动列国，而且流传万代，感化人心。[11]{AA 495.3 }
§24
Never before had that company listened to words like these. They struck a cord that vibrated in the hearts of even the most hardened. Truth, clear and convincing, overthrew error. Light shone into the minds of many who afterward gladly followed its rays. The truths spoken on that day were destined to shake nations and to live through all time, influencing the hearts of men when the lips that had uttered them should be silent in a martyrs grave. {AA 495.3 }[11]
§25
尼罗从未听过像他在这一时际所听到的真理。他那一己生活的穷凶极恶也从未这样向他显露过。天上的光穿透了他那被罪恶所玷污的心房，他一想到自己虽身为世上的帝王，但最后必要被传到审判台前，他的行为必要受到公义的报应，便不禁恐惧战栗起来了。他惧怕保罗的上帝，不敢判决使徒的罪，因为那告他的罪状没有一件是有根据的。畏惧的感觉一时遏制了他那残忍好杀的精神。[12]{AA 496.1 }
§26
Never before had Nero heard the truth as he heard it on this occasion. Never before had the enormous guilt of his own life been so revealed to him. The light of heaven pierced the sin-polluted chambers of his soul, and he trembled with terror at the thought of a tribunal before which he, the ruler of the world, would finally be arraigned, and his deeds receive their just award. He feared the apostles God, and he dared not pass sentence upon Paul, against whom no accusation had been sustained. A sense of awe restrained for a time his bloodthirsty spirit. {AA 496.1 }[12]
§27
天国的门一时向这个罪恶昭彰而心地刚硬的尼罗敞开了，天上的平安和纯洁似乎是可羡慕的。在那片刻之间，慈怜的邀请竟向他发出了。可惜那欢迎赦免的思想只是昙花一现。随后就有命令发出将保罗带回他的牢房，当牢门将上帝的使者关闭在里面时，那悔改的门也就永远向这罗马的皇帝关闭了。再没有从天上来的光线穿透那笼罩着他的黑暗，不久他就要受上帝报应的刑罚了。[13]{AA 496.2 }
§28
For a moment, heaven was opened to the guilty and hardened Nero, and its peace and purity seemed desirable. That moment the invitation of mercy was extended even to him. But only for a moment was the thought of pardon welcomed. Then the command was issued that Paul be taken back to his dungeon; and as the door closed upon the messenger of God, the door of repentance closed forever against the emperor of Rome. No ray of light from heaven was ever again to penetrate the darkness that enveloped him. Soon he was to suffer the retributive judgments of God. {AA 496.2 }[13]
§29
这事过去之后不久，尼罗有远征希腊之行，他在那里因卑鄙荒淫的行为而使自己和他的国家都蒙受了羞辱。他大张威势返回罗马，与他的群臣纵欲宣淫。正在狂欢之际，忽然听见街上有骚乱的声音。他差派一个使者去探明究竟，使者回来报告一个人令人胆寒的消息说：叛军首领革尔霸已经率军迅即逼近罗马，城内业已起了叛乱，街上满是怒气汹汹的暴徒，要寻索皇帝及其支持者的性命，并且已经逼近王宫了。[14]{AA 496.3 }
§30
Not long after this, Nero sailed on his infamous expedition to Greece, where he disgraced himself and his kingdom by contemptible and debasing frivolity. Returning to Rome with great pomp, he surrounded himself with his courtiers and engaged in scenes of revolting debauchery. In the midst of this revelry a voice of tumult in the streets was heard. A messenger dispatched to learn the cause, returned with the appalling news that Galba, at the head of an army, was marching rapidly upon Rome, that insurrection had already broken out in the city, and that the streets were filled with an enraged mob, which, threatening death to the emperor and all his supporters, was rapidly approaching the palace. {AA 496.3 }[14]
§31
在这危急之时，尼罗不像忠心的保罗一样，有一位全能慈悲的上帝可以倚靠。这个可怜的暴君唯恐在暴徒手下吃苦，并可能被迫遭受折磨，就想设法自尽，但在这生死关头，他的勇气消失了。他完全丧失了男子的气概，可耻地逃出城去，企图躲避在几里路外的一个别墅中；但结果还是徒然。他的藏匿之处不久被发现了，当追赶的马兵临近之时，他叫一个奴仆协助他自杀身亡。正当三十二岁盛年的暴君尼罗，就此丧命了。[15]{AA 497.1 }
§32
In this time of peril, Nero had not, like the faithful Paul, a powerful and compassionate God on whom to rely. Fearful of the suffering and possible torture he might be compelled to endure at the hands of the mob, the wretched tyrant thought to end his life by his own hand, but at the critical moment his courage failed. Completely unmanned, he fled ignominiously from the city and sought shelter at a countryseat a few miles distant, but to no avail. His hiding place was soon discovered, and as the pursuing horsemen drew near, he summoned a slave to his aid and inflicted on himself a mortal wound. Thus perished the tyrant Nero, at the early age of thirty-two. {AA 497.1 }[15]