羅馬書4章18節-5章11節
羅馬書4章18節-5章11節: 講義(龍漢泉弟兄)
因信稱義的榜樣與福氣
1. 信心的榜樣(4:18-21)
4:18他在無可指望的時候、因信仍有指望、就得以作多國的父、正如先前所說、『你的後裔將要如此。』
4:19他將近百歲的時候、雖然想到自己的身體如同已死、撒拉的生育已經斷絕、他的信心還是不軟弱.
4:20並且仰望神的應許、總沒有因不信、心裡起疑惑.反倒因信、心裡得堅固、將榮耀歸給神。
4:21且滿心相信、神所應許的必能作成.
18『你的後裔將要如此』
前面17節說亞伯拉罕所信的,是那叫死人復活使無變為有的神,他在主面前作我們世人的父。如經上所記:我已經立你作多國的父。我們從哪裡知道/證明亞伯拉罕信神?保羅在本段繼續解釋。我們先回想一下神是什麼時候稱他為義?是在他還不到85歲的時候。在創15:4-5神應許他說﹕耶和華又有話對他說,這人必不成為你的後嗣,你本身所生的,纔成為你的後嗣。於是領他走到外邊說,你向天觀看,數算眾星,能數得過來麼?又對他說,你的後裔將要如此。所以15:6 說『亞伯蘭信耶和華,耶和華就以此為他的義。』
19『身體如同已死…生育已經斷絕』
他的這個信心不是一時的衝動,時間一久就沒有了。從85歲到99歲當中發生了很多事情,不但他自己年紀老邁,(自己的身體如同已死)甚至撒拉的月經都停了(撒拉的生育已經斷絕)。可是在創17:15-16神又對亞伯拉罕說,你的妻子撒萊(公主)不可再叫撒萊,他的名要叫撒拉(尊貴的婦人)。我必賜福給他,也要使你從他得一個兒子,我要賜福給他,他也要作多國之母,必有百姓的君王從他而出。
20『心裡得堅固』
這種事如果發生在今天,在你我的身上,你會有什麼反應?你會相信嗎?但是信心就在此顯出它的寶貴。他並不認為神在跟他開玩笑,雖然從人看這是不可能的事情(18無可指望的時候)。他仍然信神,深信神的應許必定實現。信心的內涵不是世上的事物,而是神的應許。他沒有因為客觀的條件不利而懷疑神的應許,以至於信心軟弱,反而因著主觀的認知(17使死人復活,使無變為有),信心更加堅定(「堅固」原文是「增強能力」的意思)。
21『神所應許的必能作成』
一個真正的信心可以抵擋任何對神應許的懷疑。他因為滿心相信,神所應許的必能作成,所以這應許就成為他的盼望,並且能夠將榮耀歸給神。他的信心激發他把榮耀歸給神(4:20c),在無可指望的時候仍然能夠發出讚美的聲音。因此他能與神立約,永遠歸神(創17:23正當那日、亞伯拉罕遵著神的命、給他的兒子以實瑪利和家裡的一切男子、無
論是在家裡生的、是用銀子買的、都行了割禮)。也因著這樣的信心,他至終能夠成為多國的父,使他的後裔如同天上的星那樣多,使他在事情尚未成就時,好像已經看見神的作為一般。
亞伯拉罕所信的是怎樣的神?我們從哪裡知道/證明他信神?
亞伯拉罕無可指望的時候是什麼時候?『指望』是指什麼?
他如何將榮耀歸給神?這種事如果發生在你的身上,你會有什麼反應?
