第11章 致帖撒罗尼迦人的书信
§1
第11章 致帖撒罗尼迦人的书信
§2
Chapter 11—Epistles to the Thessalonians
§3
当保罗逗留在哥林多传扬真道并在工棚里做工时，西拉和提摩太从马其顿来了。见到这两位忠心的同工，保罗心里非常高兴，于是他以新的热忱和勇气去应付日益增强阻碍他工作的反对势力。保罗承认自己在哥林多“又软弱，又惧怕，又甚战兢。”但安慰灰心之人的上帝，通过他朋友的来到，安慰了保罗。上帝希望福音同工用基督之爱的纽带紧密地联系起来，以致他们见面时能互相带来欢乐的鼓励。{LP 109.2}[1]
§4
While Paul was still at Corinth, laboring in word and doctrine, and also in the work-shop, Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia. The pleasure of meeting these two faithful co-laborers gave him fresh zeal and courage to withstand the continually increasing opposition, which had greatly?hindered his labors. The apostle himself acknowledged that he was in Corinth “in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling;” but God, “who comforteth those that are cast down,” comforted him by the arrival of his friends. God designs that fellow-laborers in the gospel shall have their hearts knit closely together in the bonds of Christian love, so that their presence shall greatly cheer and encourage one another.?{LP 109.2}[1]
§5
保罗曾派提摩太再去访问他以前工作过的地方，建立并巩固帖撒罗尼迦教会。提摩太带回来的消息是令人鼓舞的，保罗听了十分高兴，他就动手给这些亲爱的弟兄写信。他写给帖撒罗尼迦教会的两封书信也是写给我们的。他的爱心思念那些接受基督道理的人。这道理使他们遭受到以前从来没有遭到的指责和迫害。{LP 110.1}[2]
§6
Paul had sent Timothy to revisit the places of his former labors, and to confirm and establish the church at Thessalonica. Timothy’s report was encouraging, and refreshed the spirit of Paul. He was thus prompted to write to these beloved brethren. His first and second epistles to the church are given us. His heart was drawn out in love to those who had embraced the doctrine of Christ, which subjected them to reproach and persecution heretofore unknown to them.?{LP 110.1}[2]
§7
保罗给这些弟兄写信还有一个原因。有一些新信主的人对于信主死了的人抱有错误的看法。他们本来希望大家都会看见基督复临，结果他们悲伤地看到一个又一个信徒落入死亡的权势，无法目睹所盼望的大事——基督驾天云降临。{LP 110.2}[3]
§8
There was still another reason for Paul’s communication to these brethren. Some who were newly brought into the faith had fallen into errors in regard to those who had died since their conversion. They had hoped that all would witness the second coming of Christ; but they were in great sorrow as one after another of the believers fell under the power of death, making it impossible for them to behold that desirable event,—the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven.?{LP 110.2}[3]
§9
一些人既抱有基督当时就要来的错误观点，就产生了一种狂热的想法，要放弃一切的工作，以表示他们的信心，并懒惰地等他们认为快要发生的大事。还有一些人藐视预言的恩赐，把其他的恩赐置于其上。{LP 110.3}[4]
§10
Some, who had fallen into the error that Christ was to come in their day, imbibed the fanatical idea that it was praiseworthy to show their faith by giving up all business, and resigning themselves to idle waiting for the great event which they thought was near. Others despised the gift of prophecy, exalting all other gifts above that.?{LP 110.3}[4]
§11
保罗向帖撒罗尼迦教会写信，问候他们，为他们祈求上帝和主耶稣基督赐福。他向他们提到自己在他们中间的工作，以及他们离弃偶像，“服侍那又真又活的上帝，等候祂儿子从天降临，就是祂从死里复活的、那位救我们脱离将来忿怒的耶稣”（帖前1：9，10）。{LP 111.1}[5]
§12
Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica, greeting them, and invoking in their behalf the blessing of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. He reminded them of his own labors among them, and their acceptance of the word, turning away from idols “to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from Heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”?{LP 111.1}[5]
§13
他又进一步提到他和他的同工在他们中间的工作，提醒他们是如何在反对，辱骂和失望之中勇敢地把福音传给他们，“不是要讨人喜欢，乃是要讨那察验我们心的上帝喜欢。”{LP 111.2}[6]
§14
He further referred to his work and that of his fellow-laborers among them, reminding them of the boldness with which they had preached the gospel unto them, in the midst of opposition, abuse, and discouragement, “not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”?{LP 111.2}[6]
§15
