腓立比书生命读经 · 第30篇

信徒在使徒需用上的交通

THE BELIEVERS’ FELLOWSHIP IN THE APOSTLE’S NEED

1读经：腓立比书四章十节，十四至二十节。在本篇信息中，我们要来看信徒在使徒需用上的交通。许多基督徒在供给的事上没有交通。交通的意思不仅仅是有来往或彼此分享，交通也包含生命的供应。我们彼此有交通，就彼此供应生命。许多基督徒彼此餽送东西时，没有很深的感觉到，在这来往里面有生命的供应。但我们若祷读以上所列的经文，就会从使徒这面，也从给他餽送的信徒这面，摸著生命的供应。毫无疑问，腓立比的圣徒不但送给保罗物质的供应，也将生命供应给他。因此，在使徒和信徒双方之间，有生命的交通，和彼此生命的供应。我们要学习在这样生命的交通和生命的供应里供给人，这是很重要的。

1Scripture Reading: Phil. 4:10, 14-20 In this message we shall consider the believers’ fellowship in the apostle’s need. In their giving, many Christians do not have fellowship. By fellowship we do not simply mean communication or mutual participation. Fellowship also involves the ministering of life. When we have fellowship with one another, we minister life to one another. When many Christians give something as a gift, they do not have the deep sense that in this transaction there is the ministry of life. But if we pray-read the verses listed above, we shall touch the ministry of life, both from the side of the apostle and also from the side of the believers who sent a gift to him. No doubt, the saints in Philippi not only sent the material supply to Paul, but also ministered life to him. Thus, between the two parties, the apostle and the believers, there was the fellowship of life and the mutual ministry of life. It is important that we learn to give in such a fellowship of life and ministry of life

壹　使徒因著信徒的重新关切而在主里喜乐

I. THE APOSTLE REJOICING IN THE LORD FOR THE BELIEVERS’ RENEWED CONCERN

2在四章十节保罗说，『我在主里大大的喜乐，因为你们对我的思念，如今终于重新发生。』也许是一些环境，使腓立比信徒不能继续送给保罗物质的供应。他们打发以巴弗提带餽送来，保罗就认为这是他们对他的思念再度发生。照著保罗的感觉，打发以巴弗提带餽送来，是他们对他的关切再度发生。

2In 4:10 Paul says, “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you caused your thinking for me to blossom anew.” It might have been circumstances which kept the Philippian believers from continuing to send the material supply to Paul. When they sent a gift with Epaphroditus, Paul considered this the blossoming again of their thinking for him. According to Paul’s feeling, the sending of a gift with Epaphroditus was the blossoming again of their concern for him

3『重新发生』原文意萌芽、开花，这是优美的辞句，含意丰富。无生命的东西怎能开花？保罗用发生这辞，含示信徒对他的思念是生命的事，是彰显生命的事。不但如此，『重新发生』含示信徒对保罗的关切停止了一段时间，经过了冬季。植物要重新开花，需要经过冬季一段枯萎或休止的时期。这样的冬季，就是圣徒未得机会顾到保罗的时候，对他是受苦的时候。但这苦难给他机会，更丰富的经历基督。

3The words blossom anew are a beautiful expression, rich in their implication. How can something blossom without life? Paul’s use of the word blossom implies that the believers’ thought of him was a matter of life, something that expressed life. Furthermore, “blossom anew” implies that the believers’ concern for Paul had been dormant for a time, having passed through a winter season. For a plant to blossom anew requires that it undergo a period of withering or dormancy during the winter season. This winter season, during which the saints lacked the opportunity to care for Paul, was a time of suffering for him. But this suffering afforded him the opportunity to experience Christ in a richer way.

贰　信徒对使徒的思念

II. THE BELIEVERS’ THINKING FOR THE APOSTLE

4在四章十节保罗也对腓立比人说，『你们向来就思念我，只是未得机会。』这些话表明保罗的经历与成熟。有时候他责备圣徒。例如，他写信给哥林多人时，责备他们，并问他们是否要他带著刑杖来。（林前四21。）然而在写信给腓立比人时，他说得非常积极，告诉他们，他们对他的思念终于重新发生，他们向来就思念他，只是未得机会。我们曾指明，『重新发生』原文含示，供给财物是生命和生命供应的事。若不是这样，保罗不会用这样的辞。

4In 4:10 Paul also says to the Philippians, “You did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.” These words show Paul’s experience and maturity. There were times that he rebuked the saints. For example, in writing to the Corinthians he rebuked them and asked if they wanted him to come with a rod (1 Cor. 4:21). In writing to the Philippians, however, he speaks in a very positive way, telling them that at length they caused their thinking for him to blossom anew, that they indeed did take thought, but lacked opportunity. As we have indicated, the words blossom anew, a literal translation of the Greek, imply that the giving of material things is a matter of life and of the ministry of life. If this were not so, Paul would not have used such an expression.

