隻在於發憐憫的神 — 羅馬書讀經隨筆 第9章

羅馬書第九章保羅說他心裏對以色列人有極大的悲痛，因為他們有兒子的名分、榮耀、諸約、律法、禮儀、應許，但是他們卻不相信耶穌基督，從而失去了這些應有的資格。保羅說雖然如此，但並不是神的話落了空，因為從以色列生的不都是以色列人，也不因為是亞伯拉罕的後裔，就都作亞伯拉罕的兒女，惟獨從神所應許的以撒生的才能稱為他的後裔。也就是說，肉身所生的兒女不是神的兒女，惟獨那應許的兒女才算是兒女。再者，在以撒的雙胞胎兒子出生前，神就對利百加說：“將來大的要服事小的。雅各是我所愛的，以掃是我所惡的”。可見，誰得救誰不得救，不在於人的行為，隻在於召人的主。神這樣做，並沒有什麽不公平，因為神要憐憫誰就憐憫誰，要叫誰剛硬就叫誰剛硬。受造之物豈能對造他的抱怨為什麽自己被如此受造呢？窯匠難道沒有權柄，從一團泥裏拿一塊作成貴重的器皿，又拿一塊作成卑賤的器皿嗎？保羅最後說，據此看來這不在於人的意願，也不在於人的行為，而隻在於那發憐憫的神。

羅9:2 我是大有憂愁、心裏時常傷痛。
that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart.
羅9:3 為我弟兄、我骨肉之親、就是自己被咒詛、與基督分離、我也願意。
For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers' sake, my relatives according to the flesh,
羅9:4 他們是以色列人．那兒子的名分、榮耀、諸約、律法、禮儀、應許、都是他們的．
who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises;
羅9:5 列祖就是他們的祖宗、按肉體說、基督也是從他們出來的、他是在萬有之上、永遠可稱頌的 神。阿們。
of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.
羅9:6 這不是說 神的話落了空．因為從以色列生的、不都是以色列人．
But it is not as though the word of God has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel.
羅9:7 也不因為是亞伯拉罕的後裔、就都作他的兒女．惟獨『從以撒生的、才要稱為你的後裔。』
Neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children. But, "In Isaac will your seed be called."
羅9:8 這就是說、肉身所生的兒女、不是 神的兒女．惟獨那應許的兒女、才算是後裔。
That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as a seed.
羅9:9 因為所應許的話是這樣說、『到明年這時候我要來、撒拉必生一個兒子。』
For this is a word of promise, "At the appointed time I will come, and Sarah will have a son."
羅9:10 不但如此、還有利百加、既從一個人、就是從我們的祖宗以撒懷了孕．
Not only so, but Rebecca also conceived by one, by our father Isaac.
羅9:11 （雙子還沒有生下來、善惡還沒有作出來、隻因要顯明 神揀選人的旨意、不在乎人的行為、乃在乎召人的主)
For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls,
羅9:12 神就對利百加說、『將來大的要服事小的。』
it was said to her, "The elder will serve the younger."
羅9:13 正如經上所記、『雅各是我所愛的、以掃是我所惡的。』
Even as it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
羅9:14 這樣、我們可說甚麽呢．難道 神有甚麽不公平麽．斷乎沒有。
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be!
羅9:15 因他對摩西說、『我要憐憫誰、就憐憫誰、要恩待誰、就恩待誰。』
For he said to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
羅9:16 據此看來、這不在乎那定意的、也不在乎那奔跑的、隻在乎發憐憫的 神。
So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.
羅9:17 因為經上有話向法老說、『我將你興起來、特要在你身上彰顯我的權能、並要使我的名傳遍天下。』
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I caused you to be raised up, that I might show in you my power, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
羅9:18 如此看來、 神要憐憫誰、就憐憫誰、要叫誰剛硬、就叫誰剛硬。
So then, he has mercy on whom he desires, and he hardens whom he desires.
羅9:19 這樣、你必對我說、他為甚麽還指責人呢．有誰抗拒他的旨意呢。
You will say then to me, "Why does he still find fault? For who withstands his will?"
羅9:20 你這個人哪、你是誰、竟敢向 神強嘴呢．受造之物豈能對造他的說、你為甚麽這樣造我呢。
But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed ask him who formed it, "Why did you make me like this?"
羅9:21 窯匠難道沒有權柄、從一團泥裏拿一塊作成貴重的器皿、又拿一塊作成卑賤的器皿麽。
Or hasn't the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel for honor, and another for dishonor?
羅9:22 倘若 神要顯明他的忿怒、彰顯他的權能、就多多忍耐寬容那可怒預備遭毀滅的器皿．
What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath made for destruction,
羅9:23 又要將他豐盛的榮耀、彰顯在那蒙憐憫早預備得榮耀的器皿上．
and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory,