1-3. (a) N’chifukwa chiyani mtumwi Paulo anawawidwa mtima kwambiri atafika ku Atene? (b) Kodi tingaphunzire chiyani pa zimene Paulo anachita?

PAULO atafika mumzinda wa Atene m’dziko la Girisi, anawawidwa mtima kwambiri. Ku Atene kunali kuchimake kwa maphunziro a nzeru za anthu ndipo akatswiri a maphunzirowa monga Socrates, Plato ndi Aristotle anaphunzitsapo mumzinda umenewu. Anthu a mumzinda wa Atene anali okonda kwambiri kulambira. Paulo ankangoona mafano okhaokha kulikonse, monga mu akachisi, m’mabwalo ndi m’misewu, chifukwa chakuti anthu a ku Atene ankalambira milungu yosiyanasiyana. Koma iye ankadziwa mmene Yehova, yemwe ndi Mulungu woona, amaonera kulambira mafano. (Eks. 20:4, 5) Mtumwi wokhulupirikayu nayenso ankanyansidwa ndi mafano ngati mmene Yehova amachitira.

² Zimene Paulo anaona atangolowa mumsika, zinali zokhumudwitsa kwambiri. Kumpoto chakumadzulo, pafupi ndi khomo lalikulu lolowera mumsikawo, anaimikapo mafano ambiri a mulungu wawo Heme, amene anali maliseche, ndipo mumsikawo munali akachisi ambirimbiri. Kodi mtumwi wakhamayu akanalalikira bwanji anthu a m’derali amene anali okonda kwambiri kulambira mafano? Kodi iye akanaugwira mtima n’kuyamba kulalikira anthuwo pogwiritsa ntchito mfundo zimene iwo akanagwirizana nazo? Kodi akanakwanitsa kuthandiza ena mwa anthuwo kuti ayambe kufunafuna Mulungu woona ndi kumupezadi?

³ Zimene Paulo analankhula ndi anthu ophunzira kwambiri a ku Atene pa Machitidwe 17:22-31, ndi chitsanzo chabwino kwambiri pa nkhani yolankhula mwaluso, mwanzeru komanso mozindikira. Tikamaphunzira nkhani ya Paulo, tiona zimene tingachite polalikira, monga kufotokoza mfundo zimene omvera athu angagwirizane nazo komanso kuwathandiza kuti aziganizira mfundozo.

Ankaphunzitsa “Pamsika” (Machitidwe 17:16-21)

4, 5. Kodi Paulo ankalalikira kuti pamene anali ku Atene, nanga anakumana ndi anthu ati ovuta?

⁴ Paulo anafika ku Atene pa ulendo wake wachiwiri waumishonale cha m’ma 50 C.E.a Ndiye pamene ankadikira kuti Sila ndi Timoteyo afike kuchokera ku Bereya, monga mwa chizolowezi chake iye “anayamba kukambirana ndi Ayuda” m’sunagoge. Paulo anapitanso “pamsika” wa mumzinda wa Atene kuti akalalikire anthu amene sanali Ayuda. (Mac. 17:17) Msikawu unali waukulu maekala pafupifupi 12 kapena kuposerapo ndipo unali kumpoto chakumadzulo kwa malo otchedwa Akuropolisi, amene anali ndi mpanda wolimba kwambiri. Kuwonjezera pa malonda amene ankachitika pamalowa, msikawu unalinso malo amene nthawi zambiri anthu ankakumanapo akakhala ndi misonkhano. Buku lina linanena kuti malo amenewa anali “kuchimake kwa malonda, ndale ndiponso chikhalidwe cha anthu a mumzindawo.” Anthu a ku Atene ankakonda kukumana pamsikawu n’kumakambirana nkhani zosiyanasiyana zokhudza maphunziro apamwamba.

⁵ Pamsikawu Paulo anapeza anthu ovuta kuwalalikira. Pagulu la anthu amene ankamumvetsera panali anthu ena anzeru za Epikureya ndi Sitoiki, omwe anali anthu ophunzira kwambiri koma ankakhulupirira zinthu zosiyana.b Anthu anzeru za Epikureya ankakhulupirira kuti zinthu zamoyo zinangokhalapo mwangozi. Pa nkhani yokhudza moyo, iwo ankakhulupirira kuti: “Palibe chifukwa choopera Mulungu kapena imfa ndipo n’zotheka kupeza zinthu zabwino komanso kupirira zinthu zoipa.” Anthu anzeru za Sitoiki ankalimbikitsa kuti munthu aziganiza komanso azichita zinthu zimene akuzimvetsa ndipo sankakhulupirira kuti Mulungu ndi weniweni. Anthu onsewa sankakhulupirira mfundo imene ophunzira a Khristu ankaphunzitsa yakuti akufa adzauka. N’zoonekeratu kuti mfundo zimene magulu onsewa ankayendera sizinkagwirizana ndi choonadi chamtengo wapatali cha Chikhristu choona, chimene Paulo ankalalikira.

6, 7. Kodi Agiriki ena ophunzira kwambiri anatani atamva zimene Paulo ankaphunzitsa, nanga ifeyo timakumana ndi zinthu zotani zofanana ndi zimenezi?

⁶ Kodi Agiriki ophunzira kwambiriwo anatani atamva zimene Paulo ankaphunzitsa? Ena anayamba kumunena kuti “wobwetuka.” (Mac. 17:18) Katswiri wina ananena za mawu a Chigirikiwa kuti: “Poyamba, mawuwo ankagwiritsidwa ntchito ponena za timbalame timene tinkatolatola mbewu, koma patapita nthawi, anayamba kugwiritsidwa ntchito ponena za munthu amene ankatoleza zakudya ndi zinthu zina pamsika. Kenako anthu anayamba kugwiritsa ntchito mawuwa mokuluwika ponena za munthu aliyense amene ankatenga nkhani zosiyanasiyana zimene anamva kwa anthu ena, makamaka yemwe sanazimvetse bwino.” Mwachidule, tinganene kuti anthu ophunzira kwambiriwo ankamunena Paulo kuti anali mbuli ndipo iye ankangobwereza zimene anamva kwa anthu ena. Komabe monga mmene tionere, Paulo sanagwe ulesi ngakhale kuti ankamunyoza.

⁷ Zinthu ngati zimenezi zimachitikanso masiku ano. A Mboni za Yehovafe, nthawi zambiri anthu amatitchula mayina achipongwe chifukwa cha mfundo za m’Baibulo zimene timakhulupirira. Mwachitsanzo kusukulu, aphunzitsi ena amaphunzitsa kuti zinthu zamoyo zinachita kusintha kuchokera ku zinthu zina ndipo amanena kuti munthu aliyense wozindikira ayenera kukhulupirira mfundo imeneyi. Ponena zimenezi, iwo amatanthauza kuti aliyense amene sakhulupirira mfundoyi ndi mbuli. Anthu ophunzira amenewo amafuna kuti anthu aziganiza kuti ndife ‘obwetuka’ tikamalalikira mfundo za m’Baibulo komanso tikamawasonyeza umboni wotsimikizira kuti kuli Mlengi amene analenga zinthu zonse. Komabe ife sitigwa ulesi. M’malomwake, timapitiriza kulankhula molimba mtima tikamafotokoza zimene timakhulupirira zakuti zinthu zamoyo padziko lapansili zinachita kulengedwa ndi Mlengi wanzeru, Yehova Mulungu.​—Chiv. 4:11.

8. (a) Kodi anthu ena amene anamva Paulo akulalikira anachita chiyani? (b) Kodi mfundo yoti Paulo anapita naye kubwalo la Areopagi ingatanthauze chiyani? (Onani mawu a m’munsi.)

⁸ Koma anthu ena amene anamvetsera Paulo akulalikira pamsika anachita zinthu zosiyana ndi zimenezi. Ponena za iye, iwo anati: “Akuoneka kuti akulalikira za milungu yachilendo.” (Mac. 17:18) Koma kodi n’zoona kuti Paulo ankalalikira za milungu yachilendo kwa anthu a ku Atene? Nkhani imeneyi inali yoopsa kwambiri, chifukwa inali yofanana ndi umodzi mwa milandu imene Socrates anazengedwa, ndipo anaweruzidwa kuti aphedwe zaka zambiri m’mbuyomo. Choncho n’zosadabwitsa kuti anthuwo anagwira Paulo n’kupita naye kubwalo la Areopagi kukamufunsa kuti afotokoze bwino zinthu zimene ankaphunzitsa, zomwe anthu a ku Atene ankaona kuti zinali zachilendo.c Kodi Paulo akanateteza bwanji uthenga wake pamaso pa anthu amene sankadziwa Malemba?

“Inu Anthu a ku Atene, Ndaona” (Machitidwe 17:22, 23)

9-11. (a) Kodi Paulo anayesetsa bwanji kufotokoza mfundo zimene omvera ake ankagwirizana nazo? (b) Kodi tingatsanzire bwanji Paulo pa utumiki wathu?

⁹ Kumbukirani kuti Paulo anawawidwa mtima kwambiri ataona mafano mumzindawu. M’malo modzudzula mwamphamvu anthu olambira mafanowo, iye analankhula modekha. Analankhula nawo mwaluso kwambiri mfundo zimene anthuwo ankagwirizana nazo moti anapitiriza kumumvetsera. Iye anayamba ndi mawu akuti: “Inu anthu a ku Atene, ndaona kuti pa zinthu zonse mumaopa kwambiri milungu kuposa mmene ena amachitira.” (Mac. 17:22) Tingati Paulo ankanena kuti, ‘Ndaona kuti anthu inu mumakonda kupembedza.’ Mwanzeru, Paulo anawayamikira chifukwa choti anali ndi mtima wokonda kulambira. Iye anazindikira kuti anthu ena amene zikhulupiriro zabodza zinawachititsa khungu anali ndi mtima wabwino ndipo akanatha kumvetsera choonadi. Ndipotu Paulo ankadziwa kuti pa nthawi ina nayenso ‘ankachita zinthu mosadziwa komanso analibe chikhulupiriro.’​—1 Tim. 1:13.

¹⁰ Popitiriza kufotokoza mfundo zimene anthuwo ankagwirizana nazo, Paulo anatchula umboni umene anaona wosonyeza kuti anthu a ku Atene anali okonda kupembedza. Umboni wake unali guwa lansembe lolembedwa kuti, “Kwa Mulungu Wosadziwika.” Pa nkhaniyi, buku lina limanena kuti: “Agiriki komanso anthu ena ankakonda kumangira maguwa ansembe ‘milungu yosadziwika’ poopa kuti angaiwale kulambira mulungu wina yemwe mwina angawakwiyire.” Guwa limeneli linkasonyeza kuti anthu a ku Atene ankadziwa kuti kuli Mulungu amene iwo sakumudziwa. Paulo anagwiritsa ntchito zimene zinalembedwa paguwalo kuti asinthe nkhani n’kuyamba kunena za uthenga wabwino umene iye ankalalikira. Iye anafotokoza kuti: “Ine ndikulalikira kwa inu za Mulungu wosadziwika amene mukumulambirayo.” (Mac. 17:23) Mfundo imene Paulo ananena inali yamphamvu ngakhale kuti sanaitchule mwachindunji. Iye sankalalikira za mulungu wachilendo ngati mmene anthu ena ankanenera, koma ankangofotokoza za Mulungu woona, amene iwo sankamudziwa.

¹¹ Kodi tingatsanzire bwanji Paulo pa utumiki wathu? Ngati tingakhale ndi chidwi kwambiri, tingaone umboni wosonyeza kuti munthu amene tikulankhula naye ndi wokonda kupembedza. Tingadziwe zimenezi mwina poona zinthu zachipembedzo zimene iye wavala kapena zimene waika m’nyumba yake kapenanso panja pa nyumbayo. Ndiyeno tinganene kuti: ‘Ndikuona kuti ndinu munthu wokonda kupemphera. Ndimafuna kucheza ndi munthu wokonda kupemphera ngati inuyo.’ Tikalankhula mawu abwino osonyeza kuti tikuzindikira ndiponso kulemekeza zimene munthuyo amakhulupirira, zingatithandize kuti tipeze poyambira kukambirana naye. Tisaiwale kuti cholinga chathu si kuweruza ena chifukwa cha zimene amakhulupirira kuchipembedzo chawo. Tizikumbukira kuti poyamba, Akhristu ambiri a Mboni za Yehova anali m’zipembedzo zabodza.

Mulungu “Sali Kutali ndi Aliyense wa Ife” (Machitidwe 17:24-28)

12. Kodi Paulo anasintha bwanji ulaliki wake kuti ugwirizane ndi anthu amene ankamumvetsera?

¹² Paulo anafotokoza mfundo zimene omvera ake ankagwirizana nazo. Koma kodi iye anapitiriza kuchita zimenezi pa nthawi yonse yomwe analalikira? Chifukwa chakuti ankadziwa kuti omvera ake anaphunzira kwambiri nzeru za Agiriki ndiponso sankadziwa Malemba, iye anasintha ulaliki wake m’njira zambiri. Choyamba, iye anaphunzitsa mfundo za m’Baibulo popanda kugwira mwachindunji mawu a m’Malemba. Chachiwiri, iye anasonyeza kuti sanali wosiyana ndi omvera ake ndipo nthawi zina ankagwiritsa ntchito mawu akuti “ife.” Chachitatu, anagwira mawu a m’mabuku ena a Chigiriki posonyeza kuti zinthu zina zimene iye ankaphunzitsa zinalipo m’mabuku awo. Tsopano tiyeni tikambirane mawu ogwira mtima amene Paulo analankhula. Kodi iye anafotokoza mfundo zofunika ziti zokhudza Mulungu amene anali wosadziwika kwa anthu a ku Atene?

13. Kodi Paulo anafotokoza kuti zinthu zonse zinakhalapo bwanji, nanga zimene ananenazo zimatanthauza chiyani?

¹³ Mulungu analenga zinthu zonse. Paulo ananena kuti: “Mulungu amene anapanga dzikoli ndi zinthu zonse zili mmenemu, sakhala mu akachisi opangidwa ndi manja. Iye ndiye Ambuye wakumwamba ndi dziko lapansi.”d (Mac. 17:24) Zinthu zonse zam’chilengedwe sizinakhalepo mwangozi koma zinachita kulengedwa ndi Mulungu woona. (Sal. 146:6) Mosiyana ndi milungu yabodza, monga Atena, yomwe inkalemekezedwa kwambiri chifukwa cha akachisi ndi maguwa ake ansembe, Mulungu wakumwamba ndi dziko lapansi, yemwe ndi Ambuye Wamkulu Koposa, sangakhale mu akachisi omangidwa ndi manja a anthu. (1 Maf. 8:27) Zimene Paulo ankatanthauza zinali zoonekeratu. Iye ankatanthauza kuti Mulungu woona ndi wamkulu kuposa mafano opangidwa ndi anthu amene ankapezeka mu akachisi omangidwa ndi anthu.​—Yes. 40:18-26.