5我们必须仔细留意『发生』这辞。这辞含示我们将财物供给任何召会，供给任何主的仆人，并供给任何圣徒，都必须是活的，是能萌芽、开花的。这交通不只包含分享，也包含生命之流的循环。照著圣经，交通总是来自生命。约壹一章二至三节启示，交通是来自生命。交通的源头乃是生命。为这缘故，在腓立比四章十节保罗用发生这辞，在十四节用『有分』这辞（原文字根为『交通』）：『然而，你们有分于我的患难，乃是美事。』似乎保罗说，『我被监禁时，你们将生命供应我，并且帮助扶持我。我受苦时，你们藉著将生命供应我而帮助我。你们也必然会得著生命供应的回报。』

5We must pay careful attention to the word blossom. This word implies that our giving of material things to any church, to any servant of the Lord, and to any of the saints must be something living that is able to blossom. This fellowship involves more than participation; it involves the circulation of the current of life. According to the Bible, fellowship always comes from life. First John 1:2 and 3 reveal that fellowship issues from life. The source of fellowship is life. For this reason, in Philippians 4:10 Paul uses the word blossom, and in verse 14, the word fellowship: “Nevertheless you did well to have fellowship with me in my affliction.” It seems as if Paul is saying, “You ministered life to me and helped to sustain me in my imprisonment. When I was suffering, you helped me by ministering life to me. Surely you will receive a supply of life in return

6生命里的交通可用人身体里的血液循环来说明。一面，当血液循环时，血流出去；另一面，血流回来。同样，我们在生命里的交通总有出去同回来。只有流出而没有相当的流入，就不是真实的交通。交通总是包括循环。生命出去，生命也回来。生命带著供应到对方，然后带著对方的供应回来。每当我们在主的引导之下将财物给人时，我们就该经历这样在生命里的交通；该有开花和彼此生命的供应。腓立比的信徒与保罗之间的交通，是为著推广福音。（一5。）他们送出财物的供应，是为著推广福音。我们曾指出，这里的福音等于神为著祂的经纶在地上的行动。福音不但包括救恩、救赎、赦免、称义、和永远生命的佳音。尤其在腓立比书这样的一卷书里，福音是表征神在祂经纶里的行动。所以，甚至在给人财物的供应上，交通也是为著推广神在祂经纶里的行动。

6The fellowship in life can be illustrated by the circulation of blood in the human body. On the one hand, as the blood circulates, it flows out; on the other hand, it returns. In like manner, our fellowship in life always has a going out with a return. Any outflow without a corresponding inflow is not true fellowship. Fellowship always involves circulation. The life goes out, and the life also returns. The life goes with a supply to the other party, and then it comes back with a supply from this party. Whenever we give material things under the leading of the Lord, we should experience such a fellowship in life. There should be the blossoming and the mutual supply of life. The fellowship the believers in Philippi had with Paul was for the furtherance of the gospel (1:5). Their sending of the supply of material things was for the furtherance of the gospel. As we have pointed out, the gospel here equals God’s move on earth for His economy. The gospel includes not only the good news of salvation, redemption, forgiveness, justification, and eternal life. Especially in a book like Philippians, the gospel signifies the move of God in His economy. Therefore, fellowship, even in the sending of a material supply, is for the furtherance of God’s move in His economy.

