SERVING, OR SERVICE ｜ 服事

ENSERVING, OR SERVICE. Gr., diakoneo, diakonia, to minister, to serve; douleuo, to serve as a slave. The chief Scriptural equivalent is "doing good." Serving, or service, means helpfulness to men, in every form and measure of help that is reasonable and needful, and that may prove effective. On the plane of mere human association in this life, it includes all the particulars comprehended in the last five commandments given to Israel—not only as stated in their negative form, but as carried out to their utmost detail of positive spiritual requirement, and as growing out of the varied relations and associations of men with men. More and higher than this, it takes earnest account of God's relations with man for this world and the next, and seeks instrumentally, in all possible ways, to aid in the conversion and salvation of souls, as well as to lead the saved soul to like helpfulness toward others. In a word, it comprises all practicable methods of doing good to men. True and acceptable service, although given directly to men, is in its supreme aim and intent rendered to God: His pleasure, His purpose, His work is its ultimate end. Moses rendered an almost immeasurable service to Israel, yet he is always called the "servant of God," and as a servant is commended for his fidelity to God in his long and signal ministry to the chosen people. The apostles, who preached and wrought and suffered in help of men, called themselves "servants of Jesus Christ." And this work in behalf of men is the only service which apostles and believers can render to God: God can help man, but man cannot help God. Though we fulfill all His demands of service, we are "unprofitable servants" (Luke 17:10). And yet God condescends to make and to call us co-laborers with Him in His ministry of gracious help for man; more than this, He reckons this working together with Him in behalf of men as actual service or help rendered to Himself.

BSBLuke 17:10 So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”

中服事。希腊文 diakoneo、diakonia，意为供职、服事；douleuo，意为像奴仆一样服事。圣经中与之最相当的说法就是『行善』。服事的意思是对人有帮助——凡合理、必需、且可能奏效的一切形式与分量的帮助。就今生纯粹人与人往来的层面而言，它涵盖赐给以色列的后五条诫命所包含的一切细目：不但按其否定的措辞，更按其积极属灵要求的每一处细节，并按人与人之间各种关系与交往所引申出来的一切。而在这之上、之外，它还郑重顾及神与人在今世与来世的关系，并竭尽一切可能的方式，作器皿去帮助人灵魂的归正与得救，也引导已得救的灵魂同样去帮助别人。一言以蔽之，它包括一切可行的行善于人的方法。真实而蒙悦纳的服事，虽然是直接施于人的，但就其最高的目标与用意而言，乃是献给神的：他的喜悦、他的旨意、他的工作，才是它最终的目的。摩西向以色列所作的服事几乎无可估量，然而他始终被称为『神的仆人』；他之所以受称赞，正是因为在他长久而卓著地服事选民之中，他向神忠心。使徒们为帮助人而传道、做工、受苦，却自称为『耶稣基督的仆人』。而这种为人而作的工，正是使徒与信徒所能献给神的唯一服事：神能帮助人，人却不能帮助神。我们即便把他所要求的服事全都做到，也仍是『无用的仆人』（路加福音 17:10）。然而神竟屈尊，使我们、也称我们为与他同工的人，一同参与他向人施恩相助的职事；不仅如此，他还把这种『与他同工造福于人』算作实实在在献给他自己的服事与帮助。

ENSelf-consecration and self-sacrifice are further elements of true and acceptable service: Rom. 12:1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (A large detail of this service is given in the entire chapter.) [The force of this word "therefore" transfigures the duty of consecration into an unspeakable privilege. The mercies of God! These are the pulse of His absolute authority. His law is great and majestic; but His eternal love in the law is greater and more majestic. Behrends.] The Christ-life furnishes our model in serving. That life presents the highest ideal of self-consecration and self-sacrifice, emphasized by its closing events in Gethsemane, in the judgment hall, and upon Calvary. Hence in the prophetic picture of these events (Isa. 52 and 53) Christ is characterized as the Servant of Jehovah, fulfilling the Divine purposes of human redemption as the suffering Messiah. And Christ Himself affirms that He "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:28). All His words and deeds among men abundantly show that His single, unwavering aim and purpose was to serve and to save, to help and to bless men: Luke 22:27. But I am among you as He that serveth. And Peter summed up His earthly career in the words: Acts 10:38. Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.

BSBMatthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

中自我奉献与舍己，是真实而蒙悦纳之服事的另外两项要素：罗马书 12:1 —— 所以弟兄们，我以神的慈悲劝你们，将身体献上，当作活祭，是圣洁的，是神所喜悦的；你们如此事奉乃是理所当然的。（这服事的大量细节见于全章。）〔『所以』这个词的力量，把『奉献』这项本分变成了说不出来的特权。神的慈悲！那正是他绝对权柄的脉搏。他的律法伟大而威严；但律法之中他永恒的爱，更伟大、更威严。贝伦兹（Behrends）〕基督的一生为我们的服事树立了榜样。那一生呈现出自我奉献与舍己的最高典范，而其结尾的几幕——客西马尼、审判厅、各各他——更把这一点突显出来。因此在预言这些事件的图景中（以赛亚书 52、53 章），基督被称为『耶和华的仆人』，作那受苦的弥赛亚，成就神救赎人类的旨意。基督自己也宣告，他『来不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人，并且要舍命，作多人的赎价』（马太福音 20:28）。他在人间的一切言行都充分显明：他单一而不移的目标与心志，就是服事人、拯救人、帮助人、赐福与人。路加福音 22:27 —— 然而我在你们中间，如同服事人的。彼得则用一句话总结了他在世的生平：使徒行传 10:38 —— 他周流四方行善事，医好凡被魔鬼压制的人，因为神与他同在。

