在愛中建立基督的身體 - 以弗所書讀經隨筆 第4章

以弗所書第四章第15-32節，保羅勸誡弟兄們要在愛裏講說真理（即講說耶穌就是真理，道路與生命），這樣才可以成長為基督這個身體的一個有機部分，並且，基督這個身體本身(即天下古今所有信耶穌的人這個整體)也同時得到成長。行事為人不要像不信耶穌的人，不信耶穌的人心地剛硬，不能理解福音，與神的生命隔絕； 他們放縱私欲 ，不知滿足。我們聽了基督的道，領了他的教，學了他的真理，應該在屬靈的成長裏改換一新，穿上新人，以恩慈相待，存憐憫的心，彼此饒恕，正如神在基督裏饒恕了我們一樣；除掉一切苦毒，惱恨，忿怒，嚷鬧，毀謗和一切的惡毒。

弗4:15 惟用愛心說誠實話、凡事長進、連於元首基督．
but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ;
弗4:16 全身都靠他聯絡得合式、百節各按各職、照著各體的功用、彼此相助、便叫身體漸漸增長、在愛中建立自己。
from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.
弗4:17 所以我說、且在主裏確實的說、你們行事、不要再像外邦人存虛妄的心行事．
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
弗4:18 他們心地昏昧、與　神所賜的生命隔絕了、都因自己無知、心裏剛硬．
being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts;
弗4:19 良心既然喪盡、就放縱私欲、貪行種種的汙穢。
who having become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
弗4:20 你們學了基督、卻不是這樣．
But you did not learn Christ that way;
弗4:21 如果你們聽過他的道、領了他的教、學了他的真理、
if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:
弗4:22 就要脫去你們從前行為上的舊人．這舊人是因私欲的迷惑、漸漸變壞的．
that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit;
弗4:23 又要將你們的心誌改換一新．
and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
弗4:24 並且穿上新人．這新人是照著　神的形像造的、有真理的仁義、和聖潔。
and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
弗4:25 所以你們要棄絕謊言、各人與鄰舍說實話．因為我們是互相為肢體。
Therefore putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another.
弗4:26 生氣卻不要犯罪．不可含怒到日落．
"Be angry, and don't sin." Don't let the sun go down on your wrath,
弗4:27 也不可給魔鬼留地步。
neither give place to the devil.
弗4:28 從前偷竊的、不要再偷．總要勞力、親手作正經事、就可有餘、分給那缺少的人。
Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.
弗4:29 汙穢的言語、一句不可出口、隻要隨事說造就人的好話、叫聽見的人得益處。
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
弗4:30 不要叫　神的聖靈擔憂．你們原是受了他的印記、等候得贖的日子來到。
Don't grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
弗4:31 一切苦毒、惱恨、忿怒、嚷鬧、毀謗、並一切的惡毒、〔或作陰毒〕都當從你們中間除掉．
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice.
弗4:32 並要以恩慈相待、存憐憫的心、彼此饒恕、正如　神在基督裏饒恕了你們一樣。
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you