第51章 传道人与体力劳动
§1
第51章 传道人与体力劳动
§2
Chap. 51 The Minister and Manual Work
§3
保罗虽然小心翼翼地将圣经中有关正当维持上帝圣工的清楚教训摆在悔改信主的人面前，他虽然声称作为一个传福音的执事“有权柄不作工”（林前9:6），有权不以世俗的业务为自养的方法，但在他传道的时期，他却多次在各文化中心都市从事手艺来供给自己的需用。……{GW 234.1}[1]
§4
While Paul was careful to set before his converts the plain teaching of Scripture regarding the proper support of the work of God, and while he claimed for himself, as a minister of the gospel, the power to forbear working [1 Corinthians 9:6.] at secular employment as a means of self-support, yet at various times during his ministry in the great centers of civilization, he wrought at a handicraft for his own maintenance. . . . {GW 234.1}[1]
§5
我们最先读到保罗自养传道，乃是他在帖撒罗尼迦的时候。后来他写信给那里教会的信徒，提醒他们，他原可得他们的供给。但他说：“弟兄们！你们纪念我们的辛苦劳碌，昼夜作工，传上帝的福音给你们，免得叫你们一人受累”（帖前2:6，9）。以后他又在第二封书信中声称他和他的同工在他们中间的时候，“未尝白吃人的饭”。他写道：“昼夜作工，免得叫你们一人受累。这并不是因我们没有权柄。乃是要给你们作榜样，叫你们效法我们”（帖后3:8-9）。……{GW 234.2}[2]
§6
It is at Thessalonica that we first read of Pauls working with his hands in self-supporting labor while preaching the word. Writing to the church of believers there, he reminded them that he might have been burdensome to them, and added Ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. [1 Thessalonians 2:6, 9.] And again, in his second epistle to them, he declared that he and his fellow-laborers while with them had not eaten any mans bread for naught. Night and day we worked, he wrote, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. [2 Thessalonians 3:8, 9.] . . . {GW 234.2}[2]
§7
保罗初到哥林多时，发觉那里的人对陌生人的动机持怀疑的态度。那时沿海的希腊人都是精明的商人。他们经商日久，奸狡百出，竟相信敬虔为得利的门路，只要能赚钱，尽可不择手段。保罗了解他们的性格，因此就不给他们机会，说他传福音是为自己谋利。他原有权柄要哥林多信徒供给他的生活费，但他愿意放弃这权利，惟恐人们无故怀疑他是为得利而传福音，因而影响到他福音执事的功能与成效。他要设法消除一切足以引人误会之处，好叫他所传信息的效力不致有所损失。{GW 234.3}[3]
§8
When Paul first visited Corinth, he found himself among a people who were suspicious of the motives of strangers. The Greeks on the seacoast were keen traders. So long had they trained themselves in sharp business practices, that they had come to believe that gain was godliness, and that to make money, whether by fair means or foul, was commendable. Paul was acquainted with their characteristics, and he would give them no occasion for saying that he preached the gospel in order to enrich himself. He might justly have claimed support from his Corinthian hearers; but this right he was willing to forego, lest his usefulness and success as a minister should be injured by the unjust suspicion that he was preaching the gospel for gain. He would seek to remove all occasion for misrepresentation, that the force of his message might not be lost. {GW 234.3}[3]
§9
保罗来到哥林多之后不久，“遇见一个犹太人名叫亚居拉，他生在本都，……新近带着妻百基拉，从意大利来。”“这两人是与保罗”同业”的，因为革老丢的谕旨命令一切犹太人都离开罗马，所以亚居拉和百基拉就到哥林多来开办一个制造帐棚的事业。保罗打听他们，知道他们是敬畏上帝尽力远避邪恶影响的，他“就投奔了他们，和他们同住作工。每逢安息日，保罗在会堂里辩论，劝化犹太人和希腊人”（徒18:2-4）。…..{GW 235.1}[4]
§10
Soon after his arrival at Corinth, Paul found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla. These were of the same craft with himself. Banished by the decree of Claudius, which commanded all Jews to leave Rome, Aquila and Priscilla had come to Corinth, where they established a business as manufacturers of tents. Paul made inquiry concerning them, and learning that they feared God and were seeking to avoid the contaminating influences with which they were surrounded, he abode with them, and wrought. . . .And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. [Acts 18:2-4.] . . . {GW 235.1}[4]
§11
