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Apostasy from the profession of the hope had the character of presumptuous sin, for
which the law made no provision. That David, for example, could be forgiven shows that
a fuller sacrifice is found under the gospel than under the law, but the apostle does not
bring this forward, neither does he mitigate the severity of the judgment that is
pronounced against such. "Fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries", "died
without mercy", "of how much sorer punishment", "vengeance is Mine", "it is a fearful
thing to fall into the hands of the living God", all stress the extreme severity of the
penalty. "Trodden under foot the Son of God", "counting the blood of the covenant
unholy", "doing despite to the spirit of grace", these terms reveal the enormity of the sin
of turning back to Judaism. In this light Heb. 6: 1-8 is to be read, to which the word
"illuminated" of 10: 32 evidently refers.
Things that accompany salvation.
Just as the apostle in Heb. 6:, after speaking in severe terms of apostates, turns to the
Hebrew believers saying, "But beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things
that accompany salvation, though we thus speak" (6: 9), so here in Heb. 10: 32 the
apostle continues:--
"But call to remembrance the former days, in which after ye were illuminated, ye
endured a great fight of afflictions."
There is also blessed condescension to the frail and the weaker faith. Not only does he
call to remembrance the conspicuous hero of the fight, but the more reticent and less
observed partner in the fight. Some were made a "gazing stock". Not so much is said of
violence, or of actual sufferings, but the Lord enters into that shrinking which most of us
have of being pilloried for our faith. Blessed truth, He knows, and weighs these things in
the balance of the sanctuary. They might have gone free from observation. They might
have remained quietly shielded, but they are remembered in that they became
"companions" of them that were so used. Instead of the reading, "Ye had compassion of
me in my bonds", the text reads, "of those in bonds". This epistle to the Hebrews does
not teach that the writer (Paul as we believe) was a prisoner at the time of writing. They
also took with joy the spoiling of their possessions, probably by "extortion" as the words
are rendered in Matt. 23: 25.
"Knowing that you have for yourselves a better and enduring possession" (Heb. 10: 34).
The text omits the words "in" and "in heaven". Upon this basis the apostle rests his
exhortation.
"Cast not away therefore your confidence (boldness, 10: 19) which hath great
recompense of reward" (10: 35).
What they did need was "patience". Patience is essential for perfecting. The epistle
of James is written around that thought. The first chapter opens with it (verses 3, 4 and
12), and the fifth chapter closes with it, "Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have
seen the end of the Lord" (James 5: 11). "The day" is approaching. That day is the