（按上圖或按此免費下載）

撮要

研究新約聖經時，必須談到希臘—羅馬的歷史背景，因而有必要涉及昔日羅馬帝國的一些法令。本文聚焦在羅馬皇帝革老丟（或譯克勞第）為解決糧荒，對運糧船主所頒布的優惠法令，以及它所牽涉的、凱撒奧古斯督在位時所頒下有關婚姻與生育的一些條例。本文的探討顯示，當日的法令反映了羅馬帝國的真實情況，包括階級化，貧富懸殊，以及公民與非公民之間，自由人與奴隸之，男女之間的顯著差別，而這種種差別在一些特殊條件下，如何可以消除或縮減。透過這背景，我們可以更明白，新約聖經裏一些較富裕的婦女如何扮演了重要的角色，而使徒又如何作出切合時代的教訓。但另一方面，福音信仰在初代教會起了抗衡文化、消除隔閡的作用，可供今日教會學習。

ABSTRACT

As we study the New Testament, inevitably we need to delve into the Graeco-Roman historical context, and thus take into account the imperial decrees of the Roman Empire. This study focuses on the decree issued by the Roman emperor Claudius granting various privileges to ship owners who transported grain during a severe grain shortage. In the process we examine existing laws promulgated during the reign of Caesar Augustus concerning marriage and child-bearing. From the study, we conclude that such laws and the decree of Claudius reflected real situations in Roman society, including social stratification, a huge chasm between the rich and the poor, and vast differences between citizens and non-citizens, between the free-born and slaves, and between men and women. However, such differences may be eliminated or attenuated under certain specific conditions. Against this backdrop, we understand better the role of wealthy women in the early church and the appropriateness of apostolic teaching on social relations for that day and age. On the other hand, we see how the gospel was a countercultural force that overcame social barriers and can provide rich lessons for us today.

原載於《建道學刊》59期（2023年1月），頁149-164。