2. 信心的結果(22)
4:22所以這就算為他的義。
更重要的是,這樣的信心使他能夠稱義,蒙神悅納。其實他的信心從一開始就顯明出來了。出哈蘭的時候,不知道往那裡去。隨處築壇獻祭。他的信心真是一個「進去believe in」的信心。是一個有行動的信心。 3. 神的應許(23-25)
4:23算為他義的這句話、不是單為他寫的、
4:24也是為我們將來得算為義之人寫的.就是我們這信神使我們的主耶穌從死裡復活的人。
4:25耶穌被交給人、是為我們的過犯、復活、是為叫我們稱義。
3.1 我們和他一樣
23-24『不是單為他寫的,也是為我們將來得算為義之人寫的』
這兩節是很重要的救恩真理。亞伯拉罕既然是我們的信心之父,當我們跟隨他的腳踪而行的時候,我們也可以因信稱義。他是第一個,是我們的榜樣。亞伯拉罕從未看見死人復活,他還能有這樣的信心,如今耶穌已經從死裡復活,我們有更多的證據來信靠神的應許。倘若仍存不信?愚蠢、辜負。我們的信心是怎樣的信心呢?是一個「進去believe in」的信心嗎?是一個有行動的信心嗎?保羅說你至少要相信神使耶穌從死裡復活了。(1:4按聖善的靈說、因從死裡復活、以大能顯明是神的兒子。)相信耶穌的神性和人性。
3.2 耶穌受死與復活的目的(25, 林前15:17)
本節可能是早期基督教的信仰宣告。耶穌的死與復活有什麼重要性?因為他是人,所以會被人捆綁,被人凌辱,最後被人釘死(被交給人),而且是為我們的罪被釘死。又因為他是神,所以能夠從死裡復活,為的是讓我們能夠得到從神而來的義。(林前15:17基督若沒有復活、你們的信便是徒然.你們仍在罪裡。)復活證明他是神的兒子,夠資格承擔,而且已經承擔了我們所有信他之人的罪。若沒有復活,他不過像我們一樣罷了。這一點在下一章會繼續發揮。
得算為義是什麼意思?我們為什麼得算為義?
耶穌受死與復活的目的是什麼?和我們有什麼關係?
我從亞伯拉罕身上學到什麼功課?我的信是『進去』的信嗎?
4. 因信稱義的福氣(5:1-11)
那麼神的恩典是不是只是因信稱義而已呢?不是的。神的恩典非常豐富。(弗3:8我本來比眾聖徒中最小的還小。然而他還賜我這恩典,叫我把基督那測不透的豐富,傳給外邦人。)因信稱義只是入門而已。保羅在這裡至少舉出了六個因信稱義的福氣。有過去的,有現在的,有將來的。
在本段中有哪些因信稱義帶來的恩典?時間上有什麼分別?試列舉出來。
4.1 與神相和(1)—過去
5:1我們既因信稱義、就藉著我們的主耶穌基督、得與神相和。
第一個福氣是與神相和。因著耶穌的救贖,我們在神面前可以稱義,原本對立的關係得以化解,使我們可以與神相和(1),就是和神能夠和平相處,使我們不再懼怕神的刑罰。與神相和的福氣何其寶貴,因我們原本是與神為仇,是可怒之子,時時在神震怒之下(1:18)。但如今基督已經替我們承擔了這個震怒,以致我們可以坦然來到神面前,享受在神裡面的平安。這平安只有神可以給我們,是無法從世界得到的。
與神相和是什麼意思?耶穌如何使我們與神相和?對我們有什麼意義?
4.2 享受恩典 (2a) —現在
5:2我們又藉著他、因信得進入現在所站的這恩典中。
第二個福氣是享受恩典。我們現在活在恩典裡面(2a),這恩典就是這段經文所說的一切福氣。前面說過恩典就是不靠我們努力和功勞,完全是神白白賜予的禮物。「站在恩典中」表明我們的生活完全是由恩典所托住。一切都是出於神,生命氣息能力都是神給的。這恩典也是藉著信心來支取的。我們因信得以稱義,我們也可以因信享受這些恩典。享受和信心成正比。很多基督徒因為缺少這信心以致活地勞苦愁煩,真是可憐。
『所站』的恩典是什麼意思?這恩典是什麼?我們如何得到這恩典?
4.3 歡喜盼望(2b-5a)—現在
5:2並且歡歡喜喜盼望神的榮耀。
5:3不但如此、就是在患難中、也是歡歡喜喜的.因為知道患難生忍耐.
5:4忍耐生老練.老練生盼望.
5:5盼望不至於羞恥.
