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猶太人獨特的地方

這樣說來,猶太人獨特的地方在哪裡呢?割禮又有甚麼益處呢? 從各方面來說,的確很多。最重要的,是 神的聖言已經託付了他們。 即使有人不信,又有甚麼關係呢?難道他們的不信會使 神的信實無效嗎? 絕不可能! 神總是誠實的,人卻是虛謊的,正如經上所記:

“你在話語上,顯為公義;

你被論斷時,必然得勝。”

我且照著人的見解來說,我們的不義若彰顯 神的義,我們可以說甚麼呢?難道降怒的 神是不義的嗎? 絕對不是!如果是這樣, 神怎能審判世界呢? 但是 神的誠實,如果因我的虛謊而更加顯出他的榮耀來,為甚麼我還要像罪人一樣受審判呢? 為甚麼不說:“我們去作惡以成善吧!”(有人毀謗我們,說我們講過這話。)這種人被定罪是理所當然的。

世上一個義人也沒有

那又怎麼樣呢?我們比他們強嗎?絕不是的。因為我們已經控訴過,無論是猶太人或是希臘人,都在罪惡之下, 10 正如經上所說:

“沒有義人,連一個也沒有,

11 沒有明白的,沒有尋求 神的;

12 人人都偏離了正道,一同變成污穢;

沒有行善的,連一個也沒有。

13 他們的喉嚨是敞開的墳墓,

他們用舌頭弄詭詐,

他們嘴裡有虺蛇的毒,

14 滿口是咒罵和惡毒;

15 為了殺人流血,他們的腳步飛快,

16 在經過的路上留下毀滅和悲慘。

17 和睦之道,他們不曉得,

18 他們的眼中也不怕 神。”

19 然而我們曉得,凡律法所說的,都是對在律法之下的人說的,好讓每一個人都沒有話可講,使全世界的人都伏在 神的審判之下。 20 沒有一個人可以靠行律法,在 神面前得稱為義,因為藉著律法,人對於罪才有充分的認識。

因信基督白白稱義

21 現在,有律法和先知的話可以證明: 神的義在律法之外已經顯明出來, 22 就是 神的義,因著信耶穌基督,毫無區別地臨到所有信的人。 23 因為人人都犯了罪,虧缺了 神的榮耀, 24 但他們卻因著 神的恩典,藉著在基督耶穌裡的救贖,就白白地稱義。 25  神設立了耶穌為贖罪祭(“贖罪祭”直譯作“贖罪或使 神息怒之法”),是憑著他的血,藉著人的信,為的是要顯明 神的義;因為 神用忍耐的心寬容了人從前所犯的罪, 26 好在現今顯明他的義,使人知道他自己為義,又稱信耶穌的人為義。

27 這樣,有甚麼可誇的呢?沒有可誇的了。憑甚麼準則說沒有的呢?憑行為嗎?不是的,而是以信心為準則說的。 28 因為我們認定,人稱義是由於信,並不是靠行律法。 29 難道 神只是猶太人的 神嗎?不也是外族人的 神嗎?是的,他也是外族人的 神。 30  神既然只有一位,他就以信為準則稱受割禮的為義,也要以信為準則稱沒有受割禮的為義。 31 這樣說來,我們以信廢掉了律法嗎?絕對不是,倒是鞏固了律法。

What then is the advantage of the Yehudi? Or what is the value of the bris milah?

Much in every way! For, koidem kol (in the first place), they are entrusted with the Divrei Hashem (the oracles, the words of G-d).

So, where does that leave us? If some have disbelieved, has their lack of emunah annulled the ne’emanut (faithfulness, trustworthiness, reliability) of Hashem?

Chas v’shalom (G-d forbid!) Let G-d be true and KOL HAADAM KOZEV ("every man a liar" TEHILLIM 116:11). Even as it is written, L’MA’AN TITZDAK B’DAVRECHA ("in order that you might be vindicated when you speak" and shall overcome when you judge TEHILLIM 51:6[4]).

But if our unrighteousness brings out and highlights the Tzedek Olamim, the Tzidkat Hashem (the righteousness of G-d), what shall we say? Rhetorically speaking, is G-d unjust in inflicting Charon Af Hashem (1:18)? (I speak from a human standpoint.)

Chas v’shalom! (G-d forbid!) For then how could Hashem be HaShofet kol ha’Aretz (BERESHIS 18:25)?

