Understanding God's Will

Godly living results from being controlled by the principles of God’s Word.

敬虔的生活源于肯将生命交由神话语的原则掌管。

Paul's prayer for the Philippians (Phil. 1:9-11) is closely paralleled by his prayer for the Colossians (Col. 1:9-12). Both epistles were written from the same Roman prison at about the same time in Paul's life. Both prayers focus on godly living, but each approaches it from a slightly different perspective.

保罗为腓利比人的祷告（腓1：9-11）与他为歌罗西人的祷告（西1：9-12），两者密切并行。两封书信都是在保罗生平的同一时期写成，出自同一座罗马监狱。两个祷告的重点都关乎敬虔生命，但其视角略有不同。

The Philippians were gracious people who needed to exercise greater knowledge and discernment in their love. The Colossians also were gracious but their devotion to Christ was being challenged by heretics who taught that Christ is insufficient for salvation and godly living. True spirituality, the false teachers said, is found in Christ plus human philosophy, religious legalism, mysticism, or asceticism. Paul encouraged the Colossian believers and refuted the false teachers by showing the utter sufficiency of Christ.

腓利比人满有恩典，他们需要操练有更大的见识和在爱心上有分辨。歌罗西人也有恩典，但他们向着基督的忠诚受到来自异端的挑战，异端们教导，对于得救和敬虔的生活，光有基督还不够。假教师们说，真正的属灵，需要基督加上人的哲学、宗教律法、神秘主义、或禁欲苦修。保罗鼓励这些歌罗西的信徒，并显示基督完全的充足驳斥那些假教师。

At the outset of his prayer Paul stressed the importance of being controlled by the knowledge of God's will (which is revealed in His Word). That's the meaning of the Greek word translated "filled" in verse 9. "Knowledge" translates a word that speaks of a deep, penetrating knowledge that results in behavioral change. "Spiritual wisdom and understanding" refers to knowledge that cannot be known through human reasoning or philosophy. It is imparted by the Holy Spirit Himself.

在祷告的开头，保罗强调明白神的旨意（神启示在祂的话中），由其掌管的重要性。这是第9节中译成“满心的”希腊词的意思。“知识”一词指的是一种深刻敏锐的能让人行为改变的知识。“属灵的智慧和悟性”指的是不能通过人的理性或哲学获得的知识。它是由圣灵亲自给予的。

In effect Paul was saying, "I pray that you will be continually controlled by the life-transforming knowledge of God's will, which the Holy Spirit imparts as you prayerfully study and meditate on God's Word."

实际上保罗是在说，“我祷告你们会让神旨意改变生命的知识不断地掌管你们，这知识是当你们以祷告的心研习默想神话语时，圣灵给予你们的。”

Scripture supplies the principles you need to live a godly life. The Spirit gives you the power to do so. Many false teachers will try to divert you from the simplicity of devotion to Christ by offering you philosophy, psychology, and a myriad of other hopeless alternatives. Don't be victimized. In Christ you have everything you need!

圣经提供了你过敬虔生活所需的原则。圣灵赐给你行出来的能力。许多假教师会用哲学、心理学，以及其他堆积如山的毫无指望的替代品，竭力将你从向着基督的忠诚专一引开。不要受其扰害，在基督里，你已经有了一切所需。

• Thank God for His all-sufficient Son and for the resources that are yours in Him.

• Ask for wisdom to apply those resources to every situation you face today.

• 为着圣子全然的充足丰富，为着在基督里这一切资源都是你的，向神献上感谢！

• 求神赐你智慧在你每日面对的各样境况中运用这些资源。

Read Colossians 1:15—2:23.

阅读歌罗西书1：15-2：23.

• What was Christ's role in creation?

• What was Paul's goal as a minister?

• What warnings and commands did Paul give?

• 在创世时基督担当什么角色？

• 作为一个侍奉神的人，保罗的目标是什么？

• 保罗给了我们什么告诫和命令？