2『盼望神的榮耀(神榮耀的盼望)』
第三個福氣是歡喜盼望。第二節原文的意思是『在神榮耀的盼望中歡喜』(2b)。(歡喜原文為誇口)「盼望神的榮耀(神榮耀的盼望)」說明這盼望是屬神的,是大有榮耀的。我們現在雖看不到,是未來的事,但藉著信心今天就可以從心靈的眼睛看見這榮耀的光彩,因此我們可以在這盼望中歡喜/誇口。
3a『在患難中、也是歡歡喜喜的』
這歡喜/誇口是不隨環境改變的。在恩典中(1節)固然令人喜樂/誇口,因為我們有榮耀的盼望;就是在苦難中也一樣喜樂/誇口,因為它會把我們引到那榮耀的盼望,使我們更能體會這盼望,就是保羅在下面3-5節所論述的。基督教並非是鴕鳥宗教,我們承認有苦難。在這天路歷程中並不一定是天色常藍,花香常漫。所以保羅在第三節提到患難,這是我們必須有的準備。(約16:33我將這些事告訴你們,是要叫你們在我裡面有平安。在世上你們有苦難,但你們可以放心,我已經勝了世界。)
3b-5a『患難、忍耐、老練(品格character)、盼望、不羞恥』
他進一步解釋為什麼在患難中還能歡喜。因為神要藉著患難訓練我們,使我們產生忍耐。這忍耐乃是指在環境壓迫下能夠站立得住,對事不對人。這種忍耐只有在苦難中才能夠培養出來。當忍耐成為個性的一部分時,就塑造出堅忍的品格;這裡的老練,原文是證實之意,指受過試煉、證實為美好的品格。這種堅忍的品格不會輕易放棄信仰或理想,因此會緊緊抓住神榮耀的盼望。這裡讓我們看見患難不但不能將我們打倒,反而讓我們更看見那盼望的榮耀,因此即使在患難中我們也可以歡歡喜喜/誇口。藉著信心(所望之事)這盼望將來必定實現,因此必然不會讓人因失望而羞愧,好像我們所信的是虛假的神。
但是人的信心總是有軟弱的時候,那時怎麼辦呢?神知道我們的軟弱,所以他用下面這個福氣來堅固我們的信心。
盼望神的榮耀是什麼意思?這盼望有什麼榮耀?我知道這榮耀嗎?
這盼望對我有什麼意義?我曾為這榮耀的盼望歡喜/誇口嗎?
基督徒也會有患難嗎?不是信耶穌之後就有神保佑了嗎?
為什麼在患難中也是歡喜?患難最終會把我們引到哪裡?
我們會經歷怎樣的過程?老練是什麼意思?為什麼老練生盼望?
4.4 神愛澆灌(5b-8)—過去
5:5因為所賜給我們的聖靈、將神的愛澆灌在我們心裡。
5:6因我們還軟弱的時候、基督就按所定的日期為罪人死。
5:7為義人死、是少有的、為仁人死、或者有敢作的。
5:8惟有基督在我們還作罪人的時候為我們死、神的愛就在此向我們顯明了。
5b『因為…將神的愛澆灌在我們心裡』
第四個福氣是神愛澆灌。『因為』說明我們在患難中能夠歡歡喜喜的動力來自神的愛:聖靈將神的愛澆灌(has been poured out)在我們心裡。原文是說他『已經』將這個大愛
澆灌在我們心裡,這是何等大的福氣,我們今天就可以經歷這樣的愛。這愛向我們保證神的話絕不落空,必然成就。澆灌表示神的慷慨大方,他不是小裡小氣今天給一點明天給一點,乃是像澆水一樣的傾倒下來,是每一個真信徒都已經有的經歷,而不是如有些教派所說的是信主之後必須要追求的經歷。這樣的經歷向他們保證,這榮耀的盼望必定實現,不致落空。
因信稱義—相和—站在恩典中—歡喜盼望。
苦難的祝福—堅忍的品格—歡喜盼望—有神的愛。
