哥林多后书第一章第18—22节,保罗说正像我们的神是信实的一样,他与西拉和提摩太向哥林多的弟兄们所传的道并没有是而又非的,也就是说保罗所传的神的儿子耶稣基督没有是而又非的;相反,神的应许不论有多少,在耶稣基督里都是真实的,有的应许已经显明给我们了,比如救世主耶稣被挂在木头上,有的应许将要显明,比如信耶稣的人末日复活。保罗说是神在耶稣基督里建立和坚固了我们每个人,并膏抹了我们,用印章封存了我们,并且在今世还赐予圣灵在我们心里,作为拯救我们的“首付款”。可见,神对我们的信实和拯救是毋庸置疑的。
林后1:18 我指着信实的 神说、我们向你们所传的道、并没有是而又非的。
But as God is faithful, our word toward you was not "Yes and no."
林后1:19 因为我和西拉、并提摩太、在你们中间所传 神的儿子耶稣基督、总没有是而又非的、在他只有一是。
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, by me, Silvanus, and Timothy, was not "Yes and no," but in him is "Yes."
林后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、〔实在原文作阿们〕叫 神因我们得荣耀。
For however many are the promises of God, in him is the "Yes." Therefore also through him is the "Amen," to the glory of God through us.
林后1:21 那在基督里坚固我们和你们、并且膏我们的、就是 神.
Now he who establishes us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God;
林后1:22 他又用印印了我们、并赐圣灵在我们心里作凭据。〔原文作质〕
who also sealed us, and gave us the down payment of the Spirit in our hearts.