第32章 保罗在庇哩亚与雅典
§1
第32章 保罗在庇哩亚与雅典
§2
Chapter 32. - Paul at Berea and Athens.
§3
在庇哩亚，保罗也是先进入犹太人的会堂传讲基督的福音。他论到他们说：“这地方的人贤于帖撒罗尼迦的人，甘心领受这道，天天考查圣经，要晓得这道是与不是。又有希腊尊贵的妇女，男子也不少”（徒17:11,12）。{3SP 393.1}[1]
§4
At Berea Paul again commenced his work by going into the synagogue of the Jews to preach the gospel of Christ. He says of them, These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. {3SP 393.1}[1]
§5
真理传开的时候，那些心里诚实愿意行义的人会因而殷勤查考圣经。这样就会产生使徒在庇哩亚作工的同样效果。可是今天传扬真理的人却遇到许多与庇哩亚人的做法不同的人。他们虽然不能反驳传给他们的教训，却显示一种极端嫌厌的态度，不肯研究有关的证据，认为即使这些新的道理是对的，但接受与否却是无关轻重的。他们认为自己老的信仰和习惯已经足够好了。然而主已经差派祂的使者带着一道信息到世上来。所有的人都要为他们怎样对待上帝仆人的话而负责。上帝要按照众人所得到的亮光审判他们，不管他们有没有看清楚这亮光。他们有责任像庇哩亚人那样查考。上帝曾藉着何西阿先知说：“我的民因无知识而灭亡。你弃掉知识，我也必弃掉你”（何4:6）。{3SP 393.2}[2]
§6
In the presentation of the truth, those who honestly desire to be right will be awakened to a diligent searching of the Scriptures. This will produce results similar to those that attended the labors of the apostles in Berea. But those who preach the truth in these days meet many who are the opposite of the Bereans. They cannot controvert the doctrine presented to them, yet they manifest the utmost reluctance to investigate the evidence offered in its favor, and assume that even if it is the truth it is a matter of little consequence whether or not they accept it as such. They think that their old faith and customs are good enough for them. But the Lord, who sent out his ambassadors with a message to the world, will hold the people responsible for the manner in which they treat the words of his servants. God will judge all according to the light which has been presented to them, whether it is plain to them or not. It is their duty to investigate as did the Bereans. The Lord says through the prophet Hosea: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee. {3SP 393.2}[2]
§7
庇哩亚人并没有因偏见而心胸狭窄。他们甘心查考和接受使徒所传讲的真理。如果现在的人能效法贤明的庇哩亚人的榜样，天天查考圣经，把传来的信息与圣经对照，那么今天只有一个人效忠上帝律法的地方，就会出现成千的人了。许多自称爱上帝的人不肯转离错误归向真理。他们喜欢听末日悦人听闻的虚言，这样，他们的心就因错谬而昏蒙，他们就与上帝隔绝了。然而真理会给人的心灵带来光明和生命。{3SP 394.1}[3]
§8
The minds of the Bereans were not narrowed by prejudice, and they were willing to investigate and receive the truths preached by the apostles. If the people of our time would follow the example of the noble Bereans, in searching the Scriptures daily, and in comparing the messages brought to them with what is there recorded, there would be thousands loyal to Gods law where there is one today. But many who profess to love God have no desire to change from error to truth, and they cling to the pleasing fables of the last days. Error blinds the mind and leads from God; but truth gives light to the mind, and life to the soul. {3SP 394.1}[3]
§9
帖撒罗尼迦那些不信的犹太人对于使徒满怀嫉妒和仇恨；他们把使徒赶出他们的城还以为不足，而竟追到庇哩亚来，煽动下流社会之人暴乱的情绪来攻击使徒。真理的教师再次被赶出了工作的园地，逼迫随着他们从这城到那城。保罗匆匆离开了庇哩亚，以致没有机会照原来的打算再去访问帖撒罗尼迦的弟兄。{3SP 394.2}[4]
§10
The unbelieving Jews of Thessalonica, filled with jealousy and hatred of the apostles, and not content with having driven them from their labors among the Thessalonians, followed them to Berea, and again stirred up the excitable passions of the lower class to do them violence. The teachers of the truth were again driven from their field of labor. Persecution followed them from city to city. This hasty retreat from Berea deprived Paul of the opportunity he had anticipated of again visiting the brethren at Thessalonica. {3SP 394.2}[4]
