提要
要完全瞭解任何被引用之經文的意義,注意其上下文是極為重要的。拿今天的鑰節來說,至少有兩個上下文意需要考慮。一個是有關以色列在未來彌賽亞紀元時的復興,另一個是哥林多城的文化實況。讓我們先來看第二層面。
哥林多是一個異教城市。它是當時世界的主要貿易中心,也是亞非羅底廟的所在地。「愛神」亞非羅底廟內有數百位廟妓供職,而哥林多城更是國際有名的「色情遊樂場」。墮落的風氣普及哥林多社會的各階層,甚至危及教會。那就是為什麼保羅要從先知書中挑一節「集合性」的經文來鼓勵哥林多信徒娶或嫁主內的弟兄姐妹。
我稱它為「集合性」經文,因為有好幾處經文與它有相似的含意。例如:「你們離開吧!離開吧!從巴比倫出來,不要沾不潔淨的物,要從其中出來;你們扛抬耶和華器皿的人哪,務要自潔。」(賽52:11)或者:「我必將你們從萬民中領出來,從分散的列國內聚集你們。」(結20:34)以上經文所說的是被分散的以色列人在歷史上將有的復興。它們所表達的信息是一致的:「要自潔,不要同流合污,因為我必將你們帶回那地。」
我們能從中學到什麼呢?很簡單:過合乎道德的生活,並期待天國的降臨。彌賽亞再來的日子近了。
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Overview
To fully appreciate any Scripture reference, it is vital to be aware of context. In the case of these key verses, there are at least two contextual considerations converging. One relates to the restoration of Israel in a future Messianic era, the other to the cultural realities of the city of Corinth. Let's look at the second one first.
Corinth was a pagan city. It was a key worldwide commercial centre that was dominated by the Temple of Aphrodite built on top of an 1800 foot high hill called Acrocorinth. Aphrodite, "the Love Goddess", was served by hundreds of sacred prostitutes, and Corinth was known internationally as a sexual playground. This immoral flavour permeated all aspects of Corinthian society and was endangering the church. That is why Paul digs out a kind of "aggregate" quote from the prophets to encourage the Corinthian Christians to marry fellow believers.
Now look at the "aggregate" quote. I call it that because there are several references in which the essential substance is similar. For example, "Depart! Depart! Go out from there, touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her, be clean, you who bear the vessels of the Lord" (Isaiah 52:11). Or, "I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered..." (Ezekiel 20:34). And, "I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the ends of the earth... For I am a Father to Israel" (Ezekiel 31:8,9). The context is that of an historical restoration for a scattered Israel. The message: "stay kosher and don't assimilate, because I'm bringing you back to the Land".
What can we get out of it? Simply this: live morally and in expectation of the kingdom of Heaven. Messiah is at the door.
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