上帝是圣洁和公义的，我们要小心谨慎，追求圣洁，避免犯罪。圣经教导，我们也不要在别人的罪上有分。完全不犯罪难到极点，还要在别人的罪上有分，岂不是雪上加霜，火里添油？
“有分”是什么意思？
新约圣经“有分”的希腊文动词是 koinoneo， 名词是koinonia、koinonos。因为中文译本通常不分辨原文是动词还是名词，所以不容易解读。
1. Koinonia （团契，fellowship），名词，是基督徒特别熟悉的一个字，因为多数教会礼拜结束时都引用哥林多后书最后一句求上帝赐福的经文：愿基督的恩惠、上帝的慈爱、圣灵的团契、常与你们众人同在！（林后13：14， 吕振中译本）。 现在华人教会常用的“团契”一词，其他中文译本分别译成“感动”、“交通”、“契合”、“契通”等，都取了动词的意义。
2. koinonos 是个名词，有“参加者”（partner）、“有分之人”，或“礼物”的意思。
3. koinoneo 是个动词，意思是“参与”，有“成为一个参加者”的意思。所以，“团契”就是一群人相互“参与”与“交通”的组织。
罗马书5：26-27 同时用了以上两个字，可以作为例证：
因为马其顿和亚该亚乐意凑集一笔团契捐（koinonos） ，给在耶路撒冷圣徒中的穷人。他们真是乐意，其实也是欠他们债的。因为你们外国人若在他们犹太人属灵的事上有分儿（koinoneo） ，就应该在属肉身的事上供奉他们（吕振中译本）。
回到“有分”，圣经提到好与坏两种“分”。例如：
有好的分：
… 因外邦人、既然在他们属灵的好处上有分、就当把养身之物供给他们。 （罗15：27）
我可以证明他们是按着力量，而且也过了力量，自己甘心乐意的捐助；再三的求我们、准他们在这供给圣徒的恩情上有分。（林后8：3-4）
? 叫我们既脱离世上从情欲来的败坏、就得与上帝的性情有分。（彼得后书1：4）
有坏的分：
你们看属肉体的以色列人，那吃祭物的、岂不是在祭坛上有分么？（哥林多前书10：18）
给人行按手的礼，不可急促，不要在别人的罪上有分，保守自己清洁。（提摩太前书5：22）
若有人到你们那里，不是传这教训，不要接他到家里，也不要问他的安， 因为问他安的，就在他的恶行上有分。（约翰二书1：10-11）
以下我们借用这三句关于“坏分”的经文来继续讨论。
不要在魔鬼的祭坛上有分
哥林多前书有一段经文，将 “有分”的意义讲得十分清楚。
我们所祝颂的杯，岂不是让我们一同有分于（koinonia）基督的血么？我们所擘开的饼，岂不是让我们一同有分于（koinonia）基督的身体么？ 饼既是一个，我们虽多，还是一个身体；因为我们众人都分享这一个饼。 你们看按肉身做以色列人的。那些吃祭物的，岂不是在祭坛上有分（koinonos）么？ 那我是说什么呢？是说祭偶像之物算得了什么呢？还是说偶像算得了什么呢？ 我乃是说外国人所祭献的，是祭献给鬼，不是献与上帝。我不愿意你们成了有分于（koinonos）鬼的人。（《林前》10：16-21，吕振中译本）
虽然这段经文是2000年说的，但是和今天基督徒的信仰切切相关。有关21世纪的祭坛，需要专题讨论。我们已在最近《生命季刊》微信（2017-11-14）上的一篇文章里抛砖引玉，提起过，在此就不深入讨论了。（参考：https://www.cclifefl.org/View/Article/6015）
这段经文里，保罗用一系列的问号来唤醒读者。他指出，我们要不是“一同有分于（koinonia）基督的身体，就 成了有分于（koinonos）鬼的人！ 你不是有分于基督的生命，就是有分于魔鬼的死亡！ 你不是参与（koinoneo）基督里的团契（koinonia），就是参与魔鬼里的团契！
不要在别人的罪上有分
结党是华人教会里非常普遍的一种现象。带头结党的人罪很重，但是，跟着起哄的人不是无辜的。无知不等于无罪。他们至少是在别人的罪里有分，
在“祂知道，祂知道”（https://www.cclifefl.org/View/Article/6024）一文中，我们提到圣经中所列举的几十种人常犯的罪。我们不但自己犯罪，更容易在别人的罪上有分。罪是整本圣经的主题之一。“罪作王叫人死”(罗5：21)，这里我们讲不完的。
上面提到保罗时代治理教会的一些问题，包括刚才的例子：有些人匆匆忙忙 给人行按手的礼，结果在别人的罪上有分（提前5：22）。今天许多华人教会制度不健全，拿按手礼作交易的屡见不鲜。有一位来教会应征牧师职位的侯选人，将聘牧负责人拉到一边，悄悄地说：“你如果请我当牧师，我立即按立你为长老。”这样的人才应该去从政，或者做生意。再说，那位聘牧负责人如果中了计，岂不是在别人的罪上有分了？
