Heb 10:34-36 | JFB | e4.org | 34. ye had compassion on me in my bonds —The oldest manuscripts and versions omit "me," and read, "Ye both sympathized with those in bonds (answering to the last clause of ; compare ), and accepted (so the Greek is translated in ) with joy ( ; joy in tribulations, as exercising faith and other graces, ; and the pledge of the coming glory, ) the plundering of your (own) goods (answering to the first clause of )." in yourselves —The oldest manuscripts omit "in": translate, "knowing that ye have for (or ' to ') yourselves. " better —a heavenly ( ). enduring —not liable to spoiling. substance —possession: peculiarly our own, if we will not cast away our birthright.

‏ Hebrews 10:34-36

34. ye had compassion on me in my bonds—The oldest manuscripts and versions omit "me," and read, "Ye both sympathized with those in bonds (answering to the last clause of Heb 10:33; compare Heb 13:3, 23; 6:10), and accepted (so the Greek is translated in Heb 11:35) with joy (Jas 1:2; joy in tribulations, as exercising faith and other graces, Ro 5:3; and the pledge of the coming glory, Mt 5:12) the plundering of your (own) goods (answering to the first clause of Heb 10:33)."

in yourselves—The oldest manuscripts omit "in": translate, "knowing that ye have for (or 'to') yourselves."

better—a heavenly (Heb 11:16).

enduring—not liable to spoiling.

substance—possession: peculiarly our own, if we will not cast away our birthright.

35-37. Consequent exhortation to confidence and endurance, as Christ is soon coming.

Cast not away—implying that they now have "confidence," and that it will not withdraw of itself, unless they "cast it away" wilfully (compare Heb 3:14).

which—Greek, "the which": inasmuch as being such as.

hath—present tense: it is as certain as if you had it in your hand (Heb 10:37). It hath in reversion.

recompense of reward—of grace not of debt: a reward of a kind which no mercenary self-seeker would seek: holiness will be its own reward; self-devoting unselfishness for Christ's sake will be its own rich recompense (see on Heb 2:2; Heb 11:26).

36. patience—Greek, "waiting endurance," or "enduring perseverance": the kindred Greek verb in the Septuagint, Hab 2:3, is translated, "wait for it" (compare Jas 5:7).

after ye have done the will of God—"that whereas ye have done the will of God" hitherto (Heb 10:32-35), ye may now show also patient, persevering endurance, and so "receive the promise," that is, the promised reward: eternal life and bliss commensurate with our work of faith and love (Heb 6:10-12). We must not only do, but also suffer (1Pe 4:19). God first uses the active talents of His servants; then polishes the other side of the stone, making the passive graces shine, patience, meekness, &c. It may be also translated, "That ye may do the will of God, and receive," &c. [ALFORD]: "patience" itself is a further and a persevering doing of "God's will"; otherwise it would be profitless and no real grace (Mt 7:21). We should look, not merely for individual bliss now and at death, but for the great and general consummation of bliss of all saints, both in body and soul.