保罗在以弗所一带地方进行积极传道的工作达三年之久；在那一段长时期中，他又从事他的职业。使徒在以弗所象在哥林多一样，因有亚居拉和百基拉与他同在而甚感愉快。这两个朋友在保罗第二次布道行程结束时曾与他一同回到亚细亚。{GW 235.2}[5]
§12
During the long period of his ministry in Ephesus, where for three years he carried forward an aggressive evangelistic effort throughout that region, Paul again worked at his trade. In Ephesus, as in Corinth, the apostle was cheered by the presence of Aquila and Priscilla, who had accompanied him on his return to Asia at the close of his second missionary journey. {GW 235.2}[5]
§13
当时有人认为保罗辛勤从事手艺是与福音执事的工作不相称的。保罗既是一个最高级的福音执事，他为什么这样把手艺与传道结合起来呢？难道工人不该得工价吗？他为什么把那可以用在更好事业上的光阴耗费在制造帐棚的事上呢？{GW 235.3}[6]
§14
There were some who objected to Pauls toiling with his hands, declaring that it was inconsistent with the work of a gospel minister. Why should Paul, a minister of the highest rank, thus connect mechanical work with the preaching of the word? Was not the laborer worthy of his hire? Why should he spend in making tents time that to all appearance could be put to better account? {GW 235.3}[6]
§15
但保罗并不认为制造帐棚乃是耗费光阴。当他与亚居拉一同作工的时候，他经常与那大位教师保持联络，并没有失去任何为救主作见证和帮助那些需要之人的机会。他总是在追求属灵的知识。他在属灵的事上教导他的同工，并留下勤劳和周密的榜样。他是一个敏捷熟练的工人，殷勤作工，“心里火热，常常服事主”（罗12:11）。当保罗从事他的职业时，他就能接触到一班用其他方法所接触不到的人。他向他的同伴显明，普通手艺的技能乃是上帝的恩赐。祂赐人这种恩赐，又赐与人善用这恩赐的智慧。保罗教训他们：即使在日常的劳作上，他们也应当荣耀上帝。他那因辛苦劳作而结了硬茧的双手，并没有使这个作为基督执事的保罗所发出动人的恳劝，失去一点力量。……{GW 236.1}[7]
§16
But Paul did not regard as lost the time thus spent. As he worked with Aquila, he kept in touch with the great Teacher, losing no opportunity of witnessing for the Saviour, and of helping those who needed help. His mind was ever reaching out for spiritual knowledge. He gave his fellow-workers instruction in spiritual things, and he also set an example of industry and thoroughness. He was a quick, skilful worker, diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. [Romans 12:11.] As he worked at his trade, the apostle had access to a class of people that he could not otherwise have reached. He showed his associates that skill in the common arts is a gift from God, who provides both the gift, and the wisdom to use it aright. He taught that even in every-day toil, God is to be honored. His toil-hardened hands detracted nothing from the force of his pathetic appeals as a Christian minister. . . . {GW 236.1}[7]
§17
如果现代传福音的人认为自己在基督的圣工上遭受到困难和穷乏，他们可以在想象中去参观保罗的工场，并记得：当这个蒙上帝拣选的人裁剪帆布的时候，他藉此所赚来的饮食乃是他作为使徒在传道的工作上本来应得的工价。{GW 236.2}[8]
§18
If ministers feel that they are suffering hardship and privation in the cause of Christ, let them in imagination visit the workshop where Paul labored. Let them bear in mind that while this chosen man of God is fashioning the canvas, he is working for bread which he has justly earned by his labors as an apostle. {GW 236.2}[8]
§19
劳动乃是一种福气，而不是咒诅。懒惰的精神足以破坏敬虔的美德，并使上帝的灵担忧。停积的水池必然发臭，而清洁流动的河道必散布健康和喜乐于全地。保罗知道那些忽略体力劳动的人不久就要变为衰弱。他渴望教训青年的传道工人藉双手勤劳来操练自己的筋骨，使他们身体强壮，可以忍受他们在传福音区域所必要遭遇的辛苦和穷乏。他也体会到：如果他自己没有操练全身，他的教训就必缺少活力。{GW 236.3}[9]
§20
Work is a blessing, not a curse. A spirit of indolence destroys godliness, and grieves the Spirit of God. A stagnant pool is offensive, but a pure, flowing stream spreads health and gladness over the land. Paul knew that those who neglect physical work soon become enfeebled. He desired to teach young ministers that by working with their hands, by bringing into exercise their muscles and sinews, they would become strong to endure the toils and privations that awaited them in the gospel field. And he realized that his own teachings would lack vitality and force if he did not keep all parts of the system properly exercised. . . . {GW 236.3}[9]