参　使徒记念信徒已往的供应

III. THE APOSTLE’S REMEMBRANCE OF THE BELIEVERS’ SUPPLY IN THE PAST

7在四章十五至十六节，保罗说到腓立比的信徒已往几次在物质上供应他。然后在十七节，保罗接著说，『我并不寻求甚么餽送，只寻求你们的果子增多，归入你们的账上。』为甚么保罗说到他们已往的供给？这必定不是偶然写的，因为保罗不会漫无目的的写甚么。无论他写甚么，都带著目的，并且是照著负担。领会保罗写这些经文的目的，秘诀在于『账』字。（15，17。）腓立比的信徒用财物供给使徒，在他那里开了一个账户。在十七节保罗就是说到他们在十五节所开的账户。圣经给我们看见属天银行制度的启示。在马太六章主耶稣说到要将财宝存入我们属灵的银行账户。照著祂的话，我们需要将财宝存入诸天之上的账户。当然，马太六章没有用账字。在这件事上，圣经里的启示也是渐进的。因此，在腓立比书里保罗特意用账字说到属天的银行制度。在四章十五节保罗说，『腓立比人哪，你们也知道我初传福音，离开马其顿的时候，在授受的账上，除了你们以外，并没有一个召会与我有交通。』这节指明腓立比的召会是惟一在保罗那里开账户的。这账户有授受两面，即有供给的一面，和接受的另一面。这是复式账目，是供给和接受的账目。当然，在保罗那里开的账户，腓立比的信徒给得很多。在腓立比的召会开了账户，顾到使徒的需用。十五节里反映出来的这账目，存在属天的银行里。他们给保罗餽送，他们也得著神的报答。保罗在十九节说到这点：『我的神必在荣耀中，照著祂的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你们一切所需用的都充足』。在使徒的经历中，他深知确信他与神是一，神是他的神。他既将腓立比人供给他物质的餽送，当作给神的祭物，就确信那与他是一、且属于他的神，会丰丰富富的报答腓立比人。信徒为著神，将东西送给神的仆人。为此，神必会偿还他们。祂不会欠信徒甚么。属天的账户会为腓立比的信徒记入贷方与借方。

7In 4:15 and 16 Paul refers to those times in the past when the believers in Philippi supplied him materially. Then in verse 17 Paul goes on to say, “Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit which increases to your account.” Why does Paul refer to their giving in the past? Surely this was not written by accident, for Paul would not write anything without a purpose. Whatever he wrote was with a purpose and according to a burden. The secret to understanding Paul’s purpose in these verses is in the word account (vv. 15, 17). The Philippian believers’ supply of material things to the apostle opened an account with him. In verse 17 Paul refers to the account opened in verse 15. In the Bible we have a revelation of the heavenly banking system. In Matthew 6 the Lord Jesus speaks of making a deposit in our spiritual bank account. According to His word, we need to make deposits into our account in the heavens. In Matthew 6, of course, the word account is not used. In this matter also, the revelation in the Bible is progressive. Hence, in the Epistle to the Philippians Paul deliberately uses the word account in referring to the heavenly banking system. In 4:15 Paul says, “And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I went out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the account of giving and receiving but you only.” This verse indicates that the church in Philippi was unique in opening an account with Paul. With this account there is the side of giving, and the other side of receiving. Here we have a double entry account, an account of both giving and receiving. To be sure, in the account opened with Paul, the Philippian believers gave a great deal. The church in Philippi had opened an account to care for the needs of the apostle. This account, reflected in verse 15, was kept in the heavenly bank. They sent gifts to Paul, and in return they received God’s repayment. Paul speaks of this in verse 19: “And my God shall fill every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” In the apostle’s experience, he had the conviction and assurance that God was his God through his being one with Him. Since he considered the Philippians’ material gift to him a sacrifice to God, he assuredly believed that God, who was one with him and who was his God, would richly repay the Philippians. On behalf of God, the believers sent something to God’s servant. For this, God would be sure to pay them back. He would not owe the believers anything. The heavenly account would enter both a credit and a debit for the Philippian believers.

8你想总账那一方较大笔─借方或贷方？供给的一方或接受的一方？较大的总是接受的一方。例如，你也许为神给人十元，但神也许偿还你一千元，就是一百倍。因此，在你的账目上，你有九百九十元的余额。这指明你不是真正的供给者，神才是供给者。你不愿有这样的账户么？没有一个地上的银行账户能与此相比。然而，你若是为了致富而开这样的账户，神也许不在今世报答你。祂也许等到你的贪婪受了对付才报答你。虽然腓立比人在保罗那里开了账户，就是在帖撒罗尼迦，也一次两次的，打发人供给他的需用，但有一段时期没有来往。为这缘故，保罗说到信徒已往的供给。他期望这来往不会停止，而会有继续的供给和接受。如保罗在十七节所说的，他不寻求甚么餽送，只寻求信徒的果子增多，归入他们的账上。这是指贷方的增多。在这些经文里，保罗鼓励信徒保持他们的账目活跃，在供给与接受的事上没有间断。然后果子就会增多，归入信徒的账上。

