15保罗在提后一章九至十节告诉我们,神的恩典是历世之前,在基督耶稣里赐给我们的,如今借着我们救主基督耶稣的显现,才显明出来。恩典乃是神在祂生命里所给我们的供应,使我们活出祂的定旨。在基督里赐给我们的恩典,是在世界起始之前就赐给我们的。神的恩典是在永远里赐给我们的,但借着我们的主第一次来,把死废掉,将生命带给我们(来九26),这恩典就显明出来,并应用到我们身上。因为这恩典是借着基督的显现,才显明出来,旧约的圣徒,像亚伯拉罕和大卫等,就没有经历到。所命定要赐给我们的恩典,随着主耶稣的显现而来。这恩典不仅仅是一个福分,更是一个人位,就是三一神自己赐给我们,作我们的享受。主耶稣显现时,这恩典就来了,现今与我们同在(新约总论第十二册,二三三至二三四页)。 15In verses 9 and 10 Paul tells us that the grace of God, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the times of the ages, now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. Grace is God’s provision in life given to us so that we may live out His purpose. This grace given to us in Christ was bestowed on us before the world began. God’s grace was given to us in eternity, but it was manifested and applied to us through our Lord’s first coming, in which He nullified death and brought life to us (Heb. 9:26). Because this grace was manifested through the appearing of Christ, Old Testament saints such as Abraham and David did not experience it. The grace destined to be given to us came with the appearing of the Lord Jesus. This grace is not merely a blessing; it is a person, the Triune God Himself, given to us to be our enjoyment. This grace came when the Lord Jesus appeared, and now it is with us today. (The Conclusion of the New Testament, pp. 3675-3676)