經文
The Beautiful Dexterity of Grace
9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
13 while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
10不可私拿東西；要顯為忠誠，以致凡事尊榮我們救主 神的道。
11因為神救眾人的恩典已經顯明出來，
12教訓我們除去不敬虔的心和世俗的情慾，在今世自守、公義、敬虔度日，
13等候所盼望的福，並等候至大的神和我們（或作：神─我們）救主耶穌基督的榮耀顯現。
14他為我們捨了自己，要贖我們脫離一切罪惡，又潔淨我們，特作自己的子民，熱心為善。
15這些事你要講明，勸戒人，用各等權柄責備人；不可叫人輕看你。
單字片語
- Dexterity: 敏捷
- redeem: 救贖
- eager to: 渴望
- despise: 輕視
Reflection
A Teaching That Is Attractive (2:9~10)
Paul encourages slaves to behave and act a certain way in order to “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” The root word that is translated as “attractive” is kosmeo, which is where we get the word “cosmetics” (i.e., makeup and other accessories). The point of using cosmetics is to make people more attractive and pleasing to others, and so Paul is saying that the teaching of God—the Gospel—should become more attractive and appealing to others as we live out its implications. Although these slaves, just like the rest of us, deserve death because of their sin, Jesus died on their behalf—taking their sin and giving them His righteousness. In the same way, He has taken away the ugliness of our wretchedness and has covered us with the beauty of His humility, love, and grace.- The Gospel is not merely something to be accepted and known, but something that affects the way we live. How are you making the Gospel appealing and attractive to others through your actions?
單字片語
- cosmetics: 化妝品
- accessories: 配件
- appealing: 吸引人
- implications: 影響
- wretchedness: 可憐
A Teaching That Trains (2:11~15)
In these verses, we read that the grace which has appeared that offers salvation also teaches us godliness. The word that is translated “teaches” is paideuo—a word that means “to discipline/chastise” in reference to children. Basically, Paul is saying that the same grace that saves us also trains us; salvation is not the end, but the beginning. Too many people think that Christianity is only about going to heaven, but Paul blows that idea out of the water. He says that a big part of being a Christian means going through discipline, refinement, and training. If someone wants to be a Christian, he or she must accept this reality.- Remember that the same grace that saves us also trains us. As you strive to be more like Christ, focus on what Christ has done, and find strength in His work, not yours.
單字片語
- discipline: 訓練
- chastise: 懲罰
- blows: 擊打
- refinement: 細化
- strive: 努力
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