14. Kodi Paulo anasonyeza bwanji kuti Mulungu sadalira anthu kuti amuthandize?

¹⁴ Mulungu sadalira anthu kuti azimuthandiza. Anthu olambira mafano ankakonda kuveka mafano awowo zovala zapamwamba, kuwapatsa mphatso za mtengo wapatali, kapenanso kuwapatsa zakudya ndi zakumwa, ngati kuti mafanowo ankafunikira zinthu zimenezo. Komabe, ena mwa Agiriki ophunzira kwambiri amene ankamvetsera Paulo ayenera kuti ankakhulupirira kuti mulungu sangafunikire kuthandizidwa ndi anthu. Ngatidi zinali choncho, ayenera kuti anagwirizana ndi mfundo imene Paulo ananena kuti Mulungu “satumikiridwa ndi manja a anthu ngati kuti amasowa kanthu.” Zoonadi, palibe chinthu chilichonse chimene anthu angathandize nacho Mlengi. M’malomwake, iye ndi amene amathandiza anthu powapatsa zinthu zimene amafunikira tsiku ndi tsiku, monga “moyo, mpweya, ndi zinthu zonse,” zomwe zikuphatikizapo dzuwa, mvula ndi nthaka yachonde. (Mac. 17:25; Gen. 2:7) Choncho Mulungu amene amapereka zinthu kwa anthu, sadalira anthu amene amalandira zinthu kwa iye kuti amuthandize.

15. Kodi Paulo ananena zotani pa zimene anthu a ku Atene ankakhulupirira zoti iwo anali apamwamba kuposa anthu amene sanali Agiriki, nanga tikuphunzira mfundo yofunika iti pa chitsanzo chimenechi?

¹⁵ Mulungu anapanga munthu. Anthu a ku Atene ankakhulupirira kuti anali apamwamba kuposa anthu ena amene sanali Agiriki. Koma choonadi cha m’Baibulo chimatsutsa anthu amene amaona kuti fuko lawo kapena mtundu wawo ndi wofunika kwambiri kuposa wa ena. (Deut. 10:17) Paulo anafotokoza nkhani imeneyi mwanzeru komanso mwaluso kwambiri. Mosakayikira, mawu a Paulo akuti “kuchokera mwa munthu mmodzi [Mulungu] anapanga mitundu yonse ya anthu,” anachititsa anthu amene ankamumvetserawo kuganiza mozama. (Mac. 17:26) Iye ankanena nkhani ya kholo la anthu onse, Adamu, imene ili m’buku la Genesis. (Gen. 1:26-28) Popeza kuti anthu onse kholo lawo ndi limodzi, palibe mtundu kapena fuko lomwe ndi lofunika kwambiri kuposa linzake. N’zoonekeratu kuti anthu amene ankamvetsera Paulo anamvetsa bwino zimene ankatanthauza. Tikuphunzira mfundo yofunika kwambiri pa chitsanzo chimenechi. N’zoona kuti tifunika kukhala osamala komanso oganizira ena tikamagwira ntchito yathu yolalikira, komabe sitiyenera kusintha choonadi cha m’Baibulo kuti ena avomereze zimene tikunenazo.

16. Kodi Mlengi amafuna kuti anthu azichita chiyani?

¹⁶ Mulungu amafuna kuti anthu akhale anzake. Ngakhale kuti anthu ophunzira amene ankamvetsera Paulo anakhala akukambirana kwa zaka zambiri za cholinga chimene anthu amakhalira ndi moyo, iwo sanathe kufotokoza cholingacho mogwira mtima. Koma Paulo anafotokoza momveka bwino cholinga chimene Mlengi anali nacho polenga anthu kuti “anthuwo afunefune Mulungu, amufufuzefufuze n’kumupezadi, ngakhale kuti kwenikweni, iye sali kutali ndi aliyense wa ife.” (Mac. 17:27) Zinali zotheka kudziwa Mulungu amene anthu a ku Atene sankamudziwa chifukwa iye sanali kutali ndi aliyense amene ankafunadi kumupeza ndi kuphunzira za iye. (Sal. 145:18) Onani kuti Paulo anagwiritsa ntchito mawu akuti “ife,” ndipo zimenezi zikusonyeza kuti iyenso anadziika m’gulu la anthu amene ankafunikira ‘kufunafuna Mulungu ndi kumufufuzafufuza.’

17, 18. N’chifukwa chiyani anthu ayenera kukhala ndi mtima wofuna kudziwa Mulungu, ndipo tikuphunzira chiyani kwa Paulo amene analankhula ndi anthu mowafika pamtima?

¹⁷ Anthu ayenera kukhala ndi mtima wofuna kudziwa Mulungu. Paulo ananena kuti, chifukwa cha Mulungu, “tili ndi moyo, timayenda ndipo tilipo.” Akatswiri ena amanena kuti Paulo ankanena mawu amene ananenedwa ndi munthu wina (dzina lake Epimenides) wolemba ndakatulo wa ku Kerete amene anakhalapo m’zaka za m’ma 500 B.C.E., amene anali “wotchuka kwambiri pa nkhani zokhudza miyambo ya chipembedzo cha ku Atene.” Paulo anapereka chifukwa chinanso chimene anthu ayenera kukondera Mulungu ponena kuti: ‘Andakatulo anu ena ananena kuti, “Paja ndife ana ake.”’ (Mac. 17:28) Anthu ayenera kuona kuti pali ubale wapadera pakati pa iwowo ndi Mulungu chifukwa chakuti anali Atate wa munthu woyamba amene ndi kholo la anthu onse. Pofuna kuwafika pamtima omvera akewo, mwanzeru Paulo anagwira mawu ochokera m’nkhani za Chigiriki zimene mwina anthuwo ankazikonda kwambiri.e Potengera chitsanzo cha Paulo, ifenso nthawi zina tingagwire mawu mabuku a mbiri yakale kapena mabuku ena amene anthu amagwiritsa ntchito. Mwachitsanzo, mawu oyenerera amene tawatenga m’buku limene anthu amalikonda, angathandize munthu amene si wa Mboni kumvetsa mmene miyambo ndi zinthu zina zimene anthu azipembedzo zabodza amachita zinayambira.

¹⁸ Pofika pamenepa, Paulo anali atanena mfundo zosiyanasiyana za choonadi zokhudza Mulungu, ndipo mwaluso anagwiritsa ntchito mawu amene omvera ake ankagwirizana nawo. Kodi mtumwiyu ankafuna kuti anthu a ku Atene achite chiyani akamva uthenga umenewo? Iye sanazengereze kuwauza zoyenera kuchita.

‘Anthu Onse Kwina Kulikonse Alape’ (Machitidwe 17:29-31)

19, 20. (a) Kodi Paulo anachita bwanji zinthu mosamala kwambiri pofuna kusonyeza kuti ndi kupusa kulambira mafano opangidwa ndi anthu? (b) Kodi anthu amene Paulo ankawalalikira anafunika kuchita chiyani?

¹⁹ Paulo anali wokonzeka kulimbikitsa omvera akewo kuti achitepo kanthu. Iye ananenanso za mfundo yochokera m’buku la Chigiriki ija kuti: “Popeza ndife ana a Mulungu, tisaganize kuti Mulunguyo ali ngati golide, siliva, mwala kapena chilichonse chosemedwa ndi anthu aluso.” (Mac. 17:29) Zoonadi, ngati anthu analengedwa ndi Mulungu, kodi zingatheke bwanji kuti Mulunguyo afanane ndi mafano opangidwa ndi anthu? Mfundo zogwira mtima zimene Paulo anafotokoza zinasonyeza bwino kwambiri kuti ndi kupusa kulambira mafano opangidwa ndi anthu. (Sal. 115:4-8; Yes. 44:9-20) Ponena kuti “tisaganize kuti,” mosakayikira Paulo anafewetsako pang’ono mphamvu ya uphungu umene ankapereka.

²⁰ Mtumwiyu ananena momveka bwino kuti anthuwo anafunika kuchitapo kanthu. Iye anati: “Mulungu analekerera nthawi yomwe anthu sankadziwa zinthu, [zakuti iye sasangalala ndi anthu olambira mafano] koma tsopano akuuza anthu kwina kulikonse kuti onse alape.” (Mac. 17:30) N’kutheka kuti anthu ena amene ankamvetsera Paulo anadabwa kwambiri kumva akuwalimbikitsa kuti alape. Koma mfundo zogwira mtima zimene iye ananena zinasonyeza kuti Mulungu ndi amene anapatsa anthuwo moyo, ndipo anali ndi mphamvu zowaimba mlandu chifukwa cha zochita zawo. Choncho anafunika kufunafuna Mulungu, kuphunzira choonadi chokhudza Mulunguyo, komanso kusintha moyo wawo kuti zochita zawo zizigwirizana ndi choonadicho. Anthu a ku Atene anayenera kuzindikira kuti kulambira mafano ndi tchimo moti anafunika kusiya kuchita zimenezo.

21, 22. Kodi Paulo anamaliza kulankhula ponena mawu amphamvu ati, nanga mawu akewo amatanthauza chiyani kwa ife masiku ano?

²¹ Paulo anamaliza kulankhula ndi mawu amphamvu akuti: “[Mulungu] wakhazikitsa tsiku limene akufuna kudzaweruza mwachilungamo dziko lonse lapansi, kudzera mwa munthu amene iye wamusankha. Ndipo watsimikizira anthu onse zimenezi pomuukitsa.” (Mac. 17:31) Iwo anafunikadi kufunafuna Mulungu woona ndi kum’peza kuti adzapulumuke pa Tsiku la Chiweruzo. Paulo sanatchule dzina la Woweruza amene Mulungu anamuika. Komabe, iye ananena zinazake zodabwitsa zokhudza Woweruza ameneyu kuti anakhalapo munthu, anaphedwa ndipo kenako Mulungu anamuukitsa kwa akufa.

²² Mawu omaliza ochititsa chidwi amenewa ali ndi tanthauzo lalikulu kwa ife masiku ano. Tikudziwa kuti Woweruza amene Mulungu anamusankha ndi Yesu Khristu, yemwe anaukitsidwa. (Yoh. 5:22) Tikudziwanso kuti Tsiku la Chiweruzo lidzatenga zaka 1,000 ndipo latsala pang’ono kuyamba. (Chiv. 20:4, 6) Komabe, ife sitiopa Tsiku la Chiweruzo limeneli chifukwa tikudziwa kuti lidzabweretsa madalitso osaneneka kwa anthu okhulupirika pamaso pa Mulungu. Tikuyembekezera tsogolo labwino chifukwa Mulungu watitsimikizira zimenezi pochita chozizwitsa chachikulu kwambiri, chomwe ndi kuukitsidwa kwa Yesu Khristu.

“Ena . . . Anakhala Otsatira a Yesu” (Machitidwe 17:32-34)

23. Kodi anthu anachita zotani atamva uthenga wa Paulo?

²³ Anthu anachita zinthu zosiyanasiyana atamva uthenga wa Paulo. Atamva za kuuka kwa akufa, “ena anayamba kuseka mwachipongwe.” Ena anali aulemu koma sanafune kulapa ndi kukhala okhulupirira, ndipo anati: “Chabwino, udzatiuzenso zimenezi nthawi ina.” (Mac. 17:32) Komabe, “anthu ena [ochepa] anakhala kumbali yake ndipo anakhala otsatira a Yesu. Ena mwa iwo anali Diyonisiyo, woweruza m’bwalo la Areopagi, mayi wina dzina lake Damarisi komanso anthu ena.” (Mac. 17:34) Nafenso timakumana ndi zoterezi tikakhala mu utumiki. Anthu ena amatinyoza, pamene ena amakhala aulemu koma salabadira uthenga wathu. Komabe, timasangalala kwambiri anthu ena akalandira uthenga wa Ufumu n’kukhala okhulupirira.

24. Kodi tikuphunzira chiyani pa zimene Paulo analankhula ali m’bwalo la Areopagi?

²⁴ Tikamaganizira mmene Paulo analankhulira, tingaphunzire kufotokoza mfundo momveka bwino komanso mogwira mtima ndiponso tingaphunzire kutchula mfundo zimene omvera athu angagwirizane nazo. Kuwonjezera pamenepo, tingaphunzire kufunika kokhala anthu oleza mtima komanso osamala polankhula ndi anthu amene achititsidwa khungu ndi zikhulupiriro zabodza zachipembedzo. Tingaphunzirenso mfundo yofunika yakuti: Tisamasinthe choonadi cha m’Baibulo pongofuna kusangalatsa anthu amene akutimvetsera. Kutsanzira mtumwi Paulo kudzatithandiza kukhala aphunzitsi aluso mu utumiki. Kuwonjezera pamenepo, kudzathandizanso oyang’anira kuti aziphunzitsa mogwira mtima mumpingo. Pamapeto pake, tidzakhala okonzeka kuthandiza ena kuti “afunefune Mulungu . . . n’kumupezadi.”​—Mac. 17:27.

1-3. N’chifukwa chiyani mtumwi Paulo anapita ku Korinto, nanga ndi zinthu ziti zimene ziyenera kuti zinkamudetsa nkhawa?

CHAKUMAPETO kwa chaka cha 50 C.E., mtumwi Paulo anali ku Korinto, kuchimake kwa malonda ndipo kunkapezeka Agiriki, Aroma komanso Ayuda ambiri.a Paulo sanapite ku Korinto kukachita malonda kapena kukafuna ntchito. Iye anapita kumeneko kukagwira ntchito yofunika kwambiri yochitira umboni za Ufumu wa Mulungu. Paulo ankafunikira malo okhala, koma anatsimikiza ndi mtima wonse kuti asalemetse anthu ena. Iye sanafune kuti anthu ena aziona kuti ndi wofunika kumuthandiza chifukwa cha utumiki umene ankachita. Kodi pamenepa iye anatani?

² Paulo ankadziwa kupanga matenti. Ngakhale kuti kupanga matenti ndi ntchito yovuta, iye anali wofunitsitsa kugwira ntchitoyo kuti azipeza zinthu zofunika pa moyo wake. Kodi Paulo akanapeza ntchito mumzinda umenewu? Kodi akanapeza malo abwino okhala? Ngakhale kuti iye anafunika kupeza zinthu zimenezi, sananyalanyaze utumiki wake womwe unali ntchito yofunika kwambiri.

³ Zikuoneka kuti Paulo anakhala ku Korinto kwa kanthawi ndipo utumiki wake kumeneko unkayenda bwino kwambiri. Kodi tingaphunzire chiyani pa zimene Paulo anachita ku Korinto, zimene zingatithandize kuchitira umboni mokwanira za Ufumu wa Mulungu m’gawo lathu?

“Anali Opanga Matenti” (Machitidwe 18:1-4)

4, 5. (a) Kodi Paulo ali ku Korinto ankakhala kuti, nanga ankagwira ntchito yanji? (b) Kodi Paulo ayenera kuti anaphunzira bwanji ntchito yopanga matenti?

