为教会祷告: 愿我们在多元中仍然合一 （二）

虽然有些人与我们有许多不同，但是因他们也同信这福音，我们要爱他们。

以弗所书 4:2-3：「凡事谦虚、温柔、忍耐，用爱心互相宽容，用和平彼此联络，竭力保守圣灵所赐合而为一的心。」

这节经文是保罗教导信徒如何在教会中行出合一的态度，他强调了谦卑、温柔、忍耐、宽容、和平等美德，这些都是圣灵在我们心中所结的果子，也是我们与神和人和好的基础。

问： 以弗所书 4:2-3 提到了哪些美德，以及这些美德如何帮助信徒保持教会的合一？

参考答案：  

在这段经文中，保罗提到了多种美德，包括谦卑、温柔、忍耐、宽容和和平。这些美德是信徒应当追求的生活态度，也是保持教会合一的关键。谦卑使我们能够尊重并接纳不同的意见和观点；温柔让我们以柔和的方式与他人交往；忍耐帮助我们在面对困难和挑战时保持坚持；宽容则是对他人错误和不足的接受与理解；和平是在不同意见和冲突中寻求和谐的能力。这些美德不仅体现了圣灵在我们心中所结的果子，也是促进教会成员之间和睦与合一的基础。

问： 为什么保罗在以弗所书 4:2-3 中强调谦卑、温柔、忍耐、宽容和和平的重要性？

参考答案：  

保罗在这段经文中强调这些美德的重要性，是因为它们是基督徒品格的核心要素，对于维护和促进教会内部的和谐与合一至关重要。谦卑、温柔、忍耐、宽容和和平不仅反映了耶稣基督的品格，也是信徒在日常生活中应当追求和体现的态度。这些美德能帮助信徒在面对差异和冲突时，仍然能以爱心和平地解决问题，从而保持教会的合一。通过这样的生活方式，信徒不仅能在个人层面上成长，也能作为教会的一部分，共同见证耶稣基督的爱和恩典。

Pray for the Church: May We Be United in Diversity (2)

Although some people are very different from us, we are to love them because they also believe in this gospel.

Ephesians 4:2-3: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.“

This passage is Paul's teaching to believers on how to demonstrate a united attitude in the church. He emphasises the virtues of humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, and peace, which are the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, and the basis for our reconciliation with God and others.

Q: What virtues are mentioned in Ephesians 4:2-3 and how do they help believers maintain the unity of the church?

Reference Answer: 

In this passage, Paul mentions a variety of virtues, including humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, and peace. These virtues are attitudes of life that believers should pursue and are key to maintaining unity in the church.

• Humility enables us to respect and accept different opinions and viewpoints;

• Meekness allows us to relate to others in a gentle manner;

• Patience helps us to persevere in the face of difficulties and challenges;

• Forbearance is the acceptance and understanding of the mistakes and shortcomings of others; and

• Peace is the ability to seek harmony in the midst of disagreements and conflicts. These virtues not only reflect the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our hearts but also form the basis for promoting harmony and unity among church members.

Q: Why does Paul emphasise the importance of humility, meekness, patience, forbearance and peace in Ephesians 4:2-3?

Reference Answer: 

Paul emphasises the importance of these virtues in this passage because they are the core elements of Christian character and are essential for maintaining and promoting harmony and unity within the church.

Humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, and peace not only reflect the character of Jesus Christ, but are also attitudes that believers should pursue and embody in their daily lives. These virtues help believers to maintain the unity of the church by lovingly and peacefully resolving issues despite differences and conflicts. By living in this way, believers can not only grow on a personal level, but also as part of the church, witnessing together the love and grace of Jesus Christ.