257、圣言只有通过取自圣言的教义才能理解。教会的教义必须取自圣言（3464，5402，5432，10763，10765节）。没有教义，圣言无法理解（9025，9409，9424，9430，10324，10431，10582节）。真正的教义对那些阅读圣言的人来说，是一盏明灯（10400节）。纯正的教义必须由那些被主光照的人形成（2510，2516，2519，9424，10105节）。圣言必须借助被光照的人所形成的教义来理解（10324节）。那些处于光照的人从圣言为自己构筑教义（9382，10659节）。那些基于教会的教义进行教导并学习的人与那些只基于字义如此行的人之间的区别及其性质（9025节）。那些没有教义，只专注于字义的人不会理解神性真理（9409，9410，10582节）。他们陷入许多错误（10431节）。那些处于为了真理而对真理的情感，并且人成年后能凭自己的理解力明白的人不再简单地停留在自己教会的教义中，而是从圣言检查它们是不是真理（5402，5432，6047节）。否则，每个人的真理都将源于其他人，或他的本土宗教，或说，他称自己所信的为真理，仅仅因为别人是这么说的，或这是他的本土宗教，无论这个人生为犹太人还是希腊人（6047节）。然而，诸如基于圣言字义而成为信之事物的那类原则在没有得到充分检查之前，不应当消除（9039节）。
教会的真正教义是仁与信的教义（2417，4766，10763，10764节）。构成教会的，不是信之教义，而是信之生活，也就是仁爱（809，1798，1799，1834，4468，4672，4766，5826，6637节）。教义什么都不是，除非一个人照之生活（1515，2049，2116节）。当今教会教导信之教义，不教导仁之教义，后者沦为被称为道德神学的学科（2417节）。如果人们基于生活，因而基于仁爱而被视为教会成员，那么教会将为一（1285，1316，2982，3267，3445，3451，3452节）。仁之教义比与仁分离之信的教义何等优越（4844节）。那些对仁爱一无所知的人对天堂也一无所知（4783节）。那些仅持守信之教义，不同时持守仁之教义的人陷入多少错误（2383，2417，3146，3325，3412，3413，3416，3773，4672，4730，4783，4925，5351，7623-7627，7752-7762，7790，8094，8313，8530，8765，9186，9224，10555节）。在古代教会，那些处于信之教义，未处于信之生活，也就是仁爱的人被称为“未受割礼的”，或“非利士人”（3412，3413，8093节）。古人拥有对主之爱和对邻之仁的教义，并且他们的信之教义附属于该教义（2417，3419，4844，4955节）。
被光照的人所构筑的教义后来通过理性事物被确认，因而更充分地被理解，并得到证实（2553，2719，3052，3310，6047节）。关于该主题的详情，可参看前文（51节）。那些处于与仁分离之信的人将有被简单地相信，未经理性探究的教会教义（3394节）。盲目确认一个教义不是智慧人的一部分；在确认之前查看它是不是真理，如那些处于光照的人所行的那样，才是智慧人的一部分（1017，4741，7012，7680，7950节）。确认之光是属世之光，不是属灵之光，甚至存在于恶人身上（8780节）。一切事物，甚至虚假都能被确认，以至于看似真理（2477，5033，6865，8521节）。
257、凭借出自圣言的教义，圣言才能被理解。教会的教义必须来自圣言（3464，5402，6832，10763，10765）没有教义人无法理解圣言（9025，9409，9424，9430，10324，10431，10582）。对于阅读圣言者，正确的教义是一盏明灯 （10400）。由主启示的人必会建立真正的教义（2510，2516，2519，9424，10105）。凭借被启示之人所建立的教义，圣言才能被理解（10324）。被启示之人根据圣言为自己建立教义（9382，10659）。讲授和学习教会教义之人与仅讲授和学习圣言字义的人之间的不同，以及他们的品性在这里介绍（9025）。那些知道圣言字义但不知道教义的人不懂神性真理（9409，9410，10582）。他们陷入很多谬误中（10431）。那些因真理的缘故而喜爱真理的人，当他们成熟到能自己领悟时，将不再简单地遵从教会的教义，而是凭借圣言查验这些教义的真伪 （5402，5432，6047）。否则，无论是犹太人还是希腊人，每个人所信的都将是根据他人宣称为真的东西，或者是他家乡的宗教 （6047）。不过，在彻底查验之前，由圣言字义形成的信仰原则不应被抛弃（9039）。
教会真正教导的应是以爱和信为核心的教义（2417，4766，10763，10764）。真正构成教会的不是关于如何信仰的教导，而是建立在信仰上的生命，也就是仁爱（809，1798，1799，1834，4468，4672，4766，5826，6637）。除非人根据教义活出生命，否则教义毫无价值（1515，2049，2116）。当今教会传讲信仰教义，而非仁爱教义，把后者降格成一门学科，即道德神学（2417）。如果人因其生命，也就是因仁爱，而被看为教会一员，教会将是合一的 （1285，1316，2982，3267，3445，3451，3452）与没有仁爱的信仰教义相比，以仁爱的生命为根基的教义更有生命力（4844）。对仁爱无知的人，对天堂也会无知（2435）。仅被教导以信仰，却没有仁爱培育的人，将会谬误百出 （2338，2417，3146，3325，3412，3413，3416，3773，4672，4730，4783，4925，5351，7623–7627，7752–7762，7790，8094，8313，8530，8765，9186，9224，10555）。那些仅遵守信仰教义，却没有活出信仰，即没有仁爱的人，从前被称作“未行割礼之人”或腓利士人（3412，3413，8093）。古人的教义以爱主和爱友邻为核心，并使信仰教义置于其下（2417，3419，4844，4955）
