PROMISE AND PROMISES, OF GOD ｜ 神的应许

ENPROMISE AND PROMISES, OF GOD. Promises as related to revealed truths. Promise is a vital element of all essential truth. Every Divine commandment or precept is a commandment or precept "with promise" (Eph. 6:2). Every truth touching God's relations with, and His doings toward, men discloses His love; and all disclosures of His love involve and express large, rich, sweet promises. Appropriating faith is the condition that brings fulfillment to promise. Promises are vitalized and made effectual through a faith that grasps and pleads them without hesitation or faltering: Heb. 6:12, 15. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. James 1:6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. Matt. 21:22. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Gal. 3:14. That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. And it must be a faith that purifies: 2 Cor. 7:1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

BSB2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

中神的应许。应许与所启示之真理的关系。应许是一切要道中具生命力的成分。神的每一条诫命或训令，都是『带应许的』诫命或训令（以弗所书 6:2）。凡触及神与人之关系、神向人所行之事的真理，都显明他的爱；而凡显明他的爱之处，都含蕴并表达出宽宏、丰富、甘美的应许。领受的信心（支取应许的信心）是应许得以应验的条件。应许要靠一种毫不迟疑、毫不动摇地抓住并据以恳求的信心，才被激活、才生功效：希伯来书 6:12, 15 —— 并且不懈怠，总要效法那些凭信心和忍耐承受应许的人。雅各书 1:6 —— 只要凭着信心求，一点不疑惑。马太福音 21:22 —— 你们祷告，无论求什么，只要信，就必得着。加拉太书 3:14 —— 使我们因信得着所应许的圣灵。而且必须是一种使人洁净的信心：哥林多后书 7:1 —— 亲爱的弟兄啊，我们既有这等应许，就当洁净自己，除去身体、灵魂一切的污秽，敬畏神，得以成圣。

ENEffects of promises accepted, trusted in, and pleaded in an obedient spirit—hope, with its effective results of encouragement, inspiration and stimulus to faithful endeavor: Rom. 15:4. That we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 1 Pet. 3:15. Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you. Ps. 119:49, 74, 81, 114. Remember the word unto Thy servant, upon which Thou hast caused me to hope. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in Thy word. Promise is also a means and instrument of increasing sanctification: 2 Pet. 1:4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Definite subjects of promise—two covenants of promise (Eph. 2:12; Gal. 3:14, 16, 22, 29), both based upon the covenant of grace made with Abraham and afterward expanded: (1) the National Covenant made at Sinai, of which Moses was the mediator; (2) the "new and better covenant, established upon better promises," of which Christ is Mediator (Heb. 8:6-13; Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:26, 27; Acts 2:39). See Covenants. The promise of the Holy Spirit: Luke 24:49. And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you. Acts 1:4; 2:33. Other specific promises: James 1:12. He shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. James 2:5. Heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him. 1 John 2:25. And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life. 1 Tim. 4:8. Having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

BSB2 Peter 1:4 Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

中存顺服的心去接受、信靠、据以恳求的应许，会产生什么果效——盼望，以及盼望所带来的实效：鼓励、激励，以及对忠心努力的推动。罗马书 15:4 —— 叫我们因圣经所生的忍耐和安慰，可以得着盼望。彼得前书 3:15 —— 有人问你们心中盼望的缘由，就要常作准备，以温柔敬畏的心回答各人。诗篇 119:49, 74, 81, 114 —— 求你记念向你仆人所应许的话，叫我有盼望。你是我藏身之处，又是我的盾牌；我甚仰望你的话语。应许也是渐进成圣的一种途径与工具：彼得后书 1:4 —— 因此，他已将又宝贵又极大的应许赐给我们，叫我们既脱离世上从情欲来的败坏，就得与神的性情有分。应许的具体内容——两个有应许的约（以弗所书 2:12；加拉太书 3:14, 16, 22, 29），二者都建基于与亚伯拉罕所立、后来扩展了的恩典之约：（1）在西奈山所立的民族之约，摩西为其中保；（2）那『更美之约，是凭更美之应许立的』，基督为其中保（希伯来书 8:6-13；耶利米书 31:31-34；以西结书 36:26-27；使徒行传 2:39）。参主题词条：诸约（Covenants）。圣灵的应许：路加福音 24:49 —— 我要将我父所应许的降在你们身上。使徒行传 1:4；2:33。其他具体的应许：雅各书 1:12 —— 必得生命的冠冕，这是主应许给那些爱他之人的。2:5 —— 承受他所应许给那些爱他之人的国。约翰一书 2:25 —— 主所应许我们的就是永生。提摩太前书 4:8 —— 因有今生和来生的应许。