接着保罗设法向帖撒罗尼迦的弟兄说明人死后的真实状况。他说死了的人乃是睡了——在一种没有知觉的状态中。“论到睡了的人，我不愿意弟见们不知道，恐怕你们忧伤，像那些没有指望的人一样。我们若信耶稣死而复活了，那已经在耶稣里睡了的人，上帝也必将他与耶稣一同带来。……因为主必亲自从天降临，有呼叫的声音和天使长的声音，又有上帝的号吹响；那在基督里死了的人必先复活。以后我们这活着还存留的人必和他们一同被提到云中，在空中与主相遇。这样，我们就要和主永远同在。所以你们当用这些话彼此劝慰”（帖前4：13-18）。{LP 111.3}[7]
§16
Paul then endeavored to inform his Thessalonian brethren concerning the true state of the dead. He speaks of them as asleep,—in a state of unconsciousness: “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.... For the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”?{LP 111.3}[7]
§17
死了之义人的亲友不必悲伤，好像那些死了亲人，在耶稣基督里没有盼望，不能因义人复活时不朽的将来而欢欣的人那样。保罗说到帖撒罗尼迦信徒曾离弃异教拜偶像的行为而来事奉基督。异教关于死人状况的模糊观念或多或少地搀杂在他们的新信仰之中，但那些从保罗所传的道理中清楚地看到死人复活之真理的人得到了很大的安慰。他们所接受的令人欢欣的盼望，即死了的义人将从坟墓里出来接受圣洁欢乐的不朽生命，与他们以前异教的关于死亡的观念形成鲜明的对比。因为过去他们认为没有来生，也不能与在世上死去的亲人欢聚。{LP 111.4}[8]
§18
The friends of the righteous dead should not sorrow as those who lose their loved ones and have no hope in Jesus Christ, and who are not cheered by the immortal future beyond the resurrection of the just. Paul addressed the Thessalonians as?those who had turned from the practices of heathen idolatry to the service of Christ. Vague heathen ideas concerning the state of the dead were more or less mingled with the new faith. But those who clearly saw the truth of the resurrection from the dead, in the doctrine preached by Paul, were greatly comforted. The cheering hope which they thus received, that the righteous dead would rise from their graves to a holy, happy immortal life, was in marked contrast with their former pagan ideas of death. For they had believed that there was no future life, no happy meeting with those whom they had loved and lost on earth.?{LP 111.4}[8]
§19
帖撒罗尼迦的信徒曾热切地注意到那说明基督将要复临，使一切活着的忠实信徒改变形体，并把他们接到祂那里去的道理，因此他们一心保护自己亲友们的性命，唯恐他们死亡而失去他们所指望在救主复临时要得到的福分。但结果他们所爱的人竟一个一个地死去了。他们恐惧战兢地把死者埋葬了。他们所有的祖先都曾这样埋葬了。帖撒罗尼迦人痛苦地望了死者最后一眼，很难希望在来生还有相见的机会。{LP 112.1}[9]
§20
The Thessalonians had eagerly grasped the idea that Christ was coming to change the faithful who were alive, and take them to himself. They had carefully guarded the lives of their friends, lest they should die, and lose the blessing which they anticipated at the coming of their Lord. But, one after another, death had laid their loved ones low; and they had buried them from their sight with fear and trembling. All their ancestors had thus been buried, and with anguish the Thessalonians looked upon the faces of their dead for the last time, never expecting to meet them again in a future life.?{LP 112.1}[9]
§21
收到保罗的信对他们来说乃是一件大事。那时在朋友之间很少有书信来往。当他们打开阅读书信时，教会里大家非常高兴。其中说明死人之真实状况的话给他们带来了很大的安慰。保罗说明那些在基督复临时还活着的人决不会在那些在耶稣里睡了的人之先迎见救主。那时有天使长的声音，上帝的号筒要吹响，并传到睡了之人的耳中，于是那些在基督里死了的人必在上帝将不朽坏的生命赐给活着的信徒之前复活起来。“以后我们这活着还存留的人，必和他们一同被提到云里，在空中与主相遇。这样，我们就要与主永远同在。所以你们当用这些话彼此劝慰。”{LP 112.2}[10]
§22
The reception of Paul’s epistle was to them a great event. Written communications passing between friends were of very rare occurrence in those times. There was great joy in the church as the epistle was opened and read. What consolation was afforded them by those words which revealed the true state of the dead. Paul therein showed them that those who should be alive when Christ should come would not go to meet their Lord in advance of those who should be asleep in Jesus.?For the voice of the archangel and the trump of God should reach the sleeping ones, and the dead in Christ should rise first, before the touch of immortality should be given to the living. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”?{LP 112.2}[10]
§23
我们现今很难体会到这一个信息给帖撒罗尼迦的幼小教会带来多大的希望和欣慰。他们相信并重视他们这位在福音里的父亲保罗所写给他们的书信，于是他们就深深地敬爱他。从前他固然向他们讲过这些真理；但那时他们的思想正在尽量领会许多似乎新奇的道理；所以也难怪某几点真理没有能生动地印刻在他们心中。但他们一直是渴慕真理的，所以保罗的书信给了他们新的指望和力量，并使他们对于那位藉自己的死将不能坏的生命彰显出来的主有了更坚固的信心和更深厚的感情。{LP 113.1}[11]