⁴ Patapita kanthawi kuchokera pamene Paulo anafika ku Korinto, anakumana ndi banja lina la Chiyuda lodziwa kuchereza alendo la Akula ndi mkazi wake Purisila, kapena kuti Purisika. Banjali linasamukira ku Korinto chifukwa Mfumu Kalaudiyo inalamula “Ayuda onse kuti achoke ku Roma.” (Mac. 18:1, 2) Akula ndi Purisila analandira Paulo kuti azikhala naye kunyumba kwawo komanso kuti azigwira naye ntchito limodzi. Timawerenga kuti: “Popeza ntchito yawo inali imodzi, [Paulo] anakhala kunyumba kwawoko. Iwo ankagwirira ntchito limodzi, chifukwa onse anali opanga matenti.” (Mac. 18:3) Paulo anakhalabe kunyumba kwa anthu achifundo ndi odziwa kulandira alendo amenewa, pa nthawi yonse imene ankachita utumiki wake ku Korinto. Pamene Paulo ankakhala ndi Akula ndi Purisila, ayenera kuti analemba ena mwa makalata amene kenako anadzakhala mabuku a m’Baibulo.b

⁵ Kodi zinatheka bwanji kuti Paulo, munthu amene ‘anaphunzitsidwa ndi Gamaliyeli,’ akhalenso wodziwa ntchito yopanga matenti? (Mac. 22:3) Zikuoneka kuti Ayuda kalelo sankachita manyazi kuphunzitsa ana awo ntchito yamanja, ngakhale kuti anawo anachita maphunziro ena apamwamba. Paulo ayenera kuti anaphunzira ntchitoyi ali mwana, chifukwa anachokera ku Tariso m’dera la Kilikiya, limene linali lotchuka chifukwa chopanga nsalu yamtengo wapatali yopangira matenti. Kodi pankakhala ntchito yotani popanga matenti? Ankawomba nsalu, kudula ndi kusoka nsaluyo, yomwe inali yolimba ndipo ntchito yonseyi inali yowawa.

6, 7. (a) Kodi Paulo ankaiona bwanji ntchito yopanga matenti, nanga n’chiyani chikusonyeza kuti Akula ndi Purisila ankaionanso chimodzimodzi? (b) Kodi Akhristu masiku ano amatsanzira bwanji Paulo, Akula ndi Purisila?

⁶ Paulo sankaona ntchito yopanga matenti ngati yofunika kwambiri pa moyo wake. Iye ankagwira ntchito imeneyi kuti azipeza zofunika pa moyo wake n’kumalalikira uthenga wabwino ‘popanda ena kulipira.’ (2 Akor. 11:7) Kodi Akula ndi Purisila ankaiona bwanji ntchito yawoyi? Monga Akhristu, n’zodziwikiratu kuti iwo ankaona ntchito yawo ngati mmene Paulo ankaionera. Ndipotu pamene Paulo ankachoka ku Korinto mu 52 C.E., Akula ndi Purisila anasamuka n’kumutsatira ku Efeso, ndipo kumeneko mpingo unkasonkhana kunyumba kwawo. (1 Akor. 16:19) Patapita nthawi, anabwerera ku Roma ndipo kenako anapitanso ku Efeso. Banja lakhama limeneli linkaika patsogolo zinthu za Ufumu ndipo linadzipereka ndi mtima wonse kutumikira ena. Chifukwa cha zimenezi, “mipingo yonse ya anthu a mitundu ina” inawayamikira.​—Aroma 16:3-5; 2 Tim. 4:19.

⁷ Akhristu omwe amatumikira Mulungu mwakhama masiku ano, amatsanzira Paulo, Akula ndi Purisila ndipo amagwira ntchito molimbika kuti aliyense ‘asawalipirire kanthu kalikonse pofuna kuwathandiza.’ (1 Ates. 2:9) N’zosangalatsa kuti anthu ambiri amene amalalikira za Ufumu nthawi zonse amagwira maganyu kuti azitha kupeza zofunika pa moyo wawo pamene akugwira ntchito yofunika kwambiri yolalikirayi. Mofanana ndi Akula ndi Purisila, atumiki a Yehova ambiri amene amakonda kuchereza alendo amalandira oyang’anira madera kunyumba zawo. Choncho, anthu amene ‘amakhala ochereza’ amaona kuti amalimbikitsidwa akamachita zimenezi.​—Aroma 12:13.

“Anthu Ambiri a ku Korinto . . . Anayamba Kukhulupirira” (Machitidwe 18:5-8)

8, 9. Kodi Paulo anachita chiyani anthu atayamba kumutsutsa pa ntchito yake yochitira umboni kwa Ayuda, ndipo zitatero anayamba kulalikira kuti?

⁸ Mfundo yakuti Paulo ankagwira ntchito yamanja kuti angopeza zosowa zake pamene ankachita utumiki inaonekera pamene Sila ndi Timoteyo anabwera kuchokera ku Makedoniya ndi mphatso zambiri. (2 Akor. 11:9) Nkhaniyi imati nthawi yomweyo, “Paulo anatanganidwa kwambiri ndi ntchito yolalikira mawu a Mulungu.” (Mac. 18:5) Komabe Ayuda ankamutsutsa akamagwira ntchito yake yolalikirayo. Posonyeza kuti iye alibe mlandu chifukwa choti anthuwo anakana okha uthenga wopulumutsa moyo wonena za Khristu, Paulo anakutumula zovala zake n’kuuza Ayuda otsutsawo kuti: “Magazi anu akhale pamutu panu. Ine ndilibe mlandu. Kuyambira panopa ndizipita kwa anthu a mitundu ina.”​—Mac. 18:6; Ezek. 3:18, 19.

⁹ Kodi Paulo anayamba kulalikira kuti? Munthu wina dzina lake Titiyo Yusito, amene mwina analowa Chiyuda, anali ndi nyumba yake pafupi ndi sunagoge ndipo analandira Paulo kunyumba kwake. Choncho Paulo anachoka mu sunagoge n’kupita kunyumba kwa Yusito. (Mac. 18:7) Paulo ankakhalabe kunyumba kwa Akula ndi Purisila pa nthawi yonse imene anali ku Korinto, koma akafuna kulalikira, ankapita kunyumba kwa Yusito.

10. N’chiyani chikusonyeza kuti Paulo sankangolalikira anthu a mitundu ina okha?

¹⁰ Pamene Paulo ananena kuti ‘azipita kwa anthu a mitundu ina,’ kodi ankatanthauza kuti iye sadzalalikiranso Myuda aliyense kapenanso munthu aliyense amene analowa Chiyuda ngakhale atachita chidwi ndi uthenga wabwino? Ayi, sankatanthauza zimenezo. Mwachitsanzo, “Kirisipo, mtsogoleri wa sunagoge, anakhulupirira Ambuye pamodzi ndi anthu onse a m’banja lake.” Zikuoneka kuti anthu ambiri ndithu amene ankasonkhana ndi Kirisipo m’sunagoge anakhalanso okhulupirira chifukwa Baibulo limati: “Anthu ambiri a ku Korinto, amene anamva uthenga wabwino, anayamba kukhulupirira n’kubatizidwa.” (Mac. 18:8) Choncho, mpingo wa Chikhristu umene unali utangoyamba kumene ku Korinto unayamba kusonkhana kunyumba kwa Titiyo Yusito. Ngati Luka analemba nkhani ya m’buku la Machitidwe mwandondomeko monga mwa nthawi zonse, ndiye kuti Ayuda kapena anthu amene analowa Chiyuda amenewo, anakhala Akhristu Paulo atakutumula kale zovala zake. Choncho nkhaniyi ikusonyezeratu kuti mtumwiyu sankaumirira mfundo imodzi koma ankasintha mogwirizana ndi mmene zinthu zilili.

11. Kodi a Mboni za Yehova masiku ano amatsanzira bwanji Paulo poyesetsa kuti alalikire anthu a m’matchalitchi amene amati ndi a Chikhristu?

¹¹ M’mayiko ambiri masiku ano, matchalitchi amene amati ndi a Chikhristu ndi odziwika bwino ndipo anthu awo amatsatira mokhulupirika zimene amawaphunzitsa. M’mayiko ena, amishonale a matchalitchi amene amati ndi a Chikhristu akopa anthu ambiri. Anthu amene amati ndi Akhristu, nthawi zambiri amangotsatira miyambo ngati mmene ankachitira Ayuda a m’nthawi ya atumwi ku Korinto. Komabe, mofanana ndi Paulo, a Mboni za Yehovafe timachita khama kulalikira anthu oterowo kuti tiwathandize kudziwa Malemba molondola. Sititaya mtima ngakhale anthuwo azititsutsa kapena atsogoleri awo achipembedzo azitizunza. Pagulu la anthu “odzipereka potumikira Mulungu, koma sakumudziwa molondola,” pali anthu ambiri ofatsa amene tikufunika kuwafufuza ndi kuwapeza.​—Aroma 10:2.

“Ndili ndi Anthu Ambiri Mumzindawu” (Machitidwe 18:9-17)

12. Kodi Paulo analimbikitsidwa bwanji m’masomphenya?

¹² Ngati Paulo anali ndi maganizo oti asapitirize utumiki wake ku Korinto, maganizowo ayenera kuti anasintha usiku umene Ambuye Yesu anaonekera kwa iye m’masomphenya ndi kumuuza kuti: “Usaope, pitiriza kulankhula. Usakhale chete, chifukwa ine ndili nawe. Palibe munthu amene adzakukhudze n’kukuvulaza, popeza ndili ndi anthu ambiri mumzindawu.” (Mac. 18:9, 10) Masomphenya amenewa anali olimbikitsa kwambiri. Ambuye anamutsimikizira Paulo kuti amuteteza ndiponso kuti mumzindawo munali anthu ambiri achidwi. Kodi Paulo anatani ataona masomphenyawo? Timawerenga kuti: “Anakhala kumeneko chaka ndi miyezi 6, akuwaphunzitsa mawu a Mulungu.”​—Mac. 18:11.

13. Kodi pamene Paulo ankayandikira mpando woweruzira milandu ayenera kuti ankaganizira chiyani, koma anali ndi chifukwa chotani chokhulupirira kuti zimenezo sizimuchitikira?

¹³ Paulo atakhala pafupifupi chaka chimodzi ku Korinto, panachitika zinthu zina zimene zinamutsimikizira kuti Ambuye apitiriza kumuthandiza. “Ayuda ananyamuka mogwirizana n’kuukira Paulo ndipo anamutengera kumpando woweruzira milandu.” (Mac. 18:12) Ena amaganiza kuti mpando woweruzira milandu umenewu unali pamalo okwera ndipo unapangidwa ndi miyala ya mabo ya buluu komanso yoyera. Mpandowo anaukongoletsa kwambiri ndipo uyenera kuti unali cha pakatikati pa msika wa ku Korinto. Patsogolo pa mpando umenewu panali malo aakulu ndithu pamene anthu ankatha kusonkhanapo. Zimene anthu ofufuza zinthu zakale anapeza zikusonyeza kuti mpando woweruzira milandu umenewu uyenera kuti unali pafupi ndi sunagoge ndipo zimenezi zikutanthauza kuti unalinso pafupi ndi nyumba ya Yusito. Pamene Paulo ankayandikira mpandowo ayenera kuti anakumbukira za kuponyedwa miyala kwa Sitefano, yemwe anali Mkhristu woyamba kuphedwa chifukwa cha chikhulupiriro chake. Paulo amene pa nthawiyo ankatchedwa kuti Saulo, “anavomereza zoti Sitefano aphedwe.” (Mac. 8:1) Kodi tsopano Paulo akumananso ndi zimenezo? Ayi, chifukwa analonjezedwa kuti: ‘Palibe munthu amene adzakuvulaze.’​—Mac. 18:10.

14, 15. (a) Kodi Ayuda ankaimba Paulo mlandu wotani, nanga n’chifukwa chiyani Galiyo anathetsa mlanduwo? (b) Kodi n’chiyani chinachitikira Sositene nanga ayenera kuti anatani patapita nthawi?

¹⁴ Kodi chinachitika n’chiyani Paulo atafika kumpando woweruzira milanduwo? Pampandowo panakhala woweruza wina dzina lake Galiyo, yemwe anali bwanamkubwa wa ku Akaya, ndipo anali mkulu wake wa Seneca, katswiri wa nzeru za anthu ku Roma. Ayuda anayamba kuimba mlandu Paulo kuti: “Munthu uyu akukopa anthu kuti azipembedza Mulungu m’njira yosemphana ndi chilamulo.” (Mac. 18:13) Ponena zimenezi, Ayudawo ankatanthauza kuti Paulo ankaphwanya malamulo pokopa anthu kuti akhale Akhristu. Koma Galiyo anaona kuti Paulo sanachite “cholakwa” kapena kupalamula “mlandu waukulu” uliwonse. (Mac. 18:14) Galiyo sankafuna kulowerera m’mikangano ya Ayuda. Choncho iye anathetsa mlanduwo Paulo asananene n’komwe chilichonse. Anthu amene ankaimba mlandu Paulowo anakwiya kwambiri ndipo anaphwetsera mkwiyo wawo pa Sositene, amene mwina anakhala mtsogoleri wa sunagoge m’malo mwa Kirisipo. Anthuwo anagwira Sositene “n’kuyamba kumumenya pafupi ndi mpando woweruzira milanduwo.”​—Mac. 18:17.

¹⁵ N’chifukwa chiyani Galiyo sanaletse khamu la anthulo kuti lisamenye Sositene? Mwina Galiyo ankaganiza kuti Sositene anali mtsogoleri wa gulu la anthu achiwawawo amene ankadana ndi Paulo ndipo anayeneradi kumenyedwa. Komabe, kaya zinali choncho kapena ayi, zikuoneka kuti zotsatira za nkhaniyi zinali zabwino. M’kalata yake yoyamba yopita kumpingo wa Korinto, imene inalembedwa patapita zaka zingapo chichitikireni zimenezi, Paulo anatchula munthu wina dzina lake Sositene kuti anali m’bale. (1 Akor. 1:1, 2) Kodi Sositene ameneyu anali yemwe uja amene anamenyedwa ku Korinto? Ngati analidi yemweyo, zimene zinamuchitikirazo ziyenera kuti zinamuthandiza kuyamba Chikhristu.

16. Kodi mawu a Ambuye akuti ‘pitiriza kulankhula, usakhale chete, chifukwa ine ndili nawe,’ amatithandiza bwanji pa utumiki wathu?

¹⁶ Kumbukirani kuti Ayuda anali atakana kale kumvetsera zimene Paulo ankalalikira pamene Ambuye Yesu anamutsimikizira m’masomphenya kuti: “Usaope, pitiriza kulankhula. Usakhale chete, chifukwa ine ndili nawe.” (Mac. 18:9, 10) Ifenso tiyenera kukumbukira mawu amenewa, makamaka anthu akamakana kumvetsera uthenga wathu. Musaiwale kuti Yehova amaona mmene mitima ilili ndipo amakokera anthu oona mtima kwa iye. (1 Sam. 16:7; Yoh. 6:44) Zimenezi zimatilimbikitsa kuti tizilalikira mwakhama. Chaka chilichonse anthu masauzande amabatizidwa, zomwe zikutanthauza kuti anthu mahandiredi amabatizidwa tsiku lililonse. Anthu amene amamvera lamulo lakuti “mukaphunzitse anthu a mitundu yonse kuti akhale ophunzira anga,” Yesu akuwatsimikizira kuti: “Ine ndili limodzi ndi inu masiku onse mpaka m’nyengo ya mapeto a nthawi ino.”​—Mat. 28:19, 20.