這是羅馬書中第一次出現神的愛。(在這之前『義、公義、稱義、為義、義人』出現34次;『不義』6次;『信、信心』37次;『罪』12次;『榮耀』8次;『恩、恩典、恩慈』6次;『福音』4次;『贖』1次)(全書「信」共出現58次,「義」共出現36次。)
6-8『當我們還軟弱的時候…按所定的日期為罪人死…神的愛就在此向我們顯明』
究竟神的愛是怎樣的愛呢?不是嘴上說說而已,也不是一個抽象的概念。他有具體的行動。什麼行動?他將自己的愛子賜給世人,為他們的罪而死。有三個特點。
a. 當我們還軟弱的時候,這愛就賜給我們了。軟弱(helpless, powerless)針對罪而言,就是我們還在作罪人的時候。也可解釋為人對神的態度﹕悖逆、頂撞,否認。神對我們的愛與我們的本相無關。神對我們的愛是超越的,與人本身的條件無關,就像父親對自己的孩子,即使孩子不聽話,但父親的愛總不變。 b. 基督為罪人死是按著神所定的時刻。證明神的救恩早就為我們預備了。神在永世裡就愛我們,甚至在人墮落之前,祂就定意救贖我們。不過因為人是活在時空之中,所以基督為我們而死這件事,總得在歷史的某一時刻裡成就。這一時刻也是神計劃中的一部分。 c. 神愛的對象乃是罪人。基督是為罪人死。義人和仁人是與罪人來作對比。義人就是正直的人,仁人是溫和可親的人。也有人認為,這兩種人無實質上的分別。照聖經的標準,世上沒有一個真正的義人和仁人。保羅是按照當時一般人的標準,說明我們可能會為世人眼中的好人而死,但絕不可能為罪人死,更不可能為仇敵死。耶穌竟然為這種人死,證明了神愛的偉大,遠超過我們的理解(長闊高深)。聖靈將這樣的愛澆灌(豐豐富富)在我們心裡,就足以使我們在患難中仍然能歡喜,因為知道神愛我們。
從患難到盼望到不羞恥,它們的動力是什麼?『神愛澆灌』是什麼意思?
神的愛怎樣向世人顯明?有什麼特點?
4.5 免去忿怒(9-10)—(將來, 西1:21, 雅4:4)
5:9現在我們既靠著他的血稱義、就更要藉著他免去神的忿怒。
5:10因為我們作仇敵的時候、且藉著神兒子的死、得與神和好、既已和好、就更要因他的生得救了。
9『免去神的忿怒』
第五個福氣是免去神的忿怒。我們先因著基督的寶血(他的死。血=生命。利17:11因為活物的生命是在血中。我把這血賜給你們,可以在壇上為你們的生命贖罪。因血裡有生命、所以能贖罪。)得以稱義。接著,因基督獻上自己為挽回祭,我們得以逃脫(免去)將來神忿怒的刑罰。這裡的免去其實就是拯救的意思,與下一節的得救是同一個字,也是同樣的意思。這刑罰的可怕我們前面已經看過了,他要拯救我們脫離這個刑罰。
10『得與神和好…因他的生得救』
保羅認為這一切都和耶穌的受死與復活有關。我們本來是與神為敵的(西1:21你們從前與神隔絕,因著惡行心裡與他為敵。雅4:4你們這些淫亂的人哪,豈不知與世俗為友,就是與神為敵麼?所以凡想要與世俗為友的,就是與神為敵了。),現在因為耶穌將自己獻上,藉著他的死,我們得以與神和好,原本與神為仇敵的關係就化解了(得與神和好)。但耶穌並不是單單為我們死了,他也為我們復活了,如今在天上為我們禱告。「更要因祂的生得救」,意思就是「更要因祂的生得以脫離刑罰」,就是因著主的代求,使我們能夠常在神的愛裡,將來就不至於面臨神的忿怒了。
神的忿怒是什麼?有什麼可怕?
『免去』是什麼意思?和『得救』有什麼關係?