§24
The hope and joy which this assurance gave to the young church at Thessalonica can scarcely be understood by us. That letter, coming from their father in the gospel, was believed and cherished by them, and their hearts went out in love to him who had brought them the precious light of truth. He had told them these things before; but at that time their minds were grasping doctrines new and surpassingly strange to them, and it is not surprising that the force of some points had not been vividly impressed upon their minds. But they were hungering for truth, and Paul’s epistle gave to their souls new hope and strength, a firmer faith in, and a deeper affection for, the Redeemer who had brought life and immortality to light through his death.?{LP 113.1}[11]
§25
那笼罩在坟墓之上的黑影消散了。因为他们知道他们信主的亲友将要从死里复活，并在上帝的国里享受永生。基督徒的信仰出现一种新的光芒，他们在基督的生、死和复活中看出新的荣耀来。{LP 113.2}[12]
§26
The darkness that had enshrouded the sepulcher of the dead was dispelled; for they now knew that their believing friends would be resurrected from the grave, and enjoy immortal life in the kingdom of God. A new splendor now crowned the Christian faith, and they saw a new glory in the life, sufferings, death, and resurrection of Christ.?{LP 113.2}[12]
§27
保罗写道：“那已经在耶稣里睡了的人，上帝也将他与耶稣一同带来”（帖前4：14）。许多人以为这一句话是说睡了的人要陪耶稣从天上下来；但保罗的意思乃是说，基督怎样从死里复活，上帝也必照样唤醒睡了的圣徒从坟墓里出来，并把他们和耶稣一同带到天上去。这是多么宝贵的安慰，多么光荣的指望！在帖撒罗尼迦的教会如此，在世界各处的真基督徒也是如此。{LP 113.3}[13]
§28
Paul wrote, “Even so, them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” Many interpret this passage to mean that the sleeping ones are brought with Christ from Heaven; but Paul designed to be understood that in like manner as?Christ was raised from the dead, so will God bring up the sleeping saints with him from their graves, and take them with him to Heaven. Precious consolation! glorious hope! not only to the church of Thessalonica, but to all true Christians who live upon the earth.?{LP 113.3}[13]
§29
保罗过去曾充分讲述时事的预兆，说明人子驾云在天上显现之前将有什么事情发生，以后他感到无需在信中赘述，只是明确地提到自己先前所教训他们的真理。他说：“论到时候、日期，不用写信给你们，因为你们自己明明晓得，主的日子来到，好像夜间的贼一样。人正说‘平安稳妥’的时候，灾祸忽然临到他们”（帖前5：1-3）。{LP 114.1}[14]
§30
Paul had previously so fully canvassed the subject of the signs of the times, showing what events would transpire prior to the revelation of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven, that he did not consider it necessary to enter largely upon those particulars again on this occasion. He, however, pointedly referred to his former teachings on that subject: “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you; for yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them.”?{LP 114.1}[14]
§31
今日有许多疏忽和不信的人故意闭眼不看基督所用来警告世人关于祂将要复临的预兆。他们反而设法镇抚人们的警觉心情，但末日的预兆却在迅速出现，全世界也很快地临到人子在云中显现的时辰。凡接受照在他道路上之亮光的人就不在黑暗中，大事临到时也不会一无所知。保罗教训人说，什么人若不关心那指基督复临的兆头，那人就是有罪了。凡这样疏忽的人，保罗称他们为黑夜和幽暗之子。他劝勉那些警醒自守的人说：“弟兄们，你们却不在黑暗里，叫那日子临到你们像贼一样。你们都是光明之子，都是白昼之子。我们不是属黑夜的，也不是属幽暗的。所要我们不要睡觉，总要警醒谨守” （帖前5：4-6）。{LP 114.2}[15]
§32
The careless and unbelieving close their eyes to the evidence which Christ has given to warn men of his coming. They seek to quiet all apprehension, while, at the same time, the signs of the end are rapidly fulfilling, and the world is hastening to the period of the revelation of the Son of man in the clouds of heaven. But those who receive the light of truth as it shines upon their pathway, are not in darkness that this great event should come upon them unawares. Paul teaches that it would be sinful to be indifferent to the signs which should precede the second coming of Christ. Those who should be guilty of this neglect, he calls children of the night and of darkness. He encourages the vigilant and watchful with these words: “But ye, brethren,?are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”?{LP 114.2}[15]