“Yehova Akalola” (Machitidwe 18:18-22)

17, 18. Kodi Paulo ayenera kuti ankaganizira chiyani pamene anali m’ngalawa yopita ku Efeso?

¹⁷ Sitikudziwa ngati mpingo wa ku Korinto unalowa m’nyengo ya mtendere chifukwa cha zimene Galiyo anachita kwa anthu amene ankatsutsa Paulo. Komabe, Paulo anakhala “kumeneko kwa masiku ndithu” asanatsanzikane ndi abale a ku Korinto. Chapakatikati pa chaka cha 52 C.E., iye anaganiza zokwera ngalawa kupita ku Siriya kuchokera padoko la Kenkereya, ulendo wokwana pafupifupi makilomita 11 kum’mawa kwa Korinto. Koma asanachoke ku Kenkereya, Paulo “anameta tsitsi lake . . . chifukwa cha lonjezo limene anachita.”c (Mac. 18:18) Kenako, iye ananyamuka limodzi ndi Akula ndi Purisila ndipo anawoloka nyanja ya Aegean kupita ku Efeso m’chigawo cha Asia Minor.

¹⁸ Paulo atakwera ngalawa kuchokera ku Kenkereya, ayenera kuti ankaganizira nthawi imene anakhala ku Korinto. Iye ankakumbukira zinthu zabwino zambiri zimene zinkamusangalatsa. Utumiki umene anachita kumeneko kwa miyezi 18 unakhala ndi zotsatirapo zabwino. Mpingo woyamba ku Korinto unakhazikitsidwa ndipo unkasonkhana kunyumba kwa Yusito. Ena mwa anthu amene anakhala Akhristu anali Yusito, Kirisipo ndi banja lake, komanso anthu ena ambiri. Paulo ankakonda kwambiri Akhristu atsopanowo, chifukwa ndi iyeyo amene anawathandiza kukhala Akhristu. Patapita nthawi, anawalembera kalata imene anawatchula kuti iwo anali ngati kalata yomuchitira umboni yolembedwa mumtima mwake. Ifenso timakonda anthu amene tinawathandiza kuti adziwe choonadi. Timalimbikitsidwa kwambiri tikaona anthu amenewa omwe ali ngati “makalata otichitira umboni.”​—2 Akor. 3:1-3.

19, 20. Kodi Paulo anachita chiyani atafika ku Efeso, nanga tingaphunzire chiyani kwa iye pamene tikuyesetsa kuchita zimene Mulungu amafuna?

¹⁹ Atangofika ku Efeso, Paulo anayamba kugwira ntchito yake yofunika. Iye “analowa m’sunagoge n’kuyamba kukambirana ndi Ayuda.” (Mac. 18:19) Pa nthawiyi, Paulo sanakhalitse ku Efeso moti ngakhale kuti abale anam’pempha kuti akhalitse, “iye sanalole.” Ndipo pamene ankatsanzikana ndi abale a ku Efeso, iye anawauza kuti: “Yehova akalola ndidzabweranso kudzakuonani.” (Mac. 18:20, 21) Mosakayikira, Paulo anazindikira kuti uthenga wabwino unafunika kulalikidwa kwambiri ku Efeso. Mtumwiyu anaganiza zobwereranso, koma anasankha kusiya nkhaniyi m’manja mwa Yehova. Chimenechitu ndi chitsanzo chabwino kwambiri chofunika kuti tizichikumbukira. Kuti Mulungu atithandize kukwaniritsa zolinga zathu zauzimu, tiziyamba ndi ifeyo kuchitapo kanthu. Komabe, nthawi zonse tiyenera kudalira malangizo a Yehova ndi kuyesetsa kuchita zinthu zogwirizana ndi zimene iye amafuna.​—Yak. 4:15.

²⁰ Atasiyana ndi Akula ndi Purisila ku Efeso, Paulo anayamba ulendo wa panyanja ndipo anafika ku Kaisareya. Zikuoneka kuti iye “anapita” ku Yerusalemu kukapereka moni ku mpingo wa kumeneko. (Mac. 18:22) Kenako Paulo anapita kunyumba kwake ku Antiokeya wa ku Siriya. Iye anamaliza bwino kwambiri ulendo wake wachiwiri waumishonale. Koma kodi Paulo anakumana ndi zotani pa ulendo wake womaliza waumishonale?

1, 2. (a) Kodi ndi zinthu zoopsa ziti zimene zinachitikira Paulo ndi anzake ku Efeso? (b) Kodi tikambirana chiyani m’mutuwu?

MUMZINDA wa Efeso munali chipwirikiti. Anthu ankathamanga m’misewu yamumzindawu ndipo ankafuula kwambiri. Iwo anali atagwira anthu awiri amene ankayenda ndi mtumwi Paulo pamene ankagwira ntchito yake yolalikira. Pasanapite nthawi yayitali, anthu onse amene anali mumsewu umene unadutsa pakati pa mashopu, anathamangira kumene kunali anthuwo ndipo chipwirikiticho chinakula kwambiri. Anthuwo anathamangira kubwalo lina lochitira masewera osiyanasiyana mumzindawo, ndipo bwalolo linali lalikulu kwambiri moti anthu okwana 25,000 ankatha kulowamo n’kumaonerera masewera. Ambiri mwa anthuwo sankadziwa n’komwe chimene chinayambitsa chipwirikiticho, koma ankangoganiza kuti anthu ena aukira kachisi wawo komanso mulungu wawo Atemi, amene ankamukonda kwambiri. Choncho iwo anayamba kufuula mobwerezabwereza kuti: “Wamkulu ndi Atemi mulungu wa Aefeso!”​—Mac. 19:34.

² Apanso tikuona kuti Satana anayesa kugwiritsa ntchito gulu la anthu achiwawa pofuna kuti uthenga wabwino wa Ufumu wa Mulungu usafalikire. Komabe, Satana sagwiritsa ntchito njira yokhayi pofuna kukwaniritsa zolinga zake. M’mutuwu tikambirana njira zingapo zimene Satana anagwiritsa ntchito pofuna kusokoneza ntchito komanso mgwirizano wa Akhristu a m’nthawi ya atumwi. Ndipo chofunika kwambiri n’chakuti tiona kuti njira zonse zimene anagwiritsa ntchito zinalephera chifukwa “mawu a Yehova anapitiriza kufalikira ndipo sankagonjetseka.” (Mac. 19:20) N’chiyani chinathandiza Akhristuwo kuti apambane? Chifukwa chake ndi chofanana ndi chimene chimatithandiza ifeyo kuti tizipambana masiku ano. N’zoona kuti Yehova ndi amene amapambana osati ifeyo. Komabe, monga mmene anachitira Akhristu a m’nthawi ya atumwi, ifenso tiyenera kuchita khama pa ntchito yolalikira. Mzimu wa Yehova ungatithandize kuti tikhale ndi makhalidwe amene angatithandize kuti tikwanitse utumiki wathu. Koma choyamba tiyeni tikambirane chitsanzo cha Apolo.

“Iyeyu Ankadziwanso Bwino Malemba” (Machitidwe 18:24-28)

3, 4. Kodi Akula ndi Purisila anaona kuti Apolo sankadziwa chiyani, nanga anamuthandiza bwanji?

³ Pamene Paulo ankapita ku Efeso pa ulendo wake wachitatu waumishonale, Myuda wina dzina lake Apolo anali atafika kale mumzindawo. Iye anali wochokera mumzinda wotchuka wa Alekizandiriya, m’dziko la Iguputo. Apolo anali ndi luso lapadera lodziwa kulankhula bwino kwambiri. Kuwonjezera pamenepo “iyeyu ankadziwanso bwino Malemba,” komanso “anali ndi mzimu woyera.” Popeza kuti Apolo anali wakhama kwambiri polalikira, iye ankatha kulankhula molimba mtima kwa Ayuda m’sunagoge.​—Mac. 18:24, 25.

⁴ Akula ndi mkazi wake Purisila anamvetsera ulaliki wa Apolo ndipo n’zosakayikitsa kuti anasangalala kwambiri kumva Apolo akuphunzitsa “molondola za Yesu.” Ngakhale kuti Apolo ankaphunzitsa za Yesu molondola, pasanapite nthawi Akula ndi Purisila anazindikira kuti pali mfundo zina zofunika kwambiri zimene iye sankazidziwa. Iye ankangodziwa “za ubatizo wa Yohane wokha.” Banjali, lomwe linkagwira ntchito yopanga matenti, silinachite mantha ndi Apolo amene anali wodziwa kulankhula ndiponso wophunzira kwambiri. Koma iwo “anamutenga n’kumufotokozera njira ya Mulungu molondola.” (Mac. 18:25, 26) Kodi munthu wophunzira ndiponso wodziwa kulankhulayu anatani? N’zoonekeratu kuti anasonyeza khalidwe lofunika kwambiri la kudzichepetsa, limene Mkhristu aliyense ayenera kuyesetsa kuti akhale nalo.

5, 6. N’chifukwa chiyani Yehova anagwiritsa ntchito kwambiri Apolo, nanga ifeyo tikuphunzirapo chiyani pa chitsanzo chake?

⁵ Apolo anakhala mtumiki wodalirika wa Yehova chifukwa chakuti analola kuthandizidwa ndi Akula ndi Purisila. Iye anapita ku Akaya kumene “anathandiza kwambiri” okhulupirira. Apolo anachitiranso umboni kwa Ayuda am’dera limenelo, amene ankaumirira mfundo yakuti Yesu sanali Mesiya wolonjezedwa. Luka ananena kuti: “Iye anawatsimikizira Ayuda . . . mwamphamvu kuti anali olakwa, ndipo anagwiritsa ntchito Malemba posonyeza kuti Yesu ndiyedi Khristu.” (Mac. 18:27, 28) N’zoonekeratu kuti Apolo anathandiza kwambiri mipingo. Tinganene kuti nayenso anathandiza kuti anthu ambiri amve “mawu a Yehova.” Kodi tikuphunzira chiyani pa chitsanzo cha Apolo?

⁶ Akhristu onse ayenera kuyesetsa kuti akhale odzichepetsa. Aliyense wa ife ali ndi mphatso zosiyanasiyana, monga luso lachibadwa kapena anaphunzira kuchita bwino zinthu zinazake. Komabe tiziyesetsa kuti khalidwe lathu lodzichepetsa lizionekera kwambiri kuposa mphatso zimene tili nazo. Kupanda kutero, mphatso zimene tili nazozo zingatipangitse kukhala ndi vuto, monga kudzikuza. (1 Akor. 4:7; Yak. 4:6) Ngati tilidi odzichepetsa tidzayesetsa kuona kuti anthu ena amatiposa. (Afil. 2:3) Sitidzakana malangizo kapena kudana n’zoti ena azitiphunzitsa. Sitidzaumirira maganizo athu modzikonda tikadziwa kuti maganizo athuwo ndi osemphana ndi mfundo zatsopano zimene mzimu woyera watithandiza kuzimvetsa. Tikapitiriza kukhala odzichepetsa, Yehova ndi Mwana wake adzapitiriza kutigwiritsa ntchito.​—Luka 1:51, 52.

7. Kodi Paulo ndi Apolo anasonyeza bwanji chitsanzo cha kudzichepetsa?

⁷ Kudzichepetsa kumathandizanso kuti anthu apewe mpikisano. Satana ankafunitsitsa kuti agawanitse Akhristu oyambirirawo. N’zodziwikiratu kuti iye akanasangalala kwambiri ngati amuna odalirika ngati Apolo ndi mtumwi Paulo, akanayamba kupikisana ndi kuchitirana nsanje mwina chifukwa chofuna kutchuka m’mipingo. Ndipotu zinali zosavuta kwa iwo kuchita zimenezi chifukwa ku Korinto Akhristu ena anayamba kunena kuti, “Ine ndine wa Paulo,” pomwe ena ankanena kuti, “Ine ndine wa Apolo.” Kodi Paulo ndi Apolo analimbikitsa anthu kuti azinena mawu ogawanitsawo? Ayi. Modzichepetsa Paulo ananena kuti Apolo anathandiza kwambiri pa ntchito yolalikira ndipo anam’patsa mautumiki ena apadera. Apolo nayenso anatsatira malangizo a Paulo. (1 Akor. 1:10-12; 3:6, 9; Tito 3:12, 13) Chimenechi ndi chitsanzo chabwino kwambiri kwa ife masiku ano kuti tizichita zinthu mogwirizana komanso modzichepetsa.

‘Anawafotokozera Mfundo Zogwira Mtima Zokhudza Ufumu’ (Machitidwe 18:23; 19:1-10)

8. Kodi Paulo anadutsa njira iti pobwerera ku Efeso nanga n’chifukwa chiyani anachita zimenezi?

⁸ Paulo analonjeza kuti adzabwerera ku Efeso ndipo anachitadi zimene analonjezazo.a (Mac. 18:20, 21) Komabe taonani njira imene anadutsa pobwererapo. Munkhani yapita, tinaona kuti Paulo anali ku Antiokeya wa ku Siriya. Kuti akafike ku Efeso, iye akanatha kudutsa njira yachidule yopita ku Selukeya, kenako n’kukwera ngalawa yopita kumene ankafuna. M’malomwake iye “anadzera kumadera akumtunda.” Anthu ena amanena kuti ulendo wa Paulo umene watchulidwa pa Machitidwe 18:23 ndi 19:1, unali wa makilomita pafupifupi 1,600. N’chifukwa chiyani Paulo anasankha kudutsa njira yovuta komanso yaitaliyo? Chifukwa ankafuna ‘kulimbikitsa ophunzira onse.’ (Mac. 18:23) Mofanana ndi ulendo wake woyamba ndi wachiwiri, Paulo ankadziwa kuti ulendo wake wachitatu waumishonale ukhalanso wovuta koma ankaona kuti afunikabe kuyenda ulendo umenewo. Masiku ano oyang’anira madera ndi akazi awo amasonyezanso mtima womwewo. Kodi sitikuyenera kuwayamikira chifukwa cha chikondi chawo chololera kuvutikira ena?

9. N’chifukwa chiyani ophunzira ena anafunika kubatizidwanso, ndipo ifeyo tikuphunzirapo chiyani?

⁹ Atangofika ku Efeso, Paulo anapeza gulu la ophunzira a Yohane M’batizi pafupifupi 12. Iwo anali atabatizidwa kale ndi Yohane koma pa nthawiyi ubatizo umenewo sunkagwiranso ntchito. Komanso zikuoneka kuti ankadziwa zinthu zochepa, kapena sankadziwa chilichonse chokhudza mzimu woyera. Choncho Paulo anawafotokozera kufunika kobatizidwa m’dzina la Yesu ndipo mofanana ndi Apolo, iwo anasonyeza mtima wodzichepetsa ndiponso wofunitsitsa kuphunzira. Ophunzirawo atabatizidwa m’dzina la Yesu, analandira mzimu woyera ndiponso mphatso zina zoti azichitira zinthu zozizwitsa. Apa n’zodziwikiratu kuti Yehova amadalitsa anthu amene ndi ofunitsitsa kutsatira malangizo atsopano amene gulu lake limapereka.​—Mac. 19:1-7.