ENDivine promises are surely fulfilled: Heb. 10:23. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised.) Titus 1:2. In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began. 2 Cor. 1:20. For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Illustrative testimony: Josh. 23:14. Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you. 1 Kings 8:56. There hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant. Ps. 105:42. For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant. Acts 13:23, 32. We declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children.

BSB2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God.

中神的应许必然成就：希伯来书 10:23 —— 也要坚守我们所承认的指望，不至摇动，因为那应许我们的是信实的。提多书 1:2 —— 盼望那无谎言的神在万古之先所应许的永生。哥林多后书 1:20 —— 神的应许，不论有多少，在基督都是是的；所以借着他也都是实在的（阿们的），叫神因我们得荣耀。可作印证的见证：约书亚记 23:14 —— 耶和华你们神所应许赐福与你们的话没有一句落空。列王纪上 8:56 —— 凡藉他仆人摩西应许赐福的话，一句都没有落空。诗篇 105:42 —— 这都因他记念他的圣言和他的仆人亚伯拉罕。使徒行传 13:23, 32 —— 我们也报好信息给你们，就是那应许祖宗的话，神已经向我们这作儿女的应验。

ENSome signal promises—broad, deep, most needful and helpful; set down here as suggestion and stimulus to further research, especially in the Old Testament: Deut. 33:25. As thy days, so shall thy strength be. Rom. 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God. Josh. 1:5. I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Ps. 40:17. Yet the Lord thinketh upon me. Isa. 41:9, 10. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness. Isa. 43:1, 2. Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Ps. 46:1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Isa. 54:7, 8, 10. With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed. John 14:27. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Isa. 58:11. And the Lord shall guide thee continually. Jer. 29:13. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. Ezek. 11:16. Yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. For the varied and abounding promises of God we refer to almost every theme treated in these pages; for, as stated above, promise is interwoven with every truth that touches God's gracious relation with man.

BSBIsaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

中几则特别的应许——宽广、深厚、最切需要也最能扶助人的；此处列出，只作提示与推动，望读者进一步搜寻，尤其在旧约中：申命记 33:25 —— 你的日子如何，你的力量也必如何。罗马书 8:28 —— 我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处。约书亚记 1:5 —— 我必不撇下你，也不丢弃你。诗篇 40:17 —— 但主顾念我。以赛亚书 41:9-10 —— 你不要害怕，因为我与你同在；不要惊惶，因为我是你的神。我必坚固你，我必帮助你，我必用我公义的右手扶持你。43:1-2 —— 你不要害怕，因为我救赎了你。我曾提你的名召你，你是属我的。你从水中经过，我必与你同在；你趟过江河，水必不漫过你；你从火中行过，必不被烧，火焰也不着在你身上。诗篇 46:1 —— 神是我们的避难所，是我们的力量，是我们在患难中随时的帮助。以赛亚书 54:7-8, 10 —— 我却要施永远的慈爱怜恤你。大山可以挪开，小山可以迁移，但我的慈爱必不离开你，我平安的约也不迁移。约翰福音 14:27 —— 我留下平安给你们，我将我的平安赐给你们；我所赐的，不像世人所赐的。以赛亚书 58:11 —— 耶和华也必时常引导你。耶利米书 29:13 —— 你们寻求我，若专心寻求我，就必寻见。以西结书 11:16 —— 我却要在他们所到的各国中，作他们暂时的圣所。至于神那千般丰盛的应许，我们请读者参看本书几乎每一个主题——因为如上文所说，应许与每一条触及神对人施恩之关系的真理，都是交织在一起的。