使徒行述-第46章
第46章 恢复自由
使徒行述-第46章
Chap. 46 - At Liberty
使徒行述-第46章
保罗在罗马的工作得蒙赐福而使许多人悔改,并使众信徒大得勉励与鼓舞,但这时却有乌云密布,不仅威胁着他个人的安全,也势将影响教会的兴盛。在他到达罗马的时候;他就被交给御营的统领,这人正直公道,保罗因他的宽待得以比较自由地进行传福音的工作。但在他被囚未满两年之前,这人由另一个军官替换了,使徒就不能希望从接替的人得到特别的优待。[1]{AA 485.1 }
使徒行述-第46章
While Paul's labors in Rome were being blessed to the conversion of many souls and the strengthening and encouragement of the believers, clouds were gathering that threatened not only his own safety, but also the prosperity of the church. On his arrival in Rome he had been placed in charge of the captain of the imperial guards, a man of justice and integrity, by whose clemency he was left comparatively free to pursue the work of the gospel. But before the close of the two years' imprisonment, this man was replaced by an official from whom the apostle could expect no special favor. {AA 485.1 }[1]
使徒行述-第46章
犹太人这时在致力反对保罗的事上空前地活跃,而且他们找到了一个得力的帮凶,就是尼罗所娶为第二个妻子的荒淫妇人,这个妇人是由异教改信犹太教的,她竭力协助他们遂行谋害这位基督教捍卫者的毒计。[2]{AA 485.2 }
使徒行述-第46章
The Jews were now more active than ever in their efforts against Paul, and they found an able helper in the profligate woman whom Nero had made his second wife, and who, being a Jewish proselyte, lent all her influence to aid their murderous designs against the champion of Christianity. {AA 485.2 }[2]
使徒行述-第46章
保罗极少希望能从他所上告的该撒手中得到公正的待遇。尼罗较比他以前的任何统治者在道德方面更加卑鄙,在品格方面更加轻浮,同时也可能更加凶恶残忍。国家的政权实在不可能交托一个较比更为暴虐的统治者了。他在位的第一年,就将皇位的合法继承人,他自己的异母兄弟毒死了。从此尼罗变本加厉,无恶不作,直至谋杀自己的生母,后来又杀害自己的妻子。没有什么暴行是他所不敢犯,没有什么卑鄙的事是他所不屑作的。他在每一个正直的人心里,只有引起憎恶和鄙视的评价。[3]{AA 485.3 }
使徒行述-第46章
Paul could hope for little justice from the Caesar to whom he had appealed. Nero was more debased in morals, more frivolous in character, and at the same time capable of more atrocious cruelty, than any ruler who had preceded him. The reins of government could not have been entrusted to a more despotic ruler. The first year of his reign had been marked by the poisoning of his young stepbrother, the rightful heir to the throne. From one depth of vice and crime to another, Nero had descended, until he had murdered his own mother, and then his wife. There was no atrocity which he would not perpetrate, no vile act to which he would not stoop. In every noble mind he inspired only abhorrence and contempt. {AA 485.3 }[3]
使徒行述-第46章
在他的宫闱之中所进行的罪恶,其详情实在过于卑劣可怕,不堪形容。他那荒淫无耻的邪行,甚至连许多被迫与他同流合污的人也感到厌恶。他们经常提心吊胆,不知道他下一次要提出什么穷凶极恶的计谋。尼罗虽然如此的罪大恶极,但仍未动摇他的臣民对他的忠诚;他依然被认为是当时整个文明世界的绝对统治者。非但如此,他居然接受了神的尊荣,竟被人当作神明来敬拜。[4]{AA 486.1 }
使徒行述-第46章
The details of the iniquity practiced in his court are too degrading, too horrible, for description. His abandoned wickedness created disgust and loathing, even in many who were forced to share his crimes. They were in constant fear as to what enormities he would suggest next. Yet even such crimes as Nero's did not shake the allegiance of his subjects. He was acknowledged as the absolute ruler of the whole civilized world. More than this, he was made the recipient of divine honors and was worshiped as a god. {AA 486.1 }[4]
使徒行述-第46章
从人的观点看来,保罗在这样的一个审判者面前被判罪乃是确定的。但这位使徒却认为只要他一直效忠上帝,他就没有什么可惧怕的了。那过去作他保障者的主,这时仍能护卫他脱离犹太人的仇恨和该撒的权势。[5]{AA 486.2 }
使徒行述-第46章
From the viewpoint of human judgment, Paul's condemnation before such a judge was certain. But the apostle felt that so long as he was loyal to God, he had nothing to fear. The One who in the past had been his protector could shield him still from the malice of the Jews and from the power of Caesar. {AA 486.2 }[5]
使徒行述-第46章