我们每个人闭上眼睛，就可以想到太多这样一失足成千古恨，在别人的罪上有分的事。结党是华人教会里非常普遍的一种现象。带头结党的人罪很重，但是，跟着起哄的人也不是无辜的。无知不等于无罪。他们至少是在别人的罪里有分。
我们再看一个圣经的例子。雅各说， 弟兄们，不要互相毁谤。人毁谤弟兄，或评断弟兄，就是毁谤律法，评断律法。你若评断律法，就不是在遵行律法，而是当了审判官。（雅各书4:11-12，新汉语译本；“毁谤”一词有些译本译为“批评”) 如果弟兄犯了罪，你没有好好帮助他，反而毁谤他，那你也在他的罪里有分，而且又犯了不同的罪。如果是“互相毁谤”， 那么，二人岂不是都互相在他人的罪中有分了？
不要在别人的恶行上有分
若有人到你们那里，不是传这教训，不要接他到家里，也不要问他的安， 因为问他安的，就在他的恶（poneros）行上有分（koinoneo）。（约二1：10-11）
使徒约翰写《约翰二书》的目的就是要批判当时严重的异端：因为世上有许多迷惑人的出来，他们不认耶稣基督是成了肉身来的；这就是那迷惑人，敌基督的。（约二1：7） 约翰警告大家不可在这样的恶行上有分，不可参与异端的“团契”。
“恶行”一词的名词 poneria （evil，wickedness）出现次数不多。这里，“恶行”的原文是常用的形容词 poneros（evil，wicked），形容各种各样罪恶。保罗说，各样恶（poneros）事要避开（帖前5：22，新汉语译本）。但是，我们要记住，基督徒一不小心，就会在这些恶行上有分！
耶稣在教导善恶时，连着三次用到这个“恶”字：善人从他心里所存的善，就发出善来。恶（poneros）人从他心里所存的恶（poneros），就发出恶（poneros）来。因为心里所充满的，口里就说出来。（路加福音6：45）
我们要避开恶事，要从清洁自己的心开始。耶稣在教导这一点时，又三次用到“恶”字：
因为从里面，从人心里发出的，有种种恶念：淫乱、偷盗、凶杀、通奸、贪婪、邪恶（poneria）、诡诈、放荡、嫉妒、毁谤、傲慢、愚妄。这一切的邪恶（poneros）都是从里面出来的，并且使人污秽。（马可福音7：21-23，新汉语译本）。注意：“嫉妒”的原文是“罪恶（poneros）的眼睛”。
因为这个“恶”字覆盖了各种恶行，我们就暂时省略细节了。
一个邪恶淫乱的世代
耶稣在和文士与法利赛人对话时，称呼当时的环境是“一个邪恶（poneros）淫乱的世代”（马太福音12：39）。保罗懂得耶稣的教导，他提醒教会，说，… 要爱惜光阴，因为现今的世代邪恶（poneros）。不要作糊涂人，要明白主的旨意如何。（《以弗所书》5：15-16）。
和2000年相比，今天的时代之邪恶，绝对是“青出于蓝”！
保罗教导教会里的人说，“至于外人有上帝审判他们；你们应当把那恶人（poneros）从你们中间赶出去。”（林前5：13）他也警告并且鼓励说：… 要事事察验：善事要持守，各样恶事 （poneros）要避开。愿赐平安的上帝亲自使你们完全成圣；又愿你们整个人的灵、魂、体，都得蒙保守，在我们的主耶稣基督来临的时候无可指摘。（帖前5：21-23，新汉语译本）
感谢主耶稣的教导和保守，唯有靠着祂，我们才能够避开恶人恶事！
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tboyXU4tu44
"What Does It Mean to Share in Another’s Sin?"
生命季刊, Issue 84
God is holy and just, and we must be cautious, pursue holiness, and avoid sin. The Bible teaches that we should not partake in another person’s sin. If it is already extremely difficult to avoid sin ourselves, then sharing in someone else’s sin would only make matters worse—like adding fuel to the fire.