§11
虽然反对基督真理的人不能阻止真理的进展，却能使使徒的工作非常艰苦。上帝凭着祂的旨意，许可撒但阻止保罗回帖撒罗尼迦去。然而这个忠心的使徒冒着反对、斗争和逼迫稳步前进，坚决执行上帝在耶路撒冷的异象中向他所启示的旨意：“我要差你远远的往外邦人那里去”（徒22:21）。{3SP 394.3}[5]
§12
Although the opposers of the doctrine of Christ could not hinder its actual advancement, they still succeeded in making the work of the apostles exceedingly hard. God, in his providence, permitted Satan to hinder Paul from returning to the Thessalonians. Yet the faithful apostle steadily pressed on through opposition, conflict, and persecution, to carry out the purpose of God as revealed to him in the vision at Jerusalem: I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. {3SP 394.3}[5]
§13
保罗离开庇哩亚前往雅典，有几个刚信主的庇哩亚人陪他去，他们希望向他学更多的生命之道。使徒到了雅典，就差这些弟兄回去，并带信叫西拉和提摩太赶紧到他这里来。提摩太曾在保罗离开之前到了庇哩亚，并与西拉同留在那里维持已有良好开端的工作，将圣洁信仰的原则教导新近悔改的人。{3SP 395.1}[6]
§14
From Berea Paul went to Athens. He was accompanied on his journey by some of the Bereans who had been newly brought into the faith, and who were desirous of learning more from him of the way of life. When the apostle arrived at Athens, he sent these men back with a message to Silas and Timothy to join him immediately in that city. Timothy had come to Berea previously to Pauls departure, and with Silas had remained to carry on the work so well begun there, and to instruct the new converts in the principles of their holy faith. {3SP 395.1}[6]
§15
雅典城乃是当时信奉异教的中心都市。保罗在这里所遇到的，不是一群像路司得人那样无知轻信的民众，而是一班以知识和文化闻名的人。他眼目所接触到的尽是他们的诸神，神化的历史英雄，以及诗人的雕像，又有伟大的建筑和绘画，代表国家的光荣和对于异教神明的敬拜。{3SP 395.2}[7]
§16
The city of Athens was the metropolis of heathendom. Paul did not here meet with an ignorant, credulous populace, as at Lystra; but he encountered a people famous for their intelligence and education. Statues of their gods and the deified heroes of history and poetry met the eye in every direction; while magnificent architecture and paintings also represented the national glory and the popular worship of heathen deities. {3SP 395.2}[7]
§17
人们的感觉都因艺术的华美和壮丽而陶醉了。雅典城到处有建筑高大，费用浩繁的庙宇。到处都有雕刻，神龛和匾额，记念军事的胜利和名人的事迹。这一切使该城成了一个伟大的美术陈列馆。当保罗看到周围华美伟大的景象，并看到全城沉溺于拜偶像之风时，他就为那位在各方面受到侮辱的上帝大发热心。{3SP 395.3}[8]
§18
The senses of the people were entranced by the beauty and glory of art. Sanctuaries and temples, involving untold expense, reared their lofty forms on every hand. Victories of arms, and deeds of celebrated men, were commemorated by sculptures, shrines, and tablets. All these things made this renowned city like a vast gallery of art. And as Paul looked upon the beauty and grandeur surrounding him, and saw the city crowded with idols, his spirit was stirred with jealousy for God, whom he saw dishonored on every side. {3SP 395.3}[8]
§19
保罗对于雅典的人民也深为惋惜，因为他们虽有很高的文化，却崇拜偶像。保罗在这个学术的中心所看到宏伟和美丽的建筑及属世的智慧和哲学，并没有使他动心。他看出在这里，人类的艺术已经被充分利用来追念尊崇那些专门从事引人否认上帝作为的人，从而神化邪恶，使虚谎显得楚楚动人。{3SP 395.4}[9]
§20
His heart was drawn out in deep pity for the citizens of that grand metropolis, who, notwithstanding their intellectual greatness, were given to idolatry. Paul was not deceived by the grandeur and beauty of that which his eyes rested upon, nor by the material wisdom and philosophy which encountered him in this great center of learning. He perceived that human art had done its best to deify vice and make falsehood attractive by glorifying the memory of those whose whole lives had been devoted to leading men to deny God. {3SP 395.4}[9]