§33
保罗在这方面的教训对于现代的教会有特别重要的意义。那些离万物的结局那么迫近的人应该格外警醒谨守。一个警醒的基督徒必是一个作工的基督徒。他必要热心设法洁净自己的生活，尽力推进上帝的圣工。他爱救赎主的心越大，对同胞的爱也就越深。他纵然要像他的夫子一样遇见试炼，在某种程度上成为常经忧患的人，为地上的罪恶而伤心。但他的悲伤不会影响他的涵养或破坏他的平安。他知道他若能胜过试炼，就能使他得到提炼、洁净，并使他与基督发生更亲密的交通。他既冒着剧烈的反对，与基督一同受苦，就必得到祂的安慰，并最后与祂同享荣耀。{LP 115.1}[16]
§34
The teachings of the apostle upon this point are especially important to the church in our time. Above all others, those who are living so near to the great consummation, should be sober and watchful. The watchful Christian is a working Christian, seeking zealously to purify his life, and to do all in his power for the cause of God. As his love for his Redeemer increases, so also does his love for his fellow-creatures increase. He has severe trials, as did his Master; and, like him, he is to some extent a man of sorrows, mourning because of the abominations done in the land. But this grief does not sour his temper, nor destroy his peace of mind. His afflictions, if well borne, refine and purify his nature. He is thus brought into closer fellowship with Christ; and inasmuch as he, through fierce opposition, is a partaker of the sufferings of Christ, he will also be a partaker of his consolation, and finally a sharer of his glory.?{LP 115.1}[16]
§35
保罗继续劝勉教会说：“弟兄们，我们劝你们敬重那在你们中间劳苦的人，就是在主里面治理你们、劝诫你们的；又因他们所作的工，用爱心格外尊重他们。你们也要彼此和睦”（帖前5：12，13）。{LP 115.2}[17]
§36
Paul continued his admonition to the church: “We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.”?{LP 115.2}[17]
§37
帖撒罗尼迦的信徒因一些提倡离奇荒诞的观点和道理的人进到他们中间而受到很大的骚扰。教会已经有了正式的组织，并有职员选派而来做传道人和执事。但总有一些人不肯服从那些在教会里负责的人。这些性情急躁，固执己见的人非但坚持独立的意见，同时还硬要教会接受他们的看法。因此，保罗劝弟兄们务要尊重那些被选在教会里负责的人。{LP 115.3}[18]
§38
The Thessalonians were greatly annoyed by persons coming among them with fanatical ideas and doctrines. The church had been properly organized, and officers had been appointed to act?as ministers and deacons. But some would not be subordinate to those who held authoritative positions in the church. Ardent, self-willed persons claimed not only the right of private judgment, but to be heard publicly in urging their views upon the church. Paul, therefore, earnestly called the attention of his brethren to the respect and deference due those who had authority in the church, and who had been intrusted with the responsibilities connected with it.?{LP 115.3}[18]
§39
保罗又警告帖撒罗尼迦的信徒不可轻看预言的恩赐，劝他们务要仔细辨别真伪：“不要藐视先知的讲论。但要凡事察验；善美的要持守”（帖前5：20，21）。他求上帝使他们全然成圣，使他们的“灵与魂与身子得蒙保守，在我主耶稣基督降临的时候，完全无可指摘”（帖前5：23）。保罗在结束时又加上以下的保证：“那召你们的本是信实的，祂必成就这事”（帖前5：24）。{LP 116.1}[19]
§40
He cautions the Thessalonians not to despise the gift of prophecy, and enjoins a careful discrimination in distinguishing the false manifestation from the true: “Quench not the Spirit; despise not prophesyings; prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” He prays that God will sanctify them wholly, that their “whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ;” and in closing, adds the assurance, “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.”?{LP 116.1}[19]
§41
保罗在他这第一封信中所给予帖撒罗尼迦的信徒有关基督复临的教训，与他先前给教会的教训是完全一致的。虽然如此，他的话还是被帖撒罗尼迦的一些弟兄们误会了。他们以为他说自己希望能活到救主降临的日子。这种信念使他们趋于狂热。那些原先疏忽自己责任和本分的人，这时以为保罗支持他们的意见，就越发坚决地提倡自己错谬的看法了。{LP 116.2}[20]
§42
In this First Epistle to the Thessalonians, Paul’s teachings concerning the second coming of Christ were in perfect harmony with his former instructions to the church. Yet his words were misapprehended by some of the Thessalonian brethren. They understood him to express the hope that he himself would live to witness the Saviour’s advent. This belief served to increase their enthusiasm and excitement. Those who had previously neglected their cares and duties, now considered themselves sustained by the apostle; hence they became more persistent than before in urging their erroneous views.?{LP 116.2}[20]