10. N’chifukwa chiyani Paulo anachoka kusunagoge n’kupita kuholo yapasukulu, nanga tingamutsanzire bwanji tikamalalikira?

¹⁰ Pasanapite nthawi, panachitikanso zinthu zina zabwino. Kwa miyezi itatu, Paulo ankalalikira molimba mtima m’sunagoge. Ngakhale kuti iye ‘ankawafotokozera mfundo zogwira mtima zokhudza ufumu wa Mulungu,’ ena anapitiriza kuumitsa mitima yawo ndipo ankamutsutsa kwambiri. M’malo motaya nthawi ndi anthu amene “ankanena zonyoza Njirayo,” Paulo anachoka n’kuyamba kuphunzitsa muholo yapasukulu ina. (Mac. 19:8, 9) Anthu amene ankafuna kupitiriza kuphunzira zambiri zokhudza Ufumu wa Mulungu, ankafunika kuchoka kusunagoge n’kupita kuholoyo. Mofanana ndi Paulo, nthawi zina tingafunike kusiya kukambirana ndi anthu amene sakufuna kumvetsera uthenga wathu koma akungofuna kuti tizikangana nawo. Tisaiwale kuti pali anthu ambiri amene ali ngati nkhosa omwe akufuna kumva uthenga wathu wolimbikitsa.

11, 12. (a) Kodi Paulo anatipatsa chitsanzo chotani pa nkhani yochita khama komanso kusintha njira zolalikirira? (b) Kodi a Mboni za Yehova amayesetsa bwanji kuchita khama ndiponso kusintha akamalalikira?

¹¹ N’kutheka kuti Paulo ankaphunzitsa muholo pasukuluyo tsiku lililonse, kuyambira 11 koloko m’mawa mpaka 4 koloko madzulo. (Mac. 19:9) N’kutheka kuti imeneyi inali nthawi yotentha kwambiri ndipo sikunkakhala phokoso lambiri. Choncho inali nthawi yabwino kwambiri chifukwa anthu ambiri ankasiya kaye kugwira ntchito kuti apume ndi kudya. Ngati Paulo ankachita zimenezi tsiku ndi tsiku kwa zaka ziwiri zathunthu, ndiye kuti anaphunzitsa kwa maola oposa 3,000, ndipo zimenezi zikutanthauza kuti mwezi uliwonse ankaphunzitsa kwa maola 125.b Paulo ankagwira ntchitoyi mwakhama kwambiri ndipo ankasintha ulaliki wake kuti ugwirizane ndi anthu am’deralo komanso mmene zinthu zinalili pa nthawiyo. Kodi zimenezi zinathandiza bwanji? Nkhaniyi imati: “Anthu onse okhala m’chigawo cha Asia, Ayuda ndi Agiriki omwe, anamva mawu a Ambuye.” (Mac. 19:10) Apa zikuonekeratu kuti Paulo anachitira umboni mokwanira.

¹² Masiku anonso, a Mboni za Yehovafe timachita utumiki wathu mwakhama komanso timasintha njira zolalikirira kuti zigwirizane ndi mmene zinthu zilili pa nthawiyo. Timayesetsa kufufuza anthu pa nthawi iliyonse komanso kulikonse kumene angapezeke. Timalalikira m’misewu, m’misika ndiponso m’malo oimika magalimoto. Nthawi zina timalalikira anthu powaimbira foni kapena powalembera kalata. Ndipo tikamalalikira kunyumba ndi nyumba, timayesetsa kuti tipite pa nthawi imene anthu angapezeke pakhomo.

Mizimu Yoipa Sinalepheretse Kuti Mawu a Yehova ‘Afalikire Ndipo Sankagonjetseka’ (Machitidwe 19:11-22)

13, 14. (a) Kodi Yehova anathandiza Paulo kuti achite chiyani? (b) Kodi ana a Sikeva anachita zinthu ziti zolakwika, nanga masiku ano anthu ambiri a m’matchalitchi amene amati ndi a Chikhristu amachitanso zinthu ziti zolakwika zofanana ndi zimenezi?

¹³ Luka akutiuza kuti panali zinthu zabwino kwambiri zimene zinachitika pa utumiki wa Paulo chifukwa Yehova anamuthandiza “kuchita zinthu zamphamvu komanso zodabwitsa.” Anthu ankatenga ngakhale tinsalu ndi maepuloni amene Paulo ankavala n’kupita nazo kwa anthu odwala ndipo ankachiritsidwa. Komanso anthu ankatulutsa mizimu yoipa pogwiritsa ntchito zinthu zimenezi.c (Mac. 19:11, 12, mawu a m’munsi.) Anthu ambiri anachita chidwi ndi zozizwitsa zimenezi, zomwe zinasonyeza kuti Satana wagonjetsedwa. Koma si onse amene ankasangalala nazo.

¹⁴ “Ayuda ena amene ankayendayenda n’kumatulutsa ziwanda,” anayesa kutsanzira zozizwitsa zimene Paulo ankachita. Ena mwa Ayuda amenewo ankayesa kutulutsa ziwanda potchula dzina la Yesu ndiponso Paulo. Luka anapereka chitsanzo cha ana aamuna 7 a Sikeva a m’banja la ansembe, omwe anayesa kuchita zimenezi. Koma chiwandacho chinawauza kuti: “Ine Yesu ndikumudziwa ndipo Paulo ndikumudziwanso bwino. Nanga inuyo ndinu ndani?” Kenako munthu amene anagwidwa ndi chiwandayo anawalumphira ngati chilombo cholusa n’kuyamba kulimbana nawo, ndipo iwo anayamba kuthawa ali maliseche komanso atavulala. (Mac. 19:13-16) Pamenepa zikuonekeratu kuti “mawu a Yehova” anapambana makamaka tikaona mphamvu zimene Paulo anapatsidwa komanso zimene zinachitikira ana a Sikeva amene kulambira kwawo kunali kwabodza. Masiku anonso pali anthu ambiri amene amaganiza kuti kungotchula dzina la Yesu, kapena kungodzitchula kuti ndi “Akhristu,” n’kokwanira. Komabe, zimene Yesu ananena zikusonyeza kuti anthu okhawo amene amachitadi zimene Atate wake amafuna ndi amene akuyembekezera kudzapeza moyo wosatha.​—Mat. 7:21-23.

15. Kodi tingatsanzire bwanji zimene anthu a ku Efeso anachita pa nkhani ya kukhulupirira mizimu ndiponso chinthu chilichonse chokhudzana ndi zamizimu?

¹⁵ Zinthu zochititsa manyazi zimene zinachitikira ana a Sikeva zinachititsa kuti anthu ambiri ayambe kuopa Mulungu, moti ambiri anasiya kukhulupirira mizimu ndipo anakhala Akhristu. Anthu a ku Efeso ankakhulupirira kwambiri zamatsenga ndipo zinthu monga maula, zithumwa komanso mabuku a zamatsenga zinali zofala kwambiri. Koma izi zitachitika anthu ambiri a ku Efeso anabweretsa mabuku awo a zamatsenga n’kuwawotcha anthu onse akuona. Iwo anachita zimenezi ngakhale kuti mabukuwo anali okwera mtengo kwambiri.d Luka analemba kuti: “Choncho mawu a Yehova anapitiriza kufalikira ndipo sankagonjetseka.” (Mac. 19:17-20) Umenewu ndi umboni wamphamvu wosonyeza kuti choonadi chinagonjetsa chinyengo ndiponso ziwanda. Zimene anthu okhulupirikawo anachita zikutipatsa chitsanzo chabwino kwambiri masiku ano. Ifenso tikukhala m’dziko limene anthu ambiri amakhulupirira zamizimu. Ngati tadziwa kuti tili ndi chinachake chimene chikukhudzana ndi zamizimu, tiyenera kuchiwotcha mwamsanga ngati mmene anachitira anthu a ku Efeso. Tisayese n’komwe kukhala ndi chilichonse chokhudzana ndi zamizimu, ngakhale chinthucho chitakhala cha ndalama zambiri.

“Panayambika Chisokonezo Chachikulu” (Machitidwe 19:23-41)

16, 17. (a) Fotokozani mmene Demetiriyo anayambitsira chipwirikiti ku Efeso. (b) Kodi anthu a ku Efeso anasonyeza bwanji mtima wokonda kwambiri chipembedzo chawo?

¹⁶ Tsopano tiyeni tione njira ina imene Satana amagwiritsa ntchito pofuna kusokoneza atumiki a Mulungu. Luka ankanena za njira imeneyi pamene analemba kuti “panayambika chisokonezo chachikulu chokhudza Njira ya Ambuye.” Pamenepa, sikuti iye ankangokokomeza zinthu.e (Mac. 19:23) Munthu wina wosula siliva dzina lake Demetiriyo anayambitsa mavuto. Iye anakopa amisiri anzake powakumbutsa kuti amapeza ndalama chifukwa chogulitsa mafano. Kenako iye ananena kuti uthenga umene Paulo ankalalikira ukanachititsa kuti malonda awo asamayende bwino chifukwa Akhristu salambira mafano. Demetiriyo anakopanso anthu a ku Efeso chifukwa chakuti iwo ankanyada kwambiri kuti ndi nzika za mzindawo komanso ankakonda kwambiri dziko lawo. Iye anawachenjeza kuti ulemerero wa mulungu wawo wamkazi Atemi ndiponso kachisi wake amene anali wotchuka kwambiri padziko lonse, ‘azidzaonedwa ngati wopanda pake.’​—Mac. 19:24-27.

¹⁷ Zimene Demetiriyo ankafuna zinachitikadi. Amisiri osula silivawo anayamba kufuula kuti, “Wamkulu ndi Atemi mulungu wa Aefeso!” Kenako mumzindawo munayambika chipwirikiti chimene tachitchula kumayambiriro kwa nkhaniyi.f Chifukwa choti anali wodzipereka, Paulo ankafuna kulowa m’bwalo la masewera kuti akalankhule ndi gulu la anthulo, koma ophunzira anamuchonderera kuti asaike dala moyo wake pachiswe. Munthu wina dzina lake Alekizanda anaimirira kutsogolo kwa gulu la anthulo ndipo anayesa kuti alankhule. Popeza kuti iye anali Myuda, ayenera kuti ankafunitsitsa kuti afotokoze kusiyana kwa Ayuda ndi Akhristuwo. Komabe zimene iye ankafuna kufotokozazo sizikanaphula kanthu. Anthuwo atazindikira kuti iye ndi Myuda, anayamba kufuula mobwerezabwereza kwa maola pafupifupi awiri kuti, “Wamkulu ndi Atemi mulungu wa Aefeso!” Masiku anonso, anthu amene ali ndi mtima wokonda kwambiri chipembedzo chawo adakalipo ndipo mtima umenewu umawachititsa kuti azichita zinthu mosaganiza bwino.​—Mac. 19:28-34.

18, 19. (a) Kodi woyang’anira mzinda anatani kuti aletse chipwirikiti ku Efeso? (b) Kodi nthawi zina anthu a Yehova amatetezedwa bwanji ndi akuluakulu aboma, ndipo ifeyo tingatani kuti zinthu zizitiyendera bwino?

¹⁸ Kenako woyang’anira mzindawo anauza gulu la anthulo kuti likhale chete. Woyang’anira mzindayu anali wanzeru ndipo anatsimikizira anthuwo kuti Akhristuwo sanachite chinthu chilichonse choukira kachisi komanso mulungu wawo wamkazi. Iye anawauzanso kuti Paulo ndi anzakewo sanachite chilichonse chotsutsana ndi kachisi wa Atemi komanso anawauza kuti pali njira yoyenerera yothetsera milandu ngati imeneyi. Mwina iye ananena mfundo yogwira mtima kwambiri pamene anakumbutsa gulu la anthuwo kuti Aroma akanatha kuwaimba mlandu chifukwa cha chipwirikiti chimene anayambitsacho. Atanena zimenezi, anthuwo anachoka pamalopo. Chifukwa cha mawu anzeru amene woyang’anira kachisi uja analankhula, chipwirikiticho chinatha mofulumira kwambiri ngati mmene chinayambira.​—Mac. 19:35-41.

¹⁹ Imeneyi sinali nthawi yoyamba kapena yomaliza kuti munthu wanzeru ndiponso waudindo waukulu m’boma ateteze otsatira a Yesu. Ndipotu mtumwi Yohane anaona masomphenya osonyeza kuti m’masiku otsiriza ano, anthu a maudindo akuluakulu m’dzikoli, omwe atchulidwa kuti dziko lapansi, adzameza mtsinje wamadzi ambiri wa Satana, umene ukuimira kuzunzidwa kwa anthu otsatira Khristu. (Chiv. 12:15, 16) Zimenezi n’zimene zikuchitikadi masiku ano. Nthawi zambiri, anthu oweruza milandu amene ali ndi maganizo abwino, amateteza Mboni za Yehova kuti zikhale ndi ufulu wolambira ndiponso wolalikira uthenga wabwino. Ndipotu khalidwe lathu labwino lingathandize kuti oweruzawo aziteteza ufulu wathuwu. Zikuoneka kuti akuluakulu ena aboma ku Efeso ankalemekeza Paulo chifukwa cha khalidwe lake labwino ndipo anayesetsa kuti iye asavulazidwe. (Mac. 19:31) Ifenso tiziyesetsa kukhala oona mtima komanso aulemu kuti anthu amene timawalalikira azikopeka ndi uthenga wathu, chifukwa sitikudziwa zinthu zabwino zimene zingachitike chifukwa chakuti tikusonyeza makhalidwe abwino.

20. (a) Kodi mumamva bwanji mukaganizira kuti mawu a Yehova sankagonjetseka m’nthawi ya atumwi komanso kuti sakugonjetseka masiku ano? (b) Kodi inuyo mwatsimikiza mtima kuchita chiyani mukaona mmene Yehova akuthandizira gulu lake masiku ano?

²⁰ N’zosangalatsa kwambiri tikaona kuti m’nthawi ya atumwi, “mawu a Yehova anapitiriza kufalikira ndipo sankagonjetseka.” N’zosangalatsanso kuona mmene Yehova akuthandizira atumiki ake masiku ano kuti zinthu ziziwayendera bwino. Kodi inuyo simungayesetse kuchita zimene mungathe kuti mukhale ndi mwayi wothandiza nawo anthu a Mulungu kuti zinthu ziziwayendera bwino? Ngati ndi choncho, tsanzirani zitsanzo zimene takambirana munkhaniyi. Khalani wodzichepetsa, muzichita zinthu zogwirizana ndi gulu la Yehova limene likupita patsogolo, pitirizani kugwira ntchito mwakhama, muzipewa zinthu zokhudzana ndi kukhulupirira mizimu ndiponso muzichita chilichonse chotheka kuti muzitha kuchitira umboni chifukwa cha khalidwe lanu la kuona mtima ndi laulemu.

1-3. (a) Fotokozani zimene zinachitika kuti Utiko amwalire. (b) Kodi Paulo anachita chiyani, nanga nkhani imeneyi ikutiuza chiyani za iye?

PAULO anali ku Torowa m’chipinda cham’mwamba chimene munali anthu ambiri. Umenewu unali usiku ndipo ankayembekezera kuchoka mumzindawu tsiku lotsatira. Choncho iye anakamba nkhani kwa nthawi yaitali kwa abalewo mpaka kufika pakati pa usiku. M’chipindamo munkatentha kwambiri ndipo munali nyale zambiri zimene zinkawonjezera kutenthako, komanso n’kutheka kuti zinkatulutsa utsi wambiri. Mnyamata wina dzina lake Utiko anakhala pawindo lina m’chipindamo. Paulo ali mkati mokamba nkhaniyo, Utiko anayamba kugona ndipo anagwa pansi kuchokera pawindo la nyumba yachitatu yosanja.

² Popeza Luka anali dokotala, mwina iye anali m’gulu la anthu amene anali oyambirira kuthamangira panja kukaona mnyamatayo. Koma palibe chimene anthuwo akanachita kuti amuthandize. Iwo “anamupeza [Utiko] atafa.” (Mac. 20:9) Koma kenako panachitika chinthu china chozizwitsa. Paulo anadziponya pa mnyamatayo ndipo anauza gulu la anthulo kuti: “Khalani chete, chifukwa ali moyo tsopano.” Pamenepa Paulo anali ataukitsa Utiko.​—Mac. 20:10.

³ Zimene zinachitikazi zinasonyeza kuti mzimu woyera wa Mulungu ndi wamphamvu. Sikuti Paulo ndi amene anachititsa kuti Utiko amwalire. Komabe, iye sanafune kuti imfa ya mnyamatayu isokoneze zimene zinkachitika pa nthawiyo kapena kuchititsa kuti wina aliyense asiye kukhulupirira Yehova. Anthu mumpingomo analimbikitsidwa komanso anali okonzeka kwambiri kupitiriza utumiki wawo chifukwa Paulo anaukitsa Utiko. N’zoonekeratu kuti Paulo ankaona kuti moyo wa anthu ena ndi wofunika kwambiri. Zimenezi zikutikumbutsa mawu ake akuti: “Ine ndilibe mlandu wa magazi a anthu onse.” (Mac. 20:26) Tiyeni tikambirane mmene chitsanzo cha Paulo chingatithandizire pa nkhani imeneyi.

“Ananyamuka Ulendo Wopita ku Makedoniya” (Machitidwe 20:1, 2)

4. Kodi ndi zinthu zochititsa mantha ziti zimene zinachitikira Paulo?

⁴ Monga taonera m’mutu wapitawu, Paulo anakumana ndi zinthu zochititsa mantha. Anthu anayambitsa chipolowe ku Efeso chifukwa cha utumiki wake. Amene anayambitsa chipolowecho anali amisiri osula siliva amene ankapeza ndalama chifukwa chopanga mafano amene ankawagwiritsa ntchito polambira Atemi. Lemba la Machitidwe 20:1 limanena kuti, “chipolowe chija chitatha, Paulo anaitanitsa ophunzira. Atawalimbikitsa n’kutsanzikana nawo, ananyamuka ulendo wopita ku Makedoniya.”

5, 6. (a) Kodi Paulo ayenera kuti anakhala ku Makedoniya kwa nthawi yaitali bwanji, ndipo anawachitira chiyani abale a kumeneko? (b) Kodi Paulo ankawaona bwanji Akhristu anzake?

⁵ Ali pa ulendo wake wopita ku Makedoniya, Paulo anaima padoko la Torowa ndipo anakhalapo kwa nthawi ndithu. Paulo ankaganiza kuti akumana ndi Tito kumeneko, amene pa nthawiyi anali atatumizidwa ku Korinto. (2 Akor. 2:12, 13) Komabe, Paulo atazindikira kuti Tito sabwera, anapita ku Makedoniya ndipo anakhalako mwina kwa chaka chimodzi. Pa nthawi yonse imene anali kumeneko, ‘ankalimbikitsa ophunzira ndi mawu ambiri.’a (Mac. 20:2) Kenako Tito anakumana ndi Paulo ku Makedoniya ndipo anamuuza nkhani yabwino yofotokoza zimene Akhristu a ku Korinto anachita atalandira kalata yake yoyamba. (2 Akor. 7:5-7) Zimenezi zinachititsa kuti Paulo awalemberenso kalata ina, imene panopa timaitchula kuti 2 Akorinto.

⁶ Luka anagwiritsa ntchito mawu akuti “atawalimbikitsa” ndiponso akuti “n’kumalimbikitsa” pofotokoza zimene Paulo anachita pochezera abale ku Efeso ndi ku Makedoniya. Mawu amenewo anali oyeneradi pofotokoza mmene Paulo ankaonera Akhristu anzake. Mosiyana ndi Afarisi, amene ankaona anthu ena kuti anali onyozeka, Paulo ankaona nkhosa za Mulungu ngati antchito anzake. (Yoh. 7:47-49; 1 Akor. 3:9) Iye anapitiriza kuona Akhristu anzake mwa njira imeneyi ngakhale pa nthawi imene ankafunika kuwapatsa uphungu wamphamvu.​—2 Akor. 2:4.

7. Kodi oyang’anira a Chikhristu masiku ano angatsanzire bwanji Paulo?

⁷ Masiku ano, akulu mumpingo ndiponso oyang’anira dera amayesetsa kutsanzira Paulo. Ngakhale akamadzudzula anthu amene alakwa, cholinga chawo chimakhala kuwalimbikitsa. Oyang’anira amayesetsa kumvetsa mmene ena akumvera n’kuwalimbikitsa m’malo mowaweruza. M’bale wina amene wakhala woyang’anira dera kwa nthawi yaitali anati: “Abale ndi alongo athu ambiri amafunitsitsa kuchita zabwino, koma nthawi zambiri amalephera chifukwa cha mantha, kukhumudwa ndiponso chifukwa cha mtima wodziona ngati sangathe kuchita bwino zinthu.” Choncho oyang’anira ayenera kulimbikitsa anthu ngati amenewa.​—Aheb. 12:12, 13.

“Anamukonzera Chiwembu” (Machitidwe 20:3, 4)

8, 9. (a) N’chiyani chimene chinasokoneza ulendo wa Paulo wopita ku Siriya? (b) N’chifukwa chiyani Ayuda ankadana ndi Paulo?

⁸ Atachoka ku Makedoniya, Paulo anapita ku Korinto.b Atakhala kumeneko miyezi itatu, iye ankafunitsitsa kupitiriza ulendo wake wopita ku Kenkereya, kumene ankafuna kuti akakwere ngalawa yopita ku Siriya. Iye ankafuna kuti akachoka kumeneko, apite ku Yerusalemu kuti akapereke mphatso kwa abale ovutika.c (Mac. 24:17; Aroma 15:25, 26) Koma panachitika zinthu zina zosayembekezereka zimene zinachititsa kuti Paulo asinthe maganizo. Lemba la Machitidwe 20:3 limati: “Ayuda anamukonzera chiwembu.”

⁹ N’zosadabwitsa kuti Ayuda ankadana ndi Paulo chifukwa ankamuona ngati munthu wampatuko. M’mbuyomu, Kirisipo amene anali wodalirika m’sunagoge ku Korinto, analowa Chikhristu chifukwa cha ulaliki wa Paulo. (Mac. 18:7, 8; 1 Akor. 1:14) Pa nthawi inanso, Ayuda a ku Korinto anamunenera Paulo milandu yabodza kwa Galiyo, bwanamkubwa wa dera la Akaya. Koma Galiyo anauza Ayudawo kuti Paulo alibe mlandu uliwonse ndipo zimenezi zinawakwiyitsa kwambiri. (Mac. 18:12-17) Choncho Paulo atatsala pang’ono kufika mumzinda wa Kenkereya kuti akwere ngalawa, n’kutheka kuti Ayuda a ku Korinto anadziwa zimenezi ndipo anamukonzera chiwembu kuti akamuphe akakafika mumzindawo. Kodi Paulo anachita chiyani?

10. Kodi zimene Paulo anachita posintha maganizo kuti asapite ku Kenkereya, zikusonyeza kuti anali munthu wamantha? Fotokozani.

¹⁰ Pofuna kuteteza moyo wake komanso mphatso zachifundo zimene ananyamula, Paulo anasintha maganizo ndipo sanapitenso ku Kenkereya koma anabwerera ku Makedoniya. Iye anachita zimenezi ngakhale kuti ulendo wapamtunda unalinso woopsa. Kawirikawiri m’misewu munkakhala achifwamba komanso nthawi zina nyumba zogona alendo zinkakhala zosatetezeka. Komabe, Paulo anasankha kuyenda ulendo wapamtunda ngakhale kuti akanakumana ndi mavuto ngati amenewa, poyerekezera ndi mavuto amene akanakumana nawo ku Kenkereya. Ubwino wake ndi woti Paulo sanali yekha pa ulendowu. Ena mwa anthu omwe anali naye anali Arisitako, Gayo, Sekundo, Sopaturo, Timoteyo, Terofimo ndi Tukiko.​—Mac. 20:3, 4.

11. Kodi Akhristu amayesetsa kuchita zinthu ziti podziteteza, nanga Yesu anatipatsa chitsanzo chotani pa nkhani imeneyi?

¹¹ Mofanana ndi Paulo, masiku anonso Akhristu amayesetsa kudziteteza akakhala mu utumiki. M’madera ambiri, iwo amayenda m’magulu, kapena awiriawiri, m’malo moyenda aliyense payekha. Koma kodi iwo angadziteteze bwanji akamazunzidwa? N’zoona kuti Akhristu sangapewe kuzunzidwa. (Yoh. 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12) Komabe, iwo amayesetsa kupewa chilichonse chimene chingawabweretsere mavuto. Ganizirani chitsanzo cha Yesu. Pa nthawi ina ali ku Yerusalemu, anthu omwe ankamutsutsa m’kachisi atayamba kutola miyala kuti amugende, “Yesu anabisala n’kutuluka m’kachisimo.” (Yoh. 8:59) Pa nthawi inanso pamene Ayuda ankafuna kumupha, “Yesu sankayendayendanso moonekera kwa Ayuda. Koma anachoka kumeneko n’kupita kudera lina lapafupi ndi chipululu.” (Yoh. 11:54) Yesu ankayesetsa kuchita zomwe angathe kuti adziteteze n’cholinga choti akwaniritse zimene Mulungu ankafuna. Akhristu amatengera chitsanzo chimenechi masiku ano.​—Mat. 10:16.

“Anatonthozedwa Kwambiri” (Machitidwe 20:5-12)

12, 13. (a) Kodi mpingo unakhudzidwa bwanji Utiko ataukitsidwa? (b) Kodi ndi mfundo iti ya m’Baibulo imene imatonthoza anthu omwe abale awo anamwalira?

¹² Paulo ndi anzake aja anadutsa m’chigawo cha Makedoniya ali limodzi koma kenako zikuoneka kuti anasiyana. Patapita masiku angapo, zikuoneka kuti anthuwa anakumananso ku Torowa.d Nkhaniyi imati: “Tinawapeza ku Torowa patapita masiku 5.”e (Mac. 20:6) Ku Torowa n’kumene Paulo anaukitsa mnyamata uja Utiko, monga taonera kumayambiriro kwa nkhaniyi. Taganizirani mmene abale ndi alongo anasangalalira ataona kuti Utiko waukitsidwa. Mogwirizana ndi zimene nkhaniyi ikunena, abalewo “anatonthozedwa kwambiri.”​—Mac. 20:12.

¹³ N’zoona kuti masiku ano zozizwitsa ngati zimenezi sizichitika. Komabe, anthu amene abale awo anamwalira ‘amatonthozedwa kwambiri’ ndi zimene Baibulo limanena kuti akufa adzauka. (Yoh. 5:28, 29) Kumbukirani kuti patapita nthawi, Utiko anamwaliranso chifukwa anali wopanda ungwiro. (Aroma 6:23) Koma anthu amene adzaukitsidwe m’dziko latsopano limene Mulungu wakonza, adzatha kukhala ndi moyo kwamuyaya. Kuwonjezera pamenepa, anthu amene amaukitsidwa kuti akalamulire ndi Yesu kumwamba, amapatsidwa moyo umene sungafe. (1 Akor. 15:51-53) Akhristu masiku ano, kaya ndi odzozedwa kapena a “nkhosa zina,” ‘amatonthozedwa kwambiri’ akaganizira madalitso amenewa.​—Yoh. 10:16.

Kuphunzitsa “Pagulu Komanso Kunyumba ndi Nyumba” (Machitidwe 20:13-24)

14. Kodi Paulo anawauza chiyani akulu a ku Efeso atakumana nawo ku Mileto?

¹⁴ Paulo ndi anthu amene ankayenda nayewo anachoka ku Torowa ndipo anafika ku Aso. Atachoka kumeneko anafika ku Mitilene, ku Kiyo, ku Samo ndipo kenako anafika ku Mileto. Cholinga cha Paulo chinali choti akafike ku Yerusalemu nthawi yabwino kuti akachite nawo Chikondwerero cha Pentekosite. Zimenezi zikutithandiza kumvetsa chifukwa chake iye anasankha kukwera ngalawa yolambalala mzinda wa Efeso pa ulendo wake wobwerera ku Yerusalemu. Koma Paulo ankafunabe kulankhula ndi akulu a mpingo wa ku Efeso. Choncho anawatumizira uthenga kuti akumane naye ku Mileto. (Mac. 20:13-17) Akuluwo atafika, Paulo anawauza kuti: “Inu mukudziwa bwino mmene ndinkachitira zinthu pa nthawi yomwe ndinali nanu, kuchokera tsiku limene ndinafika m’chigawo cha Asia. Ndinkatumikira Ambuye ngati kapolo modzichepetsa kwambiri, ndi misozi komanso ndi mayesero amene ndinakumana nawo chifukwa cha ziwembu za Ayuda. Komatu sindinakubisireni chilichonse chothandiza ndipo sindinasiye kukuphunzitsani pagulu komanso kunyumba ndi nyumba. Koma ndachitira umboni mokwanira kwa Ayuda ndi kwa Agiriki omwe, kuti alape n’kubwerera kwa Mulungu komanso kuti ayambe kukhulupirira Ambuye wathu Yesu.”​—Mac. 20:18-21.

