在爱中建立基督的身体 - 以弗所书读经随笔 第4章

以弗所书第四章第15-32节，保罗劝诫弟兄们要在爱里讲说真理（即讲说耶稣就是真理，道路与生命），这样才可以成长为基督这个身体的一个有机部分，并且，基督这个身体本身(即天下古今所有信耶稣的人这个整体)也同时得到成长。行事为人不要像不信耶稣的人，不信耶稣的人心地刚硬，不能理解福音，与神的生命隔绝； 他们放纵私欲 ，不知满足。我们听了基督的道，领了他的教，学了他的真理，应该在属灵的成长里改换一新，穿上新人，以恩慈相待，存怜悯的心，彼此饶恕，正如神在基督里饶恕了我们一样；除掉一切苦毒，恼恨，忿怒，嚷闹，毁谤和一切的恶毒。

弗4:15 惟用爱心说诚实话、凡事长进、连于元首基督．
but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ;
弗4:16 全身都靠他联络得合式、百节各按各职、照着各体的功用、彼此相助、便叫身体渐渐增长、在爱中建立自己。
from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love.
弗4:17 所以我说、且在主里确实的说、你们行事、不要再像外邦人存虚妄的心行事．
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
弗4:18 他们心地昏昧、与　神所赐的生命隔绝了、都因自己无知、心里刚硬．
being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts;
弗4:19 良心既然丧尽、就放纵私欲、贪行种种的污秽。
who having become callous gave themselves up to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
弗4:20 你们学了基督、却不是这样．
But you did not learn Christ that way;
弗4:21 如果你们听过他的道、领了他的教、学了他的真理、
if indeed you heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus:
弗4:22 就要脱去你们从前行为上的旧人．这旧人是因私欲的迷惑、渐渐变坏的．
that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit;
弗4:23 又要将你们的心志改换一新．
and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
弗4:24 并且穿上新人．这新人是照着　神的形像造的、有真理的仁义、和圣洁。
and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
弗4:25 所以你们要弃绝谎言、各人与邻舍说实话．因为我们是互相为肢体。
Therefore putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another.
弗4:26 生气却不要犯罪．不可含怒到日落．
"Be angry, and don't sin." Don't let the sun go down on your wrath,
弗4:27 也不可给魔鬼留地步。
neither give place to the devil.
弗4:28 从前偷窃的、不要再偷．总要劳力、亲手作正经事、就可有余、分给那缺少的人。
Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.
弗4:29 污秽的言语、一句不可出口、只要随事说造就人的好话、叫听见的人得益处。
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
弗4:30 不要叫　神的圣灵担忧．你们原是受了他的印记、等候得赎的日子来到。
Don't grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
弗4:31 一切苦毒、恼恨、忿怒、嚷闹、毁谤、并一切的恶毒、〔或作阴毒〕都当从你们中间除掉．
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice.
弗4:32 并要以恩慈相待、存怜悯的心、彼此饶恕、正如　神在基督里饶恕了你们一样。
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you