§43
保罗在他第二封书信中设法纠正这些人对他的教训所作的误解，并把他正确的看法向他们说明。他又向信徒表示他信任他们基督徒的正直，并感谢上帝，因他们的信心是刚强的，他们彼此相爱和热爱圣工的心是充足的。他告诉他们：他常拿他们恒久忍耐，持守信心，和勇敢忍受因上帝仇敌的反对而带来的逼迫与磨难的榜样提供给别的教会；同时他又使他们想到他们将要歇下一切操心和烦恼的事。那时，主要“从天上在火焰中显现，要报应那不认识上帝和那不听从我主耶稣福音的人”（帖后1：7，8）。{LP 116.3}[21]
§44
In his second letter to this church, Paul seeks to correct their misapprehensions, and to set before?them his true position. He expresses his confidence in their Christian integrity, and his gratitude to God that their faith was not waning, and that love abounded toward one another, and for the cause of their divine Master. He also states that he presents them to other churches as furnishing a sample of the patient and persevering faith which bravely withstands the persecution and tribulation brought upon them by the opposition of the enemies of God. He carries them forward to hope for rest from all their cares and perplexities, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed, “in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”?{LP 116.3}[21]
§45
他接着指出，在基督复临之前，预言所指明的重要事件将要发生。保罗说：“不要轻易动心，也不要惊慌。人不拘用什么法子，你们总不要被他诱惑；因为那日子以前，必有离道反教的事，并有那大罪人，就是沉沦之子，显露出来”（帖后2：2，3）。先知但以理所清楚形容的罗马教势力还要起来与上帝的子民作战，践踏上帝的律法。在这个势力做成它毒害和亵渎的工作之前，教会若想望救主复临，那必是枉然的。{LP 117.1}[22]
§46
He then showed that great events were to transpire in the future, as foretold in prophecy, before Christ should come. Said the apostle: “Be not soon shaken in mind, nor be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed.” The papal power, so clearly described by the prophet Daniel, was yet to rise, and wage war against God’s people, and trample upon his law. Until this power should have performed its deadly and blasphemous work, it would be vain for the church to look for the coming of their Lord.?{LP 117.1}[22]
§47
保罗就是这样，使那些说他教训人说基督马上就要再来的人住了口。他嘱咐弟兄们不可疏忽自己的本分，不可闲懒地等待着。在他们一度热切希望很快得蒙拯救之后，现在又要应付每日生活的重担和必须遭受的反对之事，未免显得格外难堪了。因此他督促他们务要坚守信心。信徒们的工作乃是上帝所分派的。他们务要藉着坚守真理将自己所领受的真光传给别人。保罗劝他们行善不可丧志，并向他们提供自己的榜样，说明自己如何一方面不息不倦地为基督效劳，而一方面也在属世的劳作上殷勤努力。他责备那些习惯于懒惰和无目的兴奋的人，并指示他们要“安静作工，吃自己的饭” （帖后3：12）。他也吩咐教会，不要与那些一直不肯尊重他教训的人来往。“但不要以他为仇人，要劝他如弟兄” （帖后3：15）。在结束这一封书信时，保罗献了一个祈祷，求上帝的平安和主耶稣基督的恩典,可以在人生的劳苦和磨练中作他们的安慰和依靠。{LP 117.2}[23]
§48
Thus Paul put to naught the arguments of those who represented him as teaching that the day of Christ was at hand. He charged his brethren not to neglect their duties and resign themselves to idle waiting. After their glowing anticipations of immediate deliverance, the round?of daily life and the opposition which they must expect to meet, would appear doubly forbidding. He therefore exhorted them to steadfastness in the faith. Their work had been appointed them of God; by their faithful adherence to the truth they were to communicate to others the light which they had received. He bade them not to become weary in well-doing, and pointed them to his own example of diligence in temporal matters while laboring with untiring zeal in the cause of Christ. He reproved those who had given themselves up to sloth and aimless excitement, and directed that “with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.” He also enjoined upon the church to separate from their fellowship any who should persist in disregarding his instructions. “Yet,” he added, “count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” He concluded this epistle also with a prayer, that amid life’s toils and trials the peace of God and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ might be their consolation and support.?{LP 117.2}[23]