15. Kodi kulalikira kunyumba ndi nyumba kuli ndi ubwino wotani?

¹⁵ Masiku ano, timalalikira uthenga wabwino kwa anthu m’njira zosiyanasiyana. Mofanana ndi Paulo, timayesetsa kupita kumalo osiyanasiyana kumene tingapeze anthu, monga kumalo okwerera mabasi, m’misewu kapenanso m’misika. Komabe, kulalikira kunyumba ndi nyumba ndi njira yaikulu imene a Mboni za Yehovafe timagwiritsa ntchito. Chifukwa chiyani? Chifukwa chakuti njirayi imapereka mwayi kwa anthu onse kuti azimva uthenga wa Ufumu pafupipafupi, ndipo zimenezi zimasonyeza kuti Mulungu alibe tsankho. Njirayi imaperekanso mwayi kwa anthu oona mtima kuti azithandizidwa mwauzimu mogwirizana ndi mmene zinthu zilili pa moyo wawo. Kuwonjezera pamenepo, anthu amene amalalikira kunyumba ndi nyumba chikhulupiriro chawo chimalimba kwambiri komanso amaphunzira kupirira. Ndithudi, kulalikira mwakhama “pagulu komanso kunyumba ndi nyumba” ndi chizindikiro cha Akhristu oona masiku ano.

16, 17. Kodi Paulo anasonyeza bwanji kulimba mtima, nanga Akhristu masiku ano angamutsanzire bwanji?

¹⁶ Paulo anauza akulu a ku Efesowo kuti sakudziwa kuti akakumana ndi mavuto otani akakafika ku Yerusalemu. Ngakhale zinali choncho, iye anawauzanso kuti: “Komabe, moyo wanga sindikuuona ngati wofunika kwa ine. Chimene ndikungofuna n’chakuti ndimalize kuthamanga mpikisanowu, komanso kuti ndimalize utumiki umene ndinalandira kwa Ambuye Yesu. Ndikungofuna kuchitira umboni mokwanira za uthenga wabwino wa kukoma mtima kwakukulu kwa Mulungu.” (Mac. 20:24) Paulo anali wolimba mtima kwambiri ndipo sanalole kuti mavuto, monga matenda ndi kuzunzidwa, amulepheretse kuchita utumiki wake.

¹⁷ Masiku anonso Akhristu amapirira mavuto osiyanasiyana. Ena ali m’mayiko amene boma linawaletsa kulambira ndipo amazunzidwa. Ena akupirira matenda aakulu kapena akuvutika maganizo. Kusukulu, Akhristu achinyamata amalimbana ndi mavuto ambiri chifukwa anzawo amawakakamiza kapena kuwanyengerera kuti achite zinthu zoipa. Mofanana ndi Paulo, a Mboni za Yehova amapitiriza kukhalabe olimba akamakumana ndi mavuto osiyanasiyana. Iwo ndi otsimikiza ndi mtima wonse kupitirizabe “kuchitira umboni mokwanira za uthenga wabwino.”

“Muzidziyang’anira Nokha Komanso Kusamalira Gulu Lonse la Nkhosa” (Machitidwe 20:25-38)

18. Kodi Paulo anatani kuti asakhale ndi mlandu wa magazi, ndipo akulu a ku Efeso akanamutsanzira bwanji?

¹⁸ Kenako Paulo anapereka malangizo osapita m’mbali kwa akulu a ku Efeso ndipo anawauza kuti iye anawapatsa chitsanzo. Koma choyamba, anawauza kuti mwina sadzamuonanso. Kenako anawauza kuti: “Ine ndilibe mlandu wa magazi a anthu onse chifukwa ndinakuuzani malangizo onse a Mulungu.” Kodi akulu a ku Efesowo akanatsanzira bwanji Paulo kuti apewe kukhala ndi mlandu wa magazi? Iye anawauza kuti: “Muzidziyang’anira nokha komanso kusamalira gulu lonse la nkhosa, limene mzimu woyera wakuikani kuti muziliyang’anira, kuti muwete mpingo wa Mulungu, umene anaugula ndi magazi a Mwana wake weniweni.” (Mac. 20:26-28) Komabe, Paulo anawachenjeza kuti anthu amene ali ngati “mimbulu yopondereza” adzalowerera pakati pa nkhosa ndipo “adzayamba kulankhula zinthu zopotoka kuti apatutse ophunzira aziwatsatira.” Kodi akuluwo ankayenera kuchita chiyani? Paulo anawachenjeza kuti: “Khalani maso, ndipo muzikumbukira kuti kwa zaka zitatu masana ndi usiku, sindinasiye kuchenjeza aliyense wa inu ndikutulutsa misozi.”​—Mac. 20:29-31.

19. Kodi panayambika mpatuko wotani cha kumapeto kwa nthawi ya atumwi, nanga mpatukowo unayambitsa chiyani patapita zaka zambiri?

¹⁹ “Mimbulu yopondereza” ija inayamba kuonekera cha kumapeto kwa nthawi ya atumwi. Cha m’ma 98 C.E., mtumwi Yohane analemba kuti: “Panopa okana Khristu ambiri aonekera. . . . Amenewo anachoka pakati pathu, koma sanali m’gulu lathu, chifukwa akanakhala a m’gulu lathu, akanakhalabe ndi ife.” (1 Yoh. 2:18, 19) Pofika m’zaka za m’ma 200 C.E., anthu ampatuko anayambitsa zoti m’matchalitchi amene amati ndi a Chikhristu muzikhala kagulu ka atsogoleri, ndipo pofika m’zaka za m’ma 300 C.E., Mfumu Kositantini inavomereza kuti Chikhristu chabodzachi chikhale chipembedzo cha boma. Kenako atsogoleri achipembedzo analowetsa miyambo yachikunja m’Chikhristucho ndipo ankanena kuti miyamboyo ndi yovomerezeka. Zimene anachitazi zinasonyezeratu kuti iwo ‘ankalankhuladi zinthu zopotoka.’ Mpaka masiku ano, miyambo ndi ziphunzitso zimene zinayamba chifukwa cha mpatuko umenewo zimapezekabe m’matchalitchi amene amati ndi a Chikhristu.

20, 21. Kodi Paulo anasonyeza bwanji mtima wololera kuvutikira ena, nanga akulu a Chikhristu masiku ano angamutsanzire bwanji?

²⁰ Moyo wa Paulo unali wosiyana kwambiri ndi moyo wa anthu amene anadzayamba kutsogolera mpingo, omwe ankangodyera nkhosa masuku pamutu. Paulo ankagwira ntchito kuti azipeza yekha zinthu zofunika pa moyo wake n’cholinga choti asakhale mtolo wolemera kwa Akhristu mumpingo. Zimene Paulo ankachita pothandiza abale mumpingo, sankazichita n’cholinga choti apeze phindu ayi. Choncho, Paulo analimbikitsa akulu a ku Efeso kuti nawonso azisonyeza mtima wololera kuvutikira ena. Iye anawauza kuti: “Muzithandiza ofooka ndipo muzikumbukira mawu a Ambuye Yesu. Paja iye anati, ‘Kupatsa kumatichititsa kukhala osangalala kwambiri kuposa kulandira.’”​—Mac. 20:35.

²¹ Mofanana ndi Paulo, akulu a Chikhristu masiku ano ali ndi mtima wololera kuvutikira ena. Iwo amadziwa kuti anapatsidwa udindo ‘woweta mpingo wa Mulungu’ ndipo amachita zimenezi mopanda dyera, mosiyana kwambiri ndi atsogoleri a matchalitchi amene amati ndi a Chikhristu omwe amadyera nkhosa zawo masuku pamutu. Akhristu mumpingo sayenera kukhala onyada kapena odzikweza chifukwa ‘munthu akamadzifunira yekha ulemerero,’ pamapeto pake zinthu sizimuyendera bwino. (Miy. 25:27) Munthu akamadzikweza, zotsatira zake amangochita manyazi.​—Miy. 11:2.

22. N’chifukwa chiyani akulu a ku Efeso ankamukonda kwambiri Paulo?

²² Abale ankamukonda kwambiri Paulo chifukwa chakuti nayenso ankawakonda kuchokera pansi pa mtima. N’zosadabwitsa kuti nthawi yoti asiyane ndi abalewa itafika, “onse analira kwambiri. Kenako anamuhaga Paulo n’kumukisa mwachikondi.” (Mac. 20:37, 38) Masiku anonso, Akhristu amayamikira ndiponso kukonda kwambiri anthu amene mofanana ndi Paulo, amadzipereka kuti atumikire nkhosa mopanda dyera. Popeza mwaona chitsanzo chabwino kwambiri chimene Paulo anasonyeza, kodi simukuvomereza kuti iye sankadzitama kapena kukokomeza zinthu pamene ananena kuti: “Ine ndilibe mlandu wa magazi a anthu onse”?​—Mac. 20:26.

1-4. N’chifukwa chiyani Paulo anayamba ulendo wopita ku Yerusalemu, nanga ankadziwa kuti akakumana ndi zotani?

PAMENE Paulo ndi Luka ankasiyana ndi akulu a ku Efeso mumzinda wa Mileto, onse anamva chisoni. Zinali zovuta kwambiri kuti Paulo ndi Luka asiyane ndi abalewo, amene ankawakonda kwambiri. Amishonale awiriwo anakwera ngalawa, ndipo anatenga zinthu zofunikira pa ulendowo. Iwo analinso ndi mphatso zochokera m’mipingo yosiyanasiyana zoti akapereke kwa Akhristu osauka ku Yudeya ndipo ankafunitsitsa kuti mphatsozi zikafike kwa abalewo.

² Padoko laphokosoli pankaomba kamphepo kayaziyazi ndipo kenako ngalawayo inanyamuka. Paulo ndi Luka limodzi ndi anthu ena 7 amene ankayenda nawo pa ulendowo, ankayang’ana abale awo amene anaimirira m’mphepete mwa nyanja akuoneka achisoni. (Mac. 20:4, 14, 15) Paulo ndi anzakewo anapitiriza kubayibitsa abalewo mpaka ngalawayo inafika kutali moti sanathenso kuwaona.

³ Paulo anagwira ntchito limodzi ndi akulu a ku Efeso kwa zaka pafupifupi zitatu. Koma motsogoleredwa ndi mzimu woyera, iye ananyamuka ulendo wopita ku Yerusalemu, ndipo ankadziwa pang’ono chabe zimene zikhoza kukamuchitikira kumeneko. Nthawi ina m’mbuyomu anauza akuluwo kuti: “Motsogoleredwa ndi mzimu, ndikupita ku Yerusalemu ngakhale kuti sindikudziwa zimene zikandichitikire kumeneko. Koma chinthu chimodzi chokha chimene ndikudziwa n’chakuti mumzinda ndi mzinda, mzimu woyera wandichitira umboni mobwerezabwereza kuti ndikuyembekezera kumangidwa komanso kuzunzidwa.” (Mac. 20:22, 23) Ngakhale kuti ankadziwa kuti zinthu zoopsa zikamuchitikira, Paulo ankaona kuti ‘mzimu wamutsogolera’ kuti apite ku Yerusalemu, ndipo anali wofunitsitsa kumvera zimene mzimuwo unamuuza. N’zoona kuti Paulo ankaona kuti moyo wake ndi wamtengo wapatali, komabe kwa iye chinthu chofunika kwambiri chinali kuchita chifuniro cha Mulungu.

⁴ Kodi inunso mumaona choncho? Pamene tinadzipereka kwa Yehova, tinalonjeza ndi mtima wonse kuti chinthu chofunika kwambiri pa moyo wathu chidzakhala kuchita chifuniro chake. Choncho kuganizira chitsanzo cha mtumwi Paulo amene anali wokhulupirika kungatithandize kwambiri.

Anadutsa Pafupi ndi “Chilumba cha Kupuro” (Machitidwe 21:1-3)

5. Kodi Paulo ndi anzake anayenda bwanji kuti akafike ku Turo?

⁵ Ngalawa imene Paulo ndi anzakewo anakwera ‘inayenda osakhota,’ kutanthauza kuti mphepo yabwino inkawakankha ndipo inawathandiza kuti akafike pachilumba cha Ko tsiku lomwelo. (Mac. 21:1) Zikuoneka kuti ngalawayo inagona kumeneko ndipo tsiku lotsatira inanyamuka n’kukafika ku Rode komanso ku Patara. Abalewo atafika ku Patara, doko limene linali chakum’mwera kwa Asia Minor, anakwera ngalawa yaikulu yonyamula katundu, ndipo sanaime paliponse mpaka anafika ku Turo, m’dera la Foinike. Ali m’njira, anadutsa pafupi ndi “chilumba cha Kupuro . . . kumanzere” kwa doko la pachilumbacho. (Mac. 21:3) N’chifukwa chiyani Luka, amene analemba buku la Machitidwe, anatchula mfundo imeneyi?

6. (a) N’chifukwa chiyani Paulo ayenera kuti analimba mtima ataona chilumba cha Kupuro? (b) Kodi mumamva bwanji mukamaganizira mmene Yehova wakudalitsirani komanso mmene wakuthandizirani?

⁶ Mwina Paulo analozera anzakewo chilumbacho n’kuwauza zimene zinamuchitikira kumeneko. Pa ulendo wake woyamba waumishonale, zaka pafupifupi 9 m’mbuyomo, Paulo, Baranaba ndi Yohane Maliko anakumana ndi Elima wamatsenga, amene ankatsutsa ntchito yawo yolalikira. (Mac. 13:4-12) Paulo ayenera kuti analimba mtima ataona chilumbacho komanso atakumbukira zimene zinamuchitikirazo, ndipo zinamuthandiza kuti akhale wokonzeka kukakumana ndi mavuto alionse ku Yerusalemu. Ifenso tingachite bwino kumaganizira mmene Mulungu watidalitsira komanso mmene watithandizira kupirira mayesero. Tikamaganizira zimenezi tingakhale ngati Davide amene analemba kuti: “Mavuto a munthu wolungama ndi ambiri, koma Yehova amamupulumutsa ku mavuto onsewo.”​—Sal. 34:19.

‘Tinafufuza Ophunzira Ndipo Tinawapeza’ (Machitidwe 21:4-9)

7. Kodi Paulo ndi anzake anachita chiyani atafika ku Turo?

⁷ Paulo ankadziwa kufunika kochitira zinthu limodzi ndi Akhristu anzake ndipo ankafunitsitsa kukumana nawo. Choncho Luka analemba kuti iwo atafika ku Turo, ‘anafufuza ophunzira ndipo anawapeza.’ (Mac. 21:4) Zimenezi zikusonyeza kuti Paulo ndi anzakewo ankadziwa kuti ku Turo kunali Akhristu anzawo, moti anawafufuza n’kuwapeza ndipo mwina anakhala nawo masiku angapo. Masiku anonso, anthu amene adziwa choonadi amapeza madalitso ambiri, ndipo limodzi mwa madalitso amenewa ndi lakuti, kulikonse kumene angapite amakapeza Akhristu anzawo omwe amawalandira. Anthu amene amakonda Mulungu amamulambira m’njira yovomerezeka ndipo ali ndi anzawo padziko lonse.