8Which side of the ledger do you think would be bigger— the debit side or the credit side, the giving side or the receiving side? It is always the receiving side which is greater. For example, on behalf of God you may give ten dollars, but God may repay you a thousand dollars, that is, a hundredfold. Thus, in your account you have a balance of nine-hundred ninety dollars. This indicates that you are not actually the giver; God is the One who gives. Would you not like to have such an account? No earthly bank account can compare with it. However, if you open such an account with the intention of enriching yourself, God’s repayment may not be given to you in this age. Rather, He may wait until your greediness has been dealt with before He repays you. Although the Philippians had opened an account with Paul and even in Thessalonica had sent “both once and again” to his need, there was a period of time when no transactions took place. For this reason, Paul referred to the believers’ giving in the past. He expected that the transactions would not cease, but that there would be a continual giving and receiving. As Paul says in verse 17, he did not seek the gift, but the fruit which increases to the believers’ account. This refers to the increase on the credit side. In these verses Paul was encouraging the believers to keep their account active, to have no gaps in the giving and receiving. Then there would be fruit which increased to the believers’ account

肆　腓立比人藉著以巴弗提供应使徒

IV. THE PHILIPPIANS’ SUPPLY TO THE APOSTLE THROUGH EPAPHRODITUS

9在十八节保罗继续说，『但我一切都收到了，并且有余，我已经充足，因我从以巴弗提受了你们的餽送，如同馨香之气，可收纳的祭物，是神所喜悦的。』『你们的餽送』，乃是供给使徒的财物。保罗受了这些餽送，就能说他得著丰满的供应。他认为给他的餽送是『馨香之气，可收纳的祭物，是神所喜悦的。』『馨香之气』原文与以弗所五章二节者同。这是献与神之祭物的馨香之气。（创八21。）使徒将腓立比供给他需用的财物，当作可收纳的祭物，是神所喜悦的。（来十三16。）保罗赞赏的指出，腓立比人向他所作的，就是向神作的。这含示他确信他与神是一，并且他的工作是凭著神，也是为著神。

9In verse 18 Paul continues, “But I have all things and abound; I have been filled, receiving from Epaphroditus the things from you, a fragrant odor, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” The “things from you” were the material things given as a supply to the apostle. Receiving these things, Paul could say that he was fully supplied. He regarded the things sent to him as “a fragrant odor, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” The Greek term rendered “fragrant odor” is the same as that used as sweet-smelling savor in Ephesians 5:2. It is a fragrant odor of sacrifices offered to God (Gen. 8:21). The Philippians’ material gift to supply the apostle’s need was considered by him a sacrifice to God, acceptable and well-pleasing (Heb. 13:16). Paul indicates in his appreciation that what the Philippians did to him was actually done to God. This implies his assurance that he was one with God and that his work was by God and for God.

10在十九节保罗说，他的神必丰盛的报答信徒。保罗在他的经历中，深知确信神是他的神。他能说，『我的神必…使你们一切所需用的都充足。』神是保罗的神，因为保罗与祂是一。因此，保罗将腓立比信徒供给他物质的餽送，当作给神的祭物。不但如此，他确信神必丰丰富富的报答他们。这里我们看见，每当我们受了餽送的时候，我们需要确信这餽送不但是给我们的，也是给神的。然后我们需要深知，神必报答供给这餽送的人。神在祂的报答里，必使供给者一切所需用的都充足，丰满的供应那人并满足他。保罗告诉腓立比人，神必在荣耀中，照著祂的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使他们一切所需用的都充足。因为腓立比人顾念神所差遣的人，神就顾念他们一切所需用的。不但如此，保罗指明神供应我们，不是照著我们的需要，乃是照著祂的丰富。祂的丰富超过我们的需要。我们需要仔细来看，十九节的『在荣耀中』这辞。这辞形容『使你们…充足。』荣耀是神的彰显，就是在荣美里彰显出来的神。神给信徒，祂儿女的丰富供应，彰显神并带著神的荣耀。使徒向腓立比人保证，神会丰足的供应他们一切所需用的，以致把他们带进祂的荣耀里。

10In verse 19 Paul says that his God will abundantly repay the believers. In his experience Paul had the conviction and assurance that God was his God. He could say, “And my God shall fill every need of yours.” God was Paul’s God because Paul was one with Him. Thus, Paul regarded the material gift sent to him from the Philippian believers as a sacrifice to God. Furthermore, he believed with assurance that God would richly repay them. Here we see that whenever we receive a gift, we need to have the assurance that this gift is presented not only to us, but also to God. Then we need to have the conviction that God will repay the one who gives this gift. In His repayment, God will fill every need of the giver, fully supplying that one and satisfying him. Paul told the Philippians that God would fill every need of theirs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Because the Philippians cared for God’s sent one, God would care for their every need. Furthermore, Paul indicates that God supplies our need according to His riches, not according to our needs. His riches exceed our needs. The phrase in glory in verse 19 requires careful consideration. This phrase modifies fill; it does not modify His riches. Glory is the expression of God; it is God expressed in splendor. God’s rich supply to the believers, who are His children, expresses God and bears the glory of God. The apostle assured the Philippians that God would abundantly supply all their needs so as to bring them into His glory