§21
那些感觉自己蒙召传道的人，不应该都受鼓励把供给他们自己和家庭的经济责任一下子都放在教会身上。这样作势必有一种危险，就是一些经验有限的人倒会因人的称赞而自命不凡，又因不智的勉励而希望在他们还没有尽到任何重大的努力之前，教会就要负担他们的全部费用。那奉献作推广上帝圣工的经费，不该用在一些单为维持生活而传道的人身上，去满足他们贪图安逸的私心。{GW 237.1}[10]
§22
Not all who feel that they have been called to preach, should be encouraged to throw themselves and their families at once upon the church for continuous financial support. There is danger that some of limited experience may be spoiled by flattery, and by unwise encouragement to expect full support independent of any serious effort on their part. The means dedicated to the extension of the work of God should not be consumed by men who desire to preach only that they may receive support, and thus gratify a selfish ambition for an easy life. {GW 237.1}[10]
§23
那些愿意在传道工作上运用自己才干的青年，必能从保罗在帖撒罗尼迦、哥林多、以弗所以及其他各处所留下的榜样中获得有益的教训。保罗虽然是一个大有口才的演讲家，并得蒙上帝拣选作特别的工作，他却从来没有以从事体力劳动为耻。他为他所热爱的圣工而牺牲，也从来不感到灰心。他写信给哥林多人说：“直到如今，我们还是又饥、又渴、又赤身露体、又挨打、又没有一定的住处；并且劳苦，亲手作工；被人咒骂，我们就祝福；被人逼迫，我们就忍受”（林前4:11-12）。{GW 237.2}[11]
§24
Young men who desire to exercise their gifts in the work of the ministry will find a helpful lesson in the example of Paul at Thessalonica, Corinth, Ephesus, and other places. Although an eloquent speaker, and chosen by God to do a special work, he was never above labor, nor did he ever weary of sacrificing for the cause he loved. Even unto this present hour, he wrote to the Corinthians, we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; and labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it. [1 Corinthians 4:11, 12.] {GW 237.2}[11]
§25
保罗作为人间一个最伟大的教师，愉快地履行了最低下的本分，像他履行最崇高的本分一样。每当他为基督服务时，如果环境需要，他就甘心乐意地勤劳操作，制造帐篷。虽然如此，他却随时准备放下他属世的工作，为要应付福音仇敌的反对，或是利用特别的机会去引领人归向耶稣。他的热诚和勤劳对于懒惰和贪图安逸的人乃是有力的谴责。——《使徒行述》第346-355页{GW 238.1}[12]
§26
One of the greatest of human teachers, Paul cheerfully performed the lowliest as well as the highest duties. When in his service for the Master circumstances seemed to require it, he willingly labored at his trade. Nevertheless, he ever held himself ready to lay aside his secular work in order to meet the opposition of the enemies of the gospel, or to improve a special opportunity to win souls to Jesus. His zeal and industry are a rebuke to indolence and a desire for ease.--The Acts of the Apostles, pages 346-355. {GW 238.1}[12]
§27
我们有些传道人没有均衡操练身体的各部器官，因此就使有些器官疲惫，而另一些器官却因不用而软弱。若是单单多用一种器官或部分肌肉，结果这多用的部分就要过分疲乏而大大软弱了。{GW 238.2}[13]
§28
The failure of some of our ministers to exercise all the organs of the body proportionately, causes some organs to become worn, while others are weak from inaction. If wear is left to come almost exclusively upon one organ or set of muscles, the one most used must become overwearied and greatly weakened. {GW 238.2}[13]
§29
脑筋和肌肉的各种机能，都是各有所司，这一切都应予以均衡的运用，以便有正常的发育，并保持健康的元气。在这有生命的机体内的每一器官，都各有其当作之工，正如一部机器，每个机轮都要活动作工一样。身体的各部机能都有相互的关系，并且都需要操练，方能有适当的发展。——《教会证言》卷三第310页{GW 238.3}[14]
§30
Each faculty of the mind and each muscle has its distinctive office, and all must be equally exercised in order to become properly developed and to retain healthful vigor. Each organ has its work to do in the living organism. Every wheel in the machinery must be a living, active, working wheel. All the faculties have a bearing upon one another, and all need to be exercised in order to be properly developed.-- Testimonies for the Church, Vol. III, page 310. {GW 238.3}[14]