What Does “Share” Mean?
In the New Testament, the Greek verb for “share” is koinoneo, and the noun forms are koinonia and koinonos. Because Chinese translations often do not differentiate between verbs and nouns, it is not always easy to interpret these terms.
Koinonia (fellowship), a noun, is well-known among Christians, as most churches conclude worship services with the blessing from 2 Corinthians 13:14:
"May the grace of Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all!"
In Chinese churches, "fellowship" is often translated as "感动" (inspiration), "交通" (communion), "契合" (union), or "契通" (connection), emphasizing its verbal meaning.
Koinonos, a noun, means “participant,” “partner,” or “someone who shares in something.” It can also mean "a gift."
Koinoneo, a verb, means "to participate" or "to become a participant." Therefore, "fellowship" refers to a group of people engaging in mutual participation and communication.
A passage from Romans 15:26-27 uses both of these words as an example:
“For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution (koinonos) for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared (koinoneo) in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to them to share their material blessings.”
Good and Bad Participation in the Bible
Examples of Good Participation
- Romans 15:27 – “If the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to them to share their material blessings.”
- 2 Corinthians 8:3-4 – “For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.”
- 2 Peter 1:4 – “…so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
Examples of Bad Participation
- 1 Corinthians 10:18 – “Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?”
- 1 Timothy 5:22 – “Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.”
- 2 John 1:10-11 – “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.”
Do Not Participate in Idolatry
A passage in 1 Corinthians 10:16-21 explains the meaning of “sharing” in great detail:
"Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation (koinonia) in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation (koinonia) in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate (koinonos) in the altar?
Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants (koinonos) with demons.”
Though this passage was written 2,000 years ago, it is highly relevant for Christians today. The concept of "altars" in the 21st century requires a separate discussion, as mentioned in a recent 生命季刊 article (2017-11-14).
Paul uses a series of rhetorical questions to awaken his readers:
If we do not participate (koinonia) in Christ’s body, then we become participants (koinonos) with demons!
We either partake in Christ’s life or partake in the devil’s destruction!
We either participate (koinoneo) in the fellowship (koinonia) of Christ, or in the fellowship of demons!
Do Not Share in Another Person’s Sin
Factions and divisions are very common in Chinese churches. The ones leading these factions bear a heavy responsibility, but those who follow them are not innocent either. Ignorance does not mean innocence. At the very least, they are participating in another person’s sin.
In the article "He Knows, He Knows" (生命季刊, 2017-11-14), it is mentioned that the Bible lists dozens of sins commonly committed by people. Not only do we sin ourselves, but we also easily partake in the sins of others. Sin is one of the central themes of the entire Bible—"Sin reigns and brings death" (Romans 5:21).
Paul addressed church governance issues in his time, including the example of some hastily laying hands on others, thereby sharing in their sins (1 Timothy 5:22). Today, many Chinese churches lack sound systems, and it is not uncommon to see ordination being used as a transaction. A pastoral candidate once privately told a church hiring committee member:
"If you hire me as the pastor, I will immediately ordain you as an elder."
Such a person should enter politics or business instead. If the committee member falls for this, are they not also sharing in another’s sin?
We can all think of countless situations where a single misstep leads to lifelong regret, causing one to share in another’s sin.
Do Not Share in Evil Deeds
2 John 1:10-11 warns against sharing in the deeds of false teachers:
"If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work (poneros)."
John wrote 2 John to address serious heresies at the time, particularly those denying that Jesus Christ came in the flesh (2 John 1:7). He warns believers not to participate in such evil.
The Greek word poneros (evil, wicked) describes various sins. Paul tells us:
“Reject every kind of evil (poneros).” (1 Thessalonians 5:22)
Jesus also used poneros multiple times:
"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil (poneros) man brings evil (poneros) things out of the evil (poneros) stored up in his heart." (Luke 6:45)
We must avoid evil and purify our hearts.
A Wicked and Adulterous Generation
Jesus called His generation "a wicked (poneros) and adulterous generation" (Matthew 12:39). Paul echoed this warning:
“Make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil (poneros).” (Ephesians 5:15-16)
Compared to 2,000 years ago, today’s world is even more wicked.
Paul urges believers:
"Reject evil and pursue holiness." (1 Thessalonians 5:21-23)
Thank the Lord for His teaching and protection—only through Him can we avoid sharing in the evil of the world!
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