Heb 10:32-39 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Heb 10:32-39: 10:32-39 The harsh warning (10:26-31 ) is followed by a word of encouragement. The hearers’ own faithfulness in the past is used as a positive example for them to follow now. 10:32 when you first learned about Christ: The author reminds his readers of those early days , shortly after the community embraced Christianity, when their faith was tested. At that time, they remained faithful in the face of terrible suffering . Suffering is normal for a person who identifies with Christ and his community (13:12-13 ; Acts 9:16 ; Rom 8:17 ; 1 Cor 4:12-13 ; Phil 1:29 ; Jas 1:2-4 ).

Summary for Heb 10:32-39: 10:32-39 ^a The harsh warning (10:26-31 ^b) is followed by a word of encouragement. The hearers’ own faithfulness in the past is used as a positive example for them to follow now. 10:32 ^c when you first learned about Christ: The author reminds his readers of those early days, shortly after the community embraced Christianity, when their faith was tested. At that time, they remained faithful in the face of terrible suffering. Suffering is normal for a person who identifies with Christ and his community (13:12-13 ^d; Acts 9:16 ^e; Rom 8:17 ^f; 1 Cor 4:12-13 ^g; Phil 1:29 ^h; Jas 1:2-4 ⁱ).
10:33 ^j public ridicule: They were insulted and disgraced.

• beaten: They were abused physically.

• At times they were direct recipients of abuse, and at times they stood with others who were suffering.
10:34 ^k those who were thrown into jail: Prisoners were dependent on friends and family for the most basic daily needs (cp. 13:3 ^l).

• when all you owned was taken from you: At times, the Roman government evicted groups of people from their homes and forced them to leave a city (see Acts 18:2-3 ^m). These Christians had faced this kind of persecution in the past and accepted it with joy (cp. Rom 5:3 ⁿ; Jas 1:2-4 ^o; 1 Pet 1:6 ^p). They anticipated better things . . . that will last forever (see Heb 11:35 ^q). God promises rewards to those who persevere faithfully.
Summary for Heb 10:35-36: 10:35-36 ^r Based on their exemplary faithfulness in the past (10:32-34 ^s), the author urges them not to throw away this confident trust in the Lord. The word translated confident trust is also used in Hebrews to speak of boldness in entering the presence of God (4:16 ^t; 10:19 ^u; cp. 3:6 ^v). Those who remain faithful receive a great reward (see 1:14 ^w; 6:12 ^x; 9:15 ^y; Jas 1:12 ^z). Patient endurance is the key response needed in the face of persecution, as the author argues in Heb 10:32–12:17 ^aa.
Summary for Heb 10:37-38: 10:37-38 ^ab These verses quote Hab 2:3-4 ^ac to contrast the righteous and the wicked as they face God’s judgment (cp. Rom 1:17 ^ad; Gal 3:11 ^ae).
10:39 ^af The author ends this section with a statement of confidence in his hearers (see study note on 6:9).