一: 受了恩惠与职分, 在万国中为基督的名叫人信服真道: 徒19:21,20:1-3

罗马书 | 朱志山
罗马书是圣灵启示使徒保罗所写的书信当中,有关福音最经典与透彻的书信。这本书信不但:(1)设定了福音的纯净观念(神的义本于信,以至于信);(2)也结合了福音的实际性(靠着心灵的新样,察验神的美意而活);(3)最终也带来福音的普世性,使听信福音之人不能单单停留在认识福音,乃生发一颗向万人的欠债之心,要将福音不断的传到新的群体中。确实上,历史历代都认定了罗马书的重要性。马丁路德说它“实为新约首要的部份……真是最纯正的福音。加尔文说“若能真正明白这卷书信,便是开启了圣经一切奥秘宝藏之门”。英译圣经之父(William Tyndale)说它是:新约最主要、最非凡的一部分,是最纯正的福音,也是进到全本圣经的亮光和途径……这本书越研读越容易,越咀嚼就越可喜。初期教父最伟大的教父(Augustine of Hippo)也是从放荡和被色欲捆绑的人生中因这本书唤醒,重生悔改。罗马书里头有几处的福音要点(视为罗马书架构)是我们要掌握的:《1:16》福音本是神的大能,要救一切相信的(神为的救恩);《3:23》世人都犯了罪,亏欠神的荣耀(对罪的确实认识);《4:13》神应许亚伯拉罕(与后裔)不是因律法,乃是因信得的义(因信称义);《5:8,20》基督在我们作罪人时为我们死,显出神的爱… 因此罪在哪里多,恩典就更显多了(因信称义之人的确据);《6:14》罪不能作你们的主,因你们不在律法之下,乃在恩典之下(因信称义之人的成圣);《7:6》服侍主要按着心灵的新样,不按着仪文的旧样(认识肉体与圣灵);《8章》圣灵的事工与众圣徒的得胜有余;《9-11章》神为犹太人与外邦人的主权性计划,在此也显明神的预定之恩;《12-15章》靠圣灵察验神美意,在生活中活出基督荣形;《16章》问安中联结同路人。以上是罗马书的脉络,显示两个大主题:① 福音是神的大能,要救一切相信的《1:16》,② 信福音之人里头的圣灵,是实际的向圣徒显明上帝善良、纯全、可喜悦的旨意《12:2》。确实上,罗马书所讲的福音包含着主要与联结的真理。倘若我们失去主要根基或是只停留在根基却不发展到生命生活的每个领域中,我们就会失去福音的精义,掉入以人本出发的信仰。或无能的神学道理。
Among all books written by Paul through the Holy Spirit conviction, the book of Romans is the most classic and comprehensive letters concerning the gospel. This book has (1) laid down the pure concepts of the gospel (the righteousness of God is by faith from first to last); (2) combined the practicality of the gospel (rely on the new way of the Spirit, live by testing and approving the perfect will of God); (3) eventually led to the universality of the gospel, such that people who have listened and believed in the gospel will not only remain in knowing the gospel, but all the more have a heart of indebtedness to all people developed in them, desiring to spread the gospel to new groups of people. Actually, the history and generations have all acknowledged the importance of Romans. Martin Luther said, “This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament. It is purest Gospel”. Calvin said, “If we can really understand this volume of letters, it is opening the door to all the mysteries of the treasure.” The father of bible English translations (William Tyndale) said it is: the principal and most excellent part of the New Testament, a light and a way in unto the whole scripture. ..the more it is studied the easier it is, the more it is chewed the pleasanter it is.” The greatest of the early church fathers (Augustine of Hippo) was also awakened from his hedonistic lifestyle and bondage of the lust through this book, thus repented and made borned again. There’re few fundamentals in this books of Romans (deemed as the cornerstone of Romans) we need to grasp: <1:6> The gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes (salvation is God-driven); <3:23> for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (to understand truly what sin is); <4:13> It is not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith (made righteous by faith); < 5:8,20> But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us…But when sin increased, grace increased all the more (the assurance of being made righteous by faith); <6:14> For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace (the sanctification of people made righteous by faith); <7:6> We serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code (knowing flesh and Holy Spirit); <Chapter 8> the work of the Holy Spirit and all saints are more than conquerors; <Chapters 9-11> Lord’s sovereign purpose in Jews and Gentiles, revealing the predestined grace of God; <Chapters 12-15> Rely on the Holy Spirit in testing and approving the perfect will of God, living out the glorious image of Christ; <Chapter 16> Connecting travel mates in greetings. All these are the thread in the book of Romans, revealing 2 great themes: ① The Gospel is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes 《1:16》,② The Holy Spirit residing in people who believe in the gospel is revealing God’s good, pleasing and perfect will practically《12:2》. Actually, the gospel that Romans mentions includes the truth that is fundamental and connected. If we lose the primary foundation or remain on the foundation and not extending it to all areas of our lives and living, we will soon lose the essence of the gospel and fall into a faith that is humanistic, or the theological truths that are powerless.