§21
这位使徒的道德本性对于天上的事物是那么敏感，他觉得在雅典城所看到属世的炫耀和壮丽比起那永不衰残的丰盛所有的喜乐和光荣，就毫无价值了。当他看到雅典城的伟大及其豪华的布局时，他就体会到它对于爱好美术和科学之人的蛊惑，他心中深深地感到在雅典工作的重要。他在这不敬拜上帝的大城市中颇感寂寞，渴望同工的同情和帮助。就人类的友谊来说，他觉得自己是全然孤独的。在写给帖撒罗尼迦人的书信中，他用“独自等在雅典”（帖前3:1）这一句话来说明他当时的情绪。{3SP 396.1}[10]
§22
The moral nature of the apostle was so alive to the attraction of heavenly things, that the joy and splendor of those riches that will never fade occupied his mind, and made valueless the earthly pomp and glory with which he was surrounded. As he saw the magnificence of the city, with its costly devices, he realized its seductive power over the minds of the lovers of art and science. His mind was deeply impressed with the importance of the work before him in Athens. His solitude in that great city where God was not worshiped was oppressive; and he longed for the sympathy and aid of his fellow-laborers. As far as human fellowship was concerned, he felt himself to be utterly isolated. In his Epistle to the Thessalonians he expresses his feelings in these words: Left at Athens alone. {3SP 396.1}[10]
§23
保罗的工作是要将救恩的信息传给那些不认识上帝，不明白祂旨意的人。他到这里来不是为了观光，也不是为了满足对新奇景象的病态渴望。他面前那些显然无法克服的障碍使他几乎不敢希望能以打动雅典人的心。他看到周围到处都是拜偶像的事，心里很难过，对主的圣工感到一种圣洁的热诚。他寻找他的犹太同胞，在他们的会堂里宣讲基督的道理。但他在雅典城主要的工作是应付异教。{3SP 396.2}[11]
§24
Pauls work was to bear the tidings of salvation to a people who had no intelligent understanding of God and his plans. He was not traveling for the purpose of sight-seeing, nor to gratify a morbid desire for new and strange scenes. His dejection of mind was caused by the apparently insurmountable obstacles which presented themselves against his reaching the minds of the people of Athens. Grieved at the idolatry everywhere visible about him, he felt a holy zeal for his Masters cause. He sought out his Jewish brethren, and, in their synagogue at Athens, proclaimed the doctrine of Christ. But the principal work of Paul in that city was to deal with paganism. {3SP 396.2}[11]
§25
雅典人所矜夸的宗教其实是毫无价值的，因为它缺乏认识真神的知识。其内容大都是艺术的崇拜，一系列放荡的娱乐和节目。它没有真敬虔的美德。真宗教会使人克服自我；但是单单凭知识和兴趣的宗教却缺乏使信奉的人克服自己本性的邪恶，而与上帝接触的重要特性。这种欠缺在雅典城祭坛上所刻“未识之神”这句话中可以看出来。有学问的雅典人虽然以他们的智慧、财富、艺术和科学自夸，却不得不承认自己不认识宇宙的大主宰。{3SP 397.1}[12]
§26
The religion of the Athenians, of which they made great boast, was of no value, for it was destitute of the knowledge of the true God. It consisted, in great part, of art worship, and a round of dissipating amusement and festivities. It wanted the virtue of true goodness. Genuine religion gives men the victory over themselves; but a religion of mere intellect and taste is wanting in the qualities essential to raise its possessor above the evils of his nature, and to connect him with God. On the very stones of the altar in Athens this great want was expressed by the inscription, To the Unknown God. Yes; though boasting of their wisdom, wealth, and skill in art and science, the learned Athenians could but acknowledge that the great Ruler of the universe was unknown to them. {3SP 397.1}[12]
§27
雅典城里的大人物很喜欢辩论，以显示自己的智慧和口才。保罗在等待西拉和提摩太的时候并不是无所事事的。他“在会堂里，与犹太人和虔敬的人，并每日在市上所遇见的人辩论”（徒17:17）。雅典城里的大人物不久就听说有一位特别的教师，向众人传一些新奇的道理。{3SP 397.2}[13]