11这里保罗不是说，神的丰富是荣耀的丰富。他乃是见证神对供给者的报答是在荣耀中。神必在荣耀中，使腓立比人一切所需用的都充足。祂这样作，要表明祂荣耀的荣美，并将供给者带进这荣耀中。在这里，让我从自己的经历分享神如何在荣耀中，照著祂的丰富，应付我们的需要。一九三七年一月，我接到倪弟兄的电报，要我立刻到上海去参加非常重要的同工特会。那次特会以后，我回到华北的家以前，访问了好些城市。然而，我随身带的钱很少，不彀支付我旅行的费用。不仅如此，因为要我赴上海的电文紧急，我必须将妻子和儿女留在家里。一面，我上火车时随身带的钱很少。另一面，我妻子在家里的钱也很少，却要照顾家庭的需用。然而，我们都信靠主。我离家不久以后，我妻子的钱就用完了。她学了功课，不将需要告诉别人，就叫大儿子来，一同为著需用祷告。那天晚上，一位年长姊妹来看我妻子，告诉她主在她里面感动，要送一笔钱给我妻子。这位年长姊妹不知道我离家，并且我的家有需要。那位姊妹离开时，我的妻子在主面前哭了。这是她那面的经历。

11Here Paul is not saying that God’s riches are the riches of glory. Rather, he is testifying that God’s repayment to the giver is in glory. In glory God will fill every need of the Philippians. In doing so, He will show forth the splendor of His glory and bring the givers into this glory. At this point let me share from my experience how God meets our needs in glory according to His riches. In January 1937 I received a cable from Brother Nee to come immediately to Shanghai to a very important conference of co-workers. After that conference, I visited a number of cities before returning home in the north of China. However, I had very little money with me to cover my travel expenses. Moreover, because the message to come to Shanghai was urgent, I had to leave my wife and children at home. On the one hand, I had very little money to take with me on the train. On the other hand, my wife had very little at home to take care of the needs of the family. However, we both trusted in the Lord. Not long after I left home, my wife’s supply of money was exhausted. Having learned the lesson not to tell others of the need, she called the oldest child and prayed together with her concerning the need. Later that day, in the evening, an elderly sister came to visit my wife, telling her that the Lord had stirred within her to give a certain amount of money to my wife. This elderly sister did not know that I was away from home and that my family was in need. When that sister departed, my wife wept before the Lord. This was the experience on her side

12现在让我分享我这面的经历。上海那次特会以后，我到南京去，在一些聚会里尽职。忽然消息传来，一位同工的妻子病重，他需要立刻回家照顾她。我听见消息以后，里面有感觉，要给这位弟兄一笔钱。我犹豫不决，因为知道自己需要这笔钱买火车票。我若将这笔钱给这位弟兄，我就不知道如何才能买车票。但我不能与主争辩。我知道我无法有平安，除非我顺从祂，将那笔钱给弟兄。主给我感觉，不要信靠我所有的那笔钱，只要信靠祂。我告诉主我信靠祂，就前去把钱给了弟兄。结果，一面，我的负担卸下，但另一面，我忧虑如何买火车票。那天晚上散会后，我接到一个人的奉献款。那奉献款是我给弟兄钱数的好几倍。我打开信封，看到那笔款，非常惊讶。当然，我的忧虑消失，顶替的是羞愧的感觉。我觉得很羞愧，甚至觉得很难向主感谢。我给弟兄的，主偿还我好几倍；祂是在荣耀中，照著祂的丰富而行。不错，起初我的确觉得羞愧，但主所作的至终将我带进祂的荣耀里，并且加强了我。主实在照著祂的丰富，并在荣耀中，报答那些将款项存入属天账户的人。腓立比四章十九节指明，主的报答也是『在基督耶稣里』。『在基督耶稣里』这辞也是形容『使…你们充足』。基督是包罗万有的一位，祂是根基、元素、范围和管道；神在祂里面，且藉著祂，在荣耀中照著神的丰富，照顾祂的子民。

