《<以弗所书>读经笔记》 / 第六章 / 穿戴 神所赐的军装 The Whole Armor of God

《以弗所书》第六章 读经笔记(6:10-24)

穿戴 神所赐的军装 The Whole Armor of God

10 我还有末了的话:你们要靠着主,倚赖他的大能大力,作刚强的人。11 要穿戴 神所赐的全副军装,就能抵挡魔鬼的诡计。12 因我们并不是与属血气的争战,乃是与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的,以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战(两“争战”原文都作“摔跤”)。10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power.11Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

在谈到各种现实当中的人际关系的时候,保罗告诫基督徒,要透过“看得见的”,看到并盯住那“看不见的”。现在,保罗进一步告诫我们,那看不见的,除了上帝,还有一位:the devil. 保罗说,我们争战的对象,不是任何属血气的(也就是看得见的人),乃是那看不见的 the devil. 撒旦只有一个,那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的,以及天空属灵气的恶魔,这里用的是复数。可见撒旦的出现形式是多样的。可以以执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的形式出现。但是,保罗说,即便如此,我们仍然不是与属血气的争战,乃是与这一切“复数”的背后那个“单数”(the devil)争战。如何争战?是打败他们吗?不是的,保罗说:be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.,在他们面前站稳了,就是胜利。站稳了,不跌倒,就是胜利。这是基督徒的胜利观。

6:13 所以,要拿起神所赐的全副军装,好在磨难的日子抵挡仇敌,并且成就了一切,还能站立得住。14所以要站稳了,用真理当作带子束腰,用公义当作护心镜遮胸,15 又用平安的福音当作预备走路的鞋穿在脚上。16 此外又拿着信德当作藤牌,可以灭尽那恶者一切的火箭。17 并戴上救恩的头盔,拿着圣灵的宝剑,就是 神的道。13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.14 Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness.15 As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.16 With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.1 7Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

可是,撒旦是何等的神灵大仙。我们在撒旦面前站稳了,谈何容易。那么,我们是否应该因此而胆怯心战?大可不必。保罗要我们拿起全副军装:(1)真理(束腰);(2)公义(护心镜);(3)平安的福音(鞋子);(4)信心(盾牌);(5)救恩(头盔);(6)圣灵(宝剑)。注意:我们的武器全部都是属灵的,保罗所用的比喻也全部都是防卫性的,除了一把圣灵的宝剑,用于对付最狡猾的仇敌。

6:18 靠着圣灵,随时多方祷告祈求,并要在此警醒不倦,为众圣徒祈求,19 也为我祈求,使我得着口才,能以放胆,开口讲明福音的奥秘,20 我为这福音的奥秘作了带锁链的使者,并使我照着当尽的本分放胆讲论 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.19 Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

哦,让我们别忘了基督徒最厉害的武器:在灵里祷告(Pray in the Spirit)。让我们用什么比喻呢?我要说,祷告是我们的武器库,为我们提供上述装备精良的 6 大武器;祷告是我们的城堡和避难所,在祷告里我们万无一失,任何仇敌在我们面前止步;祷告还是我们能力、智慧和勇气的源泉,帮助我们获得传讲福音的勇气、大能和口才。保罗把自己比喻成带锁链的使者,在圣灵的大能面前,这物质的锁链,岂不是成了勇士身上披挂的一个美丽的装饰?

祝福 Personal Matters and Benediction

21 今有所亲爱、忠心侍奉主的兄弟推基古,他要把我的事情并我的景况如何全告诉你们,叫你们知道。22我特意打发他到你们那里去,好叫你们知道我们的光景,又叫他安慰你们的心。23 愿平安、仁爱、信心从父 神和主耶稣基督归与弟兄们。24 并愿所有诚心爱我们主耶稣基督的人都蒙恩惠!23Peace be to the whole community, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.24Grace be with all who have an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ. 21So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus will tell you everything. He is a dear brother and a faithful minister in the Lord.22I am sending him to you for this very purpose, to let you know how we are, and to encourage your hearts.

也愿平安、仁爱、信心从父 神和主耶稣基督归与读这篇笔记的所有弟兄姐妹们,并愿我们的爱主之心,像活水的江河,永不枯竭!阿门!

(第六章完)