§28
The great men of the city seemed hungering for subjects of discussion, in which they would have opportunity to display their wisdom and oratory. While waiting for Silas and Timothy to meet him, Paul was not idle. He disputed in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. The great men of Athens were not long in finding out this singular teacher, who presented to the people doctrines so new and strange. {3SP 397.2}[13]
§29
有几个自以为知识过人的人来找保罗辩论。很快就有大群人聚集在他们旁边。有些人看不起保罗，以为他在社会地位和知识上远不如他们，这些人嘲笑说：“‘这胡言乱语的人要说什么?’有的说：‘他似乎是传说外邦鬼神的。’这话是因为保罗传讲耶稣与复活的道”（徒17：18）。{3SP 397.3}[14]
§30
Some who prided themselves upon the extent of their intellectual culture entered into conversation with him. This soon drew a crowd of listeners about them. Some were prepared to ridicule the apostle as one far beneath them, socially and intellectually, and said jeeringly among themselves, What will this babbler say? Other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods; because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection. {3SP 397.3}[14]
§31
有以彼古罗（伊壁鸠鲁）和斯多亚（斯多噶）两门的学士找他辩论。但这些人连同他所接触的一切人，不久就看出他所知道的事比他们还多。他的智力博得一切学者的尊敬；而他那热烈而合理的论据和他的口才吸引了所有的听众。保罗就是这样勇敢地用反对的人自己的武器去应付他们，以逻辑应付逻辑，以哲学应付哲学。{3SP 398.1}[15]
§32
The Stoics and the Epicureans encountered him; but they, and all others who came in contact with him, soon saw that he had a store of knowledge even greater than their own. His intellectual power commanded the respect and attention of the more intellectual and learned; while his earnest, logical reasoning, and his power of oratory, held the promiscuous audience. Thus the apostle stood undaunted, meeting his opposers on their own ground, matching logic with logic, and philosophy with philosophy. {3SP 398.1}[15]
§33
他们要他注意那因传说外邦鬼神而被定死罪的大哲学家苏格拉底的命运。他们劝他不要为了同样的缘故去冒性命的危险。但使徒的讲论吸引了众人的注意，他那纯朴的智慧博得了他们的尊敬和钦佩。他没有因这些哲学家的学问和讥讽而住口。他们和他讨论了许多话，看出他坚决要在他们中间完成自己的任务，并愿冒一切危险来传讲自己的信息，于是他们决定给他一个公开演讲的机会。{3SP 398.2}[16]
§34
They reminded him of Socrates, a great philosopher, who was condemned to death because he was a setter forth of strange gods. Paul was counseled not to endanger his life in the same way. But the apostles discourse riveted the attention of the people; and his unaffected wisdom commanded their respect and admiration. He was not silenced by the science or irony of the philosophers; and, after exchanging many words with him, and satisfying themselves that he was determined to accomplish his errand among them, and tell his story at all hazards, they decided to give him a fair opportunity to speak to the people. {3SP 398.2}[16]
§35
因此他们把他带到亚略巴古。这是全雅典一个最神圣的场所。一想到这个地点，就使人不由得生出迷信式的尊敬，甚至有些人会生出畏惧的心理。在这里，最严肃的法庭要开庭裁决刑事案件，解决宗教的难题。法官们坐在露天岩石里凿出来的座位上，座位设在一个高高的平台上，离下面的平地有一段石阶。不远处有一个神庙。城里的庙宇，雕像和祭坛从这里可以一览无遗。{3SP 398.3}[17]
§36
They accordingly conducted him to Mars Hill. This was the most sacred spot in all Athens, and its recollections and associations were such as to cause it to be regarded with superstitious awe and reverence, that with some amounted to dread. Here, the most solemn court of justice had long been held to determine upon criminal cases, and to decide difficult religious questions. The judges sat in the open air, upon seats hewn out in the rock, on a platform which was ascended by a flight of stone steps from the valley below. At a little distance was a temple of the gods; and the sanctuaries, statues, and altars of the city were in full view. {3SP 398.3}[17]