"But if the Emes Hashem (truth of G-d) has by my sheker overflowed to His kavod (glory), why am I still judged as a rashah (an evildoer)?"

Why do we not say, as some speakers of lashon hora slanderously report us to say, "Let us do rah that tov might come of it"? The gezar din (verdict) of ashem (guilty) on them is well deserved.

What then? Are we (Yehudim) better off? Not altogether. For we have now charged both Yehudim and non-Jews as all alike under HaChet (sin, i.e., the power of Chet Kadmon Ro 7:23),

10 As it is written, EIN TZADDIK BA’ARETZ (KOHELET 7:20), There is none [on earth] righteous, not even one.

11 There is none who has binah, there is none who seeks out G-d.

12 All have turned aside, they have become altogether paskudneh, worthless; there is none who does good, there is none, not so much as one.

13 Their throat is an open grave. They use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips,

14 Whose mouth is full of curses and bitterness.

15 Their feet are swift when it comes to shefach dahm.

16 Ruin and wretchedness are in their ways,

17 And the derech Shalom (the way of peace) they have not known.

18 There is no yirat Shomayim (fear of G-d) before their eyes. (See TEHILLIM 13:1-3; 14:1-3; 5:9,10; 139:4; 140:3; 9:28; 10:7; YESHAYAH 59:7 8; TEHILLIM 36:1; MISHLE 1:16; TEHILLIM 35:2.)

19 Now we know that whatever the Torah says, it says to those under the Torah, in order that every mouth might be stopped and kol HaOlam Hazeh become ashem (guilty) and liable to the Mishpat Hashem [TEHILLIM 1:5].

20 For by Ma’asim (Works) of Chok (Law) shall KOL CHAI LO YITZDAK ("all living not be justified" TEHILLIM 143:2), for through the Chok (Law) comes the da’as HaChet (the knowledge of sin, BERESHIS 3:7).

21 But now, apart from the Chok, the Tzedek Olamim—the Tzidkat Hashem—has been revealed, as attested by the Torah and the Nevi’im,

22 That is, the Tzidkat Hashem through emunah in Moshiach Yehoshua (Yeshua) to all the ma’aminim (believers). For there is no distinction.

23 For all have sinned and suffered want of the kavod Hashem.

24 They are acquitted and accounted to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM as a matnat Hashem (gift of G-d) by the unmerited Chen v’Chesed Hashem (grace of G-d) through HaPedut (the ransom, the payment of ransom for the Geulah redemption—Shmuel Bais 7:23 that comes about through the Go’el Moshiach Tzidkeinu) which is in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua,

25 Whom G-d set forth as a kapporah (that which propitiates G-d’s wrath; cf the sa’ir l’azazel in Lv 16:22 and Isa 53:12 paying the onesh for sin) through emunah (faith) in the DAHM ("blood" Gen 22:7; Ex 12:3,6; Isa 53:7,10) of Moshiach, to demonstrate the Tzedek Olamim, the Tzidkat Hashem (righteousness of G-d) in pasach (passing over, letting go the penalty of) the averos (sins) committed in former times

26 In the forbearance of G-d, to vindicate his Tzidkat Hashem (righteousness of G-d) in the present time, that HASHEM TZADDIK ("G-d is righteous" DIVREY HAYAMIM BAIS 12:6) Himself and the One who counts to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM (IYOV 25:4) the person who has emunah (faith) and bitachon (trust) in [Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach] Yehoshua.

27 Where then is boasting? (Ro 4:2) It has been memayet (precluded, excluded). By what kind of Torah? Of ma’asim (works)? No, on the contrary, by the Torah of Emunah (the Law of Faith, that is, the Law understood in terms of emunah).

28 For we reckon that a man is acquitted and pronounced to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM by emunah (personal faith, trust, bitachon), apart from the [(supposed) zechus-earning] ma’asei mitzvot.

29 Or is Hashem G-d of the Yehudim only? Is Hashem not also G-d of the Nations? Ken, of non-Jews, too,

30 Vi-bahlt (since), after all, Adonai echad ("G-d is one" DEVARIM 6:4). Therefore, He will consider to be YITZDAK IM HASHEM and acquit those of the bris milah on the ground of emunah and the "arelim" (uncircumcised ones) through that same emunah.

31 Does it follow that we abolish Torah and make it invalid through emunah? Chas v’shalom! Aderaba (to the contrary), we uphold the Torah.