12Let me now share the experience on my side. After that conference in Shanghai, I went to Nanking, where I was ministering in some meetings. Suddenly the news came that the wife of a particular co-worker was seriously ill and that he needed to return home immediately to care for her. After I heard the news, something within told me to give this brother a certain amount of money. I hesitated, realizing that I needed this money for a train ticket. I wondered how I would be able to buy the ticket if I gave this money to the brother. But I could not argue with the Lord. I knew that I could not have peace unless I obeyed Him and gave that money to the brother. The Lord impressed me not to trust in the amount of money I had, but to trust only in Him. Telling the Lord that I trusted Him, I proceeded to give the money to the brother. As a result, on the one hand, my burden was gone, but, on the other hand, I became anxious concerning how I would purchase the train ticket. Later that day, in the evening after the meeting, I received a gift from someone. That gift was several times the amount I had given to the brother. When I opened the envelope and saw the amount of the gift, I was greatly surprised. Of course, my anxiety disappeared, but in its place was a feeling of shame. I felt so ashamed that I found it difficult even to give thanks to the Lord. In repaying me several times what I had given to the brother, the Lord acted in glory according to His riches. Yes, I did feel shame at first, but what the Lord did eventually brought me into His glory and strengthened me. Truly the Lord’s repayment of those who make deposits into the heavenly account is always according to His riches and in glory. Philippians 4:19 indicates that the Lord’s repayment is also “in Christ Jesus.” The phrase in Christ Jesus also modifies fill. Christ is the all-inclusive One as the base, the element, the sphere, and the channel in which and by which God cares for His people according to His riches and in glory.

13我们曾一再指出，腓立比书是关于经历基督的书。这里所写的，必定与经历基督有关。我们若不将这原则应用在授受的事上，就不会完全领会保罗在四章十节，十四至二十节所说关于授受的事。在这些经文里，保罗说到发生、交通、给神的祭物、馨香之气，以及神在荣耀中，照著祂的丰富，在基督耶稣里供应一切所需用的。这些说法和辞句都指明，甚至财物的授受，也与经历基督有密切的关系。在我们这面，这与生命有关；在神那面，这与祂的荣耀有关。我们以生命的方式，在生命的交通里授受。我们这样作，就会在生命里开花，这是生命繁茂的标记，也是基督身体里正常生命循环的标记。这在生命交通里的授受，结果就是神的荣耀。今天在大多数基督徒中间，没有这样开花、交通、祭物、和荣耀的迹象。但保罗写到财物的授受时，用开花、交通、馨香之气、给神的祭物、在荣耀中、并照著祂的丰富这样的辞句。这一切都指向经历基督。毫无疑问，当那些腓立比的圣徒给保罗物质的餽送时，他们是在生命里并同著基督作这事的。因此，保罗接到他们的餽送，就享受生命的供应和安慰。于是保罗写这封书信，回覆腓立比人。保罗给腓立比人的书信，不但供应生命给他们，也供应了历世纪无数的信徒。如果当时我们在腓立比接到这封书信，可能会读牠百次以上。信徒在供给使徒上，有分于生命的供应。保罗接到他们餽送时的回答，对腓立比的信徒，并对读这段话的众圣徒，也都是生命的供应。藉此我们看见，甚至物质餽送的授受，也能成为对基督丰富的经历，结果使神得著荣耀。神这样眷临供给的人和接受的人，为要彰显祂的荣美、祂的荣耀。因此，在授受之事上的交通，不但供应生命给一切有关的人，也将各方都带进神的荣耀中。

13Again and again we have pointed out that the book of Philippians is a book on the experience of Christ. Whatever is written here must be related to the experience of Christ. If we do not apply this principle to the matter of giving and receiving, we shall not have a full understanding of what Paul says concerning giving and receiving in 4:10, 14-20. In these verses Paul speaks of blossoming, fellowship, a sacrifice to God, a sweet odor, and God supplying every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. All these terms and expressions indicate that even the giving and receiving of material things is intimately related to the experience of Christ. On our side, it is related to life; on God’s side, it is related to His glory. We give and receive in the way of life, in the fellowship of life. When we do this, there will be the blossoming in life, the sign that life is flourishing, that there is a normal circulation of life in the Body of Christ. The issue of this giving and receiving in the fellowship of life is the glory of God. Among most Christians today, there is no trace of such blossoming, fellowship, sacrifice, and glory. But in Paul’s writing concerning the giving and receiving of material things, he uses such expressions as blossom, fellowship, sweet odor, sacrifice to God, according to His riches, and in glory. All this points to the experience of Christ. No doubt, when those saints in Philippi sent material gifts to Paul, they did so in life and with Christ. Thus, when Paul received their gifts, he enjoyed the ministry of life and comfort. Paul responded to the Philippians by writing them this Epistle. Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians ministered life not only to them, but to countless believers throughout the centuries. If we had been in Philippi receiving this Epistle, we might have read it more than a hundred times. In giving to the apostle, the believers participated in the ministry of life. Paul’s answer upon receiving their gift was also a ministry of life, both to the believers in Philippi and to all the saints who read this portion of the Word. By this we see that even the giving and receiving of material gifts can become a rich experience of Christ which issues in the glorification of God. God comes in to visit both the ones who give and the one who receives in such a way as to express His splendor, His glory. Thus, the fellowship in the matters of giving and receiving not only ministers life to all concerned, but also brings all parties into the glory of God.