§37
这里远离热闹街道的喧嚣，也没有嘈杂辩论的骚乱，所以使徒的话能毫无干扰地被众人听到，因为无知轻薄的人不会追随他来到这个最受尊敬的地方。在他旁边聚集了一班诗人、美术家和哲学家——雅典的学者和哲士。他们对他说：“你所讲的这新道，我们也可以知道吗？因为你有些奇怪的事传到我们耳中，我们愿意知道这些事是什么意思”（徒17:19,20）。{3SP 399.1}[18]
§38
Here, away from the noise and bustle of crowded thoroughfares, and the tumult of promiscuous discussion, the apostle could be heard without interruption; for the frivolous, thoughtless class of society did not care to follow him to this place of highest reverence. Around him here were gathered poets, artists, and philosophers,--the scholars and sages of Athens,--who thus addressed him: May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is? for thou bringest certain strange things to our ears; we would know, therefore, what these things mean. {3SP 399.1}[18]
§39
在那个严肃的时刻，保罗从容不迫，镇定自若，深信上帝为这样的时刻所赐下的保证：“必赐给你们当说的话”（太10:19;路12:12）。他心中负有传扬重要信息的重任，他口中发出的言论使听众相信他不是一个胡言乱语的人。他说：“众位雅典人哪，我看你们凡事很敬鬼神。我游行的时候，观看你们所敬拜的，遇见一座坛，上面写着‘未识之神’。你们所不认识而敬拜的,我现在告诉你们”（徒17:22,23）。他们虽然具有一切的智慧和常识,对于真神却是无知的。坛上所写的字表明他们心中渴求更大的亮光。他们正在伸手寻找无穷之主。{3SP 399.2}[19]
§40
The apostle stood calm and self-possessed in that hour of solemn responsibility, relying upon the divine assurance, designed for such a time as this, It shall be given you what ye ought to say. His heart was burdened with his important message, and the words that fell from his lips convinced his hearers that he was no idle babbler: Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To the Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. With all their intelligence and general knowledge, they were ignorant of the true God. The inscription upon their altar showed the strong cravings of the soul for greater light. They were reaching out for Infinity. {3SP 399.2}[19]
§41
使徒以恳挚热切的口才说：“创造宇宙和其中万物的上帝，既是天地的主，就不住在人手所造的殿，也不用人手服事，好像缺少什么；自己倒将生命、气息、万物，赐给万人。祂用一本造出万族的人，住在全地上，并且预定他们的年限和所住的疆界，要叫他们寻求上帝，或者可以揣摩而得，其实祂离我们各人不远”（徒17:24-27）。{3SP 400.1}[20]
§42
With earnest and fervid eloquence, the apostle continued: God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of Heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshiped with mens hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us. {3SP 400.1}[20]
§43
保罗就是这样以最动人的方式，指着那满是偶像的庙宇，倾吐心里的话，说明雅典人所信奉之宗教的虚妄。听众中连最有智慧的人听到他的理论也不胜惊愕。他的话是无法反驳的。他显明自己熟悉他们的美术、文学和宗教。他指着他们的雕刻和偶像，说明上帝决不能比作人所设计的形像。这些艺术作品不能代表无穷上帝的荣耀于万一。他提醒他们说，这些神像是没有气息也没有生命的，而是受人力支配的，不藉人手它们就不能移动；所以那些敬拜偶像的人无论在哪一方面都比他们所敬拜的偶像高出一筹。他指着周围高贵的人，说：“我们既是上帝所生的，就不当以为上帝的神性像人用手艺、心思所雕刻的金、银、石”（徒17:29）。
§44
Thus, in the most impressive manner, with hand outstretched toward the temple crowded with idols, Paul poured out the burden of his soul, and ably exposed the fallacies of the religion of the Athenians. The wisest of his hearers were astonished as they listened to his reasoning. His words could not be controverted. He showed himself familiar with their works of art, their literature, and their religion. Pointing to their statuary and idols, he declared to them that God could not be likened to forms of mans device. The works of art could not, in the faintest sense, represent the glory of the infinite God. He reminded them that their images had no breath nor life. They were controlled by human power; they could move only as the hands of men moved them; and those who worshiped them were in every way superior to that which they worshiped. Pointing to noble specimens of manhood about him, he declared, Forasmuch, then, as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and mans device. {3SP 400.2}[21]
