我們憑著聖靈勝任這新約的執事 — 哥林多後書讀經隨筆 第3章

哥林多後書第三章第6—18節，保羅說我們並不是憑著舊約聖經裏的字句勝任這新約的執事，而是憑著耶穌基督所賜的聖靈才使得我們勝任這新約的執事，因為那字句是叫人死，而聖靈是叫人活。如果那些屬死的服事憑宣揚刻在石頭上的字句尚且有榮光，那屬靈的服事憑聖靈宣揚耶穌基督的福音，豈不更有榮光嗎？如果那些憑字句定人罪的有榮光，那憑聖靈稱義的則有更大的榮光；如果那廢掉的有榮光， 那永存的則更有榮光。保羅說正是因為我們有這樣的盼望，我們才如此大膽地講說福音。

林後3:5 並不是我們憑自己能承擔甚麽事、我們所能承擔的、乃是出於 神．
not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God;
 林後3:6 他叫我們能承當這新約的執事．不是憑著字句、乃是憑著精意．因為那字句是叫人死、精意是叫人活。〔精意或作聖靈〕
who also made us sufficient as servants of a new covenant; not of the letter, but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
 林後3:7 那用字刻在石頭上屬死的職事、尚且有榮光、甚至以色列人因摩西麵上的榮光、不能定睛看他的臉．這榮光原是漸漸退去的．
But if the service of death, written engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly on the face of Moses for the glory of his face; which was passing away:
 林後3:8 何況那屬靈的職事、豈不更有榮光麽。
won't service of the Spirit be with much more glory?
 林後3:9 若是定罪的職事有榮光、那稱義的職事、榮光就越發大了。
For if the service of condemnation has glory, the service of righteousness exceeds much more in glory.
 林後3:10 那從前有榮光的、因這極大的榮光、就算不得有榮光了．
For most certainly that which has been made glorious has not been made glorious in this respect, by reason of the glory that surpasses.
 林後3:11 若那廢掉的有榮光、這長存的就更有榮光了。
For if that which passes away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.
 林後3:12 我們既有這樣的盼望、就大膽講說、
Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech,