by 鍾卓權牧師 (Rev. Bernie Chung)
在整卷聖經不論是舊約和新約中，都有「阿們」這一個詞，該詞是出自希伯來文( אמן )，意思是真實、可靠。
舊約聖經中的例子：
詩篇 89:52 節說：「耶和華是應當稱頌的、直到永遠。阿們、阿們。」
新約聖經中的「阿們」其所用的希臘文是採用希伯來文的譯音 (ἀμήν) 。
新約中的例子：
羅馬書 1:25 節：「他們將神的真實變為虛謊、去敬拜事奉受造之物、不敬奉那造物的主．主乃是可稱頌的、直到永遠。阿們。」
主耶穌在教導門徒時，每當祂要啟示新的真理及做莊嚴宣告時，祂總是以「阿們」開始。「阿們」 常被翻譯為「實實在在」。例如在約翰福音 3:3 節說：「耶穌回答說、我實實在在的告訴你、人若不重生、就不能見 神的國。」，其中「實實在在」就是「阿們」。在我們禱告結束時，也會說「阿們」，意思是說我們的禱告是真實的，我們的祈求但願如此成就。故有時也會用「誠心所願」代替「阿們」作為禱告的結束，因這個原因。馬太福音6:13 節的主禱文結束時說：「不叫我們遇見試探．救我們脫離凶惡。因為國度、權柄、榮耀、全是你的直到永遠、阿們。」，「阿們」就是但願如此成就的意思。
「阿們」不是宗教儀式中一項機械化的詞彙。在個人禱告，默想、與主交通之時．靈裏受了感動，或在聚會中聽到他人的禱告、讚美或交通，我們心靈會有共鳴，口中都會不自覺的反應說「阿們」。弟兄姊妹的禱告、祈求和願望成了我們自己的祈求和願望；敬拜的時候，弟兄姊妹的感謝和讚美也成了我們的感謝和讚美。弟兄姊妹說「阿們」和我們聽到之後又回應「阿們」的人的心在靈裡溝通了。阿們！
申命記7:9 節說：「所以你要知道，耶和華你的神是神，是信實的神，向愛祂、守祂誡命的人守約並施慈愛，直到千代。」，「信實的神」是由「阿們的神」 翻譯出來的。所以我們的神也是「阿們的神」，「願權能歸給祂、直到永永遠遠。阿們。」 (彼得前書 5:11)
Translation:
In both the Old Testament and the New Testament of the Bible, there is the common word “Amen” that comes from Hebrew (אמן ), meaning true and reliable. For instance, in Psalm 89:52 (NIV) of the Old Testament, it says: “Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen.”
The “Amen” appears in the New Testament’s original text comes from the Greek word (ἀμήν), (pronounced “amin”), and it was translated phonetically from the Hebrew word cited above. For example, in Romans 1:25, it says: "They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.”
As the Lord Jesus taught His disciples, whenever He wanted to reveal new truths or solemn declarations, He always started with “Amen” which also means “truly or so be it”. For instance, John 3:3, says: “Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’”
At the end of our prayers, we would conclude by saying “Amen,” signifying that our prayers are true and we wish what we've prayed for will come into fruition. When praying in Chinese we may sometimes substitute “amen” with "sincere wish”[誠心所願 ] that has a similar meaning.
At the end of Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:13), it says: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil. For Yours is the kingdom, power, and glory, forever. Amen!”
“Amen” means wishing it to be so. Saying “amen” is not just a routine gesture in religious ceremonies. Amen affirms God's faithfulness as we pray, meditate, and communicate with Him personally. When we hear prayers and praises to our Lord in fellowship meetings or during worships, the word “amen” will come out of our mouths naturally. Saying “amen” will be our innate response to the prayers and wishes of our brothers and sisters. When our hearts are touched by the Holy Spirit, their prayers, wishes, praises, and thanksgivings often resonate with what are in our hearts. When we worship, the prayers and praises offered to our Lord by brothers and sisters have become part of our adorations to God as well. When we exchange chorus of “amen” with brothers and sisters in Christ, we are communicating with and acknowledging them spiritually.
In light of what is mentioned above, take a look at Deuteronomy 7:9, which says: “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” Yes, He faithful! And in agreement, I say as Peter says, “To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:11).
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