ENThe love of Christ to us is the sole effective motive-force of true and acceptable service. The principle is stated by Paul: 2 Cor. 5:14, 15. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if One died for all, then were all dead: and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again. Christ's love—both in His incarnate life and in His death as a sacrifice for us—once appreciated and felt, cannot but fill the trusting, faithful soul with a responsive, grateful love; which in its turn is constrained to find relief in service to Him, by helpfulness to those for whom He died. Natural affection and mere human sympathy may prompt to helpful action toward others in manifold ways, and such outflow of kindness and aid is to be admired as excellent and desirable. But Christ and His apostles apply a higher test than mere natural excellence in their setting forth of Divinely acceptable service. According to their teaching, nothing but Christ-love shed abroad as a controlling motive-power in the heart, and a supreme purpose to serve Christ in all ministry to men, can constitute the basis of true and acceptable service. "Ye did it unto Me," or "ye did it not to Me," are the solemn words of judgment in which the kingly Judge sets forth this vitally practical fact; and these words find impressive illustration in His interview with the young ruler, whose human excellences were many and exemplary, but who could not stand the high spiritual test applied by the Master. Paul, too, speaks conclusively upon this point in the wonderful thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians: 1 Cor. 13:3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor . . . and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Col. 3:17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. John 15:5. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.

BSB2 Corinthians 5:14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.

中基督对我们的爱，是真实而蒙悦纳之服事唯一有效的动力。这条原则由保罗说明：哥林多后书 5:14-15 —— 原来基督的爱激励我们；因我们想，一人既替众人死，众人就都死了；并且他替众人死，是叫那些活着的人不再为自己活，乃为替他们死而复活的主活。基督的爱——无论是在他道成肉身的一生里，还是在他为我们作祭牺牲的死里——一旦被人领会、被人感受到，就不能不使那信靠、忠心的灵魂充满一种回应式的感恩之爱；而这爱反过来又被催逼着，要藉着帮助那些基督为之而死的人，在服事他之中得着抒发。天然的情感与纯粹人间的同情，也可能以多种方式推动人去帮助别人；这种仁慈与援助的流露，也值得称许为美好而可取的。但基督与他的使徒在阐明『蒙神悦纳的服事』时，所用的检验标准高于单纯天然的优良品质。按照他们的教训，惟有基督的爱浇灌在心里、成为主导的动力，并有一个『在一切服事人之事上都为服事基督』的最高心志，才能构成真实而蒙悦纳之服事的根基。『你们既做在我身上了』与『你们不做在我身上』，正是那位为王的审判者宣告审判的严肃话语，其中陈明了这一关乎实践的紧要事实；而这话在他与那位少年财主的会面中得到了深刻的例证——那少年人在人性上的优点甚多、堪为典范，却经不起主所施的那道属灵的高标准检验。保罗在哥林多前书那奇妙的第十三章中，对这一点也说得斩钉截铁：哥林多前书 13:3 —— 我若将所有的周济穷人……却没有爱，仍然与我无益。歌罗西书 3:17 —— 无论做什么，或说话或行事，都要奉主耶稣的名。约翰福音 15:5 —— 常在我里面的，我也常在他里面，这人就多结果子；因为离了我，你们就不能做什么。

ENHelpful service to all, in imitation and in the spirit of the Master, presents the chief meaning of this life, as it affords the highest, most ennobling and most satisfactory methods of action. Our true, inner life is mainly made up of interested work in behalf of others; its most desirable returns—especially its unqualified and perpetuated joys—come from "doing good," under the conscious impress of the indwelling Spirit of Christ. And these returns are open to all, whatever be the measure of knowledge or ability: the Divine vocation to true, acceptable service rests upon every believer. [Every man and woman is called to do that which he or she is fitted to do. In this sphere, at least, obligation is determined and measured by ability. What Christians need to learn is that they are the stewards of God and the servants of Jesus Christ. They are sure to find their places and their work when they are simply anxious to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. To do our very best, and to do it to please Him who loved us and gave Himself for us—to this we are all ordained, by the laying on of the palms that were pierced for our salvation. Behrends.] [Every individual Christian is the center of a circle whose hearts he may touch with a benediction of love. He is a custodian of blessing, which he is to impart to others. The noblest life is the one that is given up most unselfishly to serving. J. R. Miller.] [The best things of life have to be given freely, not from a sense of duty. You never can measure out friendship; you never can tell how much a man ought to do for his country; you never can tell what he should do for God. There is always that overflow, that abundance, which is chiefly valuable for us, and is valuable to God, as it comes as the freewill offering of our hearts. A. McKenzie.]

BSBGalatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

中效法主、并本着主的心志去帮助众人，正是今生主要的意义所在；因为它提供了最高的、最能使人高贵的、也最令人满足的行动方式。我们真正的内在生命，主要是由『带着关切为别人做工』所构成的；而它最可羡慕的回报——尤其是那种无条件、且持续不断的喜乐——来自在基督内住之灵自觉的印记之下『行善』。并且这些回报向所有人敞开，无论其知识与能力的分量如何：那『去作真实而蒙悦纳之服事』的神圣呼召，落在每一个信徒身上。〔每一个男人与女人，都蒙召去做他或她所适合做的事。至少在这一领域，责任是由能力来界定、来衡量的。基督徒需要学会的是：他们是神的管家，是耶稣基督的仆人。当他们一心只切望服事主耶稣基督时，就必定能找到自己的位置与自己的工作。竭尽我们所能地去做，并且为讨那位爱我们、为我们舍己者的喜悦而做——为着这个，我们众人都已被按立，按立我们的正是那双为我们的救恩而被扎的手掌。贝伦兹（Behrends）〕〔每一个基督徒个人，都是一个圈子的中心；圈中人的心，他都可以用爱的祝福去触碰。他是福分的保管者，要把这福分分给别人。最高贵的生命，就是最无私地交出去用于服事的那一个。米勒（J. R. Miller）〕〔人生中最好的东西，必须是白白给出去的，而不是出于责任感给的。你永远无法把友情按量分配；你永远说不出一个人该为自己的国家做多少；你也永远说不出他该为神做什么。总有那么一份满溢、一份丰盈——正是它对我们最有价值，对神也有价值，因为它是我们心中甘心乐意的奉献。麦肯齐（A. McKenzie）〕

ENServing is a higher form of greatness than ruling. True greatness, according to the teaching of Christ, consists not in the possession of riches, rank or power, nor in mighty conquests with their high state and wide dominion, but in serving with a lowly, helpful spirit; it is tested and proved by Christlike character and deeds of goodness done with an unselfish spirit: Matt. 20:26, 27. But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. Matt. 23:11. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Jer. 45:5. And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not. [Christian ambition is the ambition that seeks power—yes, great power: but it is power to sow to the Spirit, power to serve a heavenly Master, power to tread in the footsteps of Christ, power to do service to one's fellow-men. It was worldly ambition that led our Lord's apostles to contend which of them should be greatest; it was Christian ambition that our Lord sought to substitute, when He told them that in His kingdom he that was least among them should be greatest, and that the servant of all would be the greatest of all. What a revolution our Lord brought into human life when He thus exalted and glorified the spirit of service! As our Lord said, the spirit of service is the highest spirit of humanity: we are not only best, but we are happiest, when by love we serve one another. W. G. Blaikie.] As service honors God, so God honors and rewards all who faithfully serve: 1 Sam. 2:30. For them that honor Me I will honor. John 12:26. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor. Rom. 2:6, 7. Who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. Rev. 2:19. I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience.

BSBMatthew 20:26 It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

中服事是比治理更高的一种伟大。按基督的教训，真正的伟大不在于拥有财富、地位或权力，也不在于赫赫武功及其显赫的排场与广阔的版图，而在于以卑微、乐于助人的心志去服事；它的检验与证明，在于像基督的品格，以及出于无私心志所行的善事：马太福音 20:26-27 —— 只是在你们中间不可这样；你们中间谁愿为大，就必作你们的用人；谁愿为首，就必作你们的仆人。23:11 —— 你们中间谁为大，谁就要作你们的用人。耶利米书 45:5 —— 你为自己图谋大事吗？不要图谋。〔基督徒的雄心，是一种追求能力的雄心——是的，是追求极大的能力：但那是顺着圣灵撒种的能力，是服事一位属天之主的能力，是踏着基督脚踪而行的能力，是服事自己同胞的能力。使我们主的众使徒争论谁为大的，是属世的雄心；我们的主要用来取而代之的，是基督徒的雄心——他告诉他们：在他的国里，他们中间为最小的将为最大，而作众人仆人的将是众人中最大的。当主如此把服事的心志高举、使之得荣耀时，他给人类生活带来的是何等一场革命！正如我们的主所说，服事的心志乃是人性中最高的心志：我们以爱彼此服事的时候，不但是最好的时候，也是最快乐的时候。布莱基（W. G. Blaikie）〕服事既尊荣神，神也必尊荣并报答一切忠心服事的人：撒母耳记上 2:30 —— 尊重我的，我必重看他。约翰福音 12:26 —— 若有人服事我，就当跟从我；我在哪里，服事我的人也要在那里；若有人服事我，我父必尊重他。罗马书 2:6-7 —— 他必照各人的行为报应各人：凡恒心行善、寻求荣耀、尊贵和不能朽坏之福的，就以永生报应他们。启示录 2:19 —— 我知道你的行为、爱心、信心、勤劳、忍耐。