Forgiveness Requires Repentance — 饒恕必須以悔改為前提

Author: Guy N. Woods
Source Website: Christian Researcher
Chinese Translation: Provided by blogger for personal study and sharing.

GUY N. WOOD'S "NEW DOCTRINE" OF FORGIVENESS

https://www.christianresearcher.com/articles/category/forgiveness

---

It has recently been suggested by some that what I have taught regarding the necessity of repentance as a condition of forgiveness (as is taught in Luke 17:3-4) is a "New Doctrine" and "dangerous." I share the following quote from Guy N. Wood's book Questions and Answers Volume 1 (published in 1976) to demonstrate that what I have taught is certainly nothing "New". Guy N. Woods does an excellent job in a brief space of addressing some common objections to the necessity of repentance in the granting of forgiveness. Please consider carefully.

最近有人提出，我所教導的「悔改是得赦免的必要條件」（如路加福音17:3-4所教導）是「新教義」且「危險」。以下引用 Guy N. Woods 於1976年出版的《Questions and Answers Volume 1》，說明這並非任何「新」教導。他在短短篇幅中，清楚回應了關於赦免必須建立在悔改上的常見反對意見。請仔細思考。

---

Question 問題

Is it our duty to forgive those who sin against us when they neither ask for nor want forgiveness?

當人得罪我們，卻既不請求也不想要赦免時，我們有責任赦免他們嗎？

---

Answer 回答

It is not only not our duty so to do, it is an utter impossibility! This question recurs because people persist in disregarding what the Bible teaches regarding genuine repentance, by setting up their own concept of what repentance is and by attempting to conform thereto. Those who do this actually imply, whether they intend it or not, that forgiveness is the cancellation of bitter, revengeful, and uncharitable feelings toward those who sin against us, substituting a disposition of kindness, love and regard for the offending one or ones; and, they urge that such must evermore characterize faithful Christians. 

這不僅不是我們的責任，甚至是完全不可能的事！這個問題反覆出現，是因為人們忽略聖經對「真正悔改」的教導，自行定義悔改，並試圖按自己的標準去套用。他們實際上（無論是否有意）把「赦免」理解為：消除對得罪者的苦毒、報復與不善之心，轉而以仁慈、愛與善意取代。

But, (1) many devoted and dedicated disciples of the Lord never experience bitter, revengeful and uncharitable feelings toward those who sin against them; and (2) the attitude or disposition by so many regarded as obligatory in such cases is not repentance, anyway. 

God never entertains “bitter, revengeful and uncharitable” feelings toward even the vilest of sinners; but, he forgives only those who repent. Jesus prayed for those who hated him so much they sought for, and obtained his death; but, he did not forgive them until they repented.

然而：（1）許多忠心的門徒本來就沒有對得罪他們的人產生苦毒或報復之心；（2）這種被認為必須具備的態度，其實根本不是悔改。

神對最邪惡的罪人也不存苦毒或報復的心，但祂只赦免悔改的人。耶穌為那些恨祂、甚至害祂至死的人禱告，但祂並沒有在他們悔改之前赦免他們。

The words, “remission,” and “forgiveness,” often translate the same Greek word (aphesis) and the meaning is release, the sending of sins away, and thus the restoration of a peaceful relationship which the offense interrupted. 

Unless the offender wants this relationship, it is impossible for the offended to effect it, however much he might desire it and seek it. 

「赦免」（remission）與「饒恕」（forgiveness）這兩個詞，常常都翻譯自同一個希臘字 aphesis，其意思是「釋放」、「使罪離去」，也就是恢復一段因過犯而被中斷的和平關係。

然而，若那個得罪人的人本身並不想要這樣的關係，那麼無論受害的一方多麼渴望、努力想恢復，這件事在本質上都是不可能實現的。

Our Lord makes clear our obligation in such cases when he said, “Take heed to yourselves; if thy brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he sin against thee seven times in the day, and seven times turn again to thee, saying, I repent, thou shalt forgive him.” (Luke 17:3,4.) 

To this the reply is often made, “Well, we must always be ready and willing to forgive,” as indeed we must; but, this is not forgiveness and ought not to be confused with it. 

It is our duty to love all men, even our enemies, and to pray for their well being; but, we can forgive them only when they repent.

主在這件事上已經清楚說明我們的責任：「你們要謹慎；若你的弟兄得罪你，就責備他；他若悔改，就赦免他。若他一天七次得罪你，又七次回轉，對你說：『我悔改了』，你總要赦免他。」（路加福音 17:3-4）

對此，人們常會回應說：「我們應該隨時準備好、願意去赦免。」這點確實正確，我們的確應當如此；但這本身並不是「赦免」，也不應該與「赦免」混為一談。

我們的責任是愛所有的人，甚至包括仇敵，並為他們的益處禱告；然而，唯有在他們悔改的時候，我們才能真正地赦免他們。

---

To this brief article I would add one caveat of correction: It would seem that God does hold a bit of revengeful feelings toward unrepentant sinners:

補充：對未悔改的罪人，神確實有公義的報應：

2 Thessalonians 1:5-10 

2Th 1:5  This is a plain indication of God's righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering.

2Th 1:6  For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,

2Th 1:7  and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire,

2Th 1:8  dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

2Th 1:9  These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

2Th 1:10  when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed.

2Th 1:5  這正是神公義判斷的明證，叫你們可算配得神的國；你們就是為這國受苦。

2Th 1:6  神既是公義的，就必將患難報應那加患難給你們的人；

2Th 1:7  也必使你們這受患難的人與我們同得平安。那時，主耶穌同他有能力的天使從天上在火焰中顯現，

2Th 1:8  要報應那不認識神和那不聽從我主耶穌福音的人。

2Th 1:9  他們要受刑罰，就是永遠沉淪，離開主的面和他權能的榮光。

2Th 1:10  這正是主降臨、要在他聖徒的身上得榮耀，又在一切信的人身上顯為希奇的那日子。（我們對你們作的見證，你們也信了。）

Hebrews 10:30

Heb 10:30  For we know Him who said, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY." And again, "THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE."

Heb 10:30  因為我們知道誰說：「伸冤在我，我必報應」；又說：「主要審判他的百姓。」