§45
人是按照无穷上帝的形像所创造的，被赋以智力和健全匀称的身体。诸天尚且不够上帝居住，何况人手所造的殿呢？保罗有感于自己的讲题，设法指引他那拜偶像之听众的心超越假宗教的范围，而对他们所称之为“未识之神”的真神有正确的见解。他此时所介绍给他们的真神是不靠人的，不需要从人手中得什么，来增进祂的权柄和荣耀。{3SP 400.3}[22]
§46
Man was created in the image of this infinite God, blessed with intellectual power and a perfect and symmetrical body. The heavens are not large enough to contain God; how much less could those temples made with hands contain him. Paul, under the inspiration of his subject, soared above the comprehension of the idolatrous assembly, and sought to draw their minds beyond the limits of their false religion to correct views of the true Deity, whom they had styled the Unknown God. This Being, whom he now declared unto them, was independent of man, needing nothing from human hands to add to his power and glory. {3SP 400.3}[22]
§47
众人叹服保罗的口才。以彼古罗（伊壁鸠鲁）的学士起先松了一口气，以为保罗是在支持他们的立场，即认为万物的来源是偶然而不可知的，有某些主导的原则控制着宇宙。但保罗接着所说的话使他们皱起了眉头。他提出上帝创造的大能，和祂掌管万有的旨意的存在。他向他们指出真神上帝乃是活的统治中心。{3SP 401.1}[23]
§48
The people were carried away with admiration of Pauls eloquence. The Epicureans began to breathe more freely, believing that he was strengthening their position, that everything had its origin in blind chance; and that certain ruling principles controlled the universe. But his next sentence brought a cloud to their brows. He asserted the creative power of God, and the existence of his overruling providence. He declared unto them the true God, who is the living center of government. {3SP 401.1}[23]
§49
这位神圣的统治者，在世界黑暗年代中，并不鉴察异教徒拜偶像的罪。如今祂已经藉着祂的儿子赐给人真理的光，所以祂指望人人——不但那些贫穷卑微的人，而且那些骄傲的哲学家和地上的君王——都要悔改，以致得救。“因为祂已经定了日子，要藉着祂所设立的人按公义审判天下，并且叫祂从死里复活，给万人作可信的凭据”（徒17:31）。 {3SP 401.2}[24]
§50
This divine Ruler had, in the dark ages of the world, passed lightly over heathen idolatry; but now he had sent them the light of truth, through his Son; and he exacted from all men repentance unto salvation; not only from the poor and humble, but from the proud philosopher, and the princes of the earth. Because He hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. {3SP 401.2}[24]
§51
保罗一提到从死里复活的事，就被人打断了，“就有讥诮的，又有人说：‘我们再听你讲这个吧’”（徒17:32）。保罗在雅典的工作就此结束了，因为雅典人坚决不肯放弃拜偶像的习惯，而且转离了真实合理之宗教的亮光。当一个民族完全满足于自己的成就时，他们就不会再感到有什么需要了。雅典人虽然受过高等教育，并以自己的学术和文化自豪，他们的生活却日趋腐败，并愈益满足于邪教的玄虚哲理。{3SP 401.3}[25]
§52
As Paul thus spoke of the resurrection from the dead, his speech was interrupted. Some mocked; others put his words aside, saying, We will hear thee again of this matter. Thus closed the labors of the apostle at Athens; for the Athenians persistently clung to their idolatry, and turned away from the light of a true and reasonable religion. When a people are wholly satisfied with their own attainments, little more need be expected of them. Highly educated, and boasting of their learning and refinement, the Athenians were constantly becoming more corrupt, and having less desire for anything better than the vague mysteries of idolatry. {3SP 401.3}[25]
