哥林多後書第一章第18—22節,保羅說正像我們的神是信實的一樣,他與西拉和提摩太向哥林多的弟兄們所傳的道並沒有是而又非的,也就是說保羅所傳的神的兒子耶穌基督沒有是而又非的;相反,神的應許不論有多少,在耶穌基督裏都是真實的,有的應許已經顯明給我們了,比如救世主耶穌被掛在木頭上,有的應許將要顯明,比如信耶穌的人末日複活。保羅說是神在耶穌基督裏建立和堅固了我們每個人,並膏抹了我們,用印章封存了我們,並且在今世還賜予聖靈在我們心裏,作為拯救我們的“首付款”。可見,神對我們的信實和拯救是毋庸置疑的。
林後1:18 我指著信實的 神說、我們向你們所傳的道、並沒有是而又非的。
But as God is faithful, our word toward you was not "Yes and no."
林後1:19 因為我和西拉、並提摩太、在你們中間所傳 神的兒子耶穌基督、總沒有是而又非的、在他隻有一是。
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not "Yes and no," but in him is "Yes."
林後1:20 神的應許、不論有多少、在基督都是是的.所以借著他也都是實在的、〔實在原文作阿們〕叫 神因我們得榮耀。
For however many are the promises of God, in him is the "Yes." Therefore also through him is the "Amen," to the glory of God through us.
林後1:21 那在基督裏堅固我們和你們、並且膏我們的、就是 神.
Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;
林後1:22 他又用印印了我們、並賜聖靈在我們心裏作憑據。〔原文作質〕
who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.