8. Kodi mawu amene ali pa Machitidwe 21:4 akutanthauza chiyani?

⁸ Pofotokoza zimene zinachitika pa masiku 7 amene Paulo ndi anzakewo anakhala ku Turo, Luka analemba mfundo ina imene ingaoneke ngati yodabwitsa. Iye anati: “Mouziridwa ndi mzimu, [abale a ku Turo] anauza Paulo mobwerezabwereza kuti asayerekeze kupita ku Yerusalemu.” (Mac. 21:4) Kodi Yehova anasintha maganizo ake? Kodi tsopano ankauza Paulo kuti asapite ku Yerusalemu? Ayi. Mzimu unasonyeza kuti Paulo akazunzidwa ku Yerusalemu, koma sunanene kuti asapiteko. Zikuoneka kuti kudzera mwa mzimu woyera, abale a ku Turo anadziwa kuti Paulo akakumana ndi mavuto ku Yerusalemu ndipo zimenezi zinali zoona. Choncho, chifukwa chakuti iwo sankafuna kuti Paulo akumane ndi mavuto, anamulimbikitsa kuti asapite mumzindawo. M’pomveka kuti iwo anali ndi maganizo amenewa, komabe Paulo ankafunitsitsa kuchita chifuniro cha Yehova ndipo anapitiriza ulendo wake wopita ku Yerusalemu.​—Mac. 21:12.

9, 10. (a) Kodi Paulo ayenera kuti anakumbukira chiyani atamva maganizo a abale a ku Turo? (b) Kodi anthu ambiri m’dzikoli ali ndi maganizo otani, nanga maganizo amenewo akusiyana bwanji ndi zimene Yesu ananena?

⁹ Paulo atamva maganizo a abalewo, mwina iye anakumbukira kuti zinthu ngati zimenezi zinachitikiranso Yesu pamene anauza ophunzira ake kuti akupita ku Yerusalemu ndipo akazunzidwa ndi kuphedwa. Pomudera nkhawa, Petulo anamuuza kuti: “Dzikomereni mtima Ambuye. Musalole kuti zimenezi zikuchitikireni ngakhale pang’ono.” Koma Yesu anayankha kuti: “Pita kumbuyo kwanga, Satana! Ndiwe chopunthwitsa kwa ine chifukwa zimene umaganiza si maganizo a Mulungu, koma maganizo a anthu.” (Mat. 16:21-23) Yesu anali wokonzeka kuchita zimene Mulungu anamuuza. Nayenso Paulo anali ndi mtima ngati umenewu. Mofanana ndi mtumwi Petulo, abale a ku Turo anali ndi zolinga zabwino koma sanamvetse kuti zimene Paulo ankafuna kuchitazo chinali chifuniro cha Mulungu.

¹⁰ Anthu ambiri masiku ano amafuna zinthu zabwino zokhazokha kapena amakonda kuchita zinthu zosavuta, ngakhale zinthuzo zitakhala zoipa. Mwachitsanzo, anthu ambiri amafuna chipembedzo chimene sichitsatira mfundo zokhwima komanso chimene chimalola anthu ake kuti azichita zimene akufuna. Koma Yesu analimbikitsa ophunzira ake kuti akhale ndi maganizo osiyana ndi amenewa. Iye anawauza kuti: “Ngati munthu akufuna kunditsatira, adzikane yekha ndipo anyamule mtengo wake wozunzikirapo n’kupitiriza kunditsatira.” (Mat. 16:24) Kutsatira Yesu ndi chinthu chanzeru ndiponso choyenera, koma sikophweka.

11. Kodi ophunzira a ku Turo anasonyeza bwanji kuti ankakonda Paulo?

¹¹ Kenako nthawi inakwana yoti Paulo, Luka ndi anzawo aja apitirize ulendo wawo. Zimene zinachitika pamene ankanyamuka zinali zokhudza mtima, chifukwa zinasonyeza kuti abale a ku Turo ankakonda kwambiri Paulo ndipo ankafuna kuti apitirize utumiki wake. Paulo ndi anthu amene ankayenda nawo ananyamuka kupita kunyanja ndipo amuna, akazi ndi ana omwe anawaperekeza. Atafika, onse anagwada pansi n’kupemphera limodzi kenako anatsanzikana. Atatero Paulo, Luka ndi anzawo aja anakwera ngalawa ina yopita ku Tolemayi, kumene anakumana ndi abale ndipo anakhala nawo tsiku limodzi.​—Mac. 21:5-7.

12, 13. (a) N’chiyani chikusonyeza kuti Filipo ankatumikira Mulungu mokhulupirika? (b) N’chifukwa chiyani Filipo ndi chitsanzo chabwino kwa amuna a Chikhristu amene ali ndi ana masiku ano?

¹² Kenako, Luka ananena kuti Paulo ndi anzakewo ananyamuka kupita ku Kaisareya. Atafika kumeneko, anapita “kunyumba kwa mlaliki wina dzina lake Filipo.”a (Mac. 21:8) Iwo ayenera kuti anasangalala kwambiri ataona Filipo. Pafupifupi zaka 20 m’mbuyomu pamene Filipo anali ku Yerusalemu, iye anasankhidwa ndi atumwi kuti athandize pa ntchito yogawa chakudya mumpingo umene unali utangoyamba kumene. Kwa nthawi yaitali, Filipo anali mlaliki wakhama. Kumbukirani kuti ophunzira atabalalika chifukwa chozunzidwa, Filipo anapita ku Samariya ndipo anayamba kulalikira kumeneko. Kenako analalikira nduna ya ku Itiyopiya n’kuibatiza. (Mac. 6:2-6; 8:4-13, 26-38) N’zoonekeratu kuti iye anachita utumiki wake mokhulupirika.

¹³ Filipo sanasiye kuchita utumiki wake mwakhama, ndipo pamene anali ku Kaisareya, anapitiriza kugwira ntchito yolalikira, monga mmene Luka anasonyezera pomutchula kuti “mlaliki.” Filipo anali ndi ana aakazi 4 amene ankanenera, ndipo zimenezi zikusonyeza kuti anatengera chitsanzo cha bambo awo.b (Mac. 21:9) Apa n’zoonekeratu kuti Filipo anathandiza kwambiri banja lake kuti lilimbe mwauzimu. Masiku ano, amuna a Chikhristu amene ali ndi ana ayenera kutengera chitsanzo chimenechi. Iwo ayenera kutsogolera banja lawo mu utumiki ndi kuthandiza ana awo kuti azikonda ntchito yolalikira.

14. Kodi n’chiyani chimene chinkachitika Paulo akamachezera Akhristu anzake, nanga ifeyo masiku ano tingawatsanzire bwanji?

¹⁴ Kulikonse kumene wapita, Paulo ankafufuza Akhristu anzake ndipo akawapeza, ankakhala nawo kwa kanthawi. N’zodziwikiratu kuti abale ankalandira mosangalala m’mishonaleyu ndi anzake amene ankayenda nawo. Tikukhulupirira kuti maulendo oterowo ankathandiza Akhristu chifukwa ankalimbikitsana. (Aroma 1:11, 12) Zimenezi zimachitikanso masiku ano. Timadalitsidwa kwambiri tikalandira woyang’anira dera ndi mkazi wake kunyumba kwathu, ngakhale nyumbayo itakhala yaing’ono komanso tilibe zinthu zambiri.​—Aroma 12:13.

“Ndine Wokonzeka . . . Kukafa” (Machitidwe 21:10-14)

15, 16. Kodi Agabo anabwera ndi uthenga wotani, nanga unakhudza bwanji anthu amene anamvetsera?

¹⁵ Pamene Paulo anali kunyumba ya Filipo, kunafika mlendo wina wolemekezeka dzina lake Agabo. Anthu amene anasonkhana kunyumba ya Filipo ankadziwa kuti Agabo ndi mneneri, yemwe analosera njala yaikulu imene inachitika m’nthawi ya ulamuliro wa Kalaudiyo. (Mac. 11:27, 28) Mwina iwo ankadzifunsa kuti: ‘N’chifukwa chiyani Agabo wabwera kuno? Kodi wabwera ndi uthenga wotani?’ Pamene iwo ankamuyang’anitsitsa, iye anatenga lamba wa Paulo amene ankamanga m’chiuno ndipo ankatha kusungamo ndalama ndi zinthu zina. Atatero, Agabo anadzimanga mapazi ndi manja ndi lambayo. Kenako ananena uthenga woopsa wakuti: “Mzimu woyera wati, ‘Mwiniwake wa lambayu, Ayuda adzamumanga chonchi ku Yerusalemu n’kumupereka kwa anthu a mitundu ina.’”​—Mac. 21:11.

¹⁶ Ulosiwu unatsimikizira kuti Paulo apita ku Yerusalemu. Unasonyezanso kuti ntchito yake yolalikira kwa Ayuda ikachititsa kuti aperekedwe “kwa anthu a mitundu ina.” Ulosiwu unawakhudza kwambiri anthu amene anali pamalowo ndipo Luka analemba kuti: “Titamva zimenezi, ife ndi anthu amene anali kumeneko, tinayamba kuchonderera Paulo kuti asapite ku Yerusalemu. Koma Paulo anayankha kuti: ‘N’chifukwa chiyani mukulira ndiponso kufuna kundifooketsa? Inetu ndine wokonzeka osati kumangidwa kokha, komanso kukafa ku Yerusalemu chifukwa cha dzina la Ambuye Yesu.’”​—Mac. 21:12, 13.

17, 18. Kodi Paulo anasonyeza bwanji kuti anatsimikiza ndi mtima wonse kuchita chifuniro cha Mulungu, nanga abale anatani?

¹⁷ Taganizani zimene zinachitika. Luka limodzi ndi abalewo anachonderera Paulo kuti asapite ku Yerusalemu ndipo ena ankalira. Popeza kuti abalewo anasonyeza kuti ankamudera nkhawa, Paulo mokoma mtima anawauza kuti ‘akumufooketsa,’ kapena kuti “ankaswa mtima” wake monga mmene Mabaibulo ena amafotokozera. Komabe, iye anali wotsimikiza ndi mtima wonse, ndipo mofanana ndi mmene zinalili pamene anakumana ndi abale ku Turo, sakanalola kuti asinthe maganizo ake chifukwa choti abale akumuchonderera kapena akumulirira. M’malomwake, anawafotokozera chifukwa chake ayenera kupita. Apatu Paulo anasonyeza kuti anali wolimba mtima. Mofanana ndi Yesu, Paulo anatsimikiza ndi mtima wonse kupita ku Yerusalemu. (Aheb. 12:2) Iye sankachita zimenezi n’cholinga choti afere chikhulupiriro chake, koma ngati zimenezo zikanachitika, iye akanaona kuti ndi mwayi kufa monga wotsatira wa Yesu Khristu.

¹⁸ Kodi abalewo anachita chiyani Paulo atawauza zimenezi? Anayankha mwaulemu, chifukwa Luka analemba kuti: “Titalephera kumusintha maganizo, tinasiya kumuletsa n’kunena kuti: ‘Chifuniro cha Yehova chichitike.’” (Mac. 21:14) Abale amene ankachonderera Paulo kuti asapite ku Yerusalemu sanaumirire maganizo awo. Iwo anamvetsera zimene Paulo ananena ndipo anangovomereza. Abalewo anadziwa chifuniro cha Yehova ndipo analola kuti chichitike ngakhale kuti zimenezo zinali zovuta kwa iwo. Paulo anapitiriza ulendo wopita ku Yerusalemu ndipo zimene zinachitika kumeneko, zinachititsa kuti pamapeto pake aphedwe. Paulo ankaona kuti zikanakhala bwino ngati anthu amene ankamukondawo akanapanda kumuletsa kuti asapite ku Yerusalemu.

19. Kodi tingapeze phunziro labwino kwambiri liti tikaona zimene zinachitikira Paulo?

¹⁹ Pali phunziro labwino kwambiri limene tingapeze tikaona zimene zinachitikira Paulo: Tisamayese kufooketsa Akhristu amene asankha kukhala moyo wosalira zambiri kuti atumikire bwino Mulungu. Phunziro limeneli lingagwire ntchito pa nkhani zambiri, osati pa nkhani yokhudza moyo ndi imfa yokha. Mwachitsanzo, makolo ambiri a Chikhristu amadandaula akaona ana awo akuchoka panyumba kukatumikira Yehova kumadera akutali, komabe ngakhale zili choncho makolowo amakhala otsimikiza ndi mtima wonse kuti asayese kufooketsa anawo. Mwachitsanzo, mlongo wina dzina lake Phyllis yemwe amakhala ku England, amene ali ndi mwana mmodzi yekha wamkazi, amakumbukira mmene anamvera pamene mwana wake wamkaziyu anapita ku Africa kukachita utumiki waumishonale. Mlongoyu anati: “Zinandikhudza kwambiri mumtima ndipo zinali zovuta chifukwa ndinkadziwa kuti ku Africa ndi kutali kwambiri. Ndinamva chisoni, komanso pa nthawi imodzimodziyo, ndinkanyadira. Ndinapempherera kwambiri nkhaniyi, koma ndinkadziwa kuti mwana wangayo wasankha yekha kuchita utumikiwu ndipo sindinayese kumunyengerera kuti abwerere. Ndipotu nthawi zonse ndinkamuphunzitsa kuti aziika zinthu zokhudza Ufumu pamalo oyamba pa moyo wake. Panopa iye wakhala akutumikira Mulungu m’mayiko osiyanasiyana kwa zaka 30, ndipo tsiku lililonse ndimathokoza Yehova chifukwa mwana wangayo akupitirizabe kukhala wokhulupirika.” Choncho, ndi bwino kuti tizilimbikitsa Akhristu anzathu amene asankha kukhala moyo wosalira zambiri kuti atumikire bwino Yehova.

“Abale Anatilandira Mosangalala” (Machitidwe 21:15-17)

20, 21. N’chiyani chikusonyeza kuti Paulo ankafunitsitsa kukhala limodzi ndi abale, nanga n’chifukwa chiyani ankafuna kuchita zimenezi?

²⁰ Paulo anakonzekera ulendo ndipo ananyamuka pamodzi ndi abalewo. Zimenezi zinasonyeza kuti abalewo sanataye mtima koma ankamuthandiza ndi mtima wonse. Paliponse pamene ankaima pa ulendo wopita ku Yerusalemuwu, Paulo ndi anzakewo ankafufuza abale ndi alongo awo a Chikhristu. Mwachitsanzo, ku Turo anafufuza ophunzira ndipo atawapeza anakhala nawo masiku 7. Iwo anaima ku Tolemayi kuti apereke moni kwa abale ndi alongo awo ndipo anakhala nawo tsiku limodzi. Atafika ku Kaisareya, anakhala masiku angapo kunyumba kwa Filipo. Kenako, ophunzira ena a ku Kaisareya anaperekeza Paulo ndi anzakewo ku Yerusalemu, ndipo iye atalowa mumzindawu, anafikira kunyumba ya Mnaso, mmodzi mwa ophunzira oyambirira. Kenako atafika ku Yerusalemu, Luka ananena kuti “abale anatilandira mosangalala.”​—Mac. 21:17.

²¹ N’zoonekeratu kuti Paulo ankafunitsitsa kukhala limodzi ndi Akhristu anzake. Mtumwiyu ankalimbikitsidwa ndi abale komanso alongo ake ngati mmene zimachitikiranso masiku ano. Zimenezi zinamulimbikitsa Paulo kuti asachite mantha polankhula ndi anthu aukali komanso otsutsa amene ankafuna kumupha.