17卫斯特(Wuest)在他的《字义研究》一书中指出,翻作谦让宜人的希腊字,意思不仅是以少于我们所当得的为满足,也有甜美的合理之意。这辞还包括自制、忍耐、适度、恩慈以及温和的意思。此外,照着基督徒的经历,谦让宜人是包罗一切的,因为它包含了基督徒一切的美德。这意思是说,我们若不能谦让宜人,我们就没有任何基督徒的美德。倘若一位弟兄……借着基督的恩典,以少于他所当得的为满足,对他的妻子谦让宜人,既不批评她,也不定罪她,他在这样的谦让宜人之中,就显出一种基督徒包罗一切的美德。他的谦让宜人包括忍耐、谦卑、自制、仰望主,甚至包括承认主在一切事上有主宰权柄的美德(腓立比书生命读经,五八九至五九○页)。
17In his Word Studies Wuest points out that the Greek word rendered “forbearance” not only means satisfied with less than our due but also means sweet reasonableness. The word includes self-control, patience, moderation, kindness, and gentleness. Furthermore, according to Christian experience, forbearance is all-inclusive, for it includes all Christian virtues. This means that if we fail to exercise forbearance, we fail to exercise any Christian virtue…If by the grace of Christ [a brother] is satisfied with less than his due and exercises forbearance toward his wife, not criticizing her or condemning her, he will show in his forbearance an all-inclusive Christian virtue. His forbearance will include patience, humility, self-control, looking to the Lord, and even the virtue of admitting that the Lord is sovereign in all things. (Lifestudy of Philippians, pp. 479-480)