耶稣本来富足却为我们变为贫穷 — 哥林多后书读经随笔 第8章

哥林多后书第八章，保罗给哥林多教会的弟兄们讲述了马其顿教会在捐助方面的慷慨。保罗说虽然马其顿教会身处患难，但是仍然有大喜乐，他们虽然极度贫穷，但是格外乐捐。他们的捐助不仅超过了他们自己的力量，还甘心乐意。保罗然后对哥林多教会说，哥林多教会的弟兄们在信心、口才、知识、热心和爱心上都格外富有，就当在捐助的事上也显出慷慨。保罗说，主耶稣基督本来富足，却为我们变为了贫穷，好叫我们因他的贫穷可以成为富足。
 林后8:1 弟兄们、我把　神赐给马其顿众教会的恩告诉你们．
Moreover, brothers, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the assemblies of Macedonia;
 林后8:2 就是他们在患难中受大试炼的时候、仍有满足的快乐、在极穷之间、还格外显出他们乐捐的厚恩。
how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.
 林后8:3 我可以证明他们是按着力量、而且也过了力量、自己甘心乐意的捐助．
For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
 林后8:4 再三的求我们、准他们在这供给圣徒的恩情上有分．
begging us with much entreaty to receive this grace and the fellowship in the service to the saints.
 林后8:5 并且他们所作的、不但照我们所想望的、更照　神的旨意、先把自己献给主、又归附了我们。
This was not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God.
 林后8:6 因此我劝提多、既然在你们中间开办这慈惠的事、就当办成了。
So we urged Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.
 林后8:7 你们既然在信心、口才、知识、热心、和待我们的爱心上、都格外显出满足来、就当在这慈惠的事上、也格外显出满足来。
But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace.
 林后8:8 我说这话、不是吩咐你们、乃是借着别人的热心、试验你们爱心的实在。
I speak not by way of commandment, but as proving through the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your love.
 林后8:9 你们知道我们主耶稣基督的恩典、他本来富足、却为你们成了贫穷、叫你们因他的贫穷、可以成为富足。
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.