4.6 以神為樂(11)—現在
5:11不但如此、我們既藉著我主耶穌基督、得與神和好、也就藉著他、以神為樂。
11『以神為樂』
第六個福氣是在神裡面有喜樂。我們既然已經與神和好了,就可以開始享受在神裡面那豐盛的生命,達到以神為樂/誇口的地步。「與神和好」只是說明我們跟神關係的恢復,而「以神為樂」則是進一步享受這個已經恢復的關係。是生命的一大躍進。我們生命的根基在神裡面,以致得與神的性情有分,平安喜樂就成為我們生命品質的一部分。內在性情的流露,而非外在環境的反映、(在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的)而且能夠愛祂所愛,樂祂所樂,恨祂所恨,憂祂所憂。
『以神為樂』是什麼意思?和『與神和好』有什麼不同?
我今天享受到了那些福氣?我的盼望是什麼?
我的喜樂是什麼?會受到什麼影響?我以神為樂嗎?
和合本 4:18 他在無可指望的時候,因信仍有指望 (In hope he believed against hope),就得以作多國的父,正如先前所說:「你的後裔將要如此。」 4:19 他將近百歲的時候,雖然想到自己的身體如同已死,撒拉的生育已經斷絕,他的信心還是不軟弱; 4:20 並且仰望神的應許 (regarding the promise of God),總沒有因不信心裏起疑惑 (waver),反倒因信心裏得堅固,將榮耀歸給神, 4:21 且滿心相信神所應許的必能做成。 4:22 所以,這就算為他的義 (credited to him as righteousness)。 4:23 「算為他義」的這句話不是單為他寫的, 4:24 也是為我們將來得算為義之人寫的,就是我們這信神使我們的主耶穌從死裏復活的人。 4:25 耶穌被交給人,是為我們的過犯;復活,是為叫我們稱義。 5:1 我們既因信稱義,就藉著我們的主耶穌基督得與神相和 (have peace)。 5:2 我們又藉著他,因信得進入現在所站的這恩典中,並且歡歡喜喜盼望神的榮耀 (rejoice/boast in the hope of the glory of God)。 5:3 不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的 (boast);因為知道患難生忍耐 (perseverance, endurance), 5:4 忍耐生老練 (character),老練生盼望; 5:5 盼望不至於羞恥 (hope does not put us to shame),因為所賜給我們的聖靈將神的愛澆灌在我們心裏。 5:6 因我們還軟弱 (weak, powerless) 的時候,基督就按所定的日期為罪人 (ungodly) 死。 5:7 為義人死,是少有的;為仁人 (good person) 死,或者有敢做 (dare to) 的。 5:8 惟有基督在我們還作罪人的時候為我們死,神的愛就在此向我們顯明了。 5:9 現在我們既靠著他的血稱義,就更要藉著他免去神的忿怒。 5:10 因為我們作仇敵的時候,且藉著神兒子的死,得與神和好 (reconciled);既已和好,就更要因他的生得救了。 5:11 不但如此,我們既藉著我主耶穌基督得與神和好,也就藉著他以神為樂 (rejoice/boast in God)。
NIV
NASB
ESV 4:18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 4:18 In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.” 19 Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; 20 yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. 22 Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 23 Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, 24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 He who was delivered over because 4:18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,
25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Footnotes
a. Romans 5:1 Many manuscripts let us
b. Romans 5:2 Or let us
c. Romans 5:3 Or let us of our wrongdoings, and was raised because of our justification.
5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and [b]we celebrate in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only this, but [c]we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For one will hardly die for a righteous person; [d]though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, having now been justified [e]by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved [f]by His life.
11 And not only this, but [g]we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Footnotes
a. Romans 5:1 Two early mss let’s have
b. Romans 5:2 Lit we boast; or let’s boast
c. Romans 5:3 Lit we also boast; or let’s also boast
d. Romans 5:7 Lit for
e. Romans 5:9 Or in
f. Romans 5:10 Or in
g. Romans 5:11 Lit also boasting 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith[b] into this grace in which we stand, and we[c] rejoice[d] in hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Footnotes
a. Romans 5:1 Some manuscripts let us
b. Romans 5:2 Some manuscripts omit by faith
c. Romans 5:2 Or let us; also verse 3
d. Romans 5:2 Or boast; also verses 3, 11