保羅淚勉以弗所的長老們 — 使徒行傳讀經隨筆 第20章

使徒行傳第二十章，保羅為了盡可能在五旬節抵達耶路撒冷，在他經過達米利都的時候打算越過以弗所，但是保羅不能錯過勸勉以弗所教會的機會，於是他就派人去把以弗所的長老們請了來。長老們到了後，保羅對他們回顧了自己過去三年在亞細亞是如何為人，如何服事主，又是如何遭受猶太人的迫害。保羅說他在亞細亞傳道凡是對眾人有益的都大膽講了出來，從來沒有因猶太人的迫害而退縮過，對猶太人和希利尼人證明了當向神悔改和信靠我主耶穌基督。保羅說他這趟耶路撒冷之行，聖靈告訴他等待他的是捆鎖與患難，但是他不以性命為念，隻要成就從主耶穌所領受的職事和證明神恩惠的福音。保羅勉勵長老們當為自己謹慎，也要謹慎去牧養神用自己的血所買來的聖徒。保羅警告長老們，他走後必有凶暴的豺狼出現在教會，他們不愛惜羊群；就是在座的長老們中間，也必有人起來用悖謬的話引誘門徒。保羅警告長老們儆醒，要記住三年來他晝夜用淚水勸戒各位的話，現在把在座的各位交托神和他恩惠的道。保羅說他三年來未曾貪圖一個人的金銀或衣服，凡事給大家作了榜樣，叫大家知道應當如何勞苦扶助軟弱的人，又當記住耶穌曾親自說“施比受更為有福”。眾人聽了保羅的話後痛哭，抱著保羅的頸項和他親嘴，叫眾人最傷心的就是保羅說以後不會再見到他的麵了。然後他們戀戀不舍地送保羅上了船。

 

徒20:16 乃因保羅早已定意越過以弗所、免得在亞西亞耽延．他急忙前走、巴不得趕五旬節能到耶路撒冷。

For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

徒20:17 保羅從米利都打發人往以弗所去、請教會的長老來。

From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly.

徒20:18 他們來了、保羅就說、你們知道、自從我到亞西亞的日子以來、在你們中間始終為人如何、

When they had come to him, he said to them, "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time,

徒20:19 服事主凡事謙卑、眼中流淚、又因猶太人的謀害、經曆試煉。

serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;

徒20:20 你們也知道、凡與你們有益的、我沒有一樣避諱不說的．或在眾人麵前、或在各人家裏、我都教導你們．

how I didn't shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house,

徒20:21 又對猶太人、和希利尼人、證明當向　神悔改、信靠我主耶穌基督。

testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus.

徒20:22 現在我往耶路撒冷去、心甚迫切、〔原文作心被捆綁〕不知道在那裏要遇見甚麽事．

Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there;

徒20:23 但知道聖靈在各城裏向我指證、說、有捆鎖與患難等待我。

except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.

徒20:24 我卻不以性命為念、也不看為寶貴、隻要行完我的路程、成就我從主耶穌所領受的職事、證明　神恩惠的福音。

But these things don't count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.

徒20:25 我素常在你們中間來往、傳講　神國的道、如今我曉得你們以後都不得再見我的麵了。

"Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

徒20:26 所以我今日向你們證明、你們中間無論何人死亡、罪不在我身上。〔原文作我於眾人的血是潔淨的〕

Therefore I testify to you this day that I am clean from the blood of all men,

徒20:27 因為　神的旨意、我並沒有一樣避諱不傳給你們的。

for I didn't shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.

徒20:28 聖靈立你們作全群的監督、你們就當為自己謹慎、也為全群謹慎、牧養　神的教會、就是他用自己血所買來的。〔或作救贖的〕

Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.

徒20:29 我知道我去之後、必有凶暴的豺狼、進入你們中間、不愛惜羊群。

For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

徒20:30 就是你們中間、也必有人起來、說悖謬的話、要引誘門徒跟從他們。

Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

徒20:31 所以你們應當儆醒、記念我三年之久、晝夜不住的流淚、勸戒你們各人。

Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn't cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.

徒20:32 如今我把你們交托　神、和他恩惠的道．這道能建立你們、叫你們和一切成聖的人同得基業。

Now, brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

徒20:33 我未曾貪圖一個人的金、銀、衣服。

I coveted no one's silver, or gold, or clothing.

徒20:34 我這兩隻手、常供給我和同人的需用、這是你們自己知道的。

You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.

徒20:35 我凡事給你們作榜樣、叫你們知道、應當這樣勞苦、扶助軟弱的人、又當記念主耶穌的話、說、施比受更為有福。

In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

徒20:36 保羅說完了這話、就跪下同眾人禱告。

When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.

徒20:37 眾人痛哭、抱著保羅的頸項、和他親嘴。

They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,

徒20:38 叫他們最傷心的、就是他說、以後不能再見我的麵那句話．於是送他上船去了。

sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.