得到启示之人所建立的教义，后人会以理性去确证，从而被更好地理解和发扬 （2553，2719，2720，3052，3310，6047）。有关此主题的内容，详见上面第51节。持有与仁爱分离之信仰者，误以为只要信就可以了，无需任何理性分辨（3394）
智者之所为不是盲目地支持某个教义，而是在诚心信服之前先查验其是否为真，这是那些乐享启示之人的作为（1017，4741，7012，7680，7950）。用以说服人的光是属世之光，而非属灵之光，它也可以通达邪恶之人 （8780）。人可能信从任何事物，甚至谬误，通过说服都能看上去像真理（2480，2490，5033，6865，8521）。
257. The Word is understood only by means of a body of teaching drawn from the Word. The church's body of teaching must be drawn from the Word: 3464, 5402, 5432, 10763, 10765. Without a body of teaching, the Word is not intelligible: 9025, 9409, 9424, 9430, 10324, 10431, 10582. A true body of teaching is a lamp for us when we read the Word: 10400. Any authentic body of teaching must come from people who are enlightened by the Lord: 2510, 2516, 2519, 9424, 10105. The Word is to be understood by means of a body of teaching constructed by someone who is enlightened: 10324. People in a state of enlightenment construct a body of teaching for themselves from the Word: 9382, 10659. The nature of the difference between people who teach and learn on the basis of the church's body of teaching and those who do so solely on the basis of the literal meaning: 9025. People who are focused on the literal meaning without having a body of teaching do not arrive at any understanding of divine truths: 9409, 9410, 10582. They fall into many errors: 10431. When people who have a passionate interest in the truth for its own sake reach adulthood and can see things with their own understanding, they do not simply rest in the theological tenets of their church but check them carefully against the Word to see whether they are true: 5402, 5432, 6047. Otherwise, what everyone believes could be declared true merely because someone else said so or because it was the religion of the person's native soil, whether that person was born Jewish or Greek 1: 6047. Nevertheless, principles that have become matters of faith on the basis of the Word's literal meaning should not be eliminated unless they have been fully examined: 9039.
[2] The church's true body of teaching is made up of teachings focused on caring and faith: 2417, 4766, 10763, 10764. What makes a church is not a body of teaching about faith but living according to faith, which means caring: 809, 1798, 1799, 1834, 4468, 4672, 4766, 5826, 6637. A body of teaching is nothing unless its teachings are lived: 1515, 2049, 2116. In today's churches there is a body of teaching focused on faith and not on caring, and the body of teaching focused on caring has been consigned to the discipline known as moral theology: 2417. 2The church would be united if individuals were recognized as members of the church on the basis of their lives and therefore of their caring: 1285, 1316, 2982, 3267, 3445, 3451, 3452. How much more valid a body of teaching focused on caring is than a body of teaching focused on faith separated from caring: 4844. If we know nothing about caring, then we know nothing about heaven: 4783. How many errors people fall into if they have a body of teaching focused only on faith and not on caring at the same time: 2383, 2417, 3146, 3325, 3412, 3413, 3416, 3773, 4672, 4730, 4783, 4925, 5351, 7623-7627, 7752-7762, 7790, 8094, 8313, 8530, 8765, 9186, 9224, 10555. [In the ancient church,] people who were devoted to teachings on faith but not to living according to faith, which means caring, were called "the uncircumcised" or "Philistines": 3412, 3413, 8093. The early people had a body of teaching focused on love for the Lord and caring about their neighbor, and their teachings about faith were subsidiary to it: 2417, 3419, 4844, 4955.
[3] Once a body of teaching has been constructed by someone who is enlightened, it can then be supported by rational means; in this way it is more fully understood, and this strengthens it: 2553, 2719, 3052, 3310, 6047. (For more on this subject, see 51 above.) People who are committed to faith separated from caring want the church's body of teaching simply to be believed without any rational inquiry: 3394.
[4] The practice of wisdom is not to support a dogma blindly but to see whether or not the dogma is true before convincing ourselves of its truth; this is what people do when they enjoy enlightenment: 1017, 4741, 7012, 7680, 7950. The light that is shed by convincing ourselves is an earthly light, not a spiritual one, and it is accessible even to evil people: 8780. We can convince ourselves of anything, even something false, in such a way that it seems to be true: 2477, 5033, 6865, 8521.
Footnotes:
1. The expression “everyone . . . whether . . . born Jewish or Greek” means in this context essentially “all people, no matter in what religion they were born.” It stems from a common reference to and juxtaposition of the Jewish and “Greek” (non-Jewish) populations of the eastern Mediterranean region in Acts and the Epistles (see, for example, Acts 14:1; 18:4; 19:10, 17; 20:21; Romans 1:16; 2:9-10; 10:12; 1 Corinthians 1:22-24; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). Though Swedenborg quotes Acts and the Epistles with relative infrequency (see note 7 above), he was steeped in their language from his childhood, and often uses it. [GFD]
2. Moral theology is a systematic theological treatment of Christian ethics, often taught in divinity schools. The passage to which Swedenborg refers here, Secrets of Heaven 2417, makes no mention of moral theology; rather, it discusses how a church's body of teaching about charity becomes separated from its body of teaching about faith and is eventually lost. [RS]
257. Not translated.
257. The Word is not understood except through doctrine from the Word. The doctrine of the Church must be from the Word, Arcana Coelestia 3464, 5402, 6832, 10763, 10765. The Word is not understood without doctrine, Arcana Coelestia 9025, 9409, 9424, 9430, 10324, 10431, 10582. True doctrine is a lamp to those who read the Word, Arcana Coelestia 10400. Genuine doctrine should be from those who are in enlightenment from the Lord, Arcana Coelestia 2510, 2516, 2519, 9424, 10105. The Word is understood by means of a doctrine made by one who has been enlightened, Arcana Coelestia 10324. Those who are in enlightenment make doctrine for themselves from the Word, Arcana Coelestia 9382, 10659. The difference between those who teach and learn from the doctrine of the Church, and those who teach and learn from the mere sense of the letter, Arcana Coelestia 9025. Those who are in the sense of the letter apart from any doctrine, do not come into any understanding of Divine Truths, Arcana Coelestia 9409, 9410, 10582. They lapse into many errors, Arcana Coelestia 10431. When those who are in the affection of the truth for the sake of the truth, arrive at adult age, and are able to see by virtue of their own understanding, they do not simply remain in the doctrinals of their Church, but examine from the Word whether they are true, Arcana Coelestia 5402, 5432, 6047. Otherwise every man's truth would be derived from another person, and from his native soil, whether he be born a Jew or Greek, Arcana Coelestia 6047. Nevertheless such things as have become matters of faith from the literal sense of the Word, ought not to be put off, except after a full examination, Arcana Coelestia 9039.
The true doctrine of the Church is the Doctrine of Charity and Faith, Arcana Coelestia 2417, 4766, 10763, 10764. The doctrine of faith does not constitute the Church, but the life of faith which is charity, Arcana Coelestia 809, 1798, 1799, 1834, 4468, 4672, 4766, 5826, 6637. Doctrinals are nothing unless a man lives according to them, Arcana Coelestia 1515, 2049, 2116, In the Churches at the present day, there is the doctrine of faith, but not the doctrine of charity, the latter being delegated to a science called Moral Theology, Arcana Coelestia 2417. The Church would be one, if men were acknowledged to be members of the Church from their life, and thus from their charity, Arcana Coelestia 1285, 1316, 2982, 3267, 3445, 3451, 3452. How much the Doctrine of Charity excels the doctrine of faith separate from charity, Arcana Coelestia 4844. Those who know nothing about heavenly things are in ignorance concerning charity, Arcana Coelestia 2435. Into how many errors those fall who have only the doctrine of faith, and not at the same time the doctrine of charity, Arcana Coelestia 2388, 2417, 3146, 3325, 3412, 3413, 3416, 3773, 4672, 4730, 4783, 4925, 5351, 7623-7627, 7752-7762, 7790, 8094, 8313, 8530, 8765; 9186, 9224, 10555. Those who are only in the doctrine of faith, and not in the life of faith, which is charity, were formerly called uncircumcised or Philistines, Arcana Coelestia 3412, 3413, 8093. Among the ancients there was the doctrine of love to the Lord and of charity towards the neighbour, and the doctrine of faith was subservient to it, Arcana Coelestia 2417, 3419, 4844, 4955.
The doctrine which has been formed by one enlightened, may afterwards be confirmed by means of things rational; and thus it is more fully understood and corroborated, Arcana Coelestia 2553, 2719-2720, 3052, 3310, 6047 (see more on this subject above, no. 51). Those who are in faith separated from charity desire the doctrinals of the Church to be simply believed, without any rational intuition, Arcana Coelestia 3394.
It is not the part of a wise man to confirm a dogma, but to see whether it is true before it is confirmed; and this is done among those who are in enlightenment, Arcana Coelestia 1017, 4741, 7012, 7680, 7950. The light of confirmation is natural, not spiritual, light, and may exist even with the wicked, Arcana Coelestia 8780. All things, even falsities, may be confirmed, so as to appear like truths, Arcana Coelestia 2480, 2490, 5033, 6865, 8521.
257. The Word cannot be understood but by means of doctrine from the Word.
The doctrine of the church must be from the Word (n. 3464, 5402, 6832, 10763, 10765). The Word without doctrine is not understood (n. 9025, 9409, 9424, 9430, 10324, 10431, 10582). True doctrine is a lamp to those who read the Word (n. 10400). Genuine doctrine must be formed by those who are in enlightenment from the Lord (n. 2510, 2516, 2519, 9424, 10105). The Word is understood by means of doctrine formed by one who is enlightened (n. 10324). They who are in enlightenment form doctrine for themselves from the Word (n. 9382, 10659). The difference between those who teach and learn from the doctrine of the church, and those who teach and learn only from the sense of the letter, their quality (n. 9025). They who are in the sense of the letter without doctrine, come into no understanding of Divine truths (n. 9409, 9410, 10582). They fall into many errors (n. 10431). They who are in the affection of truth for the sake of truth, when they arrive at adult age, and can see from their own understanding, do not simply abide in the doctrinals of their own church, but examine from the Word whether they are truths (n. 5402, 5432, 6047). Otherwise every man's truth would be derived from others, and from his native soil, whether he was born a Jew or a Greek (n. 6047). Nevertheless such things as are become of faith from the literal sense of the Word, ought not to be extinguished till after a full view (n. 9039).
The true doctrine of the church is the doctrine of charity and faith (n. 2417, 4766, 10763, 10764). The doctrine of faith does not make the church, but the life of faith, which is charity (n. 809, 1798, 1799, 1834, 4468, 4672, 4766, 5826, 6637). Doctrinals are nothing unless one lives according to them (n. 1515, 2049, 2116). In the churches at this day the doctrine of faith is taught, and not the doctrine of charity, the latter being degraded into a science which is called moral theology (n. 2417). The church would be one, if men were acknowledged as members of the church from life, thus from charity (n. 1285, 1316, 2982, 3267, 3445, 3451, 3452). How much superior the doctrine of charity is to that of faith separate from charity (n. 4844). They who do not know anything concerning charity, are in ignorance concerning heavenly things (n. 2435). Into how many errors they fall who only hold the doctrine of faith, and not that of charity at the same time (n. 2338, 2417, 3146, 3325, 3412, 3413, 3416, 3773, 4672, 4730, 4783, 4925, 5351, 7623-7627, 7752-7762, 7790, 8094, 8313, 8530, 8765, 9186, 9224, 10555). They who are only in the doctrine of faith, and not in the life of faith, which is charity, were formerly called uncircumcised, or Philistines (n. 3412, 3413, 8093). The ancients held the doctrine of love to the Lord, and of charity towards the neighbor, and made the doctrine of faith subservient thereto (n. 2417, 3419, 4844, 4955).
Doctrine made by one enlightened may be afterwards confirmed by means of rational things, and thus it is more fully understood, and is corroborated (n. 2553, 2719, 2720, 3052, 3310, 6047). See more on this subject (at n. 51). They who are in faith separate from charity would have the doctrinals of the church implicitly believed without any rational intuition (n. 3394).
It is not the part of a wise man to confirm a dogma, but to see whether it is true before he confirms it, as is the case with those who are in enlightenment (n. 1017, 4741, 7012, 7680, 7950). The light of confirmation is natural light, and not spiritual, and may exist even with the evil (n. 8780). All things, even falsities, can be confirmed so as to appear like truths (n. 2480, 2490, 5033, 6865, 8521).
257. Quod Verbum nec intelligatur nisi per Doctrinam ex Verbo.
Quod doctrina ecclesiae erit ex Verbo (Arcana Coelestia 3464, 5402, 6832, 10763, 10765).
Quod Verbum absque doctrina non intelligatur (Arcana Coelestia 9025, 9409, 9424, 9430, 10324, 10431, 10582).
Quod vera doctrina sit lucerna illis qui legunt Verbum (Arcana Coelestia 10401, [10400?],).
Quod genuina doctrina erit ab illis qui in illustratione sunt a Domino (Arcana Coelestia 2510, 2516, 2519, 2424, [9424?], 10105).
Quod Verbum per doctrinam ab illustrato factam intelligatur (Arcana Coelestia 10324).
Quod qui in illustratione sunt, ex Verbo sibi faciant doctrinam (Arcana Coelestia 9382, 10659).
