ejmp. eij" c.
] The phrase occurs in the LXX. in a different connexion, 2 Sam. 24:14; 1 Chron. 21:13; Ecclus. 2:18.
qeou' zw'nto"
] See Heb. 3:12 note.
(3) Heb. 10:32-39. Encouragements from past experience. Words of encouragement follow upon the words of warning, just as the warnings in Heb. 6:4-8, were followed by the expression of joyful confidence. The Hebrews are reminded of their former courageous faith (10:32-34); and they are exhorted not to peril its fruit at the last moment (10:35-39). They had fought their battle: all that was required was that they should endure to wait for their crown:
a[ra eJno;" uJmi'n dei' movnou, i{na ajnameivnhte th;n mevllhsin oujc i{na ajqlhvshte pavlin
...
pro;" to; stefanwqh'nai eJsthvkate loipovn
:
tou'to movnon fevrete, th;n mevllhsin tou' stefavnou
(Chrys.).
32 But call to mind the days of former time wherein after ye were enlightened ye endured a great struggle of sufferings ,
33 partly being made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions, and partly claiming fellowship with those who so lived. 34 For ye both had compassion on them that were in bonds and accepted with joy the spoiling of your possessions, knowing that ye had your own selves for a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Cast not away therefore your boldness seeing it hath great recompense of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that having done the will of God ye may receive His promise.
37 For, yet a very little while , He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry. 38 But my righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of shrinking back unto destruction, but of faith unto gaining of the soul.
Heb. 10:32-34. The retrospect of their own history was sufficient to inspire the Hebrews with patience. They had borne sufferings themselves and shared the sufferings of others. They had experienced in all this the assurance of a better possession than any that they could lose by persecution. And, as Chrysostom says: pollh; hJ dia; tw'n e[rgwn paravklhsi" . to;n ga;r ajrcovmenon pravgmato" proi>ovnta ejpididovnai crhv .
10:32.
ajnamimnhvskesqe dev
...]
Call again to remembrance...Call to mind
...Latt.
Rememoramini autem (igitur).
2 Cor. 7:15; 2 Tim. 1:6 (
ajnamimnhvskw de ajnazwpurei'n
). The word is used of recalling specific subjects to the mind. Contrast Heb. 13:2
mimnhvskesqe tw'n desmivwn
.
The phrase
ta;" provteron hJmevra"
does not so much express the former days (
ta;" protevra" hJm
.) as a definite period, as the days at a former time, at an earlier stage of your faith (Thuc. 6.9
ejn tw'/ provteron crovnw/
). Compare 1 Pet. 1:14
tai'" provteron ejn th'/ ajgnoiva/ uJmw'n ejpiqumivai"
. 2 Pet. 1:9 (
tw'n pavlai aujtou' aJmarthmavtwn
); 3:6 (
oJ tovte kovsmo"
); 3:7 (
oiJ nu'n oujranoiv
); Rom. 3:26 (
ejn tw'/ nu'n kairw'/
); Heb. 8:18; 11:5; 1 Cor. 4:11 (
a[cri th'" a[rti w{ra"
); 2 Cor. 8:14; Gal. 4:25 (
th'/ nu'n jIerousalhvm
); 1 Tim. 4:8 (
zwh'" th'" nu'n kai; th'" mellouvsh"
); 6:14 (
ejn tw'/ nu'n aijw'ni
); 2 Tim. 4:10; Tit. 2:12.
ejn ai|"
...
pol. a[qlhsin uJpem. paqhmavtwn
]
wherein...ye endured a great struggle of sufferings
, that is, consisting in sufferings, Lat.
in quibus illuminati
... certamen sustinuistis passionum.
The use of the word
a[qlhsi"
(here only in N. T., and not in LXX. comp. 2 Tim. 2:5) adds to the picture the image of