Hebrews 10:34Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Here he points to the apostles. You were not only unashamed before your household, he says, but also shared in the sufferings of others who endured the same things. By this he offers them consolation.

He did not say, "You endured my afflictions," or "you became my companions," but simply, "you had compassion on my bonds." Do you see that he speaks of himself and of other prisoners? You did not regard bonds as bonds, he says, but conducted yourselves like courageous combatants. You not only did not need consolation in your own sufferings, but served as consolation for others.

"And you accepted the plundering of your possessions with joy." O what fullness of faith! Then he gives the reason, urging them not only to contests, but also to steadfastness in faith.

"For you also had compassion on my bonds." You not only did not need consolation in your own sufferings, but became a consolation to others. I am the witness of this.

"And you accepted the plundering of your possessions with joy." Having said in passing how they were companions of others, he now again says how they endured their own afflictions. To be plundered is a great thing, for you were plundered because you believed. Of course, you could have chosen not to believe.

"Accepted" indicates voluntary endurance, and that they chose it gladly. The expression "with joy" makes you equal to the apostles, who returned rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of the Lord (Acts 5:41).

Even up to this time you had compassion on prisoners and did not mourn the plundering of your possessions. On the contrary, you rejoiced in soul, because you knew and hoped that better things were prepared for you in heaven, in place of the worse and corruptible things taken from you.

I want you to call to mind those glorious contests. For as soon as you received the light of the knowledge of God, you gained victory in many glorious struggles. At times you yourselves were subjected to abuse and mockery, and with great nobility of soul you were deprived of your possessions. At other times you remained in fellowship with those who suffered such things and rendered them every kind of service. You did all this with zeal because you had hope in the good things promised in heaven. Then the Apostle continues the exhortation.

"For you had compassion on my chains." You grieved with me for the sake of Christ, the common Master. This served as proof of their love for Him and their disposition toward the Apostle himself. In general, it served as a sign of their sincere faith. "And you accepted the plundering of your possessions with joy." Their fellow countrymen who did not believe in Christ plundered their possessions. "Knowing that you have for yourselves a better and abiding possession in heaven." This is the cause of their endurance, which was filled with joy. They would not have known this if they had not believed the Gospel promises without doubt, which also proves their firm faith.

Instead of reaching such a desperate condition, the readers of the epistle should edify and strengthen themselves in the faith by remembering their bright past. Then, with the firmness and readiness given by their recent enlightenment through faith, they not only helped those who suffered, but did not themselves shrink from every kind of suffering that befell the Jerusalem Church generally (vv. 32-34; cf. Acts 4:3; 5:12; 4:18; 8:1).