上帝真护卫了他的仆人。在保罗受审的时候,那控告他的罪状没有获得证实,而且和一般预料相反的,尼罗竟作了一件与他性格完全不合的事,他居然主持正义,宣布被告无罪。保罗就此开释;他得以再作自由的人了。[6]{AA 486.3 }
使徒行述-第46章
And God did shield His servant. At Paul's examination the charges against him were not sustained, and, contrary to the general expectation, and with a regard for justice wholly at variance with his character, Nero declared the prisoner guiltless. Paul's bonds were removed; he was again a free man. {AA 486.3 }[6]
使徒行述-第46章
倘若他的受审再行拖延,或者因任何理由他在下一年仍然拘留在罗马,那他无疑地就必在当时所发生的迫害中丧命了。因为在保罗被囚期间,信奉基督教的人数激增,以致引起当局的注意,并惹起了他们的忌恨。皇帝也因自己家里的人改信基督教而特别震怒,而且他随即就找到借口,竟以基督徒为他进行无情残害的对象。[7]{AA 487.1 }
使徒行述-第46章
Had his trial been longer deferred, or had he from any cause been detained in Rome until the following year, he would doubtless have perished in the persecution which then took place. During Paul's imprisonment the converts to Christianity had become so numerous as to attract the attention and arouse the enmity of the authorities. The anger of the emperor was especially excited by the conversion of members of his own household, and he soon found a pretext to make the Christians the objects of his merciless cruelty. {AA 487.1 }[7]
使徒行述-第46章
约在此时,罗马城起了一次大火,结果城内房屋几乎焚毁一半。当时盛传说尼罗曾亲自下令纵火,但为避免嫌疑起见,他就假装宽大为怀,慷慨周济那些无家可归的穷苦难民。虽然如此,但众人依然将罪名放在他的身上。当时民众激愤恼怒,因此尼罗为要洗刷自己,而同时从城中清除他所惧怕所恨恶的一等人起见,他就将这罪名加在基督徒的身上。他的毒计成功了,结果成千上万的基督徒不分男女老少,都被残酷地处死了。[8]{AA 487.2 }
使徒行述-第46章
About this time a terrible fire occurred in Rome by which nearly one half of the city was burned. Nero himself, it was rumored, had caused the flames to be kindled, but to avert suspicion he made a pretense of great generosity by assisting the homeless and destitute. He was, however, accused of the crime. The people were excited and enraged, and in order to clear himself, and also to rid the city of a class whom he feared and hated, Nero turned the accusation upon the Christians. His device succeeded, and thousands of the followers of Christ--men, women, and children--were cruelly put to death. {AA 487.2 }[8]
使徒行述-第46章
保罗幸而避免了这一次可怕的迫害;因为他在被释放之后不久就离开了罗马。他勤勉地利用了这一段自由时期在各教会中努力作工。他设法在希腊和近东地带的教会之间建立起更坚固的联合,并加强信徒的心志以谨防那正在潜入教会破坏信仰的假道理。[9]{AA 487.3 }
使徒行述-第46章
From this terrible persecution Paul was spared, for soon after his release he had left Rome. This last interval of freedom he diligently improved in laboring among the churches. He sought to establish a firmer union between the Greek and the Eastern churches and to fortify the minds of the believers against the false doctrines that were creeping in to corrupt the faith. {AA 487.3 }[9]
使徒行述-第46章
保罗所忍受的考验和焦虑已经损害了他的体力;同时他已年老力衰。他感觉到自己正在从事他最后的工作,因此他作工的时间既日益短促,他的努力就愈益紧张。他的热忱似乎是没有限度的。他意志坚定、行动迅速、信心刚强,竟在许多地区走遍各教会,并在自己能力范围之内想方设法坚固信徒的手,使他们可以忠心作工,多多领人归向耶稣,以便在他们所已经临到的考验时期中,仍然可以在福音上站立得稳,为基督作忠心的见证。[10]{AA 488.1 }
使徒行述-第46章
The trials and anxieties that Paul had endured had preyed upon his physical powers. The infirmities of age were upon him. He felt that he was now doing his last work, and, as the time of his labor grew shorter, his efforts became more intense. There seemed to be no limit to his zeal. Resolute in purpose, prompt in action, strong in faith, he journeyed from church to church, in many lands, and sought by every means within his power to strengthen the hands of the believers, that they might do faithful work in winning souls to Jesus, and that in the trying times upon which they were even then entering, they might remain steadfast to the gospel, bearing faithful witness for Christ. {AA 488.1 }[10]
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