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撮要

本文探視保羅在哥林多前書七章22節對奴隸與得釋放的人之討論。就保羅對奴隸的討論，我們通常理解為保羅「蒙召神學」的例子說明。而本文作者認為，由前身是奴隸的人所建立的哥林多城，其地位或可開啟一扇窗戶，讓我們透視哥林多教會成員攀登社會階梯的問題。哥林多城是由獲釋放的奴隸所創立。這些前身奴隸與他們的後裔建立富裕的羅馬帝國社區。在這社區，自我提升的現象，比比皆是。再者，在主餐桌前，基督徒彼此間也製造了社會階層的難題。社會地位較高的信徒，排擠社會地位較低的信徒不與其交往及團契。保羅勸戒身為奴隸的信徒勿着眼於社會地位，莫圖尋求改變社會身份，以致在教會可以出人頭地。

ABSTRACT

This article examines Paul’s discussion of slaves and freed persons in 1 Corinthians 7:22. While Paul’s discussion of slavery here is usually understood to be an illustration for his “theology of calling,” this article suggests that Corinth’s status as a city founded by former slaves may provide a window into the problem of social-climbing in the Corinthian congregation. Corinth was a city founded by emancipated slaves and these former salves and their descendants established a wealthy Roman colony where evidence of self-promotion was replete. Combined with this setting was the problem of social stratification among Christians at the Lord’s Table. Those of the lower classes were being excluded from fellowshipping with those of a higher social status. Paul’s admonition that slaves not be concerned with their social status seems to be a warning not to seek a change of social status as a way to get ahead in the Church.

原載於《建道學刊》29期（2008年1月），頁91-107。