§53
许多听保罗讲道的人，感悟了所传给他们的真理，可是他们不肯自卑，不肯承认上帝，也不肯接受救恩的计划。雄辩的辞令或有力的论据都不足以使一个罪人悔改。唯有圣灵和上帝的大能才能使真理透入顽固之人的心。论到雅典人，可以说是“十字架的道理，在那灭亡的人为愚拙；在我们得救的人却为上帝的大能”（林前1:18）。{3SP 402.1}[26]
§54
Many who listened to the words of Paul were convinced of the truths presented, but they would not humble themselves to acknowledge God, and to accept the plan of salvation. No eloquence of words, no force of argument, can convert the sinner. The Spirit and power of God can alone apply the truth to the heart of the impenitent. Of the Athenians it may be said, The preaching of the the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but to them that are saved it is the power of God. {3SP 402.1}[26]
§55
人们对于自己的智慧和聪明的骄傲，乃是福音的信息在雅典中没有多少成功的原因。我们的救主乐于让上帝把有关永恒利益的事向聪明通达的人隐藏，向知识上的婴孩却显露出来。世上有智慧的人若认明自己是可怜丧亡的罪人，而来到基督面前，他们就必得到“得救的智慧”。若是他们自以为才学卓越而宣扬自己的智慧，他们就得不到唯独上帝所能赐给的真光和知识。{3SP 402.2}[27]
§56
In their pride of intellect and human wisdom may be found the reason why the gospel message met with so little success among that people. Our Saviour rejoiced that God had hid the things of eternal interest from the wise and prudent, and had revealed them unto babes in knowledge. All worldly wise men who come to Christ as poor, lost sinners, will become wise unto salvation; but those who come as distinguished men, extolling their own wisdom, will fail to receive the light and knowledge which he alone can give. {3SP 402.2}[27]
§57
保罗在雅典的工作并不是完全没有成效的。雅典城的一个最有名望的公民丢尼修和一些别的人悔改加入了基督教。圣经所记载保罗的言论和描述他态度与环境的话留传给以后的一切世代，证明使徒毫不动摇的信心，和他在孤寂和苦难之中的勇敢，以及他在邪教的中心为基督教所获得的胜利。{3SP 402.3}[28]
§58
The labors of Paul in Athens were not wholly in vain. Dionysius, one of the most prominent citizens, and some others, became converts to Christianity, and joined themselves to him. The words of the apostle, and the description of his attitude and surroundings, as traced by the pen of inspiration, were to be handed down through all coming generations, bearing witness of his unshaken confidence, his courage in loneliness and adversity, and the victory he gained for Christianity, even in the very heart of paganism. {3SP 402.3}[28]
§59
圣经的记载使我们得见雅典人生活的一斑。他们虽然具有一切的知识、文化和美术，却依然沉溺于罪恶之中。我们也看出上帝如何藉着祂的仆人责备了拜偶像之风，和那些骄傲自满之人的罪恶。保罗的话成了那件事的纪念和教会知识的宝藏。在当时的形势下，他很容易说一些话，以致触犯那些骄傲的听众，使自己陷于困难的境地。如果他的话直接打击到他们的神明和面前城里的大人物，他就难免有遭遇苏格拉底之厄运的危险。但他小心翼翼地向他们显示他们所想要敬拜而又不认识的真神，就是他们在祭坛上所承认的，藉此引他们的思想转离异教的神明。 {3SP 403.1}[29]
§60
Inspiration has given us this glance at the life of the Athenians, with all their knowledge, refinement, and art, yet sunken in vice, that it might be seen how God, through his servant, rebuked idolatry, and the sins of a proud, self-sufficient people. The words of Paul become a memorial of the occasion, and give a treasure of knowledge to the church. He was in a position where he might easily have spoken that which would irritate his proud listeners, and bring himself into difficulty. Had his oration been a direct attack upon their gods, and the great men of the city who were before him, he would have been in danger of meeting the fate of Socrates. But he carefully drew their minds away from heathen deities, by revealing to them the true God, whom they were endeavoring to worship, but who was to them unknown, as they themselves confessed by a public inscription. {3SP 403.1}[29]