耶穌基督的奧秘 - 以弗所書讀經隨筆 第3章

以弗所書第三章第1-10節，保羅說他為了傳福音給外邦人（即以色列以外的人），被捕作了囚徒。他說神將管理基督恩典的職責托付給了他，將福音的奧秘啟示給了他。這奧秘在耶穌釘十字架之前沒有叫人知道，如今借著聖靈啟示給了他的使徒和先知。這奧秘是什麽呢？保羅說這奧秘就是耶穌基督的福音不僅是拯救以色列人，也一起拯救外邦人，使外邦人和以色列人同蒙神的應許。保羅說他為此作了這福音的仆人，傳福音給外邦人，揭示出這個奧秘。

弗3:1 因此，我保羅為你們外邦人作了基督耶穌被囚的，替你們祈禱（此句乃照對十四節所加）
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— 
弗3:2 諒必你們曾聽見神賜恩給我，將關切你們的職分托付我，
Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 
弗3:3 用啟示使我知道福音的奧秘，正如我以前略略寫過的。
that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 
弗3:4 你們念了，就能曉得我深知基督的奧秘。
In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
弗3:5 這奧秘在以前的世代，沒有叫人知道，像如今借著聖靈啟示他的聖使徒和先知一樣。
which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 
弗3:6 這奧秘就是外邦人在基督耶穌裏，借著福音，得以同為後嗣，同為一體，同蒙應許。
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. 
弗3:7 我作了這福音的執事，是照神的恩賜。這恩賜是照他運行的大能賜給我的。
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. 
弗3:8 我本來比眾聖徒中最小的還小。然而他還賜我這恩典，叫我把基督那測不透的豐富，傳給外邦人。
Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 
弗3:9 又使眾人都明白，這曆代以來隱藏在創造萬物之神裏的奧秘，是如何安排的。
and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 
弗3:10 為要借著教會使天上執政的，掌權的，現在得知神百般的智慧。
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms