只是問一下 (6)：為何一個無知的罪人需要憐憫？

驟眼看，似乎這是理所當然，沒有甚麼可疑之處。
一個罪人當然需要憐憫。

但，想深一層，為何一個無知的罪人需要憐憫？
只是問一下。

我猜想，如果一個有智力缺陷的人犯了事，上帝自然會寬恕，無需甚麼憐憫。
如果犯事的是一個無知的人，亦會同樣對待。
對於這類人，公義的要求就是不要對他們加以刑罰。
沒有請求憐憫的必要。

另一方面，如果有人公然無視法律，這該是另一回事。
若要對這些人從輕發落，就必須請求恩典和憐憫！

「我從前是褻瀆上帝的、迫害人的、凌辱人的，然而我還蒙了憐憫，因為我是在不信的時候，由於無知而作的。我們主的恩典……在我身上越發增加。」（提前一13～14《新譯本》）

保羅的意思有可能是「無視」而不是「無知」嗎？
若是這樣，那他當然越發感受上主的恩典和憐憫！

只是問一下。

Just asking (6) : why would an ignorant sinner needs mercy?

On first look, it seems so unsuspecting straightforward.
A sinner of course needs mercy.

But thinking a bit more, why would an ignorant sinner needs mercy?
Just asking.

I suppose a good God will not need mercy to overlook an offence if committed by a mentally incapable person.
Equally an ignorant person.
Justice demands not exacting a sentence.
It shouldn’t call for mercy.

On the other hand then, if someone blatantly ignores the law, it is a different story.
Letting such a person go scot-free would definitely require grace and mercy!

 “. . . even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was!” (1 Tim 1:13-14, NLT)

Couldn’t Paul have meant not “ignorant” but “ignoring”?
That certainly justifies his feeling of God’s grace and mercy!

Just asking.