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Hebrews 10:32-34 meaning

Verses covered in this passage:

  • Hebrews 10:32
  • Hebrews 10:33
  • Hebrews 10:34

The Hebrews have proven in the past that they are capable of enduring through trials, suffering for Christ’s sake, and remaining faithful.

After painting a serious picture of pain and loss for those who abandon walking by faith, Paul tells the Hebrews that they have already shown that they are capable of living faithful and obedient lives that honor God. The readers of this letter have already gone through many difficult trials in their lives. Here Paul reminds them of former days where they, as believers, have already suffered gladly. They have been made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations. They showed sympathy to the prisoners, something that might have also put them at risk of imprisonment. They had their property taken away from them, unjustly, and they accepted it joyfully because they knew that they had a lasting home in the house of God (verse 21). It is important to note here that Paul says have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. It is present tense, they “have” a possession in heaven.

Paul reminds them of these things so that they would be encouraged to keep persisting in their faith. He points out specific ways they have endured, after being enlightened, after the point of being justified before God. Since they became believers, they have shown endurance, strength, and joy, all because they had an eternal perspective. Paul wants them to keep going, to endure the way they have in the past, until the end, so that they can ultimately enter God’s rest and please Him. Paul does not want them to lose the reward of their inheritance.

This is also very encouraging because it makes it clear that even though these believers have drifted, become hard of hearing, and are apparently sinning willfully, there is still opportunity to turn back and begin anew. As we saw in Hebrews 6, the window for repentance can close. But Paul is confident they still have opportunity to repent. Once again, this shows God’s benevolence toward us. God really, really wants us to succeed. He wants to reward us.

Biblical Text
32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. 34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one.



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