雅各的意見 — 使徒行傳讀經隨筆 第15章

使徒行傳第十五章，到底外邦人需不需要行割禮和守律法，彼得的主張是不能將這軛負在門徒的頸項上，因為得救乃是因主耶穌的恩。雅各同意彼得的意見。隨後雅各說了自己的意見：不可難為那歸服神的外邦人，但是要寫信吩咐他們禁戒偶像的汙穢和奸淫並勒死的牲畜和血。在信裏，也說明了從猶太下去的那幾個人是用言語攪擾門徒，惑亂門徒的心，其實使徒和長老們並沒有吩咐他們。保羅和巴拿巴並耶路撒冷的弟兄首領猶大和西拉帶著這封信就一起回到外邦，眾人讀了信，甚是歡喜。猶大和西拉也用許多話勸勉弟兄，堅固了他們。

徒15:13 他們住了聲、雅各就說、諸位弟兄、請聽我的話。
After they were silent, James answered, "Brothers, listen to me.
徒15:14 方才西門述說 神當初怎樣眷顧外邦人、從他們中間選取百姓歸於自己的名下。
Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name.
徒15:15 眾先知的話、也與這意思相合．
This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
徒15:16 正如經上所寫的、『此後我要回來、重新修造大衛倒塌的帳幕、把那破壞的、重新修造建立起來．
'After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up,
徒15:17 叫餘剩的人、就是凡稱為我名下的外邦人、都尋求主．
That the rest of men may seek after the Lord; All the Gentiles who are called by my name, Says the Lord, who does all these things.
徒15:18 這話是從創世以來、顯明這事的主說的。』
All his works are known to God from eternity.'
徒15:19 所以據我的意見、不可難為那歸服 神的外邦人．
"Therefore my judgment is that we don't trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,
徒15:20 隻要寫信、吩咐他們禁戒偶像的汙穢和奸淫、並勒死的牲畜、和血。
but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.
徒15:21 因為從古以來、摩西的書在各城有人傳講、每逢安息日、在會堂裏誦讀。
For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
徒15:22 那時、使徒和長老並全教會、定意從他們中間揀選人、差他們和保羅、巴拿巴、同往安提阿去．所揀選的、就是稱呼巴撒巴的猶大、和西拉、這兩個人在弟兄中是作首領的。
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.
徒15:23 於是寫信交付他們、內中說、使徒和作長老的弟兄們、問安提阿、敘利亞、基利家外邦眾弟兄的安。
They wrote these things by their hand: "The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.
徒15:24 我們聽說有幾個人、從我們這裏出去、用言語攪擾你們、惑亂你們的心．〔有古卷在此有你們必須受割禮守摩西的律法〕其實我們並沒有吩咐他們．
Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, 'You must be circumcised and keep the law,' to whom we gave no commandment;
徒15:28 因為聖靈和我們、定意不將別的重擔放在你們身上．惟有幾件事是不可少的、
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:
徒15:29 就是禁戒祭偶像的物、和血、並勒死的牲畜、和奸淫．這幾件你們若能自己禁戒不犯、就好了．願你們平安。
that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell."
徒15:30 他們既奉了差遣、就下安提阿去、聚集眾人、交付書信。
So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
徒15:31 眾人念了、因為信上安慰的話、就歡喜了。
When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.
徒15:32 猶大和西拉也是先知、就用許多話勸勉弟兄、堅固他們。
Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.