我曾在哥林多後書的簡介中指出，本書充滿許多保羅的自我辯白。保羅花這麼多時間在這件事上或許是因為他致哥林多人的第一封信引起了激烈的反應，哥林多人極其惱怒保羅說他們道德低落；哥林多的會眾一定掀起了一股強烈的反保羅情緒和行動。他們不止出言反對保羅，還詆毀、中傷他。

        瞭解了這點，再請注意第一至第六節巧妙的結構。這段經文一直繞著「信」（或「字」）這個字打轉。在第一節，保羅毫不掩飾的嘲諷哥林多人所重視的「薦信」。然後，在第二節，他改用一個柔情的意象：「你們就是我們的薦信」──也就是說，保羅事工所結的果子已經足以作他的推薦函。第三節意象又改變了，保羅說哥林多會眾是「基督的信」。到第六節，保羅更以一個完全不同的用法來總結此段經文，這次，「字句」與「律法」有同等的意義，但卻迥異於靈裡的自由。

        我說這一段經文的結構很巧妙，因為保羅利用他被中傷的事件來教導，而非責備人。他超越了自己被人誤解的痛苦，專注於永久的真理：律法叫人死，但上帝的靈賜人生命和自由。老練的教師總能化暫時的惱怒為永久的教訓。以上經文就是最佳的範例。

        主耶穌，當您被人咒您時您並沒有還口，您僕人保羅的反應也和您一樣。謝謝您讓我們有您的生命和保羅的榜樣為典範。幫助我們在遭人反對時能有您的樣式；我們對您在我們裡面的生命有信心而如此禱告，奉主耶穌聖名，阿們！

English

        As I pointed out in the introduction to this letter, there is more than a little of self-justification on Paul's part throughout. Perhaps the amount of time spent in this regard is directly proportionate to the vehemence of the reaction Paul received from his first letter to the Corinthians. They were exceedingly angry at his reference to their immorality, and it would appear that there were several vibrant anti-Paul sentiments and actions within the congregation. Reactionary movements always create their own momentum. In this case, Paul was not just being spoken against, he was being vilified.

        With this in mind, notice the clever construction of verses one through six. It's a paragraph built around the word "letter" (or "epistle"). In verse one, Paul refers to "letters of recommendation" with thinly veiled sarcasm. Then, in verse two, he switches to a tender imagery, "you yourselves are our letter" — that is, any recommendation he may require is already evident in the fruit of his ministry. Verse three alters the imagery, with Paul referring to the Corinthian congregation as "a letter from Christ". Then, in verse six, he concludes the paragraph with a completely different application. This time, "letter" is equivalent to "law" and is contrasted to spiritual freedom.

        I call it clever, because Paul uses a personal injury as an occasion, not for scolding, but for teaching. He rises above the misunderstanding about his letter and focuses instead on a timeless truth: legalism kills, but the Spirit of God gives life and freedom. It's an excellent example of how a skilled teacher can build something timeless on a temporary aggravation.

        Lord Jesus, when You were reviled, You did not revile in return. Your servant Paul was like You in his reaction. Thank you for Your life and Paul's example. Help us, when anyone acts against us, to react as You would. With confidence in Your life within us, we pray this. Amen.