Discrimen inter illos qui docent et discunt ex doctrina ecclesiae, et inter illos qui ex solo sensu litterae, quale (Arcana Coelestia 9025).
Quod qui in sensu litterae absque doctrina sunt, in nullum intellectum veniant de veris Divinis (Arcana Coelestia 9409, 9410, 10582).
Quod in plures errores cadant (Arcana Coelestia 10431).
Quod qui in affectione veri propter verum sunt, cum adulti fiunt, et ex suo intellectu videre possunt, non simpliciter maneant in doctrinalibus suae ecclesiae; sed quod scrutentur num vera sint ex Verbo (Arcana Coelestia 5402, 5432, 6047).
Quod alioqui foret cuivis verum ex alio, et ex natali solo, sive natus Judaeus sive Graecus (Arcana Coelestia 6047).
Quod usque quae fidei facta sunt ex sensu litterali Verbi non exstinguenda sint, nisi post plenam intuitionem (Arcana Coelestia 9039).
Quod vera doctrina ecclesiae sit doctrina charitatis et fidei (Arcana Coelestia 2417, 4766, 10763, 10765, [10764?],).
Quod doctrina fidei non faciat ecclesiam, sed vita fidei quae est charitatis (Arcana Coelestia 809, 1798, 1799, 1834, 4468, 4677, [4672?], 4766, 5826, 6637).
Quod doctrinalia nihil sint, nisi vivatur secundum illa (Arcana Coelestia 1515, 2049, 2116).
Quod hodie in ecclesiis doctrina fidei sit, et non charitatis; et quod doctrina charitatis rejecta sit in scientiam, quae vocatur theologia moralis (Arcana Coelestia 2417).
Quod ecclesia esset una, si agnoscerentur pro hominibus ecclesiae ex vita, ita ex charitate (Arcana Coelestia 1285, 1316, 2982, 3267, 3445, 3451, 3452).
Quantum valet doctrina charitatis prae doctrina fidei separatae a charitate (Arcana Coelestia 4844).
Quod in ignorantia de caelestibus sint qui non sciunt aliquid de charitate (Arcana Coelestia 2435).
Qui modo habent doctrinam fidei et non simul charitatis, in quot errores labuntur (Arcana Coelestia 2383, [2388?], 2417, 3146, 3325, 3412, 3413, 3416, 3773, 4672, 4730, 4783, 4925, 5351, 7623-7677, [7627?], 7752-7762, 7790, 8094, 8313, 8530, 8765, 9186, 9224, 10555).
Quod illi qui solum in doctrina fidei sunt, et non in vita fidei, quae est charitas, olim dicti fuerint praeputiati seu Philisthaei (Arcana Coelestia 3412, 3413, 8093).
Quod apud antiquos fuerit doctrina amoris in Dominum et charitatis erga proximum, et quod doctrina fidei inserviverit ei (Arcana Coelestia 2417, 3419, 4044, 4955).
Quod doctrina per illustratum facta postea per rationalia confirmari possit, et quod sic plenius intelligatur, et quod corroboretur (Arcana Coelestia 2553, 2719, 2720, 3052, 3310, 6047: plura de hac re videantur supra, 51).
Quod illi qui in fide separata a charitate sunt, velint ut doctrinalia ecclesiae simpliciter credantur absque aliqua intuitione rationali (Arcana Coelestia 3394).
Quod confirmare dogma non sapientis sit, sed videre num verum sit antequam confirmatur; et quod hoc fiat apud illos qui in illustratione sunt (Arcana Coelestia 1017, 4741, 7012, 7680, 7950).
Quod lux confirmationis sit lux naturalis, non spiritualis, dabilis etiam apud malos (Arcana Coelestia 8780).
Quod omnia etiam falsa confirmari possint, usque ut appareant sicut vera (Arcana Coelestia 2482, [2480?], 2490, 5033, 6865, 8521).