提要
本章頭十節是說到保羅被耶路撒冷的教會領袖接納為使徒。這段話事實上從第一章的十一節就開始了。在一章的十五、十六節,保羅提及自己歸正信主的過程,然後,「過了三年,才上耶路撒冷去見彼得」(18節)。二章一節所說的「過了十四年」,可能是指他與彼得第一次會面後十四年。保羅再度上耶路撒冷,「把我在外邦人中所傳的福音對弟兄們陳說」(2:2)。
保羅的事工受到密切的注意有幾個理由。第一,向外邦人傳猶太人的彌賽亞聽起來似乎很不恰當。另一個理由與大部分初代教會信徒的信念有關,他們認為,在一個外邦人要能成為基督徒以前,他首先必須作一個猶太人(受割禮)。這些猶太分子堅持猶太人的禮法、儀法,但保羅卻似乎對這些律法嗤之以鼻。所以耶路撒冷的領袖們想仔細的查證保羅的資格。而保羅通過了這關。
耶路撒冷三位主要的領袖,「雅各、彼得、和約翰」,向保羅和巴拿巴「行右手相交之禮」,並且同意「我們(保羅和巴拿巴)往外邦人那裡去」(9節)。但他們首要的關切不是教義的問題,而是社會性的關懷;「他們要我們記念窮人」。關懷窮人的需要是一個平衡事工的根基。對窮人的關懷中和了象牙塔式的哲理。向窮人傳道、愛窮人、滿足他們的需要,這樣做,福音自然充滿活力、並能達到平衡。
|
Overview
The first ten verses of this chapter deal with Paul's acceptance as an apostle by the leadership in Jerusalem. The discussion actually begins in chapter one, verse 11. In verses 15 and 16, he speaks of his conversion and then, three years later, going up to Jerusalem "to get acquainted with Peter" (v.18). The "fourteen years later" of 2:1 probably refers to fourteen years after that visit to Peter. He went up to Jerusalem again to "set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles" (v.2).
Paul's ministry was under scrutiny for a few reasons. One was that the idea of preaching the gospel of the Jewish Messiah to Gentiles seemed irrelevant and out of context. Another reason was related to the belief of most of the early believers that before a Gentile could become a Christian he first of all had to become a Jew (and be circumcised). These "Judaizers" were also adamant about kosher law and other ritual and ceremonial concerns which Paul appeared to be flouting. The Jerusalem leadership therefore wanted to carefully check Paul's credentials. And he passed the test.
The three key leaders, "James, Peter, and John", gave Paul and Barnabas "the right hand of fellowship" and "agreed that [they] should go to the Gentiles" (v.9). But they had one key concern. It was not a doctrinal concern but social: "they asked that we should continue to remember the poor." When you get right down to it, concern for the needs of the poor is the foundational material of a balanced ministry. Ivory towers, philosophizing, and preaching to the converted all are neutralized by a prior concern for the poor. Preach to the poor, love the poor, meet their needs. Do this, and the Gospel will come alive and achieve balance.
|
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for building Your church and for the leadership of the church who serve as "pillars". Help us to be humble enough to recognize, as Paul did, YOUR pillars. Amen. |