14腓立比四章十九至二十节是以美妙的方式，以主观、亲密、并荣耀的方式写的。在十九节保罗告诉圣徒，他的『神必…使你们一切所需用的都充足』。他们供给保罗的，实际上是由神接受。因此，欠他们债的不是保罗，乃是神。所以，神有义务偿还信徒。神与保罗同伙。保罗在神属天的事业里与神是一。神的经纶是祂属天的公司，在这公司里神与保罗是同伙。为这缘故，腓立比的信徒供给保罗东西时，欠他们债的是神。保罗知道神会偿还他们。然而我们要领悟，惟有我们在基督里供给人，神才欠我们的债，这是很重要的。我们若不是在基督里给人餽送，神就没有义务偿还我们。但每当我们在基督里供给召会，供给需要的圣徒，或供给主在祂恢复里的工作时，神就欠我们的债。祂欠债的原因是，我们在基督里供给召会、圣徒、或主的工作，实际上就是给神自己和祂的事业，给祂的经纶。因为保罗与神是一，并能说祂是『我的神』，所以他能告诉信徒，神必照著祂的丰富，使他们一切所需用的都充足。保罗无以偿还圣徒。然而，神会偿还他们，不是照著他们所给祂的，乃是照著祂的丰富。不但如此，神甚至可能偿还他们百倍。

14Philippians 4:19 and 20 are composed in a wonderful way, in a way that is subjective, intimate, and glorious. In verse 19 Paul tells the saints that his “God shall fill every need of yours.” What they gave to Paul was actually received by God. Thus, it was not Paul who was in debt to them, but God. Hence, God was obligated to pay back the believers. God and Paul were in partnership. Paul was one with God in God’s heavenly enterprise. God’s economy is His heavenly corporation. In this corporation God and Paul were partners. For this reason, when the Philippian believers gave something to Paul, it was God who became indebted to them. Paul knew that God would repay them. It is important for us to realize, however, that it is only when we give in Christ that God becomes indebted to us. If we do not present our gifts in Christ, God will not be obligated to repay us. But whenever in Christ we give something to the church, to the needy saints, or to the Lord’s work in His recovery, God becomes indebted to us. The reason for His indebtedness is that by giving something in Christ to the church, the saints, or the work, we are actually giving to God Himself and to His concern, to His economy. Because Paul was one with God and could speak of Him as “my God,” he could tell the believers that God would fill every need of theirs according to His riches. Paul did not have anything with which to repay the saints. However, God would repay them, not according to what they gave Him, but according to His riches. Furthermore, He might even repay them a hundredfold.

15我们曾指出，神也必在荣耀中，并在基督耶稣里，使我们的需用充足。荣耀是神在祂的荣美里彰显出来，将我们带进对祂彰显的享受。神在荣耀中报答我们，就将我们带进祂的荣美里。我非常鼓励你们这样经历基督。每个活基督并显大祂的人，都该经历为著神的权益把东西给神，也得著神照著祂的丰富并在荣耀中的报答，被带进对祂在荣美之荣耀彰显的享受。十九节的『使…充足』由三个短句形容：第一，『在荣耀中』；第二，『照著祂的丰富』；第三，『在基督耶稣里』。基督这包罗万有的一位，是神报答的元素、范围、管道和气氛。

15As we have pointed out, God will also fill our needs in glory and in Christ Jesus. Glory is God expressed in His splendor to bring us into the enjoyment of His expression. When God repays us in glory, He brings us into His splendor. I strongly encourage you to experience Christ in this way. Everyone who lives Christ and magnifies Him should have the experience of giving something to God for His interests and of being repaid by Him according to His riches and in glory, being brought into the enjoyment of His glorious expression in His splendor. In verse 19 the word fill is modified by three phrases: first, according to His riches; second, in glory; and third, in Christ Jesus. As the all-inclusive One, Christ is the element, realm, channel, and atmosphere of God’s repayment

