Hebrews 10:32

32 But call to remembrance the former days in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions,

Hebrews 10:32 Meaning and Commentary

Hebrews 10:32

But call to remembrance the former days
The words may be considered either as a declaration of what they had done, and be read, "but ye do call to remembrance" or as an exhortation to remember the days of their espousals, the times of their first conversion: and the apostle's design in this is, to mitigate the terror the preceding words might strike them with; and to aggravate the disgrace of turning back, when they had behaved so bravely in former times; and to encourage their faith and trust in God:

in which after ye were illuminated,
by the Spirit of God, to see their impurity, impotence, and unrighteousness, and their lost and miserable state by nature; and to behold Christ and salvation by him; and to have some light into the doctrines of the Gospel; and some glimmering of the glories of another world. The Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it "baptized"; now such as are converted, and are brought to make a public profession of their faith, and submit to the ordinances of Christ, are, in common, immediately called to suffer reproach and persecution of one kind or another; so Christ, after his baptism, was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil: Satan is spiteful and malicious, and God suffers afflictions to befall his people to try their graces, and to inure them to troubles early, as follows;

ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
meaning some violent persecution from their own countrymen, either at the death of Stephen, in which the apostle, being then unconverted; was concerned himself; or rather some other time of trouble, after the apostle was converted, to which he seems to have respect in ( 1 Thessalonians 2:14 1 Thessalonians 2:15 ) , these Hebrews, being enlisted as soldiers under Christ, the Captain of their salvation, were quickly engaged in a warfare, and were called forth to fight a fight of afflictions, and a very great one; and which they endured with patience, courage, and intrepidity.

Hebrews 10:32 In-Context

30 For we know Him that hath said, "Vengeance belongeth unto Me; I will recompense," saith the Lord. And again, "The Lord shall judge His people."

31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

32 But call to remembrance the former days in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions,

33 partly while ye were being made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions, and partly while ye became companions of those who were so used.

34 For ye had compassion on me in my bonds and took joyfully the despoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in Heaven a better and an enduring substance.