Many believing Jews during the first century AD were discouraged at the time of Paul’s writing this epistle, and this was due to the persecution they had to endure at the hand of their countrymen (Hebrews 10:32-33; cf. Matthew 24:12). Some were falling away and going back to Judaism, which they knew (Hebrews 10:26; i.e. they had precise or correct knowledge – G1922) was unprofitable (Hebrews 7:18-19). They were abandoning Christ for a more comfortable life without having to bear the shame of Christ (Hebrews 12:2; cf. Galatians 5:11). In fact, just as Jesus had predicted in his Olivet Discourse, the rate of Jewish apostasy was increasing at an alarming rate (Matthew 24:12), hence the need for Paul to write this Epistle to the Hebrews. Therefore, Paul encouraged them to recall the former days rather than looking upon their present circumstance. He wanted them to remember the days in which they willingly endured great suffering for the sake of the Gospel.
In Hebrews 10:33 Paul describes the suffering these believing Jews endured by saying they were made a gazingstock (theatrizo – G2301). The Greek word is used only here, but it has a relationship to theatron (G2302), which “Thayer’s Greek Lexicon” describes as: “a theatre, a place in which games and dramatic spectacles are exhibited, metaphorically of a man who is exhibited to be gazed at and made sport of.” In such a manner these believers endured the reproach (criticism, denigration, accusations etc.) of men (Luke 6:22), which is what the Jewish authorities did to Jesus (Romans 15:3).
Besides being used as gazingstocks, Paul claimed believing Jews were afflicted (G2347). That is, they were oppressed and put in a state of distress. Tremendous pressure was exerted upon them in order that they might recant their faith and relationship with Christ, and return to Judaism. Yet, these saints endured all this joyfully (Hebrews 10:34), which causes one to wonder: what greater degree of such things (cf. Matthew 24:12) were they forced to endure as time went on, which, at the time of Paul’s writing, caused them to buckle under that pressure and abandon Christ?
Paul, specifically, pointed to the suffering they joyfully endured for his sake (Hebrews 10:34), when he was with them and held prisoner in Caesarea. At that time, Paul recalls, they had property seized or destroyed, because they made themselves his companions (cf. Hebrews 10:33). All this they endure joyfully, knowing they had a sure and better reward in heaven, which would be theirs upon their vindication at Christ’s coming (Matthew 16:27-28). Therefore, Paul told them not to cast away their confidence (G3954), meaning their boldness, their freedom to speak the word of God, their courage to speak out publicly (Hebrews 10:35). In the past, they had their eyes upon the prize (Philippians 3:14; cf. Matthew 16:27-28), but their then present circumstance caused them to remove their eyes from their expected reward in order to contemplate their suffering.
In verse-36 Paul told his readers three things about themselves. First, they needed patience, because, secondly, they have already done the will of God, and, finally, their reward was sure and was coming soon (Hebrews 10:37). Then in Hebrews 10:37-38 Paul drew from the word of God in Habakkuk 2:3-4 in an effort to both encourage and warn his readers. Habakkuk told the Jews of his day that the Lord would come in the end of the age, and when that time would come, the Lord would not delay. Nevertheless, they would have need of patience, because the Lord would take no pleasure in those who fall away. Rather, the just would live by faith in the vision or promise. Paul concludes in hope, saying we, numbering himself with his brethren in Judea, are not men who draw back or submit to pressure (Hebrews 10:33; cp. Mark 4:17). Rather, we are of those who believe to the very end, at which time we shall be saved as the Lord promised (Mark 13:13).
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