16腓立比四章所描述授受的事，不是天然的慷慨，不是由于甘愿牺牲而捐赠东西。不，这里所描述的是对基督真实的经历。我们若照著保罗的话供给人，就不是在自己里面，乃是在基督里面供给人。我们的餽送在基督里并藉著基督给出去的时候，就成为开花的生命之事。不但如此，这会成为馨香之气，神所喜悦的祭物，并且会使神的荣耀向我们显明。这就是在为著主的权益供给财物的事上经历基督。

16The matter of giving and receiving in the way described in Philippians 4 is not a matter of natural generosity, of donating something out of a willingness to sacrifice. No, what is described here is an actual experience of Christ. If we give according to Paul’s word, we give not in ourselves, but in Christ. When our gift is presented in Christ and through Christ, it becomes something of life that blossoms. Furthermore, it becomes a sweet odor, a sacrifice well-pleasing to God. This will cause God’s glory to be manifested to us. This is the experience of Christ in giving material things for the Lord’s interest.

伍　愿荣耀归与我们的神与父，直到永永远远

V. GLORY TO OUR GOD AND FATHER FOREVER AND EVER

17保罗对腓立比书这段的结语是：『愿荣耀归与我们的神与父，直到永永远远。阿们。』（20。）请注意在这节里，保罗说到『我们的神与父』。这指明神不只是使徒的神，也是信徒的神。保罗若没有插入所有格代名词『我们的』，也没有甚么错。然而，用这代名词很有意义，因这指明神是我们的神。

17Paul concludes this portion of Philippians with the words, “Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (v. 20). Notice that in this verse Paul speaks of “our God and Father.” This indicates that God is not only the apostle’s God, but also the believers’ God. If Paul had not inserted the possessive pronoun our, there would not have been anything wrong. The use of this pronoun, however, is significant, for it indicates that God is our God

18愿荣耀归与我们的神与父，直到永永远远。我们曾指明，荣耀乃是神在祂的荣美和优越里彰显出来，给我们珍赏。愿荣耀归与神，就是愿神这样得著彰显。神在祂荣美里的彰显，可用康乃馨开花来说明。康乃馨开花的时候，就得著荣耀；开花使康乃馨一切的荣耀显出来。因此，康乃馨的开花就是牠的得荣。同样，我们为著神的权益，在基督里向神而有的供给，带来神的荣耀，不仅叫我们有享受，也叫神得荣耀。所以，神得著荣耀，我们得著享受。我们享受神的得荣。我们若从来没有在为著神的权益供给财物的事上，享受基督并经历祂，就无法这样珍赏神彰显的荣美或优越。二十节说到神在荣美里得著彰显。我们为著神的权益在基督里供给财物，就供应生命给身体，并带进神的荣耀。神的荣耀得著显明，我们就珍赏祂的荣美和优越。这珍赏是享受也是经历。没有这样的经历，我们就无法有这样的珍赏。神在祂的荣美和优越里得著彰显，就叫我们珍赏，并使我们满足。在腓立比信徒的一面，这带进丰满的供应；在罗马保罗的一面，这带进完全的满足。所以，信徒在使徒需用上的交通，结果乃是生命和荣耀。生命供应给人，神也得著荣耀。

18To our God and Father is the glory forever and ever. As we have indicated, glory is God expressed in His splendor and excellency for our appreciation. For glory to be to God means that God is expressed and praised in this way. The expression of God in His splendor may be illustrated by the blossoming of a carnation flower. When a carnation blossoms, it is glorified; the blossom brings out all the glory of the carnation flower. Thus, its blossoming is its glorification. In like manner, when we give something in Christ to God for God’s interest, this brings in God’s glory, not only for our enjoyment, but also for God’s glorification. Therefore, God is glorified, and we gain enjoyment. We enjoy the glorification of God. If we have never enjoyed Christ and experienced Him in giving material things for God’s interest, we shall not be able to appreciate the splendor or the excellency of God’s expression in this way. According to verse 20, God is expressed in splendor and then praised by the believers. When we give material things in Christ for God’s interest, life is ministered to the Body, and God’s glory is brought in. As God’s glory is manifested, we appreciate His splendor and excellency. This appreciation is both an enjoyment and an experience. Without such an experience we cannot have this kind of appreciation. God is expressed in His splendor and excellency for our appreciation and satisfaction. On the part of the believers in Philippi, this brought in the full supply; on the part of Paul in Rome, it brought in full satisfaction. Therefore, the result of the believers’ fellowship in the apostle’s need is life